5/18/2010

juchre.org

The Holy Scriptures

According to the Masoretic Text

A New Translation

With the aid of previous versions and with constant consultation of Jewish Authorities

Max Leopold Margolis

The Jewish Publication Society

1917

THE WRITINGS:

Table of Contents

Psalms Proverbs Job

Song of Solomon Ruth Lamentations

Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra

Nehemiah 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles

Psalms

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

[31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40]

[41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50]

[51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60]

[61] [62] [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70]

[71] [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] [80]

[81] [82] [83] [84] [85] [86] [87] [88] [89] [90]

[91] [92] [93] [94] [95] [96] [97] [98] [99] [100]

[101] [102] [103] [104] [105] [106] [107] [108] [109] [110]

[111] [112] [113] [114] [115] [116] [117] [118] [119] [120]

[121] [122] [123] [124] [125] [126] [127] [128] [129] [130]

[131] [132] [133] [134] [135] [136] [137] [138] [139] [140]

[141] [142] [143] [144] [145] [146] [147] [148] [149] [150]

BOOK 1

PSALM 1 — Happy is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stood in the way of sinners,

Nor sat in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD;

And in His law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water,

That bringeth forth its fruit in its season,

And whose leaf doth not wither;

And in whatsoever he doeth he shall prosper.

4 Not so the wicked;

But they are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD regardeth the way of the righteous;

But the way of the wicked shall perish.

PSALM 2 — Why are the nations in an uproar?

And why do the peoples mutter in vain?

2 The kings of the earth stand up,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD, and against His anointed:

3 'Let us break their bands asunder,

And cast away their cords from us.'

4 He that sitteth in heaven laugheth,

The Lord hath them in derision.

5 Then will He speak unto them in His wrath,

And affright them in His sore displeasure:

6 'Truly it is I that have established My king

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.'

7 I will tell of the decree:

The LORD said unto me: 'Thou art My son,

This day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for thine inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;

Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'

10 Now therefore, O ye kings, be wise;

Be admonished, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

And rejoice with trembling.

12 Do homage in purity, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way,

When suddenly His wrath is kindled.

Happy are all they that take refuge in Him.

PSALM 3 — A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

2 LORD, how many are mine adversaries become!

Many are they that rise up against me.

3 Many there are that say of my soul:

'There is no salvation for him in God.' Selah

4 But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me;

My glory, and the lifter up of my head.

5 With my voice I call unto the LORD,

And He answereth me out of His holy mountain. Selah

6 I lay me down, and I sleep;

I awake, for the LORD sustaineth me.

7 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people,

That have set themselves against me round about.

8 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God;

For Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek,

Thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.

9 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD;

Thy blessing be upon Thy people. Selah

PSALM 4 — For the Leader; with string-music. A Psalm of David.

2 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness,

Thou who didst set me free when I was in distress;

Be gracious unto me, and hear my prayer.

3 O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be put to shame,

In that ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah

4 But know that the LORD hath set apart the godly man as His own;

The LORD will hear when I call unto Him.

5 Tremble, and sin not;

Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

6 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And put your trust in the LORD.

7 Many there are that say: 'Oh that we could see some good!'

LORD, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.

8 Thou hast put gladness in my heart,

More than when their corn and their wine increase.

9 In peace will I both lay me down and sleep;

For Thou, LORD, makest me dwell alone in safety.

PSALM 5 — For the Leader; upon the Nehiloth. A Psalm of David.

2 Give ear to my words, O LORD,

Consider my meditation.

3 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God;

For unto Thee do I pray.

4 O LORD, in the morning shalt Thou hear my voice;

In the morning will I order my prayer unto Thee, and will look forward.

5 For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness;

Evil shall not sojourn with Thee.

6 The boasters shall not stand in Thy sight;

Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

7 Thou destroyest them that speak falsehood;

The LORD abhorreth the man of blood and of deceit.

8 But as for me, in the abundance of Thy lovingkindness will I come into Thy house;

I will bow down toward Thy holy temple in the fear of Thee.

9 O LORD, lead me in Thy righteousness because of them that lie in wait for me;

Make Thy way straight before my face.

10 For there is no sincerity in their mouth;

Their inward part is a yawning gulf,

Their throat is an open sepulchre;

They make smooth their tongue.

11 Hold them guilty, O God,

Let them fall by their own counsels;

Cast them down in the multitude of their transgressions;

For they have rebelled against Thee.

12 So shall all those that take refuge in Thee rejoice,

They shall ever shout for joy,

And Thou shalt shelter them;

Let them also that love Thy name exult in Thee.

13 For Thou dost bless the righteous;

O LORD, Thou dost encompass him with favour as with a shield.

PSALM 6 — For the Leader; with string-music; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

2 O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger,

Neither chasten me in Thy wrath.

3 Be gracious unto me, O LORD, for I languish away;

Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are affrighted.

4 My soul also is sore affrighted;

And Thou, O LORD, how long?

5 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul;

Save me for Thy mercy's sake.

6 For in death there is no remembrance of Thee;

In the nether-world who will give Thee thanks?

7 I am weary with my groaning;

Every night make I my bed to swim;

I melt away my couch with my tears.

8 Mine eye is dimmed because of vexation;

It waxeth old because of all mine adversaries.

9 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity;

For the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

10 The LORD hath heard my supplication;

The LORD receiveth my prayer.

11 All mine enemies shall be ashamed and sore affrighted;

They shall turn back, they shall be ashamed suddenly.

PSALM 7 — Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning Cush a Benjamite.

2 O LORD my God, in Thee have I taken refuge;

Save me from all them that pursue me, and deliver me;

3 Lest he tear my soul like a lion,

Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

4 O LORD my God, if I have done this;

If there be iniquity in my hands;

5 If I have requited him that did evil unto me,

Or spoiled mine adversary unto emptiness;

6 Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it,

And tread my life down to the earth; yea, let him lay my glory in the dust. Selah

7 Arise, O LORD, in Thine anger,

Lift up Thyself in indignation against mine adversaries;

Yea, awake for me at the judgment which Thou hast commanded.

8 And let the congregation of the peoples compass Thee about,

And over them return Thou on high.

9 O LORD, who ministerest judgment to the peoples,

Judge me, O LORD,

According to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

10 Oh that a full measure of evil might come upon the wicked,

And that Thou wouldest establish the righteous;

For the righteous God trieth the heart and reins.

11 My shield is with God,

Who saveth the upright in heart.

12 God is a righteous judge,

Yea, a God that hath indignation every day:

13 If a man turn not, He will whet His sword,

He hath bent His bow, and made it ready;

14 He hath also prepared for him the weapons of death,

Yea, His arrows which He made sharp.

15 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity;

Yea, he conceiveth mischief, and bringeth forth falsehood.

16 He hath digged a pit, and hollowed it,

And is fallen into the ditch which he made.

17 His mischief shall return upon his own head,

And his violence shall come down upon his own pate.

18 I will give thanks unto the LORD according to His righteousness;

And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

PSALM 8 — For the Leader; upon the Gittith. A Psalm of David.

2 O LORD, our Lord,

How glorious is Thy name in all the earth!

Whose majesty is rehearsed above the heavens.

3 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou founded strength,

Because of Thine adversaries;

That Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

4 When I behold Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers,

The moon and the stars, which Thou hast established;

5 What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?

And the son of man, that Thou thinkest of him?

6 Yet Thou hast made him but little lower than the angels,

And hast crowned him with glory and honour.

7 Thou hast made him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands;

Thou hast put all things under His feet:

8 Sheep and oxen, all of them,

Yea, and the beasts of the field;

9 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea;

Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

10 O LORD, our Lord,

How glorious is Thy name in all the earth!

PSALM 9 — For the Leader; upon Muthlabben. A Psalm of David.

2 I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart;

I will tell of all Thy marvellous works.

3 I will be glad and exult in Thee;

I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High:

4 When mine enemies are turned back,

They stumble and perish at Thy presence;

5 For Thou hast maintained my right and my cause;

Thou sattest upon the throne as the righteous Judge.

6 Thou hast rebuked the nations,

Thou hast destroyed the wicked,

Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.

7 O thou enemy, the waste places are come to an end for ever;

And the cities which thou didst uproot,

Their very memorial is perished.

8 But the LORD is enthroned for ever;

He hath established His throne for judgment.

9 And He will judge the world in righteousness,

He will minister judgment to the peoples with equity.

10 The LORD also will be a high tower for the oppressed,

A high tower in times of trouble;

11 And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee;

For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.

12 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwelleth in Zion;

Declare among the peoples His doings.

13 For He that avengeth blood hath remembered them;

He hath not forgotten the cry of the humble.

14 Be gracious unto me, O LORD,

Behold mine affliction at the hands of them that hate me;

Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death;

15 That I may tell of all Thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion,

That I may rejoice in Thy salvation.

16 The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made;

In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

17 The LORD hath made Himself known, He hath executed judgment,

The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah

18 The wicked shall return to the nether-world,

Even all the nations that forget God.

19 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten,

Nor the expectation of the poor perish for ever.

20 Arise, O LORD, let not man prevail;

Let the nations be judged in Thy sight.

21 Set terror over them, O LORD;

Let the nations know they are but men. Selah

PSALM 10 — Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD?

Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?

2 Through the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued,

They are taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire,

And the covetous vaunteth himself, though he contemn the LORD.

4 The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, [saith]: 'He will not require';

All his thoughts are: 'There is no God.'

5 His ways prosper at all times;

Thy judgments are far above out of his sight;

As for all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.

6 He saith in his heart: 'I shall not be moved,

I who to all generations shall not be in adversity.'

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;

Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

8 He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages;

In secret places doth he slay the innocent;

His eyes are on the watch for the helpless.

9 He lieth in wait in a secret place as a lion in his lair,

He lieth in wait to catch the poor;

He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him up in his net.

10 He croucheth, he boweth down,

And the helpless fall into his mighty claws.

11 He hath said in his heart: 'God hath forgotten;

He hideth His face; He will never see.'

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Thy hand;

Forget not the humble.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God,

And say in his heart: 'Thou wilt not require'?

14 Thou hast seen; for Thou beholdest trouble and vexation,

To requite them with Thy hand;

Unto Thee the helpless committeth himself;

Thou hast been the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break Thou the arm of the wicked;

And as for the evil man, search out his wickedness, till none be found.

16 The LORD is King for ever and ever;

The nations are perished out of His land.

17 LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble:

Thou wilt direct their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to attend;

18 To right the fatherless and the oppressed,

That man who is of the earth may be terrible no more.

PSALM 11 — For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David.

In the LORD have I taken refuge;

How say ye to my soul:

'Flee thou! to your mountain, ye birds'?

2 For, lo, the wicked bend the bow,

They have made ready their arrow upon the string,

That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

3 When the foundations are destroyed,

What hath the righteous wrought?

4 The LORD is in His holy temple,

The LORD, His throne is in heaven;

His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.

5 The LORD trieth the righteous;

But the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked He will cause to rain coals;

Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the LORD is righteous, He loveth righteousness;

The upright shall behold His face.

PSALM 12 — For the Leader; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

2 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth;

For the faithful fail from among the children of men.

3 They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour;

With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.

4 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,

The tongue that speaketh proud things!

5 Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty;

Our lips are with us: who is lord over us?'

6 'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,

Now will I arise', saith the LORD;

'I will set him in safety at whom they puff.'

7 The words of the LORD are pure words,

As silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.

8 Thou wilt keep them, O LORD;

Thou wilt preserve us from this generation for ever.

9 The wicked walk on every side,

When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

PSALM 13 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 How long, O LORD, wilt Thou forget me for ever?

How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

3 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,

Having sorrow in my heart by day?

How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

4 Behold Thou, and answer me, O LORD my God;

Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

5 Lest mine enemy say: 'I have prevailed against him';

Lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved.

6 But as for me, in Thy mercy do I trust;

My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

I will sing unto the LORD,

Because He hath dealt bountifully with me.

PSALM 14 — For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David.

The fool hath said in his heart: 'There is no God';

They have dealt corruptly, they have done abominably;

There is none that doeth good.

2 The LORD looked forth from heaven upon the children of men,

To see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after God.

3 They are all corrupt, they are together become impure;

There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 'Shall not all the workers of iniquity know it,

Who eat up My people as they eat bread,

And call not upon the LORD?'

5 There are they in great fear;

For God is with the righteous generation.

6 Ye would put to shame the counsel of the poor,

But the LORD is his refuge.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!

When the LORD turneth the captivity of His people,

Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

PSALM 15 — A Psalm of David.

LORD, who shall sojourn in Thy tabernacle?

Who shall dwell upon Thy holy mountain?

2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness,

And speaketh truth in his heart;

3 That hath no slander upon his tongue,

Nor doeth evil to his fellow,

Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour;

4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised,

But he honoureth them that fear the LORD;

He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not;

5 He that putteth not out his money on interest,

Nor taketh a bribe against the innocent.

He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

PSALM 16 — Michtam of David.

Keep me, O God; for I have taken refuge in Thee.

2 I have said unto the LORD: 'Thou art my Lord;

I have no good but in Thee';

3 As for the holy that are in the earth,

They are the excellent in whom is all my delight.

4 Let the idols of them be multiplied that make suit unto another;

Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer,

Nor take their names upon my lips.

5 O LORD, the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup,

Thou maintainest my lot.

6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places;

Yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel;

Yea, in the night seasons my reins instruct me.

8 I have set the LORD always before me;

Surely He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth;

My flesh also dwelleth in safety;

10 For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to the nether-world;

Neither wilt Thou suffer Thy godly one to see the pit.

11 Thou makest me to know the path of life;

In Thy presence is fulness of joy,

In Thy right hand bliss for evermore.

PSALM 17 — A Prayer of David.

Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry;

Give ear unto my prayer from lips without deceit.

2 Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence;

Let Thine eyes behold equity.

3 Thou hast tried my heart, Thou hast visited it in the night;

Thou hast tested me, and Thou findest not

That I had a thought which should not pass my mouth.

4 As for the doings of men, by the word of Thy lips

I have kept me from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to Thy paths,

My feet have not slipped.

6 As for me, I call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God;

Incline Thine ear unto me, hear my speech.

7 Make passing great Thy mercies, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand

From assailants them that take refuge in Thee.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye,

Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,

9 From the wicked that oppress,

My deadly enemies, that compass me about.

10 Their gross heart they have shut tight,

With their mouth they speak proudly.

11 At our every step they have now encompassed us;

They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear in pieces,

And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down;

Deliver my soul from the wicked, by Thy sword;

14 From men, by Thy hand, O LORD,

From men of the world, whose portion is in this life,

And whose belly Thou fillest with Thy treasure;

Who have children in plenty,

And leave their abundance to their babes.

15 As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness;

I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.

PSALM 18 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul; 2 And he said:

I love thee, O LORD, my strength.

3 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

My God, my rock, in Him I take refuge;

My shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower.

4 Praised, I cry, is the LORD,

And I am saved from mine enemies.

5 The cords of Death compassed me,

And the floods of Belial assailed me.

6 The cords of Sheol surrounded me;

The snares of Death confronted me.

7 In my distress I called upon the LORD,

And cried unto my God;

Out of His temple He heard my voice,

And my cry came before Him unto His ears.

8 Then the earth did shake and quake,

The foundations also of the mountains did tremble;

They were shaken, because He was wroth.

9 Smoke arose up in His nostrils,

And fire out of His mouth did devour;

Coals flamed forth from Him.

10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down;

And thick darkness was under His feet.

11 And He rode upon a cherub, and did fly;

Yea, He did swoop down upon the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness His hiding-place, His pavilion round about Him;

Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

13 At the brightness before Him, there passed through His thick clouds

Hailstones and coals of fire.

14 The LORD also thundered in the heavens,

And the Most High gave forth His voice;

Hailstones and coals of fire.

15 And He sent out His arrows, and scattered them;

And He shot forth lightnings, and discomfited them.

16 And the channels of waters appeared,

And the foundations of the world were laid bare,

At Thy rebuke, O LORD,

At the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils.

17 He sent from on high, He took me;

He drew me out of many waters.

18 He delivered me from mine enemy most strong,

And from them that hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity;

But the LORD was a stay unto me.

20 He brought me forth also into a large place;

He delivered me, because He delighted in me.

21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;

According to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.

22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD,

And have not wickedly departed from my God.

23 For all His ordinances were before me,

And I put not away His statutes from me.

24 And I was single-hearted with Him,

And I kept myself from mine iniquity.

25 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness,

According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.

26 With the merciful Thou dost show Thyself merciful,

With the upright man Thou dost show Thyself upright;

27 With the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure;

And with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself subtle.

28 For Thou dost save the afflicted people;

But the haughty eyes Thou dost humble.

29 For Thou dost light my lamp;

The LORD my God doth lighten my darkness.

30 For by Thee I run upon a troop;

And by my God do I scale a wall.

31 As for God, His way is perfect;

The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in Him.

32 For who is God, save the LORD?

And who is a Rock, except our God?

33 The God that girdeth me with strength,

And maketh my way straight;

34 Who maketh my feet like hinds',

And setteth me upon my high places;

35 Who traineth my hands for war,

So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.

36 Thou hast also given me Thy shield of salvation,

And Thy right hand hath holden me up;

And Thy condescension hath made me great.

37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,

And my feet have not slipped.

38 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them;

Neither did I turn back till they were consumed.

39 I have smitten them through, so that they are not able to rise;

They are fallen under my feet.

40 For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle;

Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

41 Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me,

And I did cut off them that hate me.

42 They cried, but there was none to save;

Even unto the LORD, but He answered them not.

43 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind;

I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.

44 Thou hast delivered me from the contentions of the people;

Thou hast made me the head of the nations;

A people whom I have not known serve me.

45 As soon as they hear of me, they obey me;

The sons of the stranger dwindle away before me.

46 The sons of the stranger fade away,

And come trembling out of their close places.

47 The LORD liveth, and blessed be my Rock;

And exalted be the God of my salvation;

48 Even the God that executeth vengeance for me,

And subdueth peoples under me.

49 He delivereth me from mine enemies;

Yea, Thou liftest me up above them that rise up against me;

Thou deliverest me from the violent man.

50 Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the nations,

And will sing praises unto Thy name.

51 Great salvation giveth He to His king;

And showeth mercy to His anointed,

To David and to his seed, for evermore.

PSALM 19 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 The heavens declare the glory of God,

And the firmament showeth His handiwork;

3 Day unto day uttereth speech,

And night unto night revealeth knowledge;

4 There is no speech, there are no words,

Neither is their voice heard.

5 Their line is gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

In them hath He set a tent for the sun,

6 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.

7 His going forth is from the end of the heaven,

And his circuit unto the ends of it;

And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

8 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

9 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

10 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether;

11 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

12 Moreover by them is Thy servant warned;

In keeping of them there is great reward.

13 Who can discern his errors?

Clear Thou me from hidden faults.

14 Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins,

That they may not have dominion over me; then shall I be faultless,

And I shall be clear from great transgression.

15 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before Thee,

O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

PSALM 20 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 The LORD answer thee in the day of trouble;

The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;

3 Send forth thy help from the sanctuary,

And support thee out of Zion;

4 Receive the memorial of all thy meal-offerings,

And accept the fat of thy burnt-sacrifice; Selah

5 Grant thee according to thine own heart,

And fulfil all thy counsel.

6 We will shout for joy in thy victory,

And in the name of our God we will set up our standards;

The LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

7 Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the mighty acts of His saving right hand.

8 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;

But we will make mention of the name of the LORD our God.

9 They are bowed down and fallen;

But we are risen, and stand upright.

10 Save, LORD;

Let the King answer us in the day that we call.

PSALM 21 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 O LORD, in Thy strength the king rejoiceth;

And in Thy salvation how greatly doth he exult!

3 Thou hast given him his heart's desire,

And the request of his lips Thou hast not withholden. Selah

4 For Thou meetest him with choicest blessings;

Thou settest a crown of fine gold on his head.

5 He asked life of Thee, Thou gavest it him;

Even length of days for ever and ever.

6 His glory is great through Thy salvation;

Honour and majesty dost Thou lay upon him.

7 For Thou makest him most blessed for ever;

Thou makest him glad with joy in Thy presence.

8 For the king trusteth in the LORD,

Yea, in the mercy of the Most High; he shall not be moved.

9 Thy hand shall be equal to all thine enemies;

Thy right hand shall overtake those that hate thee.

10 Thou shalt make them as a fiery furnace in the time of thine anger;

The LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath,

And the fire shall devour them.

11 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth,

And their seed from among the children of men.

12 For they intended evil against thee,

They imagined a device, wherewith they shall not prevail.

13 For thou shalt make them turn their back,

Thou shalt make ready with thy bowstrings against the face of them.

14 Be Thou exalted, O LORD, in Thy strength;

So will we sing and praise Thy power.

PSALM 22 — For the Leader; upon Aijeleth ha-Shahar. A Psalm of David.

2 My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me,

And art far from my help at the words of my cry?

3 O my God, I call by day, but Thou answerest not;

And at night, and there is no surcease for me.

4 Yet Thou art holy,

O Thou that art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

5 In Thee did our fathers trust;

They trusted, and Thou didst deliver them.

6 Unto Thee they cried, and escaped;

In Thee did they trust, and were not ashamed.

7 But I am a worm, and no man;

A reproach of men, and despised of the people.

8 All they that see me laugh me to scorn;

They shoot out the lip, they shake the head:

9 'Let him commit himself unto the LORD! let Him rescue him;

Let Him deliver him, seeing He delighteth in him.'

10 For Thou art He that took me out of the womb;

Thou madest me trust when I was upon my mother's breasts.

11 Upon Thee I have been cast from my birth;

Thou art my God from my mother's womb.

12 Be not far from me; for trouble is near;

For there is none to help.

13 Many bulls have encompassed me;

Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

14 They open wide their mouth against me,

As a ravening and a roaring lion.

15 I am poured out like water,

And all my bones are out of joint;

My heart is become like wax;

It is melted in mine inmost parts.

16 My strength is dried up like a potsherd;

And my tongue cleaveth to my throat;

And Thou layest me in the dust of death.

17 For dogs have encompassed me;

A company of evil-doers have inclosed me;

Like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet.

18 I may count all my bones;

They look and gloat over me.

19 They part my garments among them,

And for my vesture do they cast lots.

20 But Thou, O LORD, be not far off;

O Thou my strength, hasten to help me.

21 Deliver my soul from the sword;

Mine only one from the power of the dog.

22 Save me from the lion's mouth;

Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen do Thou answer me.

23 I will declare Thy name unto my brethren;

In the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.

24 'Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him;

All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him;

And stand in awe of Him, all ye the seed of Israel.

25 For He hath not despised nor abhorred the lowliness of the poor;

Neither hath He hid His face from him;

But when he cried unto Him, He heard.'

26 From Thee cometh my praise in the great congregation;

I will pay my vows before them that fear Him.

27 Let the humble eat and be satisfied;

Let them praise the LORD that seek after Him;

May your heart be quickened for ever!

28 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the LORD;

And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.

29 For the kingdom is the LORD'S;

And He is the ruler over the nations.

30 All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship;

All they that go down to the dust shall kneel before Him,

Even he that cannot keep his soul alive.

31 A seed shall serve him;

It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation.

32 They shall come and shall declare His righteousness

Unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done it.

PSALM 23 — A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul;

He guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

For Thou art with me;

Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

PSALM 24 — A Psalm of David.

The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof;

The world, and they that dwell therein.

2 For He hath founded it upon the seas,

And established it upon the floods.

3 Who shall ascend into the mountain of the LORD?

And who shall stand in His holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;

Who hath not taken My name in vain,

And hath not sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,

And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of them that seek after Him,

That seek Thy face, even Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates,

And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors;

That the King of glory may come in.

8 'Who is the King of glory?'

'The LORD strong and mighty,

The LORD mighty in battle.'

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates,

Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

That the King of glory may come in.

10 'Who then is the King of glory?'

'The LORD of hosts; He is the King of glory.' Selah

PSALM 25 — [A Psalm] of David.

[ALEPH] Unto Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

[BETH] 2 O my God, in Thee have I trusted, let me not be ashamed;

Let not mine enemies triumph over me.

[GIMEL] 3 Yea, none that wait for Thee shall be ashamed;

They shall be ashamed that deal treacherously without cause.

[DALET] 4 Show me Thy ways, O LORD;

Teach me Thy paths.

[HE][VAU] 5 Guide me in Thy truth, and teach me;

For Thou art the God of my salvation;

For Thee do I wait all the day.

[ZAIN] 6 Remember, O LORD, Thy compassions and Thy mercies;

For they have been from of old.

[HETH] 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;

According to Thy mercy remember Thou me,

For Thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

[TETH] 8 Good and upright is the LORD;

Therefore doth He instruct sinners in the way.

[IOD] 9 He guideth The humble in justice;

And He teacheth the humble His way.

[CAPH] 10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth

Unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

[LAMED] 11 For Thy name's sake, O LORD,

Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.

[MEM] 12 What man is he that feareth the LORD?

Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose.

[NUN] 13 His soul shall abide in prosperity;

And his seed shall inherit the land.

[SAMECH] 14 The counsel of the LORD is with them that fear Him;

And His covenant, to make them know it.

[AIN] 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;

For He will bring forth my feet out of the net.

[PE] 16 Turn Thee unto me, and be gracious unto me;

For I am solitary and afflicted.

[TZADE] 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

O bring Thou me out of my distresses.

[RESH] 18 See mine affliction and my travail;

And forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are mine enemies,

And the cruel hatred wherewith they hate me.

[SHIN] 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me;

Let me not be ashamed, for I have taken refuge in Thee.

[TAU] 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,

Because I wait for Thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,

Out of all his troubles.

PSALM 26 — [A Psalm] of David.

Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity,

And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me;

Test my reins and my heart.

3 For Thy mercy is before mine eyes;

And I have walked in Thy truth.

4 I have not sat with men of falsehood;

Neither will I go in with dissemblers.

5 I hate the gathering of evil doers,

And will not sit with the wicked.

6 I will wash my hands in innocency;

So will I compass Thine altar, O LORD,

7 That I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard,

And tell of all Thy wondrous works.

8 LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house,

And the place where Thy glory dwelleth.

9 Gather not my soul with sinners,

Nor my life with men of blood;

10 In whose hands is craftiness,

And their right hand is full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity;

Redeem me, and be gracious unto me.

12 My foot standeth in an even place;

In the congregations will I bless the LORD.

PSALM 27 — [A Psalm] of David.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh,

Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though a host should encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war should rise up against me,

Even then will I be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

To behold the graciousness of the LORD, and to visit early in His temple.

5 For He concealeth me in His pavilion in the day of evil;

He hideth me in the covert of His tent;

He lifteth me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me;

And I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices with trumpet-sound;

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I call with my voice,

And be gracious unto me, and answer me.

8 In Thy behalf my heart hath said: 'Seek ye My face';

Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9 Hide not Thy face far from me;

Put not Thy servant away in anger;

Thou hast been my help;

Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 For though my father and my mother have forsaken me,

The LORD will take me up.

11 Teach me Thy way, O LORD;

And lead me in an even path,

Because of them that lie in wait for me.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries;

For false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out violence.

13 If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living!--

14 Wait on the LORD; be strong, and let thy heart take courage;

Yea, wait thou for the LORD.

PSALM 28 — [A Psalm] of David.

Unto thee, O LORD, do I call;

My Rock, be not Thou deaf unto me;

Lest, if Thou be silent unto me,

I become like them that go down into the pit.

2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto Thee,

When I lift up my hands toward Thy holy Sanctuary.

3 Draw me not away with the wicked,

And with the workers of iniquity;

Who speak peace with their neighbours,

But evil is in their hearts.

4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the evil of their endeavours;

Give them after the work of their hands;

Render to them their desert.

5 Because they give no heed to the works of the LORD,

Nor to the operation of His hands;

He will break them down and not build them up.

6 Blessed be the LORD,

Because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield,

In Him hath my heart trusted,

And I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth,

And with my song will I praise Him.

8 The LORD is a strength unto them;

And He is a stronghold of salvation to His anointed.

9 Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance;

And tend them, and carry them for ever.

PSALM 29 — A Psalm of David.

Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye sons of might,

Ascribe unto the LORD glory and strength.

2 Ascribe unto the LORD the glory due unto His name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;

The God of glory thundereth,

Even the LORD upon many waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;

The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars;

Yea, the LORD breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf;

Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild-ox.

7 The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire.

8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness;

The LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve,

And strippeth the forests bare;

And in His temple all say: 'Glory.'

10 The LORD sat enthroned at the flood;

Yea, the LORD sitteth as King for ever.

11 The LORD will give strength unto His people;

The LORD will bless his people with peace.

PSALM 30 — A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House; of David.

2 I will extol thee, O LORD, for Thou hast raised me up,

And hast not suffered mine enemies to rejoice over me.

3 O LORD my God,

I cried unto Thee, and Thou didst heal me;

4 O LORD, Thou broughtest up my soul from the nether-world;

Thou didst kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

5 Sing praise unto the LORD, O ye His godly ones,

And give thanks to His holy name.

6 For His anger is but for a moment,

His favour is for a life-time;

Weeping may tarry for the night,

But joy cometh in the morning.

7 Now I had said in my security:

'I shall never be moved.'

8 Thou hadst established, O LORD, in Thy favour my mountain as a stronghold--

Thou didst hide Thy face; I was affrighted.

9 Unto Thee, O LORD, did I call,

And unto the LORD I made supplication:

10 'What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit?

Shall the dust praise Thee? shall it declare Thy truth?

11 Hear, O LORD, and be gracious unto me;

LORD, be Thou my helper.'

12 Thou didst turn for me my mourning into dancing;

Thou didst loose my sackcloth, and gird me with gladness;

13 So that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent;

O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever.

PSALM 31 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 In thee, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed;

Deliver me in Thy righteousness.

3 Incline Thine ear unto me, deliver me speedily;

Be Thou to me a rock of refuge, even a fortress of defence, to save me.

4 For Thou art my rock and my fortress;

Therefore for Thy name's sake lead me and guide me.

5 Bring me forth out of the net that they have hidden for me;

For Thou art my stronghold.

6 Into Thy hand I commit my spirit;

Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, Thou God of truth.

7 I hate them that regard lying vanities;

But I trust in the LORD.

8 I will be glad and rejoice in Thy lovingkindness;

For Thou hast seen mine affliction,

Thou hast taken cognizance of the troubles of my soul,

9 And Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy;

Thou hast set my feet in a broad place.

10 Be gracious unto me, O LORD, for I am in distress;

Mine eye wasteth away with vexation, yea, my soul and my body.

11 For my life is spent in sorrow, and my years in sighing;

My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are wasted away.

12 Because of all mine adversaries I am become a reproach,

Yea, unto my neighbours exceedingly, and a dread to mine acquaintance;

They that see me without flee from me.

13 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind;

I am like a useless vessel.

14 For I have heard the whispering of many,

Terror on every side;

While they took counsel together against me,

They devised to take away my life.

15 But as for me, I have trusted in Thee, O LORD;

I have said: 'Thou art my God.'

16 My times are in Thy hand;

Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

17 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant;

Save me in Thy lovingkindness.

18 O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon Thee;

Let the wicked be ashamed, let them be put to silence in the nether-world.

19 Let the lying lips be dumb,

Which speak arrogantly against the righteous,

With pride and contempt.

20 Oh how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee;

Which Thou hast wrought for them that take their refuge in Thee, in the sight of the sons of men!

21 Thou hidest them in the covert of Thy presence from the plottings of man;

Thou concealest them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

22 Blessed be the LORD;

For He hath shown me His wondrous lovingkindness in an entrenched city.

23 As for me, I said in my haste: 'I am cut off from before Thine eyes';

Nevertheless Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto Thee.

24 O love the LORD, all ye His godly ones;

The LORD preserveth the faithful,

And plentifully repayeth him that acteth haughtily.

25 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

All ye that wait for the LORD.

PSALM 32 — [A Psalm] of David. Maschil.

Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is pardoned.

2 Happy is the man unto whom the LORD counteth not iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no guile.

3 When I kept silence, my bones wore away

Through my groaning all the day long.

4 For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me;

My sap was turned as in the droughts of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid;

I said: 'I will make confession concerning my transgressions unto the LORD'--

And Thou, Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 For this let every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found;

Surely, when the great waters overflow, they will not reach unto him.

7 Thou art my hiding-place; Thou wilt preserve me from the adversary;

With songs of deliverance Thou wilt compass me about. Selah

8 'I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go;

I will give counsel, Mine eye being upon thee.'

9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding;

Whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle,

That they come not near unto thee.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked;

But he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy compasseth him about.

11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous;

And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

PSALM 33 — Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous,

Praise is comely for the upright.

2 Give thanks unto the LORD with harp,

Sing praises unto Him with the psaltery of ten strings.

3 Sing unto Him a new song;

Play skilfully amid shouts of joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is upright;

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

5 He loveth righteousness and justice;

The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made;

And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap;

He layeth up the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

9 For He spoke, and it was;

He commanded, and it stood.

10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the nations to nought;

He maketh the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.

11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever,

The thoughts of His heart to all generations.

12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD;

The people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.

13 The LORD looketh from heaven;

He beholdeth all the sons of men;

14 From the place of His habitation He looketh intently

Upon all the inhabitants of the earth;

15 He that fashioneth the hearts of them all,

That considereth all their doings.

16 A king is not saved by the multitude of a host;

A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is a vain thing for safety;

Neither doth it afford escape by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is toward them that fear Him,

Toward them that wait for His mercy;

19 To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul hath waited for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

21 For in Him doth our heart rejoice,

Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22 Let Thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us,

According as we have waited for Thee.

PSALM 34 — [A Psalm] of David; when he changed his demeanour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

[ALEPH] 2 I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

[BETH] 3 My soul shall glory in the LORD;

The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

[GIMEL] 4 O magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

[DALETH] 5 I sought the LORD, and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

[HE] 6 They looked unto Him, and were radiant;

[VAU] And their faces shall never be abashed.

[ZAIN] 7 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard,

And saved him out of all his troubles.

[HETH] 8 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him,

And delivereth them.

[TETH] 9 O consider and see that the LORD is good;

Happy is the man that taketh refuge in Him.

[IOD] 10 O fear the LORD, ye His holy ones;

For there is no want to them that fear Him.

[CAPH] 11 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger;

But they that seek the LORD want not any good thing.

[LAMED] 12 Come, ye children, hearken unto me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

[MEM] 13 Who is the man that desireth life,

And loveth days, that he may see good therein?

[NUN] 14 Keep thy tongue from evil,

And thy lips from speaking guile.

[SAMECH] 15 Depart from evil, and do good;

Seek peace, and pursue it.

[AIN] 16 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous,

And His ears are open unto their cry.

[PE] 17 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil,

To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

[TZADE] 18 They cried, and the LORD heard,

And delivered them out of all their troubles.

[KOPH] 19 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart,

And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.

[RESH] 20 Many are the ills of the righteous,

But the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

[SHIN] 21 He keepeth all his bones;

Not one of them is broken.

[TAU] 22 Evil shall kill the wicked;

And they that hate the righteous shall be held guilty.

23 The LORD redeemeth the soul of His servants;

And none of them that take refuge in Him shall be desolate.

PSALM 35 — [A Psalm] of David.

Strive, O LORD, with them that strive with me;

Fight against them that fight against me.

2 Take hold of shield and buckler,

And rise up to my help.

3 Draw out also the spear, and the battle-axe, against them that pursue me;

Say unto my soul: 'I am Thy salvation.'

4 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion that seek after my soul;

Let them be turned back and be abashed that devise my hurt.

5 Let them be as chaff before the wind,

The angel of the LORD thrusting them.

6 Let their way be dark and slippery,

The angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7 For without cause have they hid for me the pit, even their net,

Without cause have they digged for my soul.

8 Let destruction come upon him unawares;

And let his net that he hath hid catch himself;

With destruction let him fall therein.

9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;

It shall rejoice in His salvation.

10 All my bones shall say: 'LORD, who is like unto Thee,

Who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him,

Yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?'

11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up;

They ask me of things that I know not.

12 They repay me evil for good;

Bereavement is come to my soul.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth,

I afflicted my soul with fasting;

And my prayer, may it return into mine own bosom.

14 I went about as though it had been my friend or my brother;

I bowed down mournful, as one that mourneth for his mother.

15 But when I halt they rejoice, and gather themselves together;

The abjects gather themselves together against me, and those whom I know not;

They tear me, and cease not;

16 With the profanest mockeries of backbiting

They gnash at me with their teeth.

17 Lord, how long wilt Thou look on?

Rescue my soul from their destructions,

Mine only one from the lions.

18 I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation;

I will praise Thee among a numerous people.

19 Let not them that are wrongfully mine enemies rejoice over me;

Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

20 For they speak not peace;

But they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

21 Yea, they open their mouth wide against me;

They say: 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.'

22 Thou hast seen, O LORD; keep not silence;

O Lord, be not far from me.

23 Rouse Thee, and awake to my judgment,

Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Thy righteousness;

And let them not rejoice over me.

25 Let them not say in their heart: 'Aha, we have our desire';

Let them not say: 'We have swallowed him up.'

26 Let them be ashamed and abashed together that rejoice at my hurt;

Let them be clothed with shame and confusion that magnify themselves against me.

27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that delight in my righteousness;

Yea, let them say continually: 'Magnified be the LORD,

Who delighteth in the peace of His servant.'

28 And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness,

And of Thy praise all the day.

PSALM 36 — For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD.

2 Transgression speaketh to the wicked, methinks--

There is no fear of God before his eyes.

3 For it flattereth him in his eyes,

Until his iniquity be found, and he be hated.

4 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit;

He hath left off to be wise, to do good.

5 He deviseth iniquity upon his bed;

He setteth himself in a way that is not good;

He abhorreth not evil.

6 Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, is in the heavens;

Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the skies.

7 Thy righteousness is like the mighty mountains;

Thy judgments are like the great deep;

Man and beast Thou preservest, O LORD.

8 How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God!

And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.

9 They are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house;

And Thou makest them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.

10 For with Thee is the fountain of life;

In Thy light do we see light.

11 O continue Thy lovingkindness unto them that know Thee;

And Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

12 Let not the foot of pride overtake me,

And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

13 There are the workers of iniquity fallen;

They are thrust down, and are not able to rise.

PSALM 37 — [A Psalm] of David.

[ALEPH] Fret not thyself because of evil-doers,

Neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.

2 For they shall soon wither like the grass,

And fade as the green herb.

[BETH] 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and cherish faithfulness.

4 So shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD;

And He shall give thee the petitions of thy heart.

[GIMEL] 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

Trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.

6 And He will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light,

And thy right as the noonday.

[DALETH] 7 Resign thyself unto the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;

Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,

Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

[HE] 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;

Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.

9 For evil-doers shall be cut off;

But those that wait for the LORD, they shall inherit the land.

[VAU] 10 And yet a little while, and the wicked is no more;

Yea, thou shalt look well at his place, and he is not.

11 But the humble shall inherit the land,

And delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

[ZAIN] 12 The wicked plotteth against the righteous,

And gnasheth at him with his teeth.

13 The Lord doth laugh at him;

For He seeth that his day is coming.

[HETH] 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow;

To cast down the poor and needy,

To slay such as are upright in the way;

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart,

And their bows shall be broken.

[TETH] 16 Better is a little that the righteous hath

Than the abundance of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken;

But the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

[IOD] 18 The LORD knoweth the days of them that are wholehearted;

And their inheritance shall be for ever.

19 They shall not be ashamed in the time of evil;

And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

[CAPH] 20 For the wicked shall perish,

And the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs--

They shall pass away in smoke, they shall pass away.

[LAMED] 21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not;

But the righteous dealeth graciously, and giveth.

22 For such as are blessed of Him shall inherit the land;

And they that are cursed of Him shall be cut off.

[MEM] 23 It is of the LORD that a man's goings are established;

And He delighted in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;

For the LORD upholdeth his hand.

[NUN] 25 I have been young, and now am old;

Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,

Nor his seed begging bread.

26 All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth;

And his seed is blessed.

[SAMECH] 27 Depart from evil, and do good;

And dwell for evermore.

28 For the LORD loveth justice,

And forsaketh not His saints;

They are preserved for ever;

But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land,

And dwell therein for ever.

[PE] 30 The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom,

And his tongue speaketh justice.

31 The law of his God is in his heart;

None of his steps slide.

[TZADE] 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous,

And seeketh to slay him.

33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand,

Nor suffer him to be condemned when he is judged.

[KOPH] 34 Wait for the LORD, and keep His way,

And He will exalt thee to inherit the land;

When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

[RESH] 35 I have seen the wicked in great power,

And spreading himself like a leafy tree in its native soil.

36 But one passed by, and, lo, he was not;

Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

[SHIN] 37 Mark the man of integrity, and behold the upright;

For there is a future for the man of peace.

38 But transgressors shall be destroyed together;

The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

[TAU] 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD;

He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

40 And the LORD helpeth them, and delivereth them;

He delivereth them from the wicked, and saveth them,

Because they have taken refuge in Him.

PSALM 38 — A Psalm of David, to make memorial.

2 O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger;

Neither chasten me in Thy wrath.

3 For Thine arrows are gone deep into me,

And Thy hand is come down upon me.

4 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine indignation;

Neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

5 For mine iniquities are gone over my head;

As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

6 My wounds are noisome, they fester,

Because of my foolishness.

7 I am bent and bowed down greatly;

I go mourning all the day.

8 For my loins are filled with burning;

And there is no soundness in my flesh.

9 I am benumbed and sore crushed;

I groan by reason of the moaning of my heart.

10 Lord, all my desire is before Thee;

And my sighing is not hid from Thee.

11 My heart fluttereth, my strength faileth me;

As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

12 My friends and my companions stand aloof from my plague;

And my kinsmen stand afar off.

13 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me;

And they that seek my hurt speak crafty devices,

And utter deceits all the day.

14 But I am as a deaf man, I hear not;

And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

15 Yea, I am become as a man that heareth not,

And in whose mouth are no arguments.

16 For in Thee, O LORD, do I hope;

Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.

17 For I said: 'Lest they rejoice over me;

When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.'

18 For I am ready to halt,

And my pain is continually before me.

19 For I do declare mine iniquity;

I am full of care because of my sin.

20 But mine enemies are strong in health;

And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

21 They also that repay evil for good

Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

22 Forsake me not, O LORD;

O my God, be not far from me.

23 Make haste to help me,

O Lord, my salvation.

PSALM 39 — For the Leader, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

2 I said: 'I will take heed to my ways,

That I sin not with my tongue;

I will keep a curb upon my mouth,

While the wicked is before me.'

3 I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, had no comfort;

And my pain was held in check.

4 My heart waxed hot within me;

While I was musing, the fire kindled;

Then spoke I with my tongue:

5 'LORD, make me to know mine end,

And the measure of my days, what it is;

Let me know how short-lived I am.

6 Behold, Thou hast made my days as hand-breadths;

And mine age is as nothing before Thee;

Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Selah

7 Surely man walketh as a mere semblance;

Surely for vanity they are in turmoil;

He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

8 And now, Lord, what wait I for?

My hope, it is in Thee.

9 Deliver me from all my transgressions;

Make me not the reproach of the base.

10 I am dumb, I open not my mouth;

Because Thou hast done it.

11 Remove Thy stroke from off me;

I am consumed by the blow of Thy hand.

12 With rebukes dost Thou chasten man for iniquity,

And like a moth Thou makest his beauty to consume away;

Surely every man is vanity. Selah

13 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry;

Keep not silence at my tears;

For I am a stranger with Thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

14 Look away from me, that I may take comfort,

Before I go hence, and be no more.'

PSALM 40 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

3 He brought me up also out of the tumultuous pit, out of the miry clay;

And He set my feet upon a rock, He established my goings.

4 And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God;

Many shall see, and fear,

And shall trust in the LORD.

5 Happy is the man that hath made the LORD his trust,

And hath not turned unto the arrogant, nor unto such as fall away treacherously.

6 Many things hast Thou done, O LORD my God,

Even Thy wonderful works, and Thy thoughts toward us;

There is none to be compared unto Thee!

If I would declare and speak of them,

They are more than can be told.

7 Sacrifice and meal-offering Thou hast no delight in;

Mine ears hast Thou opened;

Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast Thou not required.

8 Then said I: 'Lo, I am come

With the roll of a book which is prescribed for me;

9 I delight to do Thy will, O my God;

Yea, Thy law is in my inmost parts.'

10 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation,

Lo, I did not refrain my lips;

O LORD, Thou knowest.

11 I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart;

I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation;

I have not concealed Thy mercy and Thy truth from the great congregation.

12 Thou, O LORD, wilt not withhold Thy compassions from me;

Let Thy mercy and Thy truth continually preserve me.

13 For innumerable evils have compassed me about,

Mine iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;

They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.

14 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;

O LORD, make haste to help me.

15 Let them be ashamed and abashed together

That seek after my soul to sweep it away;

Let them be turned backward and brought to confusion

That delight in my hurt.

16 Let them be appalled by reason of their shame

That say unto me: 'Aha, aha.'

17 Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee;

Let such as love Thy salvation say continually:

'The LORD be magnified.'

18 But, as for me, that am poor and needy,

The Lord will account it unto me;

Thou art my help and my deliverer;

O my God, tarry not.

PSALM 41 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 Happy is he that considereth the poor;

The LORD will deliver him in the day of evil.

3 The LORD preserve him, and keep him alive, let him be called happy in the land;

And deliver not Thou him unto the greed of his enemies.

4 The LORD support him upon the bed of illness;

Mayest Thou turn all his lying down in his sickness.

5 As for me, I said: 'O LORD, be gracious unto me;

Heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.'

6 Mine enemies speak evil of me:

'When shall he die, and his name perish?'

7 And if one come to see me, he speaketh falsehood;

His heart gathereth iniquity to itself;

When he goeth abroad, he speaketh of it.

8 All that hate me whisper together against me,

Against me do they devise my hurt:

9 'An evil thing cleaveth fast unto him;

And now that he lieth, he shall rise up no more.'

10 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread,

Hath lifted up his heel against me.

11 But Thou, O LORD, be gracious unto me, and raise me up,

That I may requite them.

12 By this I know that Thou delightest in me,

That mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

13 And as for me, Thou upholdest me because of mine integrity,

And settest me before Thy face for ever.

14 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

From everlasting and to everlasting.

Amen, and Amen.

BOOK II

PSALM 42 — For the Leader; Maschil of the sons of Korah.

2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

So panteth my soul after Thee, O God.

3 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

'When shall I come and appear before God?'

4 My tears have been my food day and night,

While they say unto me all the day: 'Where is Thy God?'

5 These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me,

How I passed on with the throng, and led them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holyday.

6 Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why moanest thou within me?

Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him

For the salvation of His countenance.

7 O my God, my soul is cast down within me;

Therefore do I remember Thee from the land of Jordan,

And the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.

8 Deep calleth unto deep at the voice of Thy cataracts;

All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.

9 By day the LORD will command His lovingkindness,

And in the night His song shall be with me,

Even a prayer unto the God of my life.

10 I will say unto God my Rock: 'Why hast Thou forgotten me?

Why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?'

11 As with a crushing in my bones, mine adversaries taunt me;

While they say unto me all the day: 'Where is Thy God?'

12 Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why moanest thou within me?

Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him,

The salvation of my countenance, and my God.

PSALM 43 — Be Thou my judge, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;

O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

2 For Thou art the God of my strength; why hast Thou cast me off?

Why go I mourning under the oppression of the enemy?

3 O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me;

Let them bring me unto Thy holy mountain, and to Thy dwelling-places.

4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God, my exceeding joy;

And praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why moanest thou within me?

Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him,

The salvation of my countenance, and my God.

PSALM 44 — For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil.

2 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us;

A work Thou didst in their days, in the days of old.

3 Thou with Thy hand didst drive out the nations, and didst plant them in;

Thou didst break the peoples, and didst spread them abroad.

4 For not by their own sword did they get the land in possession,

Neither did their own arm save them;

But Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy countenance,

Because Thou wast favourable unto them.

5 Thou art my King, O God;

Command the salvation of Jacob.

6 Through Thee do we push down our adversaries;

Through Thy name do we tread them under that rise up against us.

7 For I trust not in my bow,

Neither can my sword save me.

8 But Thou hast saved us from our adversaries,

And hast put them to shame that hate us.

9 In God have we gloried all the day,

And we will give thanks unto Thy name for ever. Selah

10 Yet Thou hast cast off, and brought us to confusion;

And goest not forth with our hosts.

11 Thou makest us to turn back from the adversary;

And they that hate us spoil at their will.

12 Thou hast given us like sheep to be eaten;

And hast scattered us among the nations.

13 Thou sellest Thy people for small gain,

And hast not set their prices high.

14 Thou makest us a taunt to our neighbours,

A scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

15 Thou makest us a byword among the nations,

A shaking of the head among the peoples.

16 All the day is my confusion before me,

And the shame of my face hath covered me,

17 For the voice of him that taunteth and blasphemeth;

By reason of the enemy and the revengeful.

18 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten Thee,

Neither have we been false to Thy covenant.

19 Our heart is not turned back,

Neither have our steps declined from Thy path;

20 Though Thou hast crushed us into a place of jackals,

And covered us with the shadow of death.

21 If we had forgotten the name of our God,

Or spread forth our hands to a strange god;

22 Would not God search this out?

For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.

23 Nay, but for Thy sake are we killed all the day;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

24 Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord?

Arouse Thyself, cast not off for ever.

25 Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face,

And forgettest our affliction and our oppression?

26 For our soul is bowed down to the dust;

Our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

27 Arise for our help,

And redeem us for Thy mercy's sake.

PSALM 45 — For the Leader; upon Shoshannim; [a Psalm] of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves.

2 My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter;

I say: 'My work is concerning a king';

My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

3 Thou art fairer than the children of men;

Grace is poured upon thy lips;

Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

4 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one,

Thy glory and thy majesty.

5 And in thy majesty prosper, ride on,

In behalf of truth and meekness and righteousness;

And let thy right hand teach thee tremendous things.

6 Thine arrows are sharp--

The peoples fall under thee--

[They sink] into the heart of the king's enemies.

7 Thy throne given of God is for ever and ever;

A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

8 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness;

Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee

With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

9 Myrrh, and aloes, and cassia are all thy garments;

Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad.

10 Kings' daughters are among thy favourites;

At thy right hand doth stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

11 'Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;

Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

12 So shall the king desire thy beauty;

For he is thy lord; and do homage unto him.

13 And, O daughter of Tyre, the richest of the people

Shall entreat thy favour with a gift.'

14 All glorious is the king's daughter within the palace;

Her raiment is of chequer work inwrought with gold.

15 She shall be led unto the king on richly woven stuff;

The virgins her companions in her train being brought unto thee.

16 They shall be led with gladness and rejoicing;

They shall enter into the king's palace.

17 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons,

Whom thou shalt make princes in all the land.

18 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations;

Therefore shall the peoples praise thee for ever and ever.

PSALM 46 — For the Leader; [a Psalm] of the sons of Korah; upon Alamoth. A Song.

2 God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

3 Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change,

And though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;

4 Though the waters thereof roar and foam,

Though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah

5 There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God,

The holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.

6 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, at the approach of morning.

7 Nations were in tumult, kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

8 The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah

9 Come, behold the works of the LORD,

Who hath made desolations in the earth.

10 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;

He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;

He burneth the chariots in the fire.

11 'Let be, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'

12 The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah

PSALM 47 — For the Leader; a Psalm for the sons of Korah.

2 O clap your hands, all ye peoples;

Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

3 For the LORD is most high, awful;

A great King over all the earth.

4 He subdueth peoples under us,

And nations under our feet.

5 He chooseth our inheritance for us,

The pride of Jacob whom He loveth. Selah

6 God is gone up amidst shouting,

The LORD amidst the sound of the horn.

7 Sing praises to God, sing praises;

Sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

8 For God is the King of all the earth;

Sing ye praises in a skilful song.

9 God reigneth over the nations;

God sitteth upon His holy throne.

10 The princes of the peoples are gathered together,

The people of the God of Abraham;

For unto God belong the shields of the earth;

He is greatly exalted.

PSALM 48 — A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,

In the city of our God, His holy mountain,

3 Fair in situation, the joy of the whole earth;

Even mount Zion, the uttermost parts of the north,

The city of the great King.

4 God in her palaces

Hath made Himself known for a stronghold.

5 For, lo, the kings assembled themselves,

They came onward together.

6 They saw, straightway they were amazed;

They were affrighted, they hasted away.

7 Trembling took hold of them there,

Pangs, as of a woman in travail.

8 With the east wind

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.

9 As we have heard, so have we seen

In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God--

God establish it for ever. Selah

10 We have thought on Thy lovingkindness, O God,

In the midst of Thy temple.

11 As is Thy name, O God,

So is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth;

Thy right hand is full of righteousness.

12 Let mount Zion be glad,

Let the daughters of Judah rejoice,

Because of Thy judgments.

13 Walk about Zion, and go round about her;

Count the towers thereof.

14 Mark ye well her ramparts,

Traverse her palaces;

That ye may tell it to the generation following.

15 For such is God, our God, for ever and ever;

He will guide us eternally.

PSALM 49 — For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2 Hear this, all ye peoples;

Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

3 Both low and high,

Rich and poor together.

4 My mouth shall speak wisdom,

And the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

5 I will incline mine ear to a parable;

I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

6 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil,

When the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,

7 Of them that trust in their wealth,

And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches?

8 No man can by any means redeem his brother,

Nor give to God a ransom for him--

9 For too costly is the redemption of their soul,

And must be let alone for ever--

10 That he should still live alway,

That he should not see the pit.

11 For he seeth that wise men die,

The fool and the brutish together perish,

And leave their wealth to others.

12 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever,

And their dwelling-places to all generations;

They call their lands after their own names.

13 But man abideth not in honour;

He is like the beasts that perish.

14 This is the way of them that are foolish,

And of those who after them approve their sayings. Selah

15 Like sheep they are appointed for the nether-world;

Death shall be their shepherd;

And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning;

And their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away,

That there be no habitation for it.

16 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the nether-world;

For He shall receive me. Selah

17 Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich,

When the wealth of his house is increased;

18 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away;

His wealth shall not descend after him.

19 Though while he lived he blessed his soul:

'Men will praise thee, when thou shalt do well to thyself';

20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers;

They shall never see the light.

21 Man that is in honour understandeth not;

He is like the beasts that perish.

PSALM 50 — A Psalm of Asaph.

God, God, the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth

From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God hath shined forth.

3 Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence;

A fire devoureth before Him,

And round about Him it stormeth mightily.

4 He calleth to the heavens above,

And to the earth, that He may judge His people:

5 'Gather My saints together unto Me;

Those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.'

6 And the heavens declare His righteousness;

For God, He is judge. Selah

7 'Hear, O My people, and I will speak;

O Israel, and I will testify against thee:

God, thy God, am I.

8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices;

And thy burnt-offerings are continually before Me.

9 I will take no bullock out of thy house,

Nor he-goats out of thy folds.

10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,

And the cattle upon a thousand hills.

11 I know all the fowls of the mountains;

And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee;

For the world is Mine, and the fulness thereof.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls,

Or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving;

And pay thy vows unto the Most High;

15 And call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour Me.'

16 But unto the wicked God saith:

'What hast thou to do to declare My statutes,

And that thou hast taken My covenant in thy mouth?

17 Seeing thou hatest instruction,

And castest My words behind thee.

18 When thou sawest a thief, thou hadst company with him,

And with adulterers was thy portion.

19 Thou hast let loose thy mouth for evil,

And thy tongue frameth deceit.

20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother;

Thou slanderest thine own mother's son.

21 These things hast thou done, and should I have kept silence?

Thou hadst thought that I was altogether such a one as thyself;

But I will reprove thee, and set the cause before thine eyes.

22 Now consider this, ye that forget God,

Lest I tear in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

23 Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving honoureth Me;

And to him that ordereth his way aright

Will I show the salvation of God.'

PSALM 51 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David; 2 When Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.

3 Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy mercy;

According to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgressions.

4 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

5 For I know my transgressions;

And my sin is ever before me.

6 Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned,

And done that which is evil in Thy sight;

That Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest,

And be in the right when Thou judgest.

7 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

And in sin did my mother conceive me.

8 Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts;

Make me, therefore, to know wisdom in mine inmost heart.

9 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

10 Make me to hear joy and gladness;

That the bones which Thou hast crushed may rejoice.

11 Hide Thy face from my sins,

And blot out all mine iniquities.

12 Create me a clean heart, O God;

And renew a stedfast spirit within me.

13 Cast me not away from Thy presence;

And take not Thy holy spirit from me.

14 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;

And let a willing spirit uphold me.

15 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways;

And sinners shall return unto Thee.

16 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation;

So shall my tongue sing aloud of Thy righteousness.

17 O Lord, open Thou my lips;

And my mouth shall declare Thy praise.

18 For Thou delightest not in sacrifice, else would I give it;

Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

19 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

20 Do good in Thy favour unto Zion;

Build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.

21 Then wilt Thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt-offering and whole offering;

Then will they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

PSALM 52 — For the Leader. Maschil of David; 2 when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him: 'David is come to the house of Ahimelech.'

3 Why boastest thou thyself of evil, O mighty man?

The mercy of God endureth continually.

4 Thy tongue deviseth destruction;

Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

5 Thou lovest evil more than good;

Falsehood rather than speaking righteousness. Selah

6 Thou lovest all devouring words,

The deceitful tongue.

7 God will likewise break thee for ever,

He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent,

And root thee out of the land of the living. Selah

8 The righteous also shall see, and fear,

And shall laugh at him:

9 'Lo, this is the man that made not God his stronghold;

But trusted in the abundance of his riches,

And strengthened himself in his wickedness.'

10 But as for me, I am like a leafy olive-tree in the house of God;

I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

11 I will give Thee thanks for ever, because Thou hast done it;

And I will wait for Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy saints.

PSALM 53 — For the Leader; upon Mahalath. Maschil of David.

2 The fool hath said in his heart: 'There is no God';

They have dealt corruptly, and have done abominable iniquity;

There is none that doeth good.

3 God looked forth from heaven upon the children of men,

To see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after God.

4 Every one of them is unclean, they are together become impure;

There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

5 'Shall not the workers of iniquity know it,

Who eat up My people as they eat bread,

And call not upon God?'

6 There are they in great fear, where no fear was;

For God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee;

Thou hast put them to shame, because God hath rejected them.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!

When God turneth the captivity of His people,

Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

PSALM 54 — For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David: 2 when the Ziphites came and said to Saul: 'Doth not David hide himself with us?'

3 O God, save me by Thy name,

And right me by Thy might.

4 O God, hear my prayer;

Give ear to the words of my mouth.

5 For strangers are risen up against me,

And violent men have sought after my soul;

They have not set God before them. Selah

6 Behold, God is my helper;

The Lord is for me as the upholder of my soul.

7 He will requite the evil unto them that lie in wait for me;

Destroy Thou them in Thy truth.

8 With a freewill-offering will I sacrifice unto Thee;

I will give thanks unto Thy name, O LORD, for it is good.

9 For He hath delivered me out of all trouble;

And mine eye hath gazed upon mine enemies.

PSALM 55 — For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David.

2 Give ear, O God, to my prayer;

And hide not Thyself from my supplication.

3 Attend unto me, and hear me;

I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;

4 Because of the voice of the enemy,

Because of the oppression of the wicked;

For they cast mischief upon me,

And in anger they persecute me.

5 My heart doth writhe within me;

And the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

6 Fear and trembling come upon me,

And horror hath overwhelmed me.

7 And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove!

Then would I fly away, and be at rest.

8 Lo, then would I wander far off,

I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah

9 I would haste me to a shelter

From the stormy wind and tempest.'

10 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue;

For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

11 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof;

Iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.

12 Wickedness is in the midst thereof;

Oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.

13 For it was not an enemy that taunted me,

Then I could have borne it;

Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me,

Then I would have hid myself from him.

14 But it was thou, a man mine equal,

My companion, and my familiar friend;

15 We took sweet counsel together,

In the house of God we walked with the throng.

16 May He incite death against them,

Let them go down alive into the nether-world;

For evil is in their dwelling, and within them.

17 As for me, I will call upon God;

And the LORD shall save me.

18 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan;

And He hath heard my voice.

19 He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me;

For they were many that strove with me.

20 God shall hear, and humble them,

Even He that is enthroned of old, Selah,

Such as have no changes,

And fear not God.

21 He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him;

He hath profaned his covenant.

22 Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth,

But his heart was war;

His words were softer than oil,

Yet were they keen-edged swords.

23 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee;

He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.

24 But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit;

Men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days;

But as for me, I will trust in Thee.

PSALM 56 — For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath.

2 Be gracious unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up;

All the day he fighting oppresseth me.

3 They that lie in wait for me would swallow me up all the day;

For they are many that fight against me, O Most High,

4 In the day that I am afraid,

I will put my trust in Thee.

5 In God-I will praise His word--

In God do I trust, I will not be afraid;

What can flesh do unto me?

6 All the day they trouble mine affairs;

All their thoughts are against me for evil.

7 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves,

They mark my steps; according as they have waited for my soul.

8 Because of iniquity cast them out;

In anger bring down the peoples, O God.

9 Thou has counted my wanderings;

Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle;

Are they not in Thy book?

10 Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call;

This I know, that God is for me.

11 In God-I will praise His word--

In the LORD-I will praise His word--

12 In God do I trust, I will not be afraid;

What can man do unto me?

13 Thy vows are upon me, O God;

I will render thank-offerings unto Thee.

14 For thou hast delivered my soul from death;

Hast Thou not delivered my feet from stumbling?

That I may walk before God in the light of the living?

PSALM 57 — For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

2 Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me,

For in Thee hath my soul taken refuge;

Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I take refuge,

Until calamities be overpast.

3 I will cry unto God Most high;

Unto God that accomplisheth it for me.

4 He will send from heaven, and save me,

When he that would swallow me up taunteth; Selah;

God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

5 My soul is among lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame;

Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

And their tongue a sharp sword.

6 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Thy glory be above all the earth.

7 They have prepared a net for my steps,

My soul is bowed down;

They have digged a pit before me,

They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah

8 My heart is stedfast, O God, my heart is stedfast;

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.

9 Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp;

I will awake the dawn.

10 I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.

11 For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens,

And Thy truth unto the skies.

12 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Thy glory be above all the earth.

PSALM 58 — For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam.

2 Do ye indeed speak as a righteous company?

Do ye judge with equity the sons of men?

3 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness;

Ye weigh out in the earth the violence of your hands.

4 The wicked are estranged from the womb;

The speakers of lies go astray as soon as they are born.

5 Their venom is like the venom of a serpent;

They are like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ear;

6 Which hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers,

Or of the most cunning binder of spells.

7 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth;

Break out the cheek-teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

8 Let them melt away as water that runneth apace;

When he aimeth his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off.

9 Let them be as a snail which melteth and passeth away;

Like the untimely births of a woman, that have not seen the sun.

10 Before your pots can feel the thorns,

He will sweep it away with a whirlwind, the raw and the burning alike.

11 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance;

He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

12 And men shall say: 'Verily there is a reward for the righteous;

Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.'

PSALM 59 — For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.

2 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God;

Set me on high from them that rise up against me.

3 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,

And save me from the men of blood.

4 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul;

The impudent gather themselves together against me;

Not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

5 Without my fault, they run and prepare themselves;

Awake Thou to help me, and behold.

6 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,

Arouse Thyself to punish all the nations;

Show no mercy to any iniquitous traitors. Selah

7 They return at evening, they howl like a dog,

And go round about the city.

8 Behold, they belch out with their mouth;

Swords are in their lips:

'For who doth hear?'

9 But Thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them;

Thou shalt have all the nations in derision.

10 Because of his strength, I will wait for Thee;

For God is my high tower.

11 The God of my mercy will come to meet me;

God will let me gaze upon mine adversaries.

12 Slay them not, lest my people forget,

Make them wander to and fro by Thy power, and bring them down,

O Lord our shield.

13 For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips,

Let them even be taken in their pride,

And for cursing and lying which they speak.

14 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they be no more;

And let them know that God ruleth in Jacob,

Unto the ends of the earth. Selah

15 And they return at evening, they howl like a dog,

And go round about the city;

16 They wander up and down to devour,

And tarry all night if they have not their fill.

17 But as for me, I will sing of Thy strength;

Yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning;

For Thou hast been my high tower,

And a refuge in the day of my distress.

18 O my strength, unto Thee will I sing praises;

For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

PSALM 60 — For the Leader; upon Shushan Eduth; Michtam of David, to teach; 2 when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand.

3 O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast broken us down;

Thou hast been angry; O restore us.

4 Thou hast made the land to shake, Thou hast cleft it;

Heal the breaches thereof; for it tottereth.

5 Thou hast made Thy people to see hard things;

Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering.

6 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee,

That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah

7 That Thy beloved may be delivered,

Save with Thy right hand, and answer me.

8 God spoke in His holiness, that I would exult;

That I would divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

9 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;

Ephraim also is the defence of my head;

Judah is my sceptre.

10 Moab is my washpot;

Upon Edom do I cast my shoe;

Philistia, cry aloud because of me!

11 Who will bring me into the fortified city?

Who will lead me unto Edom?

12 Hast not Thou, O God, cast us off?

And Thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts.

13 Give us help against the adversary;

For vain is the help of man.

14 Through God we shall do valiantly;

For He it is that will tread down our adversaries.

PSALM 61 — For the Leader; with string-music. [A Psalm] of David.

2 Hear my cry, O God;

Attend unto my prayer.

3 From the end of the earth will I call unto Thee, when my heart fainteth;

Lead me to a rock that is too high for me.

4 For Thou hast been a refuge for me,

A tower of strength in the face of the enemy.

5 I will dwell in Thy Tent for ever;

I will take refuge in the covert of Thy wings. Selah

6 For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows;

Thou hast granted the heritage of those that fear Thy name.

7 Mayest Thou add days unto the king's days!

May his years be as many generations!

8 May he be enthroned before God for ever!

Appoint mercy and truth, that they may preserve him.

9 So will I sing praise unto Thy name for ever,

That I may daily perform my vows.

PSALM 62 — For the Leader; for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

2 Only for God doth my soul wait in stillness;

From Him cometh my salvation.

3 He only is my rock and my salvation,

My high tower, I shall not be greatly moved.

4 How long will ye set upon a man,

That ye may slay him, all of you,

As a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

5 They only devise to thrust him down from his height, delighting in lies;

They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah

6 Only for God wait thou in stillness, my soul;

For from Him cometh my hope.

7 He only is my rock and my salvation,

My high tower, I shall not be moved.

8 Upon God resteth my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

9 Trust in Him at all times, ye people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

10 Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie;

If they be laid in the balances, they are together lighter than vanity.

11 Trust not in oppression,

And put not vain hope in robbery;

If riches increase, set not your heart thereon.

12 God hath spoken once,

Twice have I heard this:

That strength belongeth unto God;

13 Also unto Thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy;

For Thou renderest to every man according to his work.

PSALM 63 — A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

2 O God, Thou art my God, earnestly will I seek Thee;

My soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee,

In a dry and weary land, where no water is.

3 So have I looked for Thee in the sanctuary,

To see Thy power and Thy glory.

4 For Thy lovingkindness is better than life;

My lips shall praise Thee.

5 So will I bless Thee as long as I live;

In Thy name will I lift up my hands.

6 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness;

And my mouth doth praise Thee with joyful lips;

7 When I remember Thee upon my couch,

And meditate on Thee in the night-watches.

8 For Thou hast been my help,

And in the shadow of Thy wings do I rejoice.

9 My soul cleaveth unto Thee;

Thy right hand holdeth me fast.

10 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it,

Shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth.

11 They shall be hurled to the power of the sword;

They shall be a portion for foxes.

12 But the king shall rejoice in God;

Every one that sweareth by Him shall glory;

For the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

PSALM 64 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;

Preserve my life from the terror of the enemy.

3 Hide me from the council of evil-doers;

From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;

4 Who have whet their tongue like a sword,

And have aimed their arrow, a poisoned word;

5 That they may shoot in secret places at the blameless;

Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

6 They encourage one another in an evil matter;

They converse of laying snares secretly;

They ask, who would see them.

7 They search out iniquities, they have accomplished a diligent search;

Even in the inward thought of every one, and the deep heart.

8 But God doth shoot at them with an arrow suddenly;

Thence are their wounds.

9 So they make their own tongue a stumbling unto themselves;

All that see them shake the head.

10 And all men fear;

And they declare the work of God,

And understand His doing.

11 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall take refuge in Him;

And all the upright in heart shall glory.

PSALM 65 — For the Leader. A Psalm. A Song of David.

2 Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion;

And unto Thee the vow is performed.

3 O Thou that hearest prayer,

Unto Thee doth all flesh come.

4 The tale of iniquities is too heavy for me;

As for our transgressions, Thou wilt pardon them.

5 Happy is the man whom Thou choosest, and bringest near,

That he may dwell in Thy courts;

May we be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house,

The holy place of Thy temple!

6 With wondrous works dost Thou answer us in righteousness,

O God of our salvation;

Thou the confidence of all the ends of the earth,

And of the far distant seas;

7 Who by Thy strength settest fast the mountains,

Who art girded about with might;

8 Who stillest the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves,

And the tumult of the peoples;

9 So that they that dwell in the uttermost parts stand in awe of Thy signs;

Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

10 Thou hast remembered the earth, and watered her, greatly enriching her,

With the river of God that is full of water;

Thou preparest them corn, for so preparest Thou her.

11 Watering her ridges abundantly,

Settling down the furrows thereof,

Thou makest her soft with showers;

Thou blessest the growth thereof.

12 Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness;

And Thy paths drop fatness.

13 The pastures of the wilderness do drop;

And the hills are girded with joy.

14 The meadows are clothed with flocks;

The valleys also are covered over with corn;

They shout for joy, yea, they sing.

PSALM 66 — For the Leader. A Song, a Psalm.

Shout unto God, all the earth;

2 Sing praises unto the glory of His name;

Make His praise glorious.

3 Say unto God: 'How tremendous is Thy work!

Through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies dwindle away before Thee.

4 All the earth shall worship Thee,

And shall sing praises unto Thee;

They shall sing praises to Thy name.' Selah

5 Come, and see the works of God;

He is terrible in His doing toward the children of men.

6 He turned the sea into dry land;

They went through the river on foot;

There let us rejoice in Him!

7 Who ruleth by His might for ever;

His eyes keep watch upon the nations;

Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

8 Bless our God, ye peoples,

And make the voice of His praise to be heard;

9 Who hath set our soul in life,

And suffered not our foot to be moved,

10 For Thou, O God, hast tried us;

Thou hast refined us, as silver is refined.

11 Thou didst bring us into the hold;

Thou didst lay constraint upon our loins.

12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But Thou didst bring us out unto abundance.

13 I will come into Thy house with burnt-offerings,

I will perform unto Thee my vows,

14 Which my lips have uttered,

And my mouth hath spoken, when I was in distress.

15 I will offer unto Thee burnt-offerings of fatlings,

With the sweet smoke of rams;

I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah

16 Come, and hearken, all ye that fear God,

And I will declare what He hath done for my soul.

17 I cried unto Him with my mouth,

And He was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I had regarded iniquity in my heart,

The Lord would not hear;

19 But verily God hath heard;

He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,

Who hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.

PSALM 67 — For the Leader; with string-music. A Psalm, a Song.

2 God be gracious unto us, and bless us;

May He cause His face to shine toward us; Selah

3 That Thy way may be known upon earth,

Thy salvation among all nations.

4 Let the peoples give thanks unto Thee, O God;

Let the peoples give thanks unto Thee, all of them.

5 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy;

For Thou wilt judge the peoples with equity,

And lead the nations upon earth. Selah

6 Let the peoples give thanks unto Thee, O God;

Let the peoples give thanks unto Thee, all of them.

7 The earth hath yielded her increase;

May God, our own God, bless us.

8 May God bless us;

And let all the ends of the earth fear Him.

PSALM 68 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David, a Song.

2 Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered;

And let them that hate Him flee before Him.

3 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;

As wax melteth before the fire,

So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

4 But let the righteous be glad, let them exult before God;

Yea, let them rejoice with gladness.

5 Sing unto God, sing praises to His name;

Extol Him that rideth upon the skies, whose name is the LORD;

And exult ye before Him.

6 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows,

Is God in His holy habitation.

7 God maketh the solitary to dwell in a house;

He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity;

The rebellious dwell but in a parched land.

8 O God, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people,

When Thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah

9 The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God;

Even yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

10 A bounteous rain didst Thou pour down, O God;

When Thine inheritance was weary, Thou didst confirm it.

11 Thy flock settled therein;

Thou didst prepare in Thy goodness for the poor, O God.

12 The Lord giveth the word;

The women that proclaim the tidings are a great host.

13 Kings of armies flee, they flee;

And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.

14 When ye lie among the sheepfolds,

The wings of the dove are covered with silver,

And her pinions with the shimmer of gold.

15 When the Almighty scattereth kings therein,

It snoweth in Zalmon.

16 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;

A mountain of peaks is the mountain of Bashan.

17 Why look ye askance, ye mountains of peaks,

At the mountain which God hath desired for His abode?

Yea, the LORD will dwell therein for ever.

18 The chariots of God are myriads, even thousands upon thousands;

The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in holiness.

19 Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive;

Thou hast received gifts among men,

Yea, among the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there.

20 Blessed be the Lord, day by day He beareth our burden,

Even the God who is our salvation. Selah

21 God is unto us a God of deliverances;

And unto GOD the Lord belong the issues of death.

22 Surely God will smite through the head of His enemies,

The hairy scalp of him that goeth about in his guiltiness.

23 The Lord said: 'I will bring back from Bashan,

I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;

24 That thy foot may wade through blood,

That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies.'

25 They see Thy goings, O God,

Even the goings of my God, my King, in holiness.

26 The singers go before, the minstrels follow after,

In the midst of damsels playing upon timbrels.

27 'Bless ye God in full assemblies,

Even the Lord, ye that are from the fountain of Israel.'

28 There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them,

The princes of Judah their council,

The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

29 Thy God hath commanded thy strength;

Be strong, O God, Thou that hast wrought for us

30 Out of Thy temple at Jerusalem,

Whither kings shall bring presents unto Thee.

31 Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds,

The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples,

Every one submitting himself with pieces of silver;

He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war!

32 Nobles shall come out of Egypt;

Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands unto God.

33 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth;

O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah

34 To Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which are of old;

Lo, He uttereth His voice, a mighty voice.

35 Ascribe ye strength unto God;

His majesty is over Israel,

And His strength is in the skies.

36 Awful is God out of thy holy places;

The God of Israel, He giveth strength and power unto the people;

Blessed be God.

PSALM 69 — For the Leader; upon Shoshannim. [A Psalm] of David.

2 Save me, O God;

For the waters are come in even unto the soul.

3 I am sunk in deep mire, where there is no standing;

I am come into deep waters, and the flood overwhelmeth me.

4 I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried;

Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

5 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head;

They that would cut me off, being mine enemies wrongfully, are many;

Should I restore that which I took not away?

6 O God, Thou knowest my folly;

And my trespasses are not hid from Thee.

7 Let not them that wait for Thee be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts;

Let not those that seek Thee be brought to confusion through me, O God of Israel.

8 Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach;

Confusion hath covered my face.

9 I am become a stranger unto my brethren,

And an alien unto my mother's children.

10 Because zeal for Thy house hath eaten me up,

And the reproaches of them that reproach Thee are fallen upon me.

11 And I wept with my soul with fasting,

And that became unto me a reproach.

12 I made sackcloth also my garment,

And I became a byword unto them.

13 They that sit in the gate talk of me;

And I am the song of the drunkards.

14 But as for me, let my prayer be unto Thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time;

O God, in the abundance of Thy mercy,

Answer me with the truth of Thy salvation.

15 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink;

Let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

16 Let not the waterflood overwhelm me,

Neither let the deep swallow me up;

And let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

17 Answer me, O LORD, for Thy mercy is good;

According to the multitude of Thy compassions turn Thou unto me.

18 And hide not Thy face from Thy servant;

For I am in distress; answer me speedily.

19 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it;

Ransom me because of mine enemies.

20 Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my confusion;

Mine adversaries are all before Thee.

21 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am sore sick;

And I looked for some to show compassion, but there was none;

And for comforters, but I found none.

22 Yea, they put poison into my food;

And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

23 Let their table before them become a snare;

And when they are in peace, let it become a trap.

24 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not;

And make their loins continually to totter.

25 Pour out Thine indignation upon them,

And let the fierceness of Thine anger overtake them.

26 Let their encampment be desolate;

Let none dwell in their tents.

27 For they persecute him whom Thou hast smitten;

And they tell of the pain of those whom Thou hast wounded.

28 Add iniquity unto their iniquity;

And let them not come into Thy righteousness.

29 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living,

And not be written with the righteous.

30 But I am afflicted and in pain;

Let Thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

31 I will praise the name of God with a song,

And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

32 And it shall please the LORD better than a bullock

That hath horns and hoofs.

33 The humble shall see it, and be glad;

Ye that seek after God, let your heart revive.

34 For the LORD hearkeneth unto the needy,

And despiseth not His prisoners.

35 Let heaven and earth praise Him,

The seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

36 For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah;

And they shall abide there, and have it in possession.

37 The seed also of His servants shall inherit it;

And they that love His name shall dwell therein.

PSALM 70 — For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David; to make memorial.

O God, to deliver me,

O LORD, to help me, make haste.

2 Let them be ashamed and abashed

That seek after my soul;

Let them be turned backward and brought to confusion

That delight in my hurt.

3 Let them be turned back by reason of their shame

That say: 'Aha, aha.'

4 Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee;

And let such as love Thy salvation say continually:

'Let God be magnified.'

5 But I am poor and needy;

O God, make haste unto me;

Thou art my help and my deliverer;

O LORD, tarry not.

PSALM 71 — In Thee, O LORD, have I taken refuge;

Let me never be ashamed.

2 Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and rescue me;

Incline Thine ear unto me, and save me.

3 Be Thou to me a sheltering rock, whereunto I may continually resort,

Which Thou hast appointed to save me;

For Thou art my rock and my fortress.

4 O my God, rescue me out of the hand of the wicked,

Out of the grasp of the unrighteous and ruthless man.

5 For Thou art my hope;

O Lord GOD, my trust from my youth.

6 Upon Thee have I stayed myself from birth;

Thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb;

My praise is continually of Thee.

7 I am as a wonder unto many;

But Thou art my strong refuge.

8 My mouth shall be filled with Thy praise,

And with Thy glory all the day.

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age;

When my strength faileth, forsake me not.

10 For mine enemies speak concerning me,

And they that watch for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying: 'God hath forsaken him;

Pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver.'

12 O God, be not far from me;

O my God, make haste to help me.

13 Let them be ashamed and consumed that are adversaries to my soul;

Let them be covered with reproach and confusion that seek my hurt.

14 But as for me, I will hope continually,

And will praise Thee yet more and more.

15 My mouth shall tell of Thy righteousness,

And of Thy salvation all the day;

For I know not the numbers thereof.

16 I will come with Thy mighty acts, O Lord GOD;

I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only.

17 O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth;

And until now do I declare Thy wondrous works.

18 And even unto old age and hoary hairs, O God, forsake me not;

Until I have declared Thy strength unto the next generation,

Thy might to every one that is to come.

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, which reacheth unto high heaven;

Thou who hast done great things,

O God, who is like unto Thee?

20 Thou, who hast made me to see many and sore troubles,

Wilt quicken me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

21 Thou wilt increase my greatness,

And turn and comfort me.

22 I also will give thanks unto Thee with the psaltery,

Even unto Thy truth, O my God;

I will sing praises unto Thee with the harp,

O Thou Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing praises unto Thee;

And my soul, which Thou hast redeemed.

24 My tongue also shall tell of Thy righteousness all the day;

For they are ashamed, for they are abashed, that seek my hurt.

PSALM 72 — [A Psalm] of Solomon.

Give the king Thy judgments, O God,

And Thy righteousness unto the king's son;

2 That he may judge Thy people with righteousness,

And Thy poor with justice.

3 Let the mountains bear peace to the people,

And the hills, through righteousness.

4 May he judge the poor of the people,

And save the children of the needy,

And crush the oppressor.

5 They shall fear Thee while the sun endureth,

And so long as the moon, throughout all generations.

6 May he come down like rain upon the mown grass,

As showers that water the earth.

7 In his days let the righteous flourish,

And abundance of peace, till the moon be no more.

8 May he have dominion also from sea to sea,

And from the River unto the ends of the earth.

9 Let them that dwell in the wilderness bow before him;

And his enemies lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute;

The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

11 Yea, all kings shall prostrate themselves before him;

All nations shall serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy when he crieth;

The poor also, and him that hath no helper.

13 He will have pity on the poor and needy,

And the souls of the needy he will save.

14 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence,

And precious will their blood be in his sight.

15 That they may live, and that he may give them of the gold of Sheba,

That they may pray for him continually,

Yea, bless him all the day.

16 May he be as a rich cornfield in the land upon the top of the mountains;

May his fruit rustle like Lebanon;

And may they blossom out of the city like grass of the earth.

17 May his name endure for ever;

May his name be continued as long as the sun;

May men also bless themselves by him;

May all nations call him happy.

18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,

Who only doeth wondrous things;

19 And blessed be His glorious name for ever;

And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen, and Amen.

20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

BOOK III

PSALM 73 — A Psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,

Even to such as are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone;

My steps had well nigh slipped.

3 For I was envious at the arrogant,

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no pangs at their death,

And their body is sound.

5 In the trouble of man they are not;

Neither are they plagued like men.

6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck;

Violence covereth them as a garment.

7 Their eyes stand forth from fatness;

They are gone beyond the imaginations of their heart.

8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression;

They speak as if there were none on high.

9 They have set their mouth against the heavens,

And their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 Therefore His people return hither;

And waters of fullness are drained out by them.

11 And they say: 'How doth God know?

And is there knowledge in the Most High?'

12 Behold, such are the wicked;

And they that are always at ease increase riches.

13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart,

And washed my hands in innocency;

14 For all the day have I been plagued,

And my chastisement came every morning.

15 If I had said: 'I will speak thus',

Behold, I had been faithless to the generation of Thy children.

16 And when I pondered how I might know this,

It was wearisome in mine eyes;

17 Until I entered into the sanctuary of God,

And considered their end.

18 Surely Thou settest them in slippery places;

Thou hurlest them down to utter ruin.

19 How are they become a desolation in a moment!

They are wholly consumed by terrors.

20 As a dream when one awaketh,

So, O Lord, when Thou arousest Thyself, Thou wilt despise their semblance.

21 For my heart was in a ferment,

And I was pricked in my reins.

22 But I was brutish, and ignorant;

I was as a beast before Thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee;

Thou holdest my right hand.

24 Thou wilt guide me with Thy counsel,

And afterward receive me with glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee?

And beside Thee I desire none upon earth.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth;

But God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo, they that go far from Thee shall perish;

Thou dost destroy all them that go astray from Thee.

28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,

That I may tell of all Thy works.

PSALM 74 — Maschil of Asaph.

Why, O God, hast Thou cast us off for ever?

Why doth Thine anger smoke against the flock of Thy pasture?

2 Remember Thy congregation, which Thou hast gotten of old,

Which Thou hast redeemed to be the tribe of Thine inheritance;

And mount Zion, wherein Thou hast dwelt.

3 Lift up Thy steps because of the perpetual ruins,

Even all the evil that the enemy hath done in the sanctuary.

4 Thine adversaries have roared in the midst of Thy meeting-place;

They have set up their own signs for signs.

5 It seemed as when men wield upwards

Axes in a thicket of trees.

6 And now all the carved work thereof together

They strike down with hatchet and hammers.

7 They have set Thy sanctuary on fire;

They have profaned the dwelling-place of Thy name even to the ground.

8 They said in their heart: 'Let us make havoc of them altogether';

They have burned up all the meeting-places of God in the land.

9 We see not our signs;

There is no more any prophet;

Neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.

10 How long, O God, shall the adversary reproach?

Shall the enemy blaspheme Thy name for ever?

11 Why withdrawest Thou Thy hand, even Thy right hand?

Draw it out of Thy bosom and consume them.

12 Yet God is my King of old,

Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

13 Thou didst break the sea in pieces by Thy strength;

Thou didst shatter the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters.

14 Thou didst crush the heads of leviathan,

Thou gavest him to be food to the folk inhabiting the wilderness.

15 Thou didst cleave fountain and brook;

Thou driedst up ever-flowing rivers.

16 Thine is the day, Thine also the night;

Thou hast established luminary and sun.

17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth;

Thou hast made summer and winter.

18 Remember this, how the enemy hath reproached the LORD,

And how a base people have blasphemed Thy name.

19 O deliver not the soul of Thy turtle-dove unto the wild beast;

Forget not the life of Thy poor for ever.

20 Look upon the covenant;

For the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.

21 O let not the oppressed turn back in confusion;

Let the poor and needy praise Thy name.

22 Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause;

Remember Thy reproach all the day at the hand of the base man.

23 Forget not the voice of Thine adversaries,

The tumult of those that rise up against Thee which ascendeth continually.

PSALM 75 — For the Leader; Al-tashheth. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.

2 We give thanks unto Thee, O God,

We give thanks, and Thy name is near;

Men tell of Thy wondrous works.

3 'When I take the appointed time,

I Myself will judge with equity.

4 When the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved,

I Myself establish the pillars of it.' Selah

5 I say unto the arrogant: 'Deal not arrogantly';

And to the wicked: 'Lift not up the horn.'

6 Lift not up your horn on high;

Speak not insolence with a haughty neck.

7 For neither from the east, nor from the west,

Nor yet from the wilderness, cometh lifting up.

8 For God is judge;

He putteth down one, and lifteth up another.

9 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, with foaming wine, full of mixture,

And He poureth out of the same;

Surely the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall drain them, and drink them.

10 But as for me, I will declare for ever,

I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

11 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off;

But the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

PSALM 76 — For the Leader; with string-music. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.

2 In Judah is God known;

His name is great in Israel.

3 In Salem also is set His tabernacle,

And His dwelling-place in Zion.

4 There He broke the fiery shafts of the bow;

The shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah

5 Glorious art Thou and excellent, coming down from the mountains of prey.

6 The stout-hearted are bereft of sense, they sleep their sleep;

And none of the men of might have found their hands.

7 At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob,

They are cast into a dead sleep, the riders also and the horses.

8 Thou, even Thou, art terrible;

And who may stand in Thy sight when once Thou art angry?

9 Thou didst cause sentence to be heard from heaven;

The earth feared, and was still,

10 When God arose to judgment,

To save all the humble of the earth. Selah

11 Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee;

The residue of wrath shalt Thou gird upon Thee.

12 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God;

Let all that are round about Him bring presents unto Him that is to be feared;

13 He minisheth the spirit of princes;

He is terrible to the kings of the earth.

PSALM 77 — For the Leader; for Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

2 I will lift up my voice unto God, an cry;

I will lift up my voice unto God, that He may give ear unto me.

3 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;

With my hand uplifted, mine eye streameth in the night without ceasing;

My soul refuseth to be comforted.

4 When I think thereon, O God, I must moan;

When I muse thereon, my spirit fainteth. Selah

5 Thou holdest fast the lids of mine eyes;

I am troubled, and cannot speak.

6 I have pondered the days of old,

The years of ancient times.

7 In the night I will call to remembrance my song;

I will commune with mine own heart;

And my spirit maketh diligent search:

8 'Will the Lord cast off for ever?

And will He be favourable no more?

9 Is His mercy clean gone for ever?

Is His promise come to an end for evermore?

10 Hath God forgotten to be gracious?

Hath He in anger shut up his compassions?' Selah

11 And I say: 'This is my weakness,

That the right hand of the Most High could change.

12 I will make mention of the deeds of the LORD;

Yea, I will remember Thy wonders of old.

13 I will meditate also upon all Thy work,

And muse on Thy doings.'

14 O God, Thy way is in holiness;

Who is a great god like unto God?

15 Thou art the God that doest wonders;

Thou hast made known Thy strength among the peoples.

16 Thou hast with Thine arm redeemed Thy people,

The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

17 The waters saw Thee, O God;

The waters saw Thee, they were in pain;

The depths also trembled.

18 The clouds flooded forth waters;

The skies sent out a sound;

Thine arrows also went abroad.

19 The voice of Thy thunder was in the whirlwind;

The lightnings lighted up the world;

The earth trembled and shook.

20 Thy way was in the sea,

And Thy path in the great waters,

And Thy footsteps were not known.

21 Thou didst lead Thy people like a flock,

By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

PSALM 78 — Maschil of Asaph.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;

Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth with a parable;

I will utter dark sayings concerning days of old;

3 That which we have heard and known,

And our fathers have told us,

4 We will not hide from their children,

Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,

And His strength, and His wondrous works that He hath done.

5 For He established a testimony in Jacob,

And appointed a law in Israel,

Which He commanded our fathers,

That they should make them known to their children;

6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children that should be born;

Who should arise and tell them to their children,

7 That they might put their confidence in God,

And not forget the works of God,

But keep His commandments;

8 And might not be as their fathers,

A stubborn and rebellious generation;

A generation that set not their heart aright,

And whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

9 The children of Ephraim were as archers handling the bow,

That turned back in the day of battle.

10 They kept not the covenant of God,

And refused to walk in His law;

11 And they forgot His doings,

And His wondrous works that He had shown them.

12 Marvellous things did He in the sight of their fathers,

In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

13 He cleaved the sea, and caused them to pass through;

And He made the waters to stand as a heap.

14 By day also He led them with a cloud,

And all the night with a light of fire.

15 He cleaved rocks in the wilderness,

And gave them drink abundantly as out of the great deep.

16 He brought streams also out of the rock,

And caused waters to run down like rivers.

17 Yet went they on still to sin against Him,

To rebel against the Most High in the desert.

18 And they tried God in their heart

By asking food for their craving.

19 Yea, they spoke against God;

They said: 'Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

20 Behold, He smote the rock, that waters gushed out,

And streams overflowed;

Can He give bread also?

Or will He provide flesh for His people?'

21 Therefore the LORD heard, and was wroth;

And a fire was kindled against Jacob,

And anger also went up against Israel;

22 Because they believed not in God,

And trusted not in His salvation.

23 And He commanded the skies above,

And opened the doors of heaven;

24 And He caused manna to rain upon them for food,

And gave them of the corn of heaven.

25 Man did eat the bread of the mighty;

He sent them provisions to the full.

26 He caused the east wind to set forth in heaven;

And by His power He brought on the south wind.

27 He caused flesh also to rain upon them as the dust,

And winged fowl as the sand of the seas;

28 And He let it fall in the midst of their camp,

Round about their dwellings.

29 So they did eat, and were well filled;

And He gave them that which they craved.

30 They were not estranged from their craving,

Their food was yet in their mouths,

31 When the anger of God went up against them,

And slew of the lustieth among them,

And smote down the young men of Israel.

32 For all this they sinned still,

And believed not in His wondrous works.

33 Therefore He ended their days as a breath,

And their years in terror.

34 When He slew them, then they would inquire after Him,

And turn back and seek God earnestly.

35 And they remembered that God was their Rock,

And the Most High God their redeemer.

36 But they beguiled Him with their mouth,

And lied unto Him with their tongue.

37 For their heart was not stedfast with Him,

Neither were they faithful in His covenant.

38 But He, being full of compassion, forgiveth iniquity, and destroyeth not;

Yea, many a time doth He turn His anger away,

And doth not stir up all His wrath.

39 So He remembered that they were but flesh,

A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

40 How oft did they rebel against Him in the wilderness,

And grieve Him in the desert!

41 And still again they tried God,

And set bounds to the Holy One of Israel.

42 They remembered not His hand,

Nor the day when He redeemed them from the adversary.

43 How He set His signs in Egypt,

And His wonders in the field of Zoan;

44 And turned their rivers into blood,

So that they could not drink their streams.

45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them;

And frogs, which destroyed them.

46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar,

And their labour unto the locust.

47 He destroyed their vines with hail,

And their sycamore-trees with frost.

48 He gave over their cattle also to the hail,

And their flocks to fiery bolts.

49 He sent forth upon them the fierceness of His anger,

Wrath, and indignation, and trouble,

A sending of messengers of evil.

50 He levelled a path for His anger;

He spared not their soul from death,

But gave their life over to the pestilence;

51 And smote all the first-born in Egypt,

The first-fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham;

52 But He made His own people to go forth like sheep,

And guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 And He led them safely, and they feared not;

But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 And He brought them to His holy border,

To the mountain, which His right hand had gotten.

55 He drove out the nations also before them,

And allotted them for an inheritance by line,

And made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

56 Yet they tried and provoked God, the Most High,

And kept not His testimonies;

57 But turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers;

They were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

58 For they provoked Him with their high places,

And moved Him to jealousy with their graven images.

59 God heard, and was wroth,

And He greatly abhorred Israel;

60 And He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh,

The tent which He had made to dwell among men;

61 And delivered His strength into captivity,

And His glory into the adversary's hand.

62 He gave His people over also unto the sword;

And was wroth with His inheritance.

63 Fire devoured their young men;

And their virgins had no marriage-song.

64 Their priests fell by the sword;

And their widows made no lamentation.

65 Then the Lord awaked as one asleep,

Like a mighty man recovering from wine.

66 And He smote His adversaries backward;

He put upon them a perpetual reproach.

67 Moreover He abhorred the tent of Joseph,

And chose not the tribe of Ephraim;

68 But chose the tribe of Judah,

The mount Zion which He loved.

69 And He built His sanctuary like the heights,

Like the earth which He hath founded for ever.

70 He chose David also His servant,

And took him from the sheepfolds;

71 From following the ewes that give suck He brought him,

To be shepherd over Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.

72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart;

And lead them by the skilfulness of his hands.

PSALM 79 — A Psalm of Asaph.

O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance;

They have defiled Thy holy temple;

They have made Jerusalem into heaps.

2 They have given the dead bodies of Thy servants to be food unto the fowls of the heaven,

The flesh of Thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

3 They have shed their blood like water

Round about Jerusalem, with none to bury them.

4 We are become a taunt to our neighbours,

A scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5 How long, O LORD, wilt Thou be angry for ever?

How long will Thy jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out Thy wrath upon the nations that know Thee not,

And upon the kingdoms that call not upon Thy name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob,

And laid waste his habitation.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers;

Let Thy compassions speedily come to meet us;

For we are brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of Thy name;

And deliver us, and forgive our sins, for Thy name's sake.

10 Wherefore should the nations say: 'Where is their God?'

Let the avenging of Thy servants' blood that is shed

Be made known among the nations in our sight.

11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before Thee;

According to the greatness of Thy power set free those that are appointed to death;

12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom

Their reproach, wherewith they have reproached Thee, O Lord.

13 So we that are Thy people and the flock of Thy pasture

Will give Thee thanks for ever;

We will tell of Thy praise to all generations.

PSALM 80 — For the Leader; upon Shoshannim. A testimony. A Psalm of Asaph.

2 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,

Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock;

Thou that art enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

3 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Thy might,

And come to save us.

4 O God, restore us;

And cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

5 O LORD God of hosts,

How long wilt Thou be angry against the prayer of Thy people?

6 Thou hast fed them with the bread of tears,

And given them tears to drink in large measure.

7 Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours;

And our enemies mock as they please.

8 O God of hosts, restore us;

And cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

9 Thou didst pluck up a vine out of Egypt;

Thou didst drive out the nations, and didst plant it.

10 Thou didst clear a place before it,

And it took deep root, and filled the land.

11 The mountains were covered with the shadow of it,

And the mighty cedars with the boughs thereof.

12 She sent out her branches unto the sea,

And her shoots unto the River.

13 Why hast Thou broken down her fences,

So that all they that pass by the way do pluck her?

14 The boar out of the wood doth ravage it,

That which moveth in the field feedeth on it.

15 O God of hosts, return, we beseech Thee;

Look from heaven, and behold, and be mindful of this vine,

16 And of the stock which Thy right hand hath planted,

And the branch that Thou madest strong for Thyself.

17 It is burned with fire, it is cut down;

They perish at the rebuke of Thy countenance.

18 Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand,

Upon the son of man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself.

19 So shall we not turn back from Thee;

Quicken Thou us, and we will call upon Thy name.

20 O LORD God of hosts, restore us;

Cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

PSALM 81 — For the Leader; upon the Gittith. [A Psalm] of Asaph.

2 Sing aloud unto God our strength;

Shout unto the God of Jacob.

3 Take up the melody, and sound the timbrel,

The sweet harp with the psaltery.

4 Blow the horn at the new moon,

At the full moon for our feast-day.

5 For it is a statute for Israel,

An ordinance of the God of Jacob.

6 He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony,

When He went forth against the land of Egypt.

The speech of one that I knew not did I hear:

7 'I removed his shoulder from the burden;

His hands were freed from the basket.

8 Thou didst call in trouble, and I rescued thee;

I answered thee in the secret place of thunder;

I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah

9 Hear, O My people, and I will admonish thee:

O Israel, if thou wouldest hearken unto Me!

10 There shall no strange god be in thee;

Neither shalt thou worship any foreign god.

11 I am the LORD thy God,

Who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt;

Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

12 But My people hearkened not to My voice;

And Israel would none of Me.

13 So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart,

That they might walk in their own counsels.

14 Oh that My people would hearken unto Me,

That Israel would walk in My ways!

15 I would soon subdue their enemies,

And turn My hand against their adversaries.

16 The haters of the LORD should dwindle away before Him;

And their punishment should endure for ever.

17 They should also be fed with the fat of wheat;

And with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee.'

PSALM 82 — A Psalm of Asaph.

God standeth in the congregation of God;

In the midst of the judges He judgeth:

2 'How long will ye judge unjustly,

And respect the persons of the wicked? Selah

3 Judge the poor and fatherless;

Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

4 Rescue the poor and needy;

Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither do they understand;

They go about in darkness;

All the foundations of the earth are moved.

6 I said: Ye are godlike beings,

And all of you sons of the Most High.

7 Nevertheless ye shall die like men,

And fall like one of the princes.'

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;

For Thou shalt possess all nations.

PSALM 83 — A Song, a Psalm of Asaph.

2 O God, keep not Thou silence;

Hold not Thy peace, and be not still, O God.

3 For, lo, Thine enemies are in an uproar;

And they that hate Thee have lifted up the head.

4 They hold crafty converse against Thy people,

And take counsel against Thy treasured ones.

5 They have said: 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation;

That the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.'

6 For they have consulted together with one consent;

Against Thee do they make a covenant;

7 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;

Moab, and the Hagrites;

8 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek;

Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;

9 Assyria also is joined with them;

They have been an arm to the children of Lot. Selah

10 Do Thou unto them as unto Midian;

As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook Kishon;

11 Who were destroyed at En-dor;

They became as dung for the earth.

12 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,

And like Zebah and Zalmunna all their princes;

13 Who said: 'Let us take to ourselves in possession

The habitations of God.'

14 O my God, make them like the whirling dust;

As stubble before the wind.

15 As the fire that burneth the forest,

And as the flame that setteth the mountains ablaze;

16 So pursue them with Thy tempest,

And affright them with Thy storm.

17 Fill their faces with shame;

That they may seek Thy name, O LORD.

18 Let them be ashamed and affrighted for ever;

Yea, let them be abashed and perish;

19 That they may know that it is Thou alone whose name is the LORD,

The Most High over all the earth.

PSALM 84 — For the Leader; upon the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2 How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

3 My soul yearneth, yea, even pineth for the courts of the LORD;

My heart and my flesh sing for joy unto the living God.

4 Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young;

Thine altars, O LORD of hosts,

My King, and my God--.

5 Happy are they that dwell in Thy house,

They are ever praising Thee. Selah

6 Happy is the man whose strength is in Thee;

In whose heart are the highways.

7 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;

Yea, the early rain clotheth it with blessings.

8 They go from strength to strength,

Every one of them appeareth before God in Zion.

9 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;

Give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah

10 Behold, O God our shield,

And look upon the face of Thine anointed.

11 For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand;

I had rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God,

Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

12 For the LORD God is a sun and a shield;

The LORD giveth grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

13 O LORD of hosts,

Happy is the man that trusteth in Thee.

PSALM 85 — For the Leader. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2 LORD, Thou hast been favourable unto Thy land,

Thou hast turned the captivity of Jacob.

3 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people,

Thou hast pardoned all their sin. Selah

4 Thou hast withdrawn all Thy wrath;

Thou hast turned from the fierceness of Thine anger.

5 Restore us, O God of our salvation,

And cause Thine indignation toward us to cease.

6 Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever?

Wilt Thou draw out Thine anger to all generations?

7 Wilt Thou not quicken us again,

That Thy people may rejoice in Thee?

8 Show us Thy mercy, O LORD,

And grant us Thy salvation.

9 I will hear what God the LORD will speak;

For He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints;

But let them not turn back to folly.

10 Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him;

That glory may dwell in our land.

11 Mercy and truth are met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

12 Truth springeth out of the earth;

And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

13 Yea, the LORD will give that which is good;

And our land shall yield her produce.

14 Righteousness shall go before Him,

And shall make His footsteps a way.

PSALM 86 — A Prayer of David.

Incline Thine ear, O LORD, and answer me;

For I am poor and needy.

2 Keep my soul, for I am godly;

O Thou my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee.

3 Be gracious unto me, O Lord;

For unto Thee do I cry all the day.

4 Rejoice the soul of Thy servant;

For unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5 For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to pardon,

And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.

6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer;

And attend unto the voice of my supplications.

7 In the day of my trouble I call upon Thee;

For Thou wilt answer me.

8 There is none like unto Thee among the gods, O Lord,

And there are no works like Thine.

9 All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and prostrate themselves before Thee, O Lord;

And they shall glorify Thy name.

10 For Thou art great, and doest wondrous things;

Thou art God alone.

11 Teach me, O LORD, Thy way, that I may walk in Thy truth;

Make one my heart to fear Thy name.

12 I will thank Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart;

And I will glorify Thy name for evermore.

13 For great is Thy mercy toward me;

And Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest nether-world.

14 O God, the proud are risen up against me,

And the company of violent men have sought after my soul,

And have not set Thee before them.

15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious,

Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

16 O turn unto me, and be gracious unto me;

Give Thy strength unto Thy servant,

And save the son of Thy handmaid.

17 Work in my behalf a sign for good;

That they that hate me may see it, and be put to shame,

Because Thou, LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me.

PSALM 87 — A Psalm of the sons of Korah; a Song.

His foundation is in the holy mountains.

2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion

More than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are spoken of Thee,

O city of God. Selah

4 'I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know Me;

Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia;

This one was born there.'

5 But of Zion it shall be said: 'This man and that was born in her;

And the Most High Himself doth establish her.'

6 The LORD shall count in the register of the peoples:

'This one was born there.' Selah

7 And whether they sing or dance,

All my thoughts are in Thee.

PSALM 88 — A Song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah; for the Leader; upon Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.

2 O LORD, God of my salvation,

What time I cry in the night before Thee,

3 Let my prayer come before Thee,

Incline Thine ear unto my cry.

4 For my soul is sated with troubles,

And my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

5 I am counted with them that go down into the pit;

I am become as a man that hath no help;

6 Set apart among the dead,

Like the slain that lie in the grave,

Whom Thou rememberest no more;

And they are cut off from Thy hand.

7 Thou hast laid me in the nether-most pit,

In dark places, in the deeps.

8 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me,

And all Thy waves Thou pressest down. Selah

9 Thou hast put mine acquaintance far from me;

Thou hast made me an abomination unto them;

I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

10 Mine eye languisheth by reason of affliction;

I have called upon Thee, O LORD, every day,

I have spread forth my hands unto Thee.

11 Wilt Thou work wonders for the dead?

Or shall the shades arise and give Thee thanks? Selah

12 Shall Thy mercy be declared in the grave?

Or Thy faithfulness in destruction?

13 Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark?

And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

14 But as for me, unto Thee, O LORD, do I cry,

And in the morning doth my prayer come to meet Thee.

15 LORD, why castest Thou off my soul?

Why hidest Thou Thy face from me?

16 I am afflicted and at the point of death from my youth up;

I have borne Thy terrors, I am distracted.

17 Thy fierce wrath is gone over me;

Thy terrors have cut me off.

18 They came round about me like water all the day;

They compassed me about together.

19 Friend and companion hast Thou put far from me,

And mine acquaintance into darkness.

PSALM 89 — Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

2 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever;

To all generations will I make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth.

3 For I have said: 'For ever is mercy built;

In the very heavens Thou dost establish Thy faithfulness.

4 I have made a covenant with My chosen,

I have sworn unto David My servant:

5 For ever will I establish thy seed,

And build up thy throne to all generations.' Selah

6 So shall the heavens praise Thy wonders, O LORD,

Thy faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

7 For who in the skies can be compared unto the LORD,

Who among the sons of might can be likened unto the LORD,

8 A God dreaded in the great council of the holy ones,

And feared of all them that are about Him?

9 O LORD God of hosts,

Who is a mighty one, like unto Thee, O LORD?

And Thy faithfulness is round about Thee.

10 Thou rulest the proud swelling of the sea;

When the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them.

11 Thou didst crush Rahab, as one that is slain;

Thou didst scattered Thine enemies with the arm of Thy strength.

12 Thine are the heavens, Thine also the earth;

The world and the fulness thereof, Thou hast founded them.

13 The north and the south, Thou hast created them;

Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Thy name.

14 Thine is an arm with might;

Strong is Thy hand, and exalted is Thy right hand.

15 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne;

Mercy and truth go before Thee.

16 Happy is the people that know the joyful shout;

They walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance.

17 In Thy name do they rejoice all the day;

And through Thy righteousness are they exalted.

18 For Thou art the glory of their strength;

And in Thy favour our horn is exalted.

19 For of the LORD is our shield;

And the Holy One of Israel is our king.

20 Then Thou spokest in vision to Thy godly ones,

And saidst: 'I have laid help upon one that is mighty;

I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

21 I have found David My servant;

With My holy oil have I anointed him;

22 With whom My hand shall be established;

Mine arm also shall strengthen him.

23 The enemy shall not exact from him;

Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

24 And I will beat to pieces his adversaries before him,

And smite them that hate him.

25 But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him;

And through My name shall his horn be exalted.

26 I will set his hand also on the sea,

And his right hand on the rivers.

27 He shall call unto Me: Thou art my Father,

My God, and the rock of my salvation.

28 I also will appoint him first-born,

The highest of the kings of the earth.

29 For ever will I keep for him My mercy,

And My covenant shall stand fast with him.

30 His seed also will I make to endure for ever,

And his throne as the days of heaven.

31 If his children forsake My law,

And walk not in Mine ordinances;

32 If they profane My statutes,

And keep not My commandments;

33 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod,

And their iniquity with strokes.

34 But My mercy will I not break off from him,

Nor will I be false to My faithfulness.

35 My covenant will I not profane,

Nor alter that which is gone out of My lips.

36 Once have I sworn by My holiness:

Surely I will not be false unto David;

37 His seed shall endure for ever,

And his throne as the sun before Me.

38 It shall be established for ever as the moon;

And be stedfast as the witness in sky.' Selah

39 But Thou hast cast off and rejected,

Thou hast been wroth with Thine anointed.

40 Thou hast abhorred the covenant of Thy servant;

Thou hast profaned his crown even to the ground.

41 Thou hast broken down all his fences;

Thou hast brought his strongholds to ruin.

42 All that pass by the way spoil him;

He is become a taunt to his neighbours.

43 Thou hast exalted the right hand of his adversaries;

Thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

44 Yea, Thou turnest back the edge of his sword,

And hast not made him to stand in the battle.

45 Thou hast made his brightness to cease,

And cast his throne down to the ground.

46 The days of his youth hast Thou shortened;

Thou hast covered him with shame. Selah

47 How long, O LORD, wilt Thou hide Thyself for ever?

How long shall Thy wrath burn like fire?

48 O remember how short my time is;

For what vanity hast Thou created all the children of men!

49 What man is he that liveth and shall not see death,

That shall deliver his soul from the power of the grave? Selah

50 Where are Thy former mercies, O Lord,

Which Thou didst swear unto David in Thy faithfulness?

51 Remember, Lord, the taunt of Thy servants;

How I do bear in my bosom the taunt of so many peoples;

52 Wherewith Thine enemies have taunted, O LORD,

Wherewith they have taunted the footsteps of Thine anointed.

53 Blessed be the LORD for evermore.

Amen, and Amen.

BOOK IV

PSALM 90 — A Prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

3 Thou turnest man to contrition;

And sayest: 'Return, ye children of men.'

4 For a thousand years in Thy sight

Are but as yesterday when it is past,

And as a watch in the night.

5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep;

In the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up;

In the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

7 For we are consumed in Thine anger,

And by Thy wrath are we hurried away.

8 Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee,

Our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.

9 For all our days are passed away in Thy wrath;

We bring our years to an end as a tale that is told.

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten,

Or even by reason of strength fourscore years;

Yet is their pride but travail and vanity;

For it is speedily gone, and we fly away.

11 Who knoweth the power of Thine anger,

And Thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto Thee?

12 So teach us to number our days,

That we may get us a heart of wisdom.

13 Return, O LORD; how long?

And let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants.

14 O satisfy us in the morning with Thy mercy;

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us,

According to the years wherein we have seen evil.

16 Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants,

And Thy glory upon their children.

17 And let the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us;

Establish Thou also upon us the work of our hands;

Yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.

PSALM 91 — O thou that dwellest in the covert of the Most High,

And abidest in the shadow of the Almighty;

2 I will say of the LORD, who is my refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust,

3 That He will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,

And from the noisome pestilence.

4 He will cover thee with His pinions,

And under His wings shalt thou take refuge;

His truth is a shield and a buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Of the pestilence that walketh in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at Thy side,

And ten thousand at Thy right hand;

It shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold,

And see the recompense of the wicked.

9 For thou hast made the LORD who is my refuge,

Even the Most High, thy habitation.

10 There shall no evil befall thee,

Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.

11 For He will give His angels charge over thee,

To keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee upon their hands,

Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and asp;

The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under feet.

14 'Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him, and bring him to honour.

16 With long life will I satisfy him,

And make Him to behold My salvation.'

PSALM 92 — A Psalm, a Song. For the sabbath day.

2 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD,

And to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High;

3 To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning,

And Thy faithfulness in the night seasons,

4 With an instrument of ten strings, and with the psaltery;

With a solemn sound upon the harp.

5 For Thou, LORD, hast made me glad through Thy work;

I will exult in the works of Thy hands.

6 How great are Thy works, O LORD!

Thy thoughts are very deep.

7 A brutish man knoweth not,

Neither doth a fool understand this.

8 When the wicked spring up as the grass,

And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish;

It is that they may be destroyed for ever.

9 But Thou, O LORD, art on high for evermore.

10 For, lo, Thine enemies, O LORD,

For, lo, Thine enemies shall perish:

All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

11 But my horn hast Thou exalted like the horn of the wild-ox;

I am anointed with rich oil.

12 Mine eye also hath gazed on them that lie in wait for me,

Mine ears have heard my desire of the evil-doers that rise up against me.

13 The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree;

He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

14 Planted in the house of the LORD,

They shall flourish in the courts of our God.

15 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age;

They shall be full of sap and richness;

16 To declare that the LORD is upright,

My Rock, in whom there is no unrighteousness.

PSALM 93 — The LORD reigneth; He is clothed in majesty;

The LORD is clothed, He hath girded Himself with strength;

Yea, the world is established, that it cannot be moved.

2 Thy throne is established of old;

Thou art from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD,

The floods have lifted up their voice;

The floods lift up their roaring.

4 Above the voices of many waters,

The mighty breakers of the sea,

The LORD on high is mighty.

5 Thy testimonies are very sure,

Holiness becometh Thy house,

O LORD, for evermore.

PSALM 94 — O LORD, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth,

Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth.

2 Lift up Thyself, Thou Judge of the earth;

Render to the proud their recompense.

3 LORD, how long shall the wicked,

How long shall the wicked exult?

4 They gush out, they speak arrogancy;

All the workers of iniquity bear themselves loftily.

5 They crush Thy people, O LORD,

And afflict Thy heritage.

6 They slay the widow and the stranger,

And murder the fatherless.

7 And they say: 'The LORD will not see,

Neither will the God of Jacob give heed.'

8 Consider, ye brutish among the people;

And ye fools, when will ye understand?

9 He that planted the ear, shall He not hear?

He that formed the eye, shall He not see?

10 He that instructeth nations, shall not He correct?

Even He that teacheth man knowledge?

11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man,

That they are vanity.

12 Happy is the man whom Thou instructest, O LORD,

And teachest out of Thy law;

13 That Thou mayest give him rest from the days of evil,

Until the pit be digged for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not cast off His people,

Neither will He forsake His inheritance.

15 For right shall return unto justice,

And all the upright in heart shall follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers?

Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

17 Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul had soon dwelt in silence.

18 If I say: 'My foot slippeth',

Thy mercy, O LORD, holdeth me up.

19 When my cares are many within me,

Thy comforts delight my soul.

20 Shall the seat of wickedness have fellowship with Thee,

Which frameth mischief by statute?

21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous,

And condemn innocent blood.

22 But the LORD hath been my high tower,

And my God the rock of my refuge.

23 And He hath brought upon them their own iniquity,

And will cut them off in their own evil;

The LORD our God will cut them off.

PSALM 95 — O come, let us sing unto the LORD;

Let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,

Let us shout for joy unto Him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is a great God,

And a great King above all gods;

4 In whose hand are the depths of the earth;

The heights of the mountains are His also.

5 The sea is His, and He made it;

And His hands formed the dry land.

6 O come, let us bow down and bend the knee;

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

7 For He is our God,

And we are the people of His pasture, and the flock of His hand.

To-day, if ye would but hearken to His voice!

8 'Harden not your heart, as at Meribah,

As in the day of Massah in the wilderness;

9 When your fathers tried Me,

Proved Me, even though they saw My work.

10 For forty years was I wearied with that generation,

And said: It is a people that do err in their heart,

And they have not known My ways;

11 Wherefore I swore in My wrath,

That they should not enter into My rest.'

PSALM 96 — O sing unto the LORD a new song;

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing unto the LORD, bless His name;

Proclaim His salvation from day to day.

3 Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvellous works among all the peoples.

4 For great is the LORD, and highly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are things of nought;

But the LORD made the heavens.

6 Honour and majesty are before Him;

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

7 Ascribe unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the peoples,

Ascribe unto the LORD glory and strength.

8 Ascribe unto the LORD the glory due unto His name;

Bring an offering, and come into His courts.

9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness;

Tremble before Him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations: 'The LORD reigneth.'

The world also is established that it cannot be moved;

He will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;

12 Let the field exult; and all that is therein;

Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy;

13 Before the LORD, for He is come;

For He is come to judge the earth;

He will judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples in His faithfulness.

PSALM 97 — The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice;

Let the multitude of isles be glad.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about Him;

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

3 A fire goeth before Him,

And burneth up His adversaries round about.

4 His lightnings lighted up the world;

The earth saw, and trembled.

5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD,

At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declared His righteousness,

And all the peoples saw His glory.

7 Ashamed be all they that serve graven images,

That boast themselves of things of nought;

Bow down to Him, all ye gods.

8 Zion heard and was glad,

And the daughters of Judah rejoiced;

Because of Thy judgments, O LORD.

9 For Thou, LORD, art most high above all the earth;

Thou art exalted far above all gods.

10 O ye that love the LORD, hate evil;

He preserveth the souls of His saints;

He delivered them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous,

And gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Be glad in the LORD, ye righteous;

And give thanks to His holy name.

PSALM 98 — A Psalm.

O sing unto the LORD a new song;

For He hath done marvellous things;

His right hand, and His holy arm, hath wrought salvation for Him.

2 The LORD hath made known His salvation;

His righteousness hath He revealed in the sight of the nations.

3 He hath remembered His mercy and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel;

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Shout unto the LORD, all the earth;

Break forth and sing for joy, yea, sing praises.

5 Sing praises unto the LORD with the harp;

With the harp and the voice of melody.

6 With trumpets and sound of the horn

Shout ye before the King, the LORD.

7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;

The world, and they that dwell therein;

8 Let the floods clap their hands;

Let the mountains sing for joy together;

9 Before the LORD, for He is come to judge the earth;

He will judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples with equity.

PSALM 99 — The LORD reigneth; let the peoples tremble;

He is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake.

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

And He is high above all the peoples.

3 Let them praise Thy name as great and awful;

Holy is He.

4 The strength also of the king who loveth justice--

Thou hast established equity,

Thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5 Exalt ye the LORD our God,

And prostrate yourselves at His footstool;

Holy is He.

6 Moses and Aaron among His priests,

And Samuel among them that call upon His name,

Did call upon the LORD, and He answered them.

7 He spoke unto them in the pillar of cloud;

They kept His testimonies, and the statute that He gave them.

8 O LORD our God, Thou didst answer them;

A forgiving God wast Thou unto them,

Though Thou tookest vengeance of their misdeeds.

9 Exalt ye the LORD our God,

And worship at His holy hill;

For the LORD our God is holy.

PSALM 100 — A Psalm of thanksgiving.

Shout unto the LORD, all the earth.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD He is God;

It is He that hath made us, and we our His,

His people, and the flock of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise;

Give thanks unto Him, and bless His name.

5 For the LORD is good; His mercy endureth for ever;

And His faithfulness unto all generations.

PSALM 101 — A Psalm of David.

I will sing of mercy and justice;

Unto Thee, O LORD, will I sing praises.

2 I will give heed unto the way of integrity;

Oh when wilt Thou come unto me?

I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

3 I will set no base thing before mine eyes;

I hate the doing of things crooked;

It shall not cleave unto me.

4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;

I will know no evil thing.

5 Whoso slandereth his neighbour in secret, him will I destroy;

Whoso is haughty of eye and proud of heart, him will I not suffer.

6 Mine eyes are upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me;

He that walketh in a way of integrity, he shall minister unto me.

7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house;

He that speaketh falsehood shall not be established before mine eyes.

8 Morning by morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land;

To cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the LORD.

PSALM 102 — A Prayer of the afflicted, when he fainteth, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.

2 O LORD, hear my prayer,

And let my cry come unto Thee.

3 Hide not Thy face from me in the day of my distress;

Incline Thine ear unto me;

In the day when I call answer me speedily.

4 For my days are consumed like smoke,

And my bones are burned as a hearth.

5 My heart is smitten like grass, and withered;

For I forget to eat my bread.

6 By reason of the voice of my sighing

My bones cleave to my flesh.

7 I am like a pelican of the wilderness;

I am become as an owl of the waste places.

8 I watch, and am become

Like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop.

9 Mine enemies taunt me all the day;

They that are mad against me do curse by me.

10 For I have eaten ashes like bread,

And mingled my drink with weeping,

11 Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath;

For Thou hast taken me up, and cast me away.

12 My days are like a lengthening shadow;

And I am withered like grass.

13 But Thou, O LORD, sittest enthroned for ever;

And Thy name is unto all generations.

14 Thou wilt arise, and have compassion upon Zion;

For it is time to be gracious unto her, for the appointed time is come.

15 For Thy servants take pleasure in her stones,

And love her dust.

16 So the nations will fear the name of the LORD,

And all the kings of the earth Thy glory;

17 When the LORD hath built up Zion,

When He hath appeared in His glory;

18 When He hath regarded the prayer of the destitute,

And hath not despised their prayer.

19 This shall be written for the generation to come;

And a people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

20 For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary;

From heaven did the LORD behold the earth;

21 To hear the groaning of the prisoner;

To loose those that are appointed to death;

22 That men may tell of the name of the LORD in Zion,

And His praise in Jerusalem;

23 When the peoples are gathered together,

And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

24 He weakened my strength in the way;

He shortened my days.

25 I say: 'O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days,

Thou whose years endure throughout all generations.

26 Of old Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth;

And the heavens are the work of Thy hands.

27 They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure;

Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment;

As a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall pass away;

28 But Thou art the selfsame,

And Thy years shall have no end.

29 The children of Thy servants shall dwell securely,

And their seed shall be established before Thee.'

PSALM 103 — [A Psalm] of David.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits;

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquity;

Who healeth all Thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth Thy life from the pit;

Who encompasseth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thine old age with good things;

So that Thy youth is renewed like the eagle.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness,

And acts of justice for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways unto Moses,

His doings unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is full of compassion and gracious,

Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always contend;

Neither will He keep His anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins,

Nor requited us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father hath compassion upon his children,

So hath the LORD compassion upon them that fear Him.

14 For He knoweth our frame;

He remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone;

And the place thereof knoweth it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him,

And His righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep His covenant,

And to those that remember His precepts to do them.

19 The LORD hath established His throne in the heavens;

And His kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye angels of His,

Ye mighty in strength, that fulfil His word,

Hearkening unto the voice of His word.

21 Bless the LORD, all ye His hosts;

Ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all ye His works,

In all places of His dominion;

Bless the LORD, O my soul.

PSALM 104 — Bless the LORD, O my soul.

O LORD my God, Thou art very great;

Thou art clothed with glory and majesty.

2 Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment,

Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;

3 Who layest the beams of Thine upper chambers in the waters,

Who makest the clouds Thy chariot,

Who walkest upon the wings of the wind;

4 Who makest winds Thy messengers,

The flaming fire Thy ministers.

5 Who didst establish the earth upon its foundations,

That it should not be moved for ever and ever;

6 Thou didst cover it with the deep as with a vesture;

The waters stood above the mountains.

7 At Thy rebuke they fled,

At the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away--

8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down--

Unto the place which Thou hadst founded for them;

9 Thou didst set a bound which they should not pass over,

That they might not return to cover the earth.

10 Who sendest forth springs into the valleys;

They run between the mountains;

11 They give drink to every beast of the field,

The wild asses quench their thirst.

12 Beside them dwell the fowl of the heaven,

From among the branches they sing.

13 Who waterest the mountains from Thine upper chambers;

The earth is full of the fruit of Thy works.

14 Who causeth the grass to spring up for the cattle,

And herb for the service of man;

To bring forth bread out of the earth,

15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man,

Making the face brighter than oil,

And bread that stayeth man's heart.

16 The trees of the LORD have their fill,

The cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted;

17 Wherein the birds make their nests;

As for the stork, the fir-trees are her house.

18 The high mountains are for the wild goats;

The rocks are a refuge for the conies.

19 Who appointedst the moon for seasons;

The sun knoweth his going down.

20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night,

Wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.

21 The young lions roar after their prey,

And seek their food from God.

22 The sun ariseth, they slink away,

And couch in their dens.

23 Man goeth forth unto his work

And to his labour until the evening.

24 How manifold are Thy works, O LORD!

In wisdom hast Thou made them all;

The earth is full of Thy creatures.

25 Yonder sea, great and wide,

Therein are creeping things innumerable,

Living creatures, both small and great.

26 There go the ships;

There is leviathan, whom Thou hast formed to sport therein.

27 All of them wait for Thee,

That Thou mayest give them their food in due season.

28 Thou givest it unto them, they gather it;

Thou openest Thy hand, they are satisfied with good.

29 Thou hidest Thy face, they vanish;

Thou withdrawest their breath, they perish,

And return to their dust.

30 Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created;

And Thou renewest the face of the earth.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure for ever;

Let the LORD rejoice in His works!

32 Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth;

He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.

34 Let my musing be sweet unto Him;

As for me, I will rejoice in the LORD.

35 Let sinners cease out of the earth,

And let the wicked be no more.

Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 105 — O give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name;

Make known His doings among the peoples.

2 Sing unto Him, sing praises unto Him;

Speak ye of all His marvellous works.

3 Glory ye in His holy name;

Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

4 Seek ye the LORD and His strength;

Seek His face continually.

5 Remember His marvellous works that He hath done,

His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth;

6 O ye seed of Abraham His servant,

Ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones.

7 He is the LORD our God;

His judgments are in all the earth.

8 He hath remembered His covenant for ever,

The word which He commanded to a thousand generations;

9 [The covenant] which He made with Abraham,

And His oath unto Isaac;

10 And He established it unto Jacob for a statute,

To Israel for an everlasting covenant;

11 Saying: 'Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan,

The lot of your inheritance.'

12 When they were but a few men in number.

Yea, very few, and sojourners in it,

13 And when they went about from nation to nation,

From one kingdom to another people,

14 He suffered no man to do them wrong,

Yea, for their sake He reproved kings:

15 'Touch not Mine anointed ones,

And do My prophets no harm.'

16 And He called a famine upon the land;

He broke the whole staff of bread.

17 He sent a man before them;

Joseph was sold for a servant;

18 His feet they hurt with fetters,

His person was laid in iron;

19 Until the time that his word came to pass,

The word of the LORD tested him.

20 The king sent and loosed him;

Even the ruler of the peoples, and set him free.

21 He made him lord of his house,

And ruler of all his possessions;

22 To bind his princes at his pleasure,

And teach his elders wisdom.

23 Israel also came into Egypt;

And Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

24 And He increased His people greatly,

And made them too mighty for their adversaries.

25 He turned their heart to hate His people,

To deal craftily with His servants.

26 He sent Moses His servant,

And Aaron whom He had chosen.

27 They wrought among them His manifold signs,

And wonders in the land of Ham.

28 He sent darkness, and it was dark;

And they rebelled not against His word.

29 He turned their waters into blood,

And slew their fish.

30 Their land swarmed with frogs,

In the chambers of their kings.

31 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,

And gnats in all their borders.

32 He gave them hail for rain,

And flaming fire in their land.

33 He smote their vines also and their fig-trees;

And broke the trees of their borders.

34 He spoke, and the locust came,

And the canker-worm without number,

35 And did eat up every herb in their land,

And did eat up the fruit of their ground.

36 He smote also all the first-born in their land,

The first-fruits of all their strength.

37 And He brought them forth with silver and gold;

And there was none that stumbled among His tribes.

38 Egypt was glad when they departed;

For the fear of them had fallen upon them.

39 He spread a cloud for a screen;

And fire to give light in the night.

40 They asked, and He brought quails,

And gave them in plenty the bread of heaven.

41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out;

They ran, a river in the dry places.

42 For He remembered His holy word

Unto Abraham His servant;

43 And He brought forth His people with joy,

His chosen ones with singing.

44 And He gave them the lands of the nations,

And they took the labour of the peoples in possession;

45 That they might keep His statutes,

And observe His laws.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 106 — Hallelujah. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good;

For His mercy endureth for ever.

2 Who can express the mighty acts of the LORD,

Or make all His praise to be heard?

3 Happy are they that keep justice,

That do righteousness at all times.

4 Remember me, O LORD, when Thou favourest Thy people;

O think of me at Thy salvation;

5 That I may behold the prosperity of Thy chosen,

That I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation,

That I may glory with Thine inheritance.

6 We have sinned with our fathers,

We have done iniquitously, we have dealt wickedly.

7 Our fathers in Egypt gave no heed unto Thy wonders;

They remembered not the multitude of Thy mercies;

But were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.

8 Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake,

That He might make His mighty power to be known.

9 And He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up;

And He led them through the depths, as through a wilderness.

10 And He saved them from the hand of him that hated them,

And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their adversaries;

There was not one of them left.

12 Then believed they His words;

They sang His praise.

13 They soon forgot His works;

They waited not for His counsel;

14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness,

And tried God in the desert.

15 And He gave them their request;

But sent leanness into their soul.

16 They were jealous also of Moses in the camp,

And of Aaron the holy one of the LORD.

17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,

And covered the company of Abiram.

18 And a fire was kindled in their company;

The flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf in Horeb,

And worshipped a molten image.

20 Thus they exchanged their glory

For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass.

21 They forgot God their saviour,

Who had done great things in Egypt;

22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham,

Terrible things by the Red Sea.

23 Therefore He said that He would destroy them,

Had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breach,

To turn back His wrath, lest He should destroy them.

24 Moreover, they scorned the desirable land,

They believed not His word;

25 And they murmured in their tents,

They hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.

26 Therefore He swore concerning them,

That He would overthrow them in the wilderness;

27 And that He would cast out their seed among the nations,

And scatter them in the lands.

28 They joined themselves also unto Baal of Peor,

And ate the sacrifices of the dead.

29 Thus they provoked Him with their doings,

And the plague broke in upon them.

30 Then stood up Phinehas, and wrought judgment,

And so the plague was stayed.

31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness,

Unto all generations for ever.

32 They angered Him also at the waters of Meribah,

And it went ill with Moses because of them;

33 For they embittered his spirit,

And he spoke rashly with his lips.

34 They did not destroy the peoples,

As the LORD commanded them;

35 But mingled themselves with the nations,

And learned their works;

36 And they served their idols,

Which became a snare unto them;

37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons,

38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters,

Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan;

And the land was polluted with blood.

39 Thus were they defiled with their works,

And went astray in their doings.

40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against His people,

And He abhorred His inheritance.

41 And He gave them into the hand of the nations;

And they that hated them ruled over them.

42 Their enemies also oppressed them,

And they were subdued under their hand.

43 Many times did He deliver them;

But they were rebellious in their counsel,

And sank low through their iniquity.

44 Nevertheless He looked upon their distress,

When He heard their cry;

45 And He remembered for them His covenant,

And repented according to the multitude of His mercies.

46 He made them also to be pitied

Of all those that carried them captive.

47 Save us, O LORD our God,

And gather us from among the nations,

That we may give thanks unto Thy holy name,

That we may triumph in Thy praise.

48 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

From everlasting even to everlasting,

And let all the people say: 'Amen.'

Hallelujah.

BOOK V

PSALM 107 — 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good,

For His mercy endureth for ever.'

2 So let the redeemed of the LORD say,

Whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary;

3 And gathered them out of the lands,

From the east and from the west,

From the north and from the sea.

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way;

They found no city of habitation.

5 Hungry and thirsty,

Their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble,

And He delivered them out of their distresses.

7 And He led them by a straight way,

That they might go to a city of habitation.

8 Let them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

9 For He hath satisfied the longing soul,

And the hungry soul He hath filled with good.

10 Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

Being bound in affliction and iron--

11 Because they rebelled against the words of God,

And contemned the counsel of the Most High.

12 Therefore He humbled their heart with travail,

They stumbled, and there was none to help--

13 They cried unto the LORD in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

And broke their bands in sunder.

15 Let them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

16 For He hath broken the gates of brass,

And cut the bars of iron in sunder.

17 Crazed because of the way of their transgression,

And afflicted because of their iniquities--

18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food,

And they drew near unto the gates of death--

19 They cried unto the LORD in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses;

20 He sent His word, and healed them,

And delivered them from their graves.

21 Let them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

22 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving,

And declare His works with singing.

23 They that go down to the sea in ships,

That do business in great waters--

24 These saw the works of the LORD,

And His wonders in the deep;

25 For He commanded, and raised the stormy wind,

Which lifted up the waves thereof;

26 They mounted up to the heaven, they went down to the deeps;

Their soul melted away because of trouble;

27 They reeled to and fro, and staggered like a drunken man,

And all their wisdom was swallowed up--

28 They cried unto the LORD in their trouble,

And He brought them out of their distresses.

29 He made the storm a calm,

So that the waves thereof were still.

30 Then were they glad because they were quiet,

And He led them unto their desired haven.

31 Let them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

32 Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,

And praise Him in the seat of the elders.

33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness,

And watersprings into a thirsty ground;

34 A fruitful land into a salt waste,

For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

35 He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water,

And a dry land into watersprings.

36 And there He maketh the hungry to dwell,

And they establish a city of habitation;

37 And sow fields, and plant vineyards,

Which yield fruits of increase.

38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly,

And suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

39 Again, they are minished and dwindle away

Through oppression of evil and sorrow.

40 He poureth contempt upon princes,

And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

41 Yet setteth He the needy on high from affliction,

And maketh his families like a flock.

42 The upright see it, and are glad;

And all iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

43 Whoso is wise, let him observe these things,

And let them consider the mercies of the LORD.

PSALM 108 — A Song, a Psalm of David.

2 My heart is steadfast, O God;

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises, even with my glory.

3 Awake, psaltery and harp;

I will awake the dawn.

4 I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the peoples;

And I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.

5 For Thy mercy is great above the heavens,

And Thy truth reacheth unto the skies.

6 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;

And Thy glory be above all the earth.

7 That Thy beloved may be delivered,

Save with Thy right hand, and answer me.

8 God spoke in His holiness, that I would exult;

That I would divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

9 Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;

Ephraim also is the defence of my head;

Judah is my sceptre.

10 Moab is my washpot;

Upon Edom do I cast my shoe;

Over Philistia do I cry aloud.

11 Who will bring me into the fortified city?

Who will lead me unto Edom?

12 Hast not Thou cast us off, O God?

And Thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts?

13 Give us help against the adversary;

For vain is the help of man.

14 Through God we shall do valiantly;

For He it is that will tread down our adversaries.

PSALM 109 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

O God of my praise, keep not silence;

2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me;

They have spoken unto me with a lying tongue.

3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred,

And fought against me without a cause.

4 In return for my love they are my adversaries;

But I am all prayer.

5 And they have laid upon me evil for good,

And hatred for my love:

6 'Set Thou a wicked man over him;

And let an adversary stand at his right hand.

7 When he is judged, let him go forth condemned;

And let his prayer be turned into sin.

8 Let his days be few;

Let another take his charge.

9 Let his children be fatherless,

And his wife a widow.

10 Let his children be vagabonds, and beg;

And let them seek their bread out of their desolate places.

11 Let the creditor distrain all that he hath;

And let strangers make spoil of his labour.

12 Let there be none to extend kindness unto him;

Neither let there be any to be gracious unto his fatherless children.

13 Let his posterity be cut off;

In the generation following let their name be blotted out.

14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be brought to remembrance unto the LORD;

And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15 Let them be before the LORD continually,

That He may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

16 Because that he remembered not to do kindness,

But persecuted the poor and needy man,

And the broken in heart he was ready to slay.

17 Yea, he loved cursing, and it came unto him;

And he delighted not in blessing, and it is far from him.

18 He clothed himself also with cursing as with his raiment,

And it is come into his inward parts like water, and like oil into his bones.

19 Let it be unto him as the garment which he putteth on,

And for the girdle wherewith he is girded continually.'

20 This would mine adversaries effect from the LORD,

And they that speak evil against my soul.

21 But Thou, O GOD the Lord, deal with me for Thy name's sake;

Because Thy mercy is good, deliver Thou me.

22 For I am poor and needy,

And my heart is wounded within me.

23 I am gone like the shadow when it lengtheneth;

I am shaken off as the locust.

24 My knees totter through fasting;

And my flesh is lean, and hath no fatness.

25 I am become also a taunt unto them;

When they see me, they shake their head.

26 Help me, O LORD my God;

O save me according to Thy mercy;

27 That they may know that this is Thy hand;

That Thou, LORD, hast done it.

28 Let them curse, but bless Thou;

When they arise, they shall be put to shame, but Thy servant shall rejoice.

29 Mine adversaries shall be clothed with confusion,

And shall put on their own shame as a robe.

30 I will give great thanks unto the LORD with my mouth;

Yea, I will praise Him among the multitude;

31 Because He standeth at the right hand of the needy,

To save him from them that judge his soul.

PSALM 110 — A Psalm of David.

The LORD saith unto my lord: 'Sit thou at My right hand,

Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.'

2 The rod of Thy strength the LORD will send out of Zion:

'Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.'

3 Thy people offer themselves willingly in the day of thy warfare;

In adornments of holiness, from the womb of the dawn,

Thine is the dew of thy youth.

4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent:

'Thou art a priest for ever

After the manner of Melchizedek.'

5 The Lord at thy right hand

Doth crush kings in the day of His wrath.

6 He will judge among the nations;

He filleth it with the dead bodies,

He crusheth the head over a wide land.

7 He will drink of the brook in the way;

Therefore will he lift up the head.

PSALM 111 — Hallelujah.

[ALEPH] I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart,

[BETH] In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.

[GIMEL] 2 The works of the LORD are great,

[DALETH] Sought out of all them that have delight therein.

[HE] 3 His work is glory and majesty;

[VAU] And His righteousness endureth for ever.

[ZAIN] 4 He hath made a memorial for His wonderful works;

[HETH] The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

[TETH] 5 He hath given food unto them that fear Him;

[IOD] He will ever be mindful of His covenant.

[CAPH] 6 He hath declared to His people the power of His works,

[LAMED] In giving them the heritage of the nations.

[MEM] 7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;

[NUN] All His precepts are sure.

[SAMECH] 8 They are established for ever and ever,

[AIN] They are done in truth and uprightness.

[PE] 9 He hath sent redemption unto His people;

[TZADE] He hath commanded His covenant for ever;

[KOPH] Holy and awful is His name.

[RESH]10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

[SHIN] A good understanding have all they that do thereafter;

[TAU] His praise endureth for ever.

PSALM 112 — Hallelujah.

[ALEPH] Happy is the man that feareth the LORD,

[BETH]That delighteth greatly in His commandments.

[GIMEL] 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth;

[DALETH] The generation of the upright shall be blessed.

[HE] 3 Wealth and riches are in his house;

[VAU] And his merit endureth for ever.

[ZAIN] 4 Unto the upright He shineth as a light in the darkness,

[HETH] Gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

[TETH] 5 Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth,

[IOD] That ordereth his affairs rightfully.

[CAPH] 6 For he shall never be moved;

[LAMED] The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.

[MEM] 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings;

[NUN] His heart is stedfast, trusting in the LORD.

[SAMECH] 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,

[AIN] Until he gaze upon his adversaries.

[PE] 9 He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the needy;

[TZADE] His righteousness endureth for ever;

[KOPH] His horn shall be exalted in honour.

[RESH] 10 The wicked shall see it, and be vexed;

[SHIN] He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away;

[TAU] The desire of the wicked shall perish.

PSALM 113 — Hallelujah.

Praise, O ye servants of the LORD,

Praise the name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD

From this time forth and for ever.

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof

The LORD'S name is to be praised.

4 The LORD is high above all nations,

His glory is above the heavens.

5 Who is like unto the LORD our God,

That is enthroned on high,

6 That looketh down low

Upon heaven and upon the earth?

7 Who raiseth up the poor out of the dust,

And lifteth up the needy out of the dunghill;

8 That He may set him with princes,

Even with the princes of His people.

9 Who maketh the barren woman to dwell in her house

As a joyful mother of children.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 114 — When Israel came forth out of Egypt,

The house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

2 Judah became His sanctuary,

Israel His dominion.

3 The sea saw it, and fled;

The Jordan turned backward.

4 The mountains skipped like rams,

The hills like young sheep.

5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest?

Thou Jordan, that thou turnest backward?

6 Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams;

Ye hills, like young sheep?

7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord,

At the presence of the God of Jacob;

8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water,

The flint into a fountain of waters.

PSALM 115 — Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,

But unto Thy name give glory,

For Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake.

2 Wherefore should the nations say:

'Where is now their God?'

3 But our God is in the heavens;

Whatsoever pleased Him He hath done.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of men's hands.

5 They have mouths, but they speak not;

Eyes have they, but they see not;

6 They have ears, but they hear not;

Noses have they, but they smell not;

7 They have hands, but they handle not;

Feet have they, but they walk not;

Neither speak they with their throat.

8 They that make them shall be like unto them;

Yea, every one that trusteth in them.

9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield!

10 O house of Aaron, trust ye in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield!

11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!

He is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD hath been mindful of us, He will bless--

He will bless the house of Israel;

He will bless the house of Aaron.

13 He will bless them that fear the LORD,

Both small and great.

14 The LORD increase you more and more,

You and your children.

15 Blessed be ye of the LORD

Who made heaven and earth.

16 The heavens are the heavens of the LORD;

But the earth hath He given to the children of men.

17 The dead praise not the LORD,

Neither any that go down into silence;

18 But we will bless the LORD

From this time forth and for ever.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 116 — I love that the LORD should hear

My voice and my supplications.

2 Because He hath inclined His ear unto me,

Therefore will I call upon Him all my days.

3 The cords of death compassed me,

And the straits of the nether-world got hold upon me;

I found trouble and sorrow.

4 But I called upon the name of the LORD:

'I beseech thee, O LORD, deliver my soul.'

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

Yea, our God is compassionate.

6 The LORD preserveth the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me.

7 Return, O my soul, unto Thy rest;

For the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death,

Mine eyes from tears,

And my feet from stumbling.

9 I shall walk before the LORD

In the lands of the living.

10 I trusted even when I spoke:

'I am greatly afflicted.'

11 I said in my haste:

'All men are liars.'

12 How can I repay unto the LORD

All His bountiful dealings toward me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation,

And call upon the name of the LORD.

14 My vows will I pay unto the LORD,

Yea, in the presence of all His people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD

Is the death of His saints.

16 I beseech Thee, O LORD, for I am Thy servant;

I am Thy servant, the son of Thy handmaid;

Thou hast loosed my bands.

17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,

And will call upon the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD,

Yea, in the presence of all His people;

19 In the courts of the LORD'S house,

In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 117 — O praise the LORD, all ye nations;

Laud Him, all ye peoples.

2 For His mercy is great toward us;

And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 118 — 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

2 So let Israel now say,

For His mercy endureth for ever,

3 So let the house of Aaron now say,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

4 So let them now that fear the LORD say,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

5 Out of my straits I called upon the LORD;

He answered me with great enlargement.

6 The LORD is for me; I will not fear;

What can man do unto me?

7 The LORD is for me as my helper;

And I shall gaze upon them that hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD

Than to trust in man.

9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD

Than to trust in princes.

10 All nations compass me about;

Verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.

11 They compass me about, yea, they compass me about;

Verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.

12 They compass me about like bees;

They are quenched as the fire of thorns;

Verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.

13 Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall;

But the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and song;

And He is become my salvation.

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous;

The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted;

The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

17 I shall not die, but live,

And declare the works of the LORD.

18 The LORD hath chastened me sore;

But He hath not given me over unto death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD;

The righteous shall enter into it.

21 I will give thanks unto Thee, for Thou hast answered me,

And art become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders rejected

Is become the chief corner-stone.

23 This is the LORD'S doing;

It is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the LORD hath made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 We beseech Thee, O LORD, save now!

We beseech Thee, O LORD, make us now to prosper!

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD;

We bless you out of the house of the LORD.

27 The LORD is God, and hath given us light;

Order the festival procession with boughs, even unto the horns of the altar.

28 Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto Thee;

Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.

29 O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

PSALM 119

***** ALEPH. *****

1 Happy are they that are upright in the way,

Who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 Happy are they that keep His testimonies,

That seek Him with the whole heart.

3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness;

They walk in His ways.

4 Thou hast ordained Thy precepts,

That we should observe them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways were directed

To observe Thy statutes!

6 Then should I not be ashamed,

When I have regard unto all Thy commandments.

7 I will give thanks unto Thee with uprightness of heart,

When I learn Thy righteous ordinances.

8 I will observe Thy statutes;

O forsake me not utterly.

***** BETH. *****

9 Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure?

By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee;

O let me not err from Thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart,

That I might not sin against Thee.

12 Blessed art Thou, O LORD;

Teach me Thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I told

All the ordinances of Thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in Thy precepts,

And have respect unto Thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in Thy statutes;

I will not forget Thy word.

***** GIMEL. *****

17 Deal bountifully with Thy servant that I may live,

And I will observe Thy word.

18 Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

Wondrous things out of Thy law.

19 I am a sojourner in the earth;

Hide not Thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh for the longing

That it hath unto Thine ordinances at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed,

That do err from Thy commandments.

22 Take away from me reproach and contempt;

For I have kept Thy testimonies.

23 Even though princes sit and talk against me,

Thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes.

24 Yea, Thy testimonies are my delight,

They are my counsellors.

***** DALETH. *****

25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust;

Quicken Thou me according to Thy word.

26 I told of my ways, and Thou didst answer me;

Teach me Thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts,

That I may talk of Thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth away for heaviness;

Sustain me according unto Thy word.

29 Remove from me the way of falsehood;

And grant me Thy law graciously.

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

Thine ordinances have I set before me.

31 I cleave unto Thy testimonies;

O LORD, put me not to shame.

32 I will run the way of Thy commandments,

For Thou dost enlarge my heart.

***** HE. *****

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes;

And I will keep it at every step.

34 Give me understanding, that I keep Thy law

And observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to tread in the path of Thy commandments;

For therein do I delight.

36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies,

And not to covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,

And quicken me in Thy ways.

38 Confirm Thy word unto Thy servant,

Which pertaineth unto the fear of Thee.

39 Turn away my reproach which I dread;

For Thine ordinances are good.

40 Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts;

Quicken me in Thy righteousness.

***** VAU. *****

41 Let Thy mercies also come unto me, O LORD,

Even Thy salvation, according to Thy word;

42 That I may have an answer for him that taunteth me;

For I trust in Thy word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;

For I hope in Thine ordinances;

44 So shall I observe Thy law continually

For ever and ever;

45 And I will walk at ease,

For I have sought Thy precepts;

46 I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings,

And will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in Thy commandments,

Which I have loved.

48 I will lift up my hands also unto Thy commandments, which I have loved;

And I will meditate in Thy statutes.

***** ZAIN. *****

49 Remember the word unto Thy servant,

Because Thou hast made me to hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

That Thy word hath quickened me.

51 The proud have had me greatly in derision;

Yet have I not turned aside from Thy law.

52 I have remembered Thine ordinances which are of old, O LORD,

And have comforted myself.

53 Burning indignation hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked

That forsake Thy law.

54 Thy statutes have been my songs

In the house of my pilgrimage.

55 I have remembered Thy name, O LORD, in the night,

And have observed Thy law.

56 This I have had,

That I have kept Thy precepts.

***** HETH. *****

57 My portion is the LORD,

I have said that I would observe Thy words.

58 I have entreated Thy favour with my whole heart;

Be gracious unto me according to Thy word.

59 I considered my ways,

And turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.

60 I made haste, and delayed not,

To observe Thy commandments.

61 The bands of the wicked have enclosed me;

But I have not forgotten Thy law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee

Because of Thy righteous ordinances.

63 I am a companion of all them that fear Thee,

And of them that observe Thy precepts.

64 The earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy;

Teach me Thy statutes.

***** TETH. *****

65 Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant,

O LORD, according unto Thy word.

66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge;

For I have believed Thy commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted, I did err;

But now I observe Thy word.

68 Thou art good, and doest good;

Teach me Thy statutes.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me;

But I with my whole heart will keep Thy precepts.

70 Their heart is gross like fat;

But I delight in Thy law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,

In order that I might learn Thy statutes.

72 The law of Thy mouth is better unto me

Than thousands of gold and silver.

***** IOD. *****

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me;

Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.

74 They that fear Thee shall see me and be glad,

Because I have hope in Thy word.

75 I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are righteous,

And that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.

76 Let, I pray Thee, Thy lovingkindness be ready to comfort me,

According to Thy promise unto Thy servant.

77 Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live;

For Thy law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be put to shame, for they have distorted my cause with falsehood;

But I will meditate in Thy precepts.

79 Let those that fear Thee return unto me,

And they that know Thy testimonies.

80 Let my heart be undivided in Thy statutes,

In order that I may not be put to shame.

***** CAPH. *****

81 My soul pineth for Thy salvation;

In Thy word do I hope.

82 Mine eyes fail for Thy word,

Saying: 'When wilt Thou comfort me?'

83 For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke;

Yet do I not forget Thy statutes.

84 How many are the days of Thy servant?

When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85 The proud have digged pits for me,

Which is not according to Thy law.

86 All Thy commandments are faithful;

They persecute me for nought; help Thou me.

87 They had almost consumed me upon earth;

But as for me, I forsook not Thy precepts.

88 Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness,

And I will observe the testimony of Thy mouth.

***** LAMED. *****

89 For ever, O LORD,

Thy word standeth fast in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations;

Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.

91 They stand this day according to Thine ordinances;

For all things are Thy servants.

92 Unless Thy law had been my delight,

I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93 I will never forget Thy precepts;

For with them Thou hast quickened me.

94 I am Thine, save me;

For I have sought Thy precepts.

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me;

But I will consider Thy testimonies.

96 I have seen an end to every purpose;

But Thy commandment is exceeding broad.

***** MEM. *****

97 O how love I Thy law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies:

For they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers;

For Thy testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than mine elders,

Because I have keep Thy precepts.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way,

In order that I might observe Thy word.

102 I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances;

For Thou hast instructed me.

103 How sweet are Thy words unto my palate!

Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 From Thy precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.

***** NUN. *****

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,

And a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it,

To observe Thy righteous ordinances.

107 I am afflicted very much;

Quicken me, O LORD, according unto Thy word.

108 Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O LORD,

And teach me Thine ordinances.

109 My soul is continually in my hand;

Yet have I not forgotten Thy law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me;

Yet went I not astray from Thy precepts.

111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever;

For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes,

For ever, at every step.

***** SAMECH. *****

113 I hate them that are of a double mind;

But Thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my covert and my shield;

In Thy word do I hope.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers;

That I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according unto Thy word, that I may live;

And put me not to shame in my hope.

117 Support Thou me, and I shall be saved;

And I will occupy myself with Thy statutes continually.

118 Thou hast made light of all them that err from Thy statutes;

For their deceit is vain.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross;

Therefore I love Thy testimonies.

120 My flesh shuddereth for fear of Thee;

And I am afraid of Thy judgments.

***** AIN. *****

121 I have done justice and righteousness;

Leave me not to mine oppressors.

122 Be surety for Thy servant for good;

Let not the proud oppress me.

123 Mine eyes fail for Thy salvation,

And for Thy righteous word.

124 Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy,

And teach me Thy statutes.

125 I am Thy servant, give me understanding,

That I may know Thy testimonies.

126 It is time for the LORD to work;

They have made void Thy law.

127 Therefore I love Thy commandments

Above gold, yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right;

Every false way I hate.

***** PE. *****

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The opening of Thy words giveth light;

It giveth understanding unto the simple.

131 I opened wide my mouth, and panted;

For I longed for Thy commandments.

132 Turn Thee towards me, and be gracious unto me,

As is Thy wont to do unto those that love Thy name.

133 Order my footsteps by Thy word;

And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from the oppression of man,

And I will observe Thy precepts.

135 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant;

And teach me Thy statutes.

136 Mine eyes run down with rivers of water,

Because they observe not Thy law.

***** TZADE. *****

137 Righteous art Thou, O LORD,

And upright are Thy judgments.

138 Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness

And exceeding faithfulness.

139 My zeal hath undone me,

Because mine adversaries have forgotten Thy words.

140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost,

And Thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small and despised;

Yet have I not forgotten Thy precepts.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

And Thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have overtaken me;

Yet Thy commandments are my delight.

144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever;

Give me understanding, and I shall live.

***** KOPH. *****

145 I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD;

I will keep Thy statutes.

146 I have called Thee, save me,

And I will observe Thy testimonies.

147 I rose early at dawn, and cried;

I hoped in Thy word.

148 Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches,

That I might meditate in Thy word.

149 Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness;

Quicken me, O LORD, as Thou art wont.

150 They draw nigh that follow after wickedness;

They are far from Thy law.

151 Thou art nigh, O LORD;

And all Thy commandments are truth.

152 Of old have I known from Thy testimonies

That Thou hast founded them for ever.

***** RESH. *****

153 O see mine affliction, and rescue me;

For I do not forget Thy law.

154 Plead Thou my cause, and redeem me;

Quicken me according to Thy word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked;

For they seek not Thy statutes.

156 Great are Thy compassions, O LORD;

Quicken me as Thou art wont.

157 Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;

Yet have I not turned aside from Thy testimonies.

158 I beheld them that were faithless, and strove with them;

Because they observed not Thy word.

159 O see how I love Thy precepts;

Quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness.

160 The beginning of Thy word is truth;

And all Thy righteous ordinance endureth for ever.

***** SHIN. *****

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause;

But my heart standeth in awe of Thy words.

162 I rejoice at Thy word,

As one that findeth great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood;

Thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise Thee,

Because of Thy righteous ordinances.

165 Great peace have they that love Thy law;

And there is no stumbling for them.

166 I have hoped for Thy salvation, O LORD,

And have done Thy commandments.

167 My soul hath observed Thy testimonies;

And I love them exceedingly.

168 I have observed Thy precepts and Thy testimonies;

For all my ways are before Thee.

***** TAU. *****

169 Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD;

Give me understanding according to Thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before Thee;

Deliver me according to Thy word.

171 Let my lips utter praise:

Because Thou teachest me Thy statutes.

172 Let my tongue sing of Thy word;

For all Thy commandments are righteousness.

173 Let Thy hand be ready to help me;

For I have chosen Thy precepts.

174 I have longed for Thy salvation, O LORD;

And Thy law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee;

And let Thine ordinances help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant;

For I have not forgotten Thy commandments.

PSALM 120 — A Song of Ascents.

In my distress I called unto the LORD,

And He answered me.

2 O LORD, deliver my soul from lying lips,

From a deceitful tongue.

3 What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee,

Thou deceitful tongue?

4 Sharp arrows of the mighty,

With coals of broom.

5 Woe is me, that I sojourn with Meshech,

That I dwell beside the tents of Kedar!

6 My soul hath full long had her dwelling

With him that hateth peace.

7 I am all peace;

But when I speak, they are for war.

PSALM 121 — A Song of Ascents.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:

From whence shall my help come?

2 My help cometh from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved;

He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, He that keepeth Israel

Doth neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper;

The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall keep thee from all evil;

He shall keep thy soul.

8 The LORD shall guard thy going out and thy coming in,

From this time forth and for ever.

PSALM 122 — A Song of Ascents; of David.

I rejoiced when they said unto me:

'Let us go unto the house of the LORD.'

2 Our feet are standing

Within thy gates, O Jerusalem;

3 Jerusalem, that art builded

As a city that is compact together;

4 Whither the tribes went up, even the tribes of the LORD,

As a testimony unto Israel,

To give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

5 For there were set thrones for judgment,

The thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;

May they prosper that love thee.

7 Peace be within thy walls,

And prosperity within thy palaces.

8 For my brethren and companions' sakes,

I will now say: 'Peace be within thee.'

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God

I will seek thy good.

PSALM 123 — A Song of Ascents.

Unto Thee I lift up mine eyes,

O Thou that art enthroned in the heavens.

2 Behold, as the eyes of servants unto the hand of their master,

As the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;

So our eyes look unto the LORD our God,

Until He be gracious unto us.

3 Be gracious unto us, O LORD, be gracious unto us;

For we are full sated with contempt.

4 Our soul is full sated

With the scorning of those that are at ease,

And with the contempt of the proud oppressors.

PSALM 124 — A Song of Ascents; of David.

'If it had not been the LORD who was for us',

Let Israel now say;

2 'If it had not been the LORD who was for us,

When men rose up against us,

3 Then they had swallowed us up alive,

When their wrath was kindled against us;

4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us,

The stream had gone over our soul;

5 Then the proud waters

Had gone over our soul.'

6 Blessed be the LORD,

Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers;

The snare is broken, and we are escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

PSALM 125 — A Song of Ascents.

They that trust in the LORD

Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.

2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,

So the LORD is round about His people,

From this time forth and for ever.

3 For the rod of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous;

That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity.

4 Do good, O LORD, unto the good,

And to them that are upright in their hearts.

5 But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways,

The LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity.

Peace be upon Israel.

PSALM 126 — A Song of Ascents.

When the LORD brought back those that returned to Zion,

We were like unto them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

And our tongue with singing; then said they among the nations:

'The LORD hath done great things with these.'

3 The LORD hath done great things with us;

We are rejoiced.

4 Turn our captivity, O LORD,

As the streams in the dry land.

5 They that sow in tears

Shall reap in joy.

6 Though he goeth on his way weeping that beareth the measure of seed,

He shall come home with joy, bearing his sheaves.

PSALM 127 — A Song of Ascents; of Solomon.

Except the LORD build the house,

They labour in vain that build it;

Except the LORD keep the city,

The watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you that ye rise early, and sit up late,

Ye that eat the bread of toil;

So He giveth unto His beloved in sleep.

3 Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD;

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,

So are the children of one's youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them;

They shall not be put to shame,

When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

PSALM 128 — A Song of Ascents.

Happy is every one that feareth the LORD,

That walketh in His ways.

2 When thou eatest the labour of thy hands,

Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of thy house;

Thy children like olive plants, round about thy table.

4 Behold, surely thus shall the man be blessed

That feareth the LORD.

5 The LORD bless thee out of Zion;

And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life;

6 And see thy children's children.

Peace be upon Israel!

PSALM 129 — A Song of Ascents.

'Much have they afflicted me from my youth up',

Let Israel now say;

2 'Much have they afflicted me from my youth up;

But they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back;

They made long their furrows.

4 The LORD is righteous;

He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.'

5 Let them be ashamed and turned backward,

All they that hate Zion.

6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops,

Which withereth afore it springeth up;

7 Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand,

Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.

8 Neither do they that go by say:

'The blessing of the LORD be upon you;

We bless you in the name of the LORD.'

PSALM 130 — A Song of Ascents.

Out of the depths have I called Thee, O LORD.

2 Lord, hearken unto my voice;

Let Thine ears be attentive

To the voice of my supplications.

3 If Thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4 For with Thee there is forgiveness,

That Thou mayest be feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait,

And in His word do I hope.

6 My soul waiteth for the Lord,

More than watchmen for the morning;

Yea, more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD;

For with the LORD there is mercy,

And with Him is plenteous redemption.

8 And He will redeem Israel

From all his iniquities.

PSALM 131 — A Song of Ascents; of David.

LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty;

Neither do I exercise myself in things too great, or in things too wonderful for me.

2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul;

Like a weaned child with his mother;

My soul is with me like a weaned child.

3 O Israel, hope in the LORD

From this time forth and for ever.

PSALM 132 — A Song of Ascents.

LORD, remember unto David

All his affliction;

2 How he swore unto the LORD,

And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob:

3 'Surely I will not come into the tent of my house,

Nor go up into the bed that is spread for me;

4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes,

Nor slumber to mine eyelids;

5 Until I find out a place for the LORD,

A dwelling-place for the Mighty One of Jacob.'

6 Lo, we heard of it as being in Ephrath;

We found it in the field of the wood.

7 Let us go into His dwelling-place;

Let us worship at His footstool.

8 Arise, O LORD, unto Thy resting-place;

Thou, and the ark of Thy strength.

9 Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness;

And let Thy saints shout for joy.

10 For Thy servant David's sake

Turn not away the face of Thine anointed.

11 The LORD swore unto David in truth;

He will not turn back from it:

'Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

12 If thy children keep My covenant

And My testimony that I shall teach them,

Their children also for ever shall sit upon thy throne.'

13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion;

He hath desired it for His habitation:

14 'This is My resting-place for ever;

Here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

15 I will abundantly bless her provision;

I will give her needy bread in plenty.

16 Her priests also will I clothe with salvation;

And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

17 There will I make a horn to shoot up unto David,

There have I ordered a lamp for Mine anointed.

18 His enemies will I clothe with shame;

But upon himself shall his crown shine.'

PSALM 133 — A Song of Ascents; of David.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Coming down upon the beard;

Even Aaron's beard,

That cometh down upon the collar of his garments;

3 Like the dew of Hermon,

That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the LORD commanded the blessing,

Even life for ever.

PSALM 134 — A Song of Ascents.

Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD,

That stand in the house of the LORD in the night seasons.

2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary,

And bless ye the LORD.

3 The LORD bless thee out of Zion;

Even He that made heaven and earth.

PSALM 135 — Hallelujah.

Praise ye the name of the LORD;

Give praise, O ye servants of the LORD,

2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD,

In the courts of the house of our God.

3 Praise ye the LORD, for the LORD is good;

Sing praises unto His name, for it is pleasant.

4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto Himself,

And Israel for His own treasure.

5 For I know that the LORD is great,

And that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that hath He done,

In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;

7 Who causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth;

He maketh lightnings for the rain;

He bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries.

8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt,

Both of man and beast.

9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt,

Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

10 Who smote many nations,

And slew mighty kings:

11 Sihon king of the Amorites,

And Og king of Bashan,

And all the kingdoms of Canaan;

12 And gave their land for a heritage,

A heritage unto Israel His people.

13 O LORD, Thy name endureth for ever;

Thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

14 For the LORD will judge His people,

And repent Himself for His servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,

The work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but they speak not;

Eyes have they, but they see not;

17 They have ears, but they hear not;

Neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 They that make them shall be like unto them;

Yea, every one that trusteth in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless ye the LORD;

O house of Aaron, bless ye the LORD;

20 O house of Levi, bless ye the LORD;

Ye that fear the LORD, bless ye the LORD.

21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion,

Who dwelleth at Jerusalem.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 136 — O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

2 O give thanks unto the God of gods,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

3 O give thanks unto the Lord of lords,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

4 To Him who alone doeth great wonders,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

5 To Him that by understanding made the heavens,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

6 To Him that spread forth the earth above the waters,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

7 To Him that made great lights,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

8 The sun to rule by day,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

9 The moon and stars to rule by night,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

10 To Him that smote Egypt in their first-born,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

11 And brought out Israel from among them,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in sunder,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

16 To Him that led His people through the wilderness,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

17 To Him that smote great kings;

For His mercy endureth for ever;

18 And slew mighty kings,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

19 Sihon king of the Amorites,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

20 And Og king of Bashan,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

21 And gave their land for a heritage,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

22 Even a heritage unto Israel His servant,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate,

For His mercy endureth for ever;

24 And hath delivered us from our adversaries,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven,

For His mercy endureth for ever.

PSALM 137 — By the rivers of Babylon,

There we sat down, yea, we wept,

When we remembered Zion.

2 Upon the willows in the midst thereof

We hanged up our harps.

3 For there they that led us captive asked of us words of song,

And our tormentors asked of us mirth:

'Sing us one of the songs of Zion.'

4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song

In a foreign land?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,

Let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,

If I remember thee not;

If I set not Jerusalem

Above my chiefest joy.

7 Remember, O LORD, against the children of Edom

The day of Jerusalem;

Who said: 'Rase it, rase it,

Even to the foundation thereof.'

8 O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed;

Happy shall he be, that repayeth thee

As thou hast served us.

9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones

Against the rock.

PSALM 138 — [A Psalm] of David.

I will give Thee thanks with my whole heart,

In the presence of the mighty will I sing praises unto Thee.

2 I will bow down toward Thy holy temple,

And give thanks unto Thy name for Thy mercy and for Thy truth;

For Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.

3 In the day that I called, Thou didst answer me;

Thou didst encourage me in my soul with strength.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give Thee thanks, O LORD,

For they have heard the words of Thy mouth.

5 Yea, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD;

For great is the glory of the LORD.

6 For though the LORD be high, yet regardeth He the lowly,

And the haughty He knoweth from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou quickenest me;

Thou stretchest forth Thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies,

And Thy right hand doth save me.

8 The LORD will accomplish that which concerneth me;

Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever;

Forsake not the work of Thine own hands.

PSALM 139 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,

Thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou measurest my going about and my lying down,

And art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue,

But, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast hemmed me in behind and before,

And laid Thy hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

Too high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from Thy spirit?

Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there;

If I make my bed in the nether-world, behold, Thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there would Thy hand lead me,

And Thy right hand would hold me.

11 And if I say: 'Surely the darkness shall envelop me,

And the light about me shall be night';

12 Even the darkness is not too dark for Thee,

But the night shineth as the day;

The darkness is even as the light.

13 For Thou hast made my reins;

Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Thy works;

And that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My frame was not hidden from Thee,

When I was made in secret,

And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance,

And in Thy book they were all written--

Even the days that were fashioned,

When as yet there was none of them.

17 How weighty also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand;

Were I to come to the end of them, I would still be with Thee.

19 If Thou but wouldest slay the wicked, O God--

Depart from me therefore, ye men of blood;

20 Who utter Thy name with wicked thought,

They take it for falsehood, even Thine enemies--

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate Thee?

And do not I strive with those that rise up against Thee?

22 I hate them with utmost hatred;

I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart,

Try me, and know my thoughts;

24 And see if there be any way in me that is grievous,

And lead me in the way everlasting.

PSALM 140 — For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2 Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man;

Preserve me from the violent man;

3 Who devise evil things in their heart;

Every day do they stir up wars.

4 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent;

Vipers' venom is under their lips. Selah

5 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;

Preserve me from the violent man;

Who have purposed to make my steps slip.

6 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords;

They have spread a net by the wayside;

They have set gins for me. Selah

7 I have said unto the LORD: 'Thou art my God';

Give ear, O LORD, unto the voice of my supplications.

8 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

Who hast screened my head in the day of battle,

9 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;

Further not his evil device, so that they exalt themselves. Selah

10 As for the head of those that compass me about,

Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

11 Let burning coals fall upon them;

Let them be cast into the fire,

Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

12 A slanderer shall not be established in the earth;

The violent and evil man shall be hunted with thrust upon thrust.

13 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor,

And the right of the needy.

14 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name;

The upright shall dwell in Thy presence.

PSALM 141 — A Psalm of David.

LORD, I have called Thee; make haste unto me;

Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto Thee.

2 Let my prayer be set forth as incense before Thee,

The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a guard, O LORD, to my mouth;

Keep watch at the door of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing,

To be occupied in deeds of wickedness

With men that work iniquity;

And let me not eat of their dainties.

5 Let the righteous smite me in kindness, and correct me;

Oil so choice let not my head refuse;

For still is my prayer because of their wickedness.

6 Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock;

And they shall hear my words, that they are sweet.

7 As when one cleaveth and breaketh up the earth,

Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth.

8 For mine eyes are unto Thee, O GOD the Lord;

In Thee have I taken refuge, O pour not out my soul.

9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me,

And from the gins of the workers of iniquity.

10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

Whilst I withal escape.

PSALM 142 — Maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer.

2 With my voice I cry unto the LORD;

With my voice I make supplication unto the LORD.

3 I pour out my complaint before Him,

I declare before Him my trouble;

4 When my spirit fainteth within me--

Thou knowest my path--

In the way wherein I walk

Have they hidden a snare for me.

5 Look on my right hand, and see,

For there is no man that knoweth me;

I have no way to flee;

No man careth for my soul.

6 I have cried unto Thee, O LORD;

I have said: 'Thou art my refuge,

My portion in the land of the living.'

7 Attend unto my cry;

For I am brought very low;

Deliver me from my persecutors;

For they are too strong for me.

8 Bring my soul out of prison,

That I may give thanks unto Thy name;

The righteous shall crown themselves because of me;

For Thou wilt deal bountifully with me.

PSALM 143 — A Psalm of David.

O LORD, hear my prayer, give ear to my supplications;

In Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.

2 And enter not into judgment with Thy servant;

For in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul;

He hath crushed my life down to the ground;

He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4 And my spirit fainteth within me;

My heart within me is appalled.

5 I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all Thy doing;

I muse on the work of Thy hands.

6 I spread forth my hands unto Thee;

My soul [thirsteth] after Thee, as a weary land. Selah

7 Answer me speedily, O LORD,

My spirit faileth;

Hide not Thy face from me;

Lest I become like them that go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning,

For in Thee do I trust;

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk,

For unto Thee have I lifted up my soul.

9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O LORD;

With Thee have I hidden myself.

10 Teach me to do Thy will,

For Thou art my God;

Let Thy good spirit

Lead me in an even land.

11 For Thy name's sake, O LORD, quicken me;

In Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.

12 And in Thy mercy cut off mine enemies,

And destroy all them that harass my soul;

For I am Thy servant.

PSALM 144 — [A Psalm] of David.

Blessed be the LORD my Rock,

Who traineth my hands for war,

And my fingers for battle;

2 My lovingkindness, and my fortress,

My high tower, and my deliverer;

My shield, and He in whom I take refuge;

Who subdueth my people under me.

3 LORD, what is man, that Thou takest knowledge of him?

Or the son of man, that Thou makest account of him?

4 Man is like unto a breath;

His days are as a shadow that passeth away.

5 O LORD, bow Thy heavens, and come down;

Touch the mountains, that they may smoke.

6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them;

Send out Thine arrows, and discomfit them.

7 Stretch forth Thy hands from on high;

Rescue me, and deliver me out of many waters,

Out of the hand of strangers;

8 Whose mouth speaketh falsehood,

And their right hand is a right hand of lying.

9 O God, I will sing a new song unto Thee,

Upon a psaltery of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee;

10 Who givest salvation unto kings,

Who rescuest David Thy servant from the hurtful sword.

11 Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hand of strangers,

Whose mouth speaketh falsehood,

And their right hand is a right hand of lying.

12 We whose sons are as plants grown up in their youth;

Whose daughters are as corner-pillars carved after the fashion of a palace;

13 Whose garners are full, affording all manner of store;

Whose sheep increase by thousands and ten thousands in our fields;

14 Whose oxen are well laden;

With no breach, and no going forth,

And no outcry in our broad places;

15 Happy is the people that is in such a case.

Yea, happy is the people whose God is the LORD.

PSALM 145 — [A Psalm of] praise; of David.

[ALEPH] I will extol Thee, my God, O King;

And I will bless Thy name for ever and ever.

[BETH] 2 Every day will I bless Thee;

And I will praise Thy name for ever and ever.

[GIMEL] 3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised;

And His greatness is unsearchable.

[DALETH] 4 One generation shall laud Thy works to another,

And shall declare Thy mighty acts.

[HE] 5 The glorious splendour of Thy majesty,

And Thy wondrous works, will I rehearse.

[VAU] 6 And men shall speak of the might of Thy tremendous acts;

And I will tell of Thy greatness.

[ZAIN] 7 They shall utter the fame of Thy great goodness,

And shall sing of Thy righteousness.

[HETH] 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion;

Slow to anger, and of great mercy.

[TETH] 9 The LORD is good to all;

And His tender mercies are over all His works.

[IOD] 10 All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD;

And Thy saints shall bless Thee.

[CAPH] 11 They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom,

And talk of Thy might;

[LAMED] 12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,

And the glory of the majesty of His kingdom.

[MEM] 13 Thy kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,

And Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

[SAMECH] 14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,

And raiseth up all those that are bowed down.

[AIN] 15 The eyes of all wait for Thee,

And Thou givest them their food in due season.

[PE] 16 Thou openest Thy hand,

And satisfiest every living thing with favour.

[TZADE] 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways,

And gracious in all His works.

[KOPH] 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him,

To all that call upon Him in truth.

[RESH] 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him;

He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

[SHIN] 20 The LORD preserveth all them that love Him;

But all the wicked will He destroy.

[TAU] 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD;

And let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.

PSALM 146 — Hallelujah.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 I will praise the LORD while I live;

I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes,

Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his dust;

In that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

Whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 Who made heaven and earth,

The sea, and all that in them is;

Who keepeth truth for ever;

7 Who executeth justice for the oppressed;

Who giveth bread to the hungry.

The LORD looseth the prisoners;

8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind;

The LORD raiseth up them that are bowed down;

The LORD loveth the righteous;

9 The LORD preserveth the strangers;

He upholdeth the fatherless and the widow;

But the way of the wicked He maketh crooked.

10 The LORD will reign for ever,

Thy God, O Zion, unto all generations.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 147 — Hallelujah;

For it is good to sing praises unto our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is comely.

2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem,

He gathereth together the dispersed of Israel;

3 Who healeth the broken in heart,

And bindeth up their wounds.

4 He counteth the number of the stars;

He giveth them all their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding is infinite.

6 The LORD upholdeth the humble;

He bringeth the wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving,

Sing praises upon the harp unto our God;

8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds,

Who prepareth rain for the earth,

Who maketh the mountains to spring with grass.

9 He giveth to the beast his food,

And to the young ravens which cry.

10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse;

He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him,

In those that wait for His mercy.

12 Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;

Praise thy God, O Zion.

13 For He hath made strong the bars of thy gates;

He hath blessed thy children within thee.

14 He maketh thy borders peace;

He giveth thee in plenty the fat of wheat.

15 He sendeth out His commandment upon earth;

His word runneth very swiftly.

16 He giveth snow like wool;

He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

17 He casteth forth His ice like crumbs;

Who can stand before His cold?

18 He sendeth forth His word, and melteth them;

He causeth His wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19 He declareth His word unto Jacob,

His statutes and His ordinances unto Israel.

20 He hath not dealt so with any nation;

And as for His ordinances, they have not known them.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 148 — Hallelujah.

Praise ye the LORD from the heavens;

Praise Him in the heights.

2 Praise ye Him, all His angels;

Praise ye Him, all His hosts.

3 Praise ye Him, sun and moon;

Praise Him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens,

And ye waters that are above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD;

For He commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also established them for ever and ever;

He hath made a decree which shall not be transgressed.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,

Ye sea-monsters, and all deeps;

8 Fire and hail, snow and vapour,

Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;

9 Mountains and all hills,

Fruitful trees and all cedars;

10 Beasts and all cattle,

Creeping things and winged fowl;

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,

Princes and all judges of the earth;

12 Both young men and maidens,

Old men and children;

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,

For His name alone is exalted;

His glory is above the earth and heaven.

14 And He hath lifted up a horn for His people,

A praise for all His saints,

Even for the children of Israel, a people near unto Him.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 149 — Hallelujah.

Sing unto the LORD a new song,

And His praise in the assembly of the saints.

2 Let Israel rejoice in his Maker;

Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3 Let them praise His name in the dance;

Let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.

4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people;

He adorneth the humble with salvation.

5 Let the saints exult in glory;

Let them sing for joy upon their beds.

6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,

And a two-edged sword in their hand;

7 To execute vengeance upon the nations,

And chastisements upon the peoples;

8 To bind their kings with chains,

And their nobles with fetters of iron;

9 To execute upon them the judgment written;

He is the glory of all His saints.

Hallelujah.

PSALM 150 — Hallelujah.

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in the firmament of His power.

2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His abundant greatness.

3 Praise Him with the blast of the horn;

Praise Him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and the pipe.

5 Praise Him with the loud-sounding cymbals;

Praise Him with the clanging cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.

Hallelujah.

Proverbs

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

[31]

PROVERBS 1 — The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2 To know wisdom and instruction;

To comprehend the words of understanding;

3 To receive the discipline of wisdom,

Justice, and right, and equity;

4 To give prudence to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion;

5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning,

And the man of understanding may attain unto wise counsels;

6 To understand a proverb, and a figure;

The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

But the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.

8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father,

And forsake not the teaching of thy mother;

9 For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head,

And chains about thy neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice thee,

Consent thou not.

11 If they say: 'Come with us,

Let us lie in wait for blood,

Let us lurk for the innocent without cause;

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave,

And whole, as those that go down into the pit;

13 We shall find all precious substance,

We shall fill our houses with spoil;

14 Cast in thy lot among us;

Let us all have one purse'--

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them,

Restrain thy foot from their path;

16 For their feet run to evil,

And they make haste to shed blood.

17 For in vain the net is spread

In the eyes of any bird;

18 And these lie in wait for their own blood,

They lurk for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;

It taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

20 Wisdom crieth aloud in the streets,

She uttereth her voice in the broad places;

21 She calleth at the head of the noisy streets,

At the entrances of the gates, in the city, she uttereth her words:

22 'How long, ye thoughtless, will ye love thoughtlessness?

And how long will scorners delight them in scorning,

And fools hate knowledge?

23 Turn you at my reproof;

Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you,

I will make known my words unto you.

24 Because I have called, and ye refused,

I have stretched out my hand, and no man attended,

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel,

And would none of my reproof;

26 I also, in your calamity, will laugh,

I will mock when your dread cometh;

27 When your dread cometh as a storm,

And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind;

When trouble and distress come upon you.

28 Then will they call me, but I will not answer,

They will seek me earnestly, but they shall not find me.

29 For that they hated knowledge,

And did not choose the fear of the LORD;

30 They would none of my counsel,

They despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way,

And be filled with their own devices.

32 For the waywardness of the thoughtless shall slay them,

And the confidence of fools shall destroy them.

33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely,

And shall be quiet without fear of evil.'

PROVERBS 2 — 1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words,

And lay up my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou make thine ear attend unto wisdom,

And thy heart incline to discernment;

3 Yea, if thou call for understanding,

And lift up thy voice for discernment;

4 If thou seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD,

And find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD giveth wisdom,

Out of His mouth cometh knowledge and discernment;

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright,

He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;

8 That He may guard the paths of justice,

And preserve the way of His godly ones.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice,

And equity, yea, every good path.

10 For wisdom shall enter into thy heart,

And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;

11 Discretion shall watch over thee,

Discernment shall guard thee;

12 To deliver thee from the way of evil,

From the men that speak froward things;

13 Who leave the paths of uprightness,

To walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who rejoice to do evil,

And delight in the frowardness of evil;

15 Who are crooked in their ways,

And perverse in their paths;

16 To deliver thee from the strange woman,

Even from the alien woman that maketh smooth her words;

17 That forsaketh the lord of her youth,

And forgetteth the covenant of her God.

18 For her house sinketh down unto death,

And her paths unto the shades;

19 None that go unto her return,

Neither do they attain unto the paths of life;

20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men,

And keep the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright shall dwell in the land,

And the whole-hearted shall remain in it.

22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the land,

And the faithless shall be plucked up out of it.

PROVERBS 3 — 1 My son, forget not my teaching;

But let thy heart keep my commandments;

2 For length of days, and years of life,

And peace, will they add to thee.

3 Let not kindness and truth forsake thee;

Bind them about thy neck,

Write them upon the table of thy heart;

4 So shalt thou find grace and good favour

In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all thy heart,

And lean not upon thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him,

And He will direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes;

Fear the LORD, and depart from evil;

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

And marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance,

And with the first-fruits of all thine increase;

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,

And thy vats shall overflow with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD,

Neither spurn thou His correction;

12 For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth,

Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,

And the man that obtaineth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,

And the gain thereof than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies;

And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand;

In her left hand are riches and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her,

And happy is every one that holdest her fast.

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;

By understanding He established the heavens.

20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up,

And the skies drop down the dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes;

Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

22 So shall they be life unto thy soul,

And grace to thy neck.

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely,

And thou shalt not dash thy foot.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid;

Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 Be not afraid of sudden terror,

Neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;

26 For the LORD will be thy confidence,

And will keep thy foot from being caught.

27 Withhold not good from him to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

28 Say not unto thy neighbour: 'Go, and come again,

And to-morrow I will give'; when thou hast it by thee.

29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour,

Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30 Strive not with a man without cause,

If he have done thee no harm.

31 Envy thou not the man of violence,

And choose none of his ways.

32 For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD;

But His counsel is with the upright.

33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked;

But He blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

34 If it concerneth the scorners, He scorneth them,

But unto the humble He giveth grace.

35 The wise shall inherit honour;

But as for the fools, they carry away shame.

PROVERBS 4 — 1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father,

And attend to know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine;

Forsake ye not my teaching.

3 For I was a son unto my father,

Tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.

4 And he taught me, and said unto me:

'Let thy heart hold fast my words,

Keep my commandments, and live;

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;

Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;

6 Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee;

Love her, and she will keep thee.

7 The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom;

Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Extol her, and she will exalt thee;

She will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9 She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace;

A crown of glory will she bestow on thee.'

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;

And the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;

I have led thee in paths of uprightness.

12 When thou goest, thy step shall not be straitened;

And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go;

Keep her, for she is thy life.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked,

And walk not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it;

Turn from it, and pass on.

16 For they sleep not, except they have done evil;

And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,

And drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn,

That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness;

They know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, attend to my words;

Incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes;

Keep them in the midst of thy heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them,

And health to all their flesh.

23 Above all that thou guardest keep thy heart;

For out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth,

And perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on,

And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Make plain the path of thy feet,

And let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left;

Remove thy foot from evil.

PROVERBS 5 — 1 My son, attend unto my wisdom;

Incline thine ear to my understanding;

2 That thou mayest preserve discretion,

And that thy lips may keep knowledge.

3 For the lips of a strange woman drop honey,

And her mouth is smoother than oil;

4 But her end is bitter as wormwood,

Sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death;

Her steps take hold on the nether-world;

6 Lest she should walk the even path of life,

Her ways wander, but she knoweth it not.

7 Now therefore, O ye children, hearken unto me,

And depart not from the words of my mouth.

8 Remove thy way far from her,

And come not nigh the door of her house;

9 Lest thou give thy vigour unto others,

And thy years unto the cruel;

10 Lest strangers be filled with thy strength,

And thy labours be in the house of an alien;

11 And thou moan, when thine end cometh,

When thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

12 And say: 'How have I hated instruction,

And my heart despised reproof;

13 Neither have I hearkened to the voice of my teachers,

Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

14 I was well nigh in all evil

In the midst of the congregation and assembly.'

15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern,

And running waters out of thine own well.

16 Let thy springs be dispersed abroad,

And courses of water in the streets.

17 Let them be only thine own,

And not strangers' with thee.

18 Let thy fountain be blessed;

And have joy of the wife of thy youth.

19 A lovely hind and a graceful doe,

Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;

With her love be thou ravished always.

20 Why then wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman,

And embrace the bosom of an alien?

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD,

And He maketh even all his paths.

22 His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked,

And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.

23 He shall die for lack of instruction;

And in the greatness of his folly he shall reel.

PROVERBS 6 — 1 My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbour,

If thou hast struck thy hands for a stranger--

2 Thou art snared by the words of thy mouth,

Thou art caught by the words of thy mouth--

3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself,

Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbour;

Go, humble thyself, and urge thy neighbour.

4 Give not sleep to thine eyes,

Nor slumber to thine eyelids.

5 Deliver thyself as a gazelle from the hand [of the hunter],

And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard;

Consider her ways, and be wise;

7 Which having no chief,

Overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her bread in the summer,

And gatherest her food in the harvest.

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?

When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 'Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep'--

11 So shall thy poverty come as a runner,

And thy want as an armed man.

12 A base person, a man of iniquity,

Is he that walketh with a froward mouth;

13 That winketh with his eyes, that scrapeth with his feet,

That pointeth with his fingers;

14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth evil continually;

He soweth discord.

15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly;

On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.

16 There are six things which the LORD hateth,

Yea, seven which are an abomination unto Him:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood;

18 A heart that deviseth wicked thoughts,

Feet that are swift in running to evil;

19 A false witness that breatheth out lies,

And he that soweth discord among brethren.

20 My son, keep the commandment of thy father,

And forsake not the teaching of thy mother;

21 Bind them continually upon thy heart,

Tie them about thy neck.

22 When thou walkest, it shall lead thee,

When thou liest down, it shall watch over thee;

And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light,

And reproofs of instruction are the way of life;

24 To keep thee from the evil woman,

From the smoothness of the alien tongue.

25 Lust not after her beauty in thy heart;

Neither let her captivate thee with her eyelids.

26 For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a loaf of bread,

But the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.

27 Can a man take fire in his bosom,

And his clothes not be burned?

28 Or can one walk upon hot coals,

And his feet not be scorched?

29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife;

Whosoever toucheth her shall not go unpunished.

30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal

To satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

31 But if he be found, he must restore sevenfold,

He must give all the substance of his house.

32 He that committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding;

He doeth it that would destroy his own soul.

33 Wounds and dishonour shall he get,

And his reproach shall not be wiped away.

34 For jealousy is the rage of a man,

And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

35 He will not regard any ransom;

Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

PROVERBS 7 — 1 My son, keep my words,

And lay up my commandments with thee.

2 Keep my commandments and live,

And my teaching as the apple of thine eye.

3 Bind them upon thy fingers,

Write them upon the table of thy heart.

4 Say unto wisdom: 'Thou art my sister',

And call understanding thy kinswoman;

5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman,

From the alien woman that maketh smooth her words.

6 For at the window of my house

I looked forth through my lattice;

7 And I beheld among the thoughtless ones,

I discerned among the youths,

A young man void of understanding,

8 Passing through the street near her corner,

And he went the way to her house;

9 In the twilight, in the evening of the day,

In the blackness of night and the darkness.

10 And, behold, there met him a woman

With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart.

11 She is riotous and rebellious,

Her feet abide not in her house;

12 Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places,

And lieth in wait at every corner.

13 So she caught him, and kissed him,

And with an impudent face she said unto him:

14 'Sacrifices of peace-offerings were due from me;

This day have I paid my vows.

15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee,

To seek thy face, and I have found thee.

16 I have decked my couch with coverlets,

With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed

With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning;

Let us solace ourselves with loves.

19 For my husband is not at home,

He is gone a long journey;

20 He hath taken the bag of money with him;

He will come home at the full moon.'

21 With her much fair speech she causeth him to yield,

With the blandishment of her lips she enticeth him away.

22 He goeth after her straightway,

As an ox that goeth to the slaughter,

Or as one in fetters to the correction of the fool;

23 Till an arrow strike through his liver;

As a bird hasteneth to the snare--

And knoweth not that it is at the cost of his life.

24 Now therefore, O ye children, hearken unto me,

And attend to the words of my mouth.

25 Let not thy heart decline to her ways,

Go not astray in her paths.

26 For she hath cast down many wounded;

Yea, a mighty host are all her slain.

27 Her house is the way to the nether-world,

Going down to the chambers of death.

PROVERBS 8 — 1 Doth not wisdom call,

And understanding put forth her voice?

2 In the top of high places by the way,

Where the paths meet, she standeth;

3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,

At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:

4 'Unto you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O ye thoughtless, understand prudence,

And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things,

And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7 For my mouth shall utter truth,

And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness,

There is nothing perverse or crooked in them.

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth,

And right to them that find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,

And knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than rubies,

And all things desirable are not to be compared unto her.

12 I wisdom dwell with prudence,

And find out knowledge of devices.

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;

Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,

And the froward mouth, do I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;

I am understanding, power is mine.

15 By me kings reign,

And princes decree justice.

16 By me princes rule,

And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17 I love them that love me,

And those that seek me earnestly shall find me.

18 Riches and honour are with me;

Yea, enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;

And my produce than choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

In the midst of the paths of justice;

21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,

And that I may fill their treasuries.

22 The LORD made me as the beginning of His way,

The first of His works of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,

Or ever the earth was.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth;

When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled,

Before the hills was I brought forth;

26 While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields,

Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

27 When He established the heavens, I was there;

When He set a circle upon the face of the deep,

28 When He made firm the skies above,

When the fountains of the deep showed their might,

29 When He gave to the sea His decree,

That the waters should not transgress His commandment,

When He appointed the foundations of the earth;

30 Then I was by Him, as a nursling;

And I was daily all delight,

Playing always before Him,

31 Playing in His habitable earth,

And my delights are with the sons of men.

32 Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me;

For happy are they that keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise,

And refuse it not.

34 Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me,

Watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life,

And obtaineth favour of the LORD.

36 But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul;

All they that hate me love death.'

PROVERBS 9 — 1 Wisdom hath builded her house,

She hath hewn out her seven pillars;

2 She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine;

She hath also furnished her table.

3 She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth,

Upon the highest places of the city:

4 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither';

As for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:

5 'Come, eat of my bread,

And drink of the wine which I have mingled.

6 Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live;

And walk in the way of understanding.

7 He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame,

And he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot.

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee;

Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

9 Give to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser;

Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.

11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied,

And the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself;

And if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.'

13 The woman Folly is riotous;

She is thoughtless, and knoweth nothing.

14 And she sitteth at the door of her house,

On a seat in the high places of the city,

15 To call to them that pass by,

Who go right on their ways:

16 'Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither';

And as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him:

17 'Stolen waters are sweet,

And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.'

18 But he knoweth not that the shades are there;

That her guests are in the depths of the nether-world.

PROVERBS 10 — The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son maketh a glad father;

But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing;

But righteousness delivereth from death.

3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish;

But He thrusteth away the desire of the wicked.

4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand;

But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

5 A wise son gathereth in summer;

But a son that doeth shamefully sleepeth in harvest.

6 Blessings are upon the head of the righteous;

But the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence.

7 The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing;

But the name of the wicked shall rot.

8 The wise in heart will receive commandments;

But a prating fool shall fall.

9 He that walketh uprightly walketh securely;

But he that perverteth his ways shall be found out.

10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow;

And a prating fool shall fall.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life;

But the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes;

But love covereth all transgressions.

13 In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found;

But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge;

But the mouth of the foolish is an imminent ruin.

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city;

The ruin of the poor is their poverty.

16 The wages of the righteous is life;

The increase of the wicked is sin.

17 He is in the way of life that heedeth instruction;

But he that forsaketh reproof erreth.

18 He that hideth hatred is of lying lips;

And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression;

But he that refraineth his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver;

The heart of the wicked is little worth.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many;

But the foolish die for want of understanding.

22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich,

And toil addeth nothing thereto.

23 It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness,

And so is wisdom to a man of discernment.

24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him;

And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

25 When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more;

But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,

So is the sluggard to them that send him.

27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days;

But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

28 The hope of the righteous is gladness;

But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

29 The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright,

But ruin to the workers of iniquity.

30 The righteous shall never be moved;

But the wicked shall not inhabit the land.

31 The mouth of the righteous buddeth with wisdom;

But the froward tongue shall be cut off.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable;

But the mouth of the wicked is all frowardness.

PROVERBS 11 — 1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD;

But a perfect weight is His delight.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame;

But with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them;

But the perverseness of the faithless shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath;

But righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the sincere shall make straight his way;

But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them;

But the faithless shall be trapped in their own crafty device.

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish,

And the hope of strength perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble,

And the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 With his mouth the impious man destroyeth his neighbour;

But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth;

And when the wicked perish, there is joy.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted;

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that despiseth his neighbour lacketh understanding;

But a man of discernment holdeth his peace.

13 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets;

But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.

14 Where no wise direction is, a people falleth;

But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it;

But he that hateth them that strike hands is secure.

16 A gracious woman obtaineth honour;

And strong men obtain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul;

But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages;

But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

19 Stedfast righteousness tendeth to life;

But he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD;

But such as are upright in their way are His delight.

21 My hand upon it! the evil man shall not be unpunished;

But the seed of the righteous shall escape.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,

So is a fair woman that turneth aside from discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good;

But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;

And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.

25 The beneficent soul shall be made rich,

And he that satisfieth abundantly shall be satisfied also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him;

But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour;

But he that searcheth for evil, it shall come unto him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall;

But the righteous shall flourish as foliage.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind;

And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;

And he that is wise winneth souls.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be requited in the earth;

How much more the wicked and the sinner!

PROVERBS 12 — 1 Whoso loveth knowledge loveth correction;

But he that is brutish hateth reproof.

2 A good man shall obtain favour of the LORD;

But a man of wicked devices will He condemn.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness;

But the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband;

But she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right;

But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood;

But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not;

But the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his intelligence;

But he that is of a distorted understanding shall be despised.

9 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,

Than he that playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast;

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread;

But he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the prey of evil men;

But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man;

But the righteous cometh out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,

And the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is straight in his own eyes;

But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.

16 A fool's vexation is presently known;

But a prudent man concealeth shame.

17 He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness;

But a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword;

But the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever;

But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil;

But to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no mischief befall the righteous;

But the wicked are filled with evil.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD;

But they that deal truly are His delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge;

But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule;

But the slothful shall be under tribute.

25 Care in the heart of a man boweth it down;

But a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is guided by his friend;

But the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.

27 The slothful man shall not hunt his prey;

But the precious substance of men is to be diligent.

28 In the way of righteousness is life,

And in the pathway thereof there is no death.

PROVERBS 13 — 1 A wise son is instructed of his father;

But a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2 A man shall eat good from the fruit of his mouth;

But the desire of the faithless is violence.

3 He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life;

But for him that openeth wide his lips there shall be ruin.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing;

But the soul of the diligent shall be abundantly gratified.

5 A righteous man hateth lying;

But a wicked man behaveth vilely and shamefully.

6 Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way;

But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7 There is that pretendeth himself rich, yet hath nothing;

There is that pretendeth himself poor, yet hath great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches;

But the poor heareth no threatening.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth;

But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 By pride cometh only contention;

But with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished;

But he that gathereth little by little shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick;

But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall suffer thereby;

But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

To depart from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding giveth grace;

But the way of the faithless is harsh.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with forethought;

But a fool unfoldeth folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil;

But a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction;

But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul;

And it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise;

But the companion of fools shall smart for it.

21 Evil pursueth sinners;

But to the righteous good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children;

And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor;

But there is that is swept away by want of righteousness.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son;

But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his desire;

But the belly of the wicked shall want.

PROVERBS 14 — 1 Every wise woman buildeth her house;

But the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD;

But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride;

But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean;

But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie;

But a false witness breatheth forth lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not;

But knowledge is easy unto him that hath discernment.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,

For thou wilt not perceive the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to look well to his way;

But the folly of fools is deceit.

9 Amends pleadeth for fools;

But among the upright there is good will.

10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness;

And with its joy no stranger can intermeddle.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown;

But the tent of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

But the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart acheth;

And the end of mirth is heaviness.

14 The dissembler in heart shall have his fill from his own ways;

And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The thoughtless believeth every word;

But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil;

But the fool behaveth overbearingly, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly;

And a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The thoughtless come into possession of folly;

But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good,

And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour;

But the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth;

But he that is gracious unto the humble, happy is he.

22 Shall they not go astray that devise evil?

But mercy and truth shall be for them that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit;

But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches;

But the folly of fools remaineth folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls;

But he that breatheth forth lies is all deceit.

26 In the fear of the LORD a man hath strong confidence;

And his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

To depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's glory;

But in the want of people is the ruin of the prince.

29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding;

But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh;

But envy is the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor blasphemeth his Maker;

But he that is gracious unto the needy honoureth Him.

32 The wicked is thrust down in his misfortune;

But the righteous, even when he is brought to death, hath hope.

33 In the heart of him that hath discernment wisdom resteth;

But in the inward part of fools it maketh itself known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation;

But sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely;

But his wrath striketh him that dealeth shamefully.

PROVERBS 15 — 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath;

But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright;

But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,

Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life;

But perverseness therein is a wound to the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father's correction;

But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure;

But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;

But the heart of the foolish is not stedfast.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD;

But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD;

But He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;

And he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 The nether-world and Destruction are before the LORD;

How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

12 A scorner loveth not to be reproved;

He will not go unto the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance;

But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath discernment seeketh knowledge;

But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

15 All the days of the poor are evil;

But he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD,

Than great treasure and turmoil therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,

Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up discord;

But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the sluggard is as though hedged by thorns;

But the path of the upright is even.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father;

But a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that lacketh understanding;

But a man of discernment walketh straightforwards.

22 For want of counsel purposes are frustrated;

But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;

And a word in due season, how good is it!

24 The path of life goeth upward for the wise,

That he may depart from the nether-world beneath.

25 The LORD will pluck up the house of the proud;

But He will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of wickedness are an abomination to the LORD;

But words of pleasantness are pure.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;

But he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer;

But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked;

But He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart;

And a good report maketh the bones fat.

31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life

Abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul;

But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom;

And before honour goeth humility.

PROVERBS 16 — 1 The preparations of the heart are man's,

But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;

But the LORD weigheth the spirits.

3 Commit thy works unto the LORD,

And thy thoughts shall be established.

4 The LORD hath made every things for His own purpose,

Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

My hand upon it! he shall not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is expiated;

And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the LORD,

He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness

Than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man's heart deviseth his way;

But the LORD directeth his steps.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king;

His mouth trespasseth not in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are the LORD'S;

All the weights of the bag are His work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness;

For the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings;

And they love him that speaketh right.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death;

But a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the light of the king's countenance is life;

And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!

Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18 Pride goeth before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the humble,

Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good;

And whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart is called a man of discernment;

And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life unto him that hath it;

But folly is the chastisement of fools.

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,

And addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

But the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 The hunger of the labouring man laboureth for him;

For his mouth compelleth him.

27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil,

And in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28 A froward man soweth strife;

And a whisperer separateth familiar friends.

29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbour,

And leadeth him into a way that is not good.

30 He shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things;

He that biteth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory,

It is found in the way of righteousness.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;

And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap;

But the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

PROVERBS 17 — 1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith,

Than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that dealeth shamefully,

And shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;

But the LORD trieth the hearts.

4 A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;

And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker;

And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men;

And the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Overbearing speech becometh not a churl;

Much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it;

Whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;

But he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.

10 A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding

Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

11 An rebellious man seeketh only evil;

Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,

Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good,

Evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water;

Therefore leave off contention, before the quarrel break out.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,

Even they both are an abomination to the LORD.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool

To buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding?

17 A friend loveth at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands,

And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife;

He that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good;

And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into evil.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow;

And the father of a churl hath no joy.

22 A merry heart is a good medicine;

But a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom,

To pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding;

But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is vexation to his father,

And bitterness to her that bore him.

26 To punish also the righteous is not good,

Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge;

And he that husbandeth his spirit is a man of discernment.

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise;

And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed as a man of understanding.

PROVERBS 18 — 1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire,

And snarlest against all sound wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,

But only that his heart may lay itself bare.

3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt,

And with ignominy reproach.

4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters;

A flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.

5 It is not good to respect the person of the wicked,

So as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool's lips enter into contention,

And his mouth calleth for strokes.

7 A fool's mouth is his ruin,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 Even one that is slack in his work

Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower:

The righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.

11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city,

And as a high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,

And before honour goeth humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth,

It is folly and confusion unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man's gift maketh room for him,

And bringeth him before great men.

17 He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;

But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

18 The lot causeth strife to cease,

And parteth asunder the contentious.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;

And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;

With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;

And they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good,

And obtaineth favour of the LORD.

23 The poor useth entreaties;

But the rich answereth impudently.

24 There are friends that one hath to his own hurt;

But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

PROVERBS 19 — 1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity

Than he that is perverse in his lips and a fool at the same time.

2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good;

And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way;

And his heart fretteth against the LORD.

4 Wealth addeth many friends;

But as for the poor, his friend separateth himself from him.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished;

And he that breatheth forth lies shall not escape.

6 Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man;

And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him;

How much more do his friends go far from him!

He that pursueth words, they turn against him.

8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul;

He that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished;

And he that breatheth forth lies shall perish.

10 Luxury is not seemly for a fool;

Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 It is the discretion of a man to be slow to anger,

And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion;

But his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father;

And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers;

But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep;

And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul;

But he that despiseth His ways shall die.

17 He that is gracious unto the poor lendeth unto the LORD;

And his good deed will He repay unto him.

18 Chasten thy son, for there is hope;

But set not thy heart on his destruction.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment;

For if thou interpose, thou wilt add thereto.

20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction,

That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21 There are many devices in a man's heart;

But the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

22 The lust of a man is his shame;

And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life;

And he that hath it shall abide satisfied,

He shall not be visited with evil.

24 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish,

And will not so much as bring it back to his mouth.

25 When thou smitest a scorner, the simple will become prudent;

And when one that hath understanding is reproved, he will understand knowledge.

26 A son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully

Will despoil his father, and chase away his mother.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction

That causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

28 An ungodly witness mocketh at right;

And the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners,

And stripes for the back of fools.

PROVERBS 20 — 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous;

And whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.

2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion:

He that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.

3 It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife;

But every fool will be snarling.

4 The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in;

Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;

But a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness;

But a faithful man who can find?

7 He that walketh in his integrity as a just man,

Happy are his children after him.

8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment

Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean,

I am pure from my sin'?

10 Divers weights, and divers measures,

Both of them alike are abomination to the LORD.

11 Even a child is known by his doings,

Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,

The LORD hath made even both of them.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty;

Open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.

14 'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer;

But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies;

But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;

And hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man;

But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18 Every purpose is established by counsel;

And with good advice carry on war.

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets;

Therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother,

His lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.

21 An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning;

But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

22 Say not thou: 'I will requite evil';

Wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.

23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD;

And a false balance is not good.

24 A man's goings are of the LORD;

How then can man look to his way?

25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy',

And after vows to make inquiry.

26 A wise king sifteth the wicked,

And turneth the wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD,

Searching all the inward parts.

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king;

And his throne is upheld by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength;

And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

30 Sharp wounds cleanse away evil;

So do stripes that reach the inward parts.

PROVERBS 21 — 1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the watercourses:

He turneth it whithersoever He will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;

But the LORD weigheth the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4 A haughty look, and a proud heart--

The tillage of the wicked is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;

But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue

Is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away;

Because they refuse to do justly.

8 The way of man is froward and strange;

But as for the pure, his work is right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop,

Than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil;

His neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise;

And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked;

Overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,

He also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger,

And a present in the bosom strong wrath.

15 To do justly is joy to the righteous,

But ruin to the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding

Shall rest in the congregation of the shades.

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man;

He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous;

And the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land,

Than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;

But a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy

Findeth life, prosperity, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,

And bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue

Keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name,

Even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him;

For his hands refuse to labour.

26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long;

But the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

How much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?

28 A false witness shall perish;

But the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face;

But as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding

Nor counsel against the LORD.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle;

But victory is of the LORD.

PROVERBS 22 — 1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,

And loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor meet together--

The LORD is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself;

But the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.

4 The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD,

Even riches, and honour, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward;

He that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go,

And even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor,

And the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity;

And the rod of his wrath shall fail.

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;

For he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out;

Yea, strife and shame will cease.

11 He that loveth pureness of heart,

That hath grace in his lips, the king shall be his friend.

12 The eyes of the LORD preserve him that hath knowledge,

But He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.

13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without;

I shall be slain in the streets.'

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit:

He that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase;

One may give to the rich, yet will want come.

17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,

And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee;

Let them be established altogether upon thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the LORD,

I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 Have not I written unto thee excellent things

Of counsels and knowledge;

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth,

That thou mightest bring back words of truth to them that send thee?

22 Rob not the weak, because he is weak,

Neither crush the poor in the gate;

23 For the LORD will plead their cause,

And despoil of life those that despoil them.

24 Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger;

And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go;

25 Lest thou learn his ways,

And get a snare to thy soul.

26 Be thou not of them that strike hands,

Or of them that are sureties for debts;

27 If thou hast not wherewith to pay,

Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

28 Remove not the ancient landmark,

Which thy fathers have set.

29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;

He shall not stand before mean men.

PROVERBS 23 — 1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,

Consider well him that is before thee;

2 And put a knife to thy throat,

If thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties;

Seeing they are deceitful food.

4 Weary not thyself to be rich;

Cease from thine own wisdom.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon it? it is gone;

For riches certainly make themselves wings,

Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye,

Neither desire thou his dainties;

7 For as one that hath reckoned within himself, so is he:

'Eat and drink', saith he to thee;

But his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up,

And lose thy sweet words.

9 Speak not in the ears of a fool;

For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

10 Remove not the ancient landmark;

And enter not into the fields of the fatherless;

11 For their Redeemer is strong;

He will plead their cause with thee.

12 Apply thy heart unto instruction,

And thine ears to the words of knowledge.

13 Withhold not correction from the child;

For though thou beat him with the rod, he will not die.

14 Thou beatest him with the rod,

And wilt deliver his soul from the nether-world.

15 My son, if thy heart be wise,

My heart will be glad, even mine;

16 Yea, my reins will rejoice,

When thy lips speak right things.

17 Let not thy heart envy sinners,

But be in the fear of the LORD all the day;

18 For surely there is a future;

And thy hope shall not be cut off.

19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise,

And guide thy heart in the way.

20 Be not among winebibbers;

Among gluttonous eaters of flesh;

21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty;

And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

22 Hearken unto thy father that begot thee,

And despise not thy mother when she is old.

23 Buy the truth, and sell it not;

Also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;

And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.

25 Let thy father and thy mother be glad,

And let her that bore thee rejoice.

26 My son, give me thy heart,

And let thine eyes observe my ways.

27 For a harlot is a deep ditch;

And an alien woman is a narrow pit.

28 She also lieth in wait as a robber,

And increaseth the faithless among men.

29 Who crieth: 'Woe'? who: 'Alas'?

Who hath contentions? who hath raving?

Who hath wounds without cause?

Who hath redness of eyes?

30 They that tarry long at the wine;

They that go to try mixed wine.

31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,

When it giveth its colour in the cup,

When it glideth down smoothly;

32 At the last it biteth like a serpent,

And stingeth like a basilisk.

33 Thine eyes shall behold strange things,

And thy heart shall utter confused things.

34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea,

Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

35 'They have struck me, and I felt it not,

They have beaten me, and I knew it not;

When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.'

PROVERBS 24 — 1 Be not thou envious of evil men,

Neither desire to be with them.

2 For their heart studieth destruction,

And their lips talk of mischief.

3 Through wisdom is a house builded;

And by understanding it is established;

4 And by knowledge are the chambers filled

With all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong;

Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For with wise advice thou shalt make thy war;

And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7 Wisdom is as unattainable to a fool as corals;

He openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8 He that deviseth to do evil,

Men shall call him a mischievous person.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin;

And the scorner is an abomination to men.

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity,

Thy strength is small indeed.

11 Deliver them that are drawn unto death;

And those that are ready to be slain wilt thou forbear to rescue?

12 If thou sayest: 'Behold, we knew not this',

Doth not He that weigheth the hearts consider it?

And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it?

And shall not He render to every man according to his works?

13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good,

And the honeycomb is sweet to thy taste;

14 So know thou wisdom to be unto thy soul;

If thou hast found it, then shall there be a future,

And thy hope shall not be cut off.

15 Lie not in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous,

Spoil not his resting-place;

16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again,

But the wicked stumble under adversity.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth,

And let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth;

18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,

And He turn away His wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evildoers,

Neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there will be no future to the evil man,

The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king,

And meddle not with them that are given to change;

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly;

And who knoweth the ruin from them both?

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.

24 He that saith unto the wicked: 'Thou art righteous',

Peoples shall curse him, nations shall execrate him;

25 But to them that decide justly shall be delight,

And a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 He kisseth the lips

That giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without,

And make it fit for thyself in the field;

And afterwards build thy house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause;

And deceive not with thy lips.

29 Say not: 'I will do so to him as he hath done to me;

I will render to the man according to his work.'

30 I went by the field of the slothful,

And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thistles,

The face thereof was covered with nettles,

And the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I beheld, and considered well;

I saw, and received instruction.

33 'Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep'--

34 So shall thy poverty come as a runner,

And thy want as an armed man.

PROVERBS 25 — 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing;

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth,

And the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver,

And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;

5 Take away the wicked from before the king,

And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6 Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king,

And stand not in the place of great men;

7 For better is it that it be said unto thee: 'Come up hither',

Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince,

Whom thine eyes have seen.

8 Go not forth hastily to strive,

Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,

When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour,

But reveal not the secret of another;

10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee,

And thine infamy turn not away.

11 A word fitly spoken

Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

12 As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,

So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,

So is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him;

For he refresheth the soul of his master.

14 As vapours and wind without rain,

So is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.

15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded,

And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee,

Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house;

Lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.

18 As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow,

So is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble

Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20 As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre,

So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.

21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat,

And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head,

And the LORD will reward thee.

23 The north wind bringeth forth rain,

And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop,

Than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

25 As cold waters to a faint soul,

So is good news from a far country.

26 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring,

So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;

So for men to search out their own glory is not glory.

28 Like a city broken down and without a wall,

So is he whose spirit is without restraint.

PROVERBS 26 — 1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,

So honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow,

So the curse that is causeless shall come home.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,

And a rod for the back of fools.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,

Lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool

Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.

7 The legs hang limp from the lame;

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As a small stone in a heap of stones,

So is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard,

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 A master performeth all things;

But he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit,

So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way;

Yea, a lion is in the streets.'

14 The door is turning upon its hinges,

And the sluggard is still upon his bed.

15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;

It wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes

Than seven men that give wise answer.

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own,

Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a madman who casteth firebrands,

Arrows, and death;

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,

And saith: 'Am not I in sport?'

20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out;

And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire;

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart

Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,

But he layeth up deceit within him.

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not;

For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Though his hatred be concealed with deceit,

His wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;

And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it;

And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

PROVERBS 27 — 1 Boast not thyself of to-morrow;

For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth;

A stranger, and not thine own lips.

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty;

But a fool's vexation is heavier than they both.

4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming;

But who is able to stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke

Than love that is hidden.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

But the kisses of an enemy are importunate.

7 The full soul loatheth a honeycomb;

But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest,

So is a man that wandereth from his place.

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart;

So doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not;

Neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity;

Better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,

That I may answer him that taunteth me.

12 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself;

But the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.

13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger;

And hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,

It shall be counted a curse to him.

15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day

And a contentious woman are alike;

16 He that would hide her hideth the wind,

And the ointment of his right hand betrayeth itself.

17 Iron sharpeneth iron;

So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof;

And he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answereth to face,

So the heart of man to man.

20 The nether-world and Destruction are never satiated;

So the eyes of man are never satiated.

21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,

And a man is tried by his praise.

22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle among groats,

Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks,

And look well to thy herds;

24 For riches are not for ever;

And doth the crown endure unto all generations?

25 When the hay is mown, and the tender grass showeth itself,

And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in;

26 The lambs will be for thy clothing,

And the goats the price for a field.

27 And there will be goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household;

And maintenance for thy maidens.

PROVERBS 28 — 1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth;

But the righteous are secure as a young lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof;

But by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue.

3 A poor man that oppresseth the weak

Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked;

But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not justice;

But they that seek the LORD understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,

Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 A wise son observeth the teaching;

But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.

8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,

Gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,

He shall fall himself into his own pit;

But the whole-hearted shall inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes;

But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.

12 When the righteous exult, there is great glory;

But when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.

13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper;

But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway;

But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.

15 As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear;

So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor;

But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person

Shall hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support him.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved;

But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19 He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread;

But he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings;

But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

21 To have respect of persons is not good;

For a man will transgress for a piece of bread.

22 He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches,

And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man shall in the end find more favour

Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith: 'It is no transgression',

The same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife;

But he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be abundantly gratified.

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool;

But whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack;

But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase.

PROVERBS 29 — 1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck

Shall suddenly be broken, and that without remedy.

2 When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice;

But when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh.

3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father;

But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

4 The king by justice establisheth the land;

But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.

5 A man that flattereth his neighbour

Spreadeth a net for his steps.

6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare;

But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7 The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor;

The wicked understandeth not knowledge.

8 Scornful men set a city in a blaze;

But wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man,

Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.

10 The men of blood hate him that is sincere;

And as for the upright, they seek his life.

11 A fool spendeth all his spirit;

But a wise man stilleth it within him.

12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood,

All his servants are wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;

The LORD giveth light to the eyes of them both.

14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,

His throne shall be established for ever.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom;

But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth;

But the righteous shall gaze upon their fall.

17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest;

Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint;

But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words;

For though he understand, there will be no response.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child

Shall have him become master at the last.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife,

And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.

23 A man's pride shall bring him low;

But he that is of a lowly spirit shall attain to honour.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul:

He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare;

But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be set up on high.

26 Many seek the ruler's favour;

But a man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous;

And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

PROVERBS 30 — The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the burden.

The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal:

2 Surely I am brutish, unlike a man,

And have not the understanding of a man;

3 And I have not learned wisdom,

That I should have the knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended?

Who hath gathered the wind in his fists?

Who hath bound the waters in his garment?

Who hath established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?

5 Every word of God is tried;

He is a shield unto them that take refuge in Him.

6 Add thou not unto His words,

Lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

7 Two things have I asked of Thee;

Deny me them not before I die:

8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies;

Give me neither poverty nor riches;

Feed me with mine allotted bread;

9 Lest I be full, and deny, and say: 'Who is the LORD?'

Or lest I be poor, and steal,

And profane the name of my God.

10 Slander not a servant unto his master,

Lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

11 There is a generation that curse their father,

And do not bless their mother.

12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes,

And yet are not washed from their filthiness.

13 There is a generation, Oh how lofty are their eyes!

And their eyelids are lifted up.

14 There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their great teeth as knives,

To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

15 The horseleech hath two daughters: 'Give, give.'

There are three things that are never satisfied,

Yea, four that say not: 'Enough':

16 The grave; and the barren womb;

The earth that is not satisfied with water;

And the fire that saith not: 'Enough.'

17 The eye that mocketh at his father,

And despiseth to obey his mother,

The ravens of the valley shall pick it out,

And the young vultures shall eat it.

18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me,

Yea, four which I know not:

19 The way of an eagle in the air;

The way of a serpent upon a rock;

The way of a ship in the midst of the sea;

And the way of a man with a young woman.

20 So is the way of an adulterous woman;

She eateth, and wipeth her mouth,

And saith: 'I have done no wickedness.'

21 For three things the earth doth quake,

And for four it cannot endure:

22 For a servant when he reigneth;

And a churl when he is filled with food;

23 For an odious woman when she is married;

And a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24 There are four things which are little upon the earth,

But they are exceeding wise:

25 The ants are a people not strong,

Yet they provide their food in the summer;

26 The rock-badgers are but a feeble folk,

Yet make they their houses in the crags;

27 The locusts have no king,

Yet go they forth all of them by bands;

28 The spider thou canst take with the hands,

Yet is she in kings' palaces.

29 There are three things which are stately in their march,

Yea, four which are stately in going:

30 The lion, which is mightiest among beasts,

And turneth not away for any;

31 The greyhound; the he-goat also;

And the king, against whom there is no rising up.

32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself,

Or if thou hast planned devices, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

33 For the churning of milk bringeth forth curd,

And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood;

So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

PROVERBS 31 — The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.

2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?

And what, O son of my vows?

3 Give not thy strength unto women,

Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine:

Nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'

5 Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed,

And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,

And wine unto the bitter in soul;

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

And remember his misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb,

In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously,

And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

[ALEPH] 10 A woman of valour who can find?

For her price is far above rubies.

[BETH] 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,

And he hath no lack of gain.

[GIMEL] 12 She doeth him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

[DALETH] 13 She seeketh wool and flax,

And worketh willingly with her hands.

[HE] 14 She is like the merchant-ships;

She bringeth her food from afar.

[VAU] 15 She riseth also while it is yet night,

And giveth food to her household,

And a portion to her maidens.

[ZAIN] 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it;

With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

[HETH] 17 She girdeth her loins with strength,

And maketh strong her arms.

[TETH] 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good;

Her lamp goeth not out by night.

[IOD] 19 She layeth her hands to the distaff,

And her hands hold the spindle.

[CAPH] 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

[LAMED] 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household;

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

[MEM] 22 She maketh for herself coverlets;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

[NUN] 23 Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

[SAMECH] 24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them;

And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

[AIN] 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing;

And she laugheth at the time to come.

[PE] 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

[TZADE] 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,

And eateth not the bread of idleness.

[KOPH] 28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praiseth her:

[RESH] 29 'Many daughters have done valiantly,

But thou excellest them all.'

[SHIN] 30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;

But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

[TAU] 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;

And let her works praise her in the gates.

Job

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

[31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40]

[41] [42]

JOB 1 — 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was whole-hearted and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil. 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His possessions also were seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east. 4 And his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one upon his day; and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said: 'It may be that my sons have sinned, and blasphemed God in their hearts.' Thus did Job continually.

6 Now it fell upon a day, that the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Whence comest thou?' Then Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.' 8 And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a whole-hearted and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil?' 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not Thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are increased in the land. 11 But put forth Thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, surely he will blaspheme Thee to Thy face.' 12 And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand.' So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

13 And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, 14 that there came a messenger unto Job, and said: 'The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them; 15 and the Sabeans made a raid, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said: 'A fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said: 'The Chaldeans set themselves in three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.' 18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said: 'Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house; 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from across the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.'

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; 21 And he said;

Naked came I out of my mother's womb,

And naked shall I return thither;

The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;

Blessed be the name of the LORD.

22 For all this Job sinned not, nor ascribed aught unseemly to God.

JOB 2 — 1 Again it fell upon a day, that the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan: 'From whence comest thou?' And Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.' 3 And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a whole-hearted and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil? and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou didst move Me against him, to destroy him without cause.' 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said: 'Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth Thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, surely he will blaspheme Thee to Thy face.' 6 And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.'

7 So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot even unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him: 'Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? blaspheme God, and die.' 10 But he said unto her: 'Thou speakest as one of the impious women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?' For all this did not Job sin with his lips.

11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to bemoan him and to comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and threw dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word unto him; for they saw that his grief was very great.

JOB 3 — 1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. 2 And Job spoke, and said:

3 Let the day perish wherein I was born,

And the night wherein it was said: 'A man-child is brought forth.'

4 Let that day be darkness;

Let not God inquire after it from above,

Neither let the light shine upon it.

5 Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own;

Let a cloud dwell upon it;

Let all that maketh black the day terrify it.

6 As for that night, let thick darkness seize upon it;

Let it not rejoice among the days of the year;

Let it not come into the number of the months.

7 Lo, let that night be desolate;

Let no joyful voice come therein.

8 Let them curse it that curse the day,

Who are ready to rouse up leviathan.

9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark;

Let it look for light, but have none;

Neither let it behold the eyelids of the morning;

10 Because it shut not up the doors of my [mother's] womb,

Nor hid trouble from mine eyes.

11 Why died I not from the womb?

Why did I not perish at birth?

12 Why did the knees receive me?

And wherefore the breasts, that I should suck?

13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet;

I should have slept; then had I been at rest--

14 With kings and counsellors of the earth,

Who built up waste places for themselves;

15 Or with princes that had gold,

Who filled their houses with silver;

16 Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been;

As infants that never saw light.

17 There the wicked cease from troubling;

And there the weary are at rest.

18 There the prisoners are at ease together;

They hear not the voice of the taskmaster.

19 The small and great are there alike;

And the servant is free from his master.

20 Wherewith is light given to him that is in misery,

And life unto the bitter in soul--

21 Who long for death, but it cometh not;

And dig for it more than for hid treasures;

22 Who rejoice unto exultation,

And are glad, when they can find the grave?--

23 To a man whose way is hid,

And whom God hath hedged in?

24 For my sighing cometh instead of my food,

And my roarings are poured out like water.

25 For the thing which I did fear is come upon me,

And that which I was afraid of hath overtaken me.

26 I was not at ease, neither was I quiet, neither had I rest;

But trouble came.

JOB 4 — 1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:

2 If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary?

But who can withhold himself from speaking?

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many,

And thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling,

And thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary;

It toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.

6 Is not thy fear of God thy confidence,

And thy hope the integrity of thy ways?

7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent?

Or where were the upright cut off?

8 According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity,

And sow mischief, reap the same.

9 By the breath of God they perish,

And by the blast of His anger are they consumed.

10 The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth--

Yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.

11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey,

And the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.

12 Now a word was secretly brought to me,

And mine ear received a whisper thereof.

13 In thoughts from the visions of the night,

When deep sleep falleth on men,

14 Fear came upon me, and trembling,

And all my bones were made to shake.

15 Then a spirit passed before my face,

That made the hair of my flesh to stand up.

16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof;

A form was before mine eyes; I heard a still voice:

17 'Shall mortal man be just before God?

Shall a man be pure before his Maker?

18 Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants,

And His angels He chargeth with folly;

19 How much more them that dwell in houses of clay,

Whose foundation is in the dust,

Who are crushed before the moth!

20 Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered;

They perish for ever without any regarding it.

21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them?

They die, and that without wisdom.'

JOB 5 — 1 Call now; is there any that will answer thee?

And to which of the holy ones wilt thou turn?

2 For anger killeth the foolish man,

And envy slayeth the silly one.

3 I have seen the foolish taking root;

But suddenly I beheld his habitation cursed.

4 His children are far from safety,

And are crushed in the gate, with none to deliver them.

5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up,

And taketh it even out of the thorns,

And the snare gapeth for their substance.

6 For affliction cometh not forth from the dust,

Neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;

7 But man is born unto trouble,

As the sparks fly upward.

8 But as for me, I would seek unto God,

And unto God would I commit my cause;

9 Who doeth great things and unsearchable,

Marvellous things without number;

10 Who giveth rain upon the earth,

And sendeth waters upon the fields;

11 So that He setteth up on high those that are low,

And those that mourn are exalted to safety.

12 He frustrateth the devices of the crafty,

So that their hands can perform nothing substantial.

13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness;

And the counsel of the wily is carried headlong.

14 They meet with darkness in the day-time,

And grope at noonday as in the night.

15 But He saveth from the sword of their mouth,

Even the needy from the hand of the mighty.

16 So the poor hath hope,

And iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth;

Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

18 For He maketh sore, and bindeth up;

He woundeth, and His hands make whole.

19 He will deliver thee in six troubles;

Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

20 In famine He will redeem thee from death;

And in war from the power of the sword.

21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue;

Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh;

Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field;

And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

24 And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace;

And thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt miss nothing.

25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great,

And thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a ripe age,

Like as a shock of corn cometh in in its season.

27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is;

Hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

JOB 6 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed,

And my calamity laid in the balances altogether!

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas;

Therefore are my words broken.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me,

The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up;

The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass?

Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6 Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt?

Or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?

7 My soul refuseth to touch them;

They are as the sickness of my flesh.

8 Oh that I might have my request,

And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 Even that it would please God to crush me;

That He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!

10 Then should I yet have comfort;

Yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not;

For I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones?

Or is my flesh of brass?

13 Is it that I have no help in me,

And that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?

14 To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend,

Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,

As the channel of brooks that overflow,

16 Which are black by reason of the ice,

And wherein the snow hideth itself;

17 What time they wax warm, they vanish,

When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 The paths of their way do wind,

They go up into the waste, and are lost.

19 The caravans of Tema looked,

The companies of Sheba waited for them--

20 They were ashamed because they had hoped;

They came thither, and were confounded.

21 For now ye are become His;

Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

22 Did I say: 'Give unto me'?

Or: 'Offer a present for me of your substance'?

23 Or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'?

Or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?

24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace;

And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness!

But what doth your arguing argue?

26 Do ye hold words to be an argument,

But the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?

27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless,

And dig a pit for your friend.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me;

For surely I shall not lie to your face.

29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice;

Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?

JOB 7 — 1 Is there not a time of service to man upon earth?

And are not his days like the days of a hireling?

2 As a servant that eagerly longeth for the shadow,

And as a hireling that looketh for his wages;

3 So am I made to possess-months of vanity,

And wearisome nights are appointed to me.

4 When I lie down, I say: 'When shall I arise?'

But the night is long,

And I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.

5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust;

My skin closeth up and breaketh out afresh.

6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle,

And are spent without hope.

7 O remember that my life is a breath;

Mine eye shall no more see good.

8 The eye of him that seeth me shall behold me no more;

While Thine eyes are upon me, I am gone.

9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away,

So he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.

10 He shall return no more to his house,

Neither shall his place know him any more.

11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth;

I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;

I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12 Am I a sea, or a sea-monster,

That Thou settest a watch over me?

13 When I say: 'My bed shall comfort me,

My couch shall ease my complaint';

14 Then Thou scarest me with dreams,

And terrifiest me through visions;

15 So that my soul chooseth strangling,

And death rather than these my bones.

16 I loathe it; I shall not live alway;

Let me alone; for my days are vanity.

17 What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him,

And that Thou shouldest set Thy heart upon him,

18 And that Thou shouldest remember him every morning,

And try him every moment?

19 How long wilt Thou not look away from me,

Nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

20 If I have sinned, what do I unto Thee, O Thou watcher of men?

Why hast Thou set me as a mark for Thee,

So that I am a burden to myself?

21 And why dost Thou not pardon my transgression,

And take away mine iniquity?

For now shall I lie down in the dust;

And Thou wilt seek me, but I shall not be.

JOB 8 — 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said:

2 How long wilt thou speak these things,

Seeing that the words of thy mouth are as a mighty wind?

3 Doth God pervert judgment?

Or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

4 If thy children sinned against Him,

He delivered them into the hand of their transgression.

5 If thou wouldest seek earnestly unto God,

And make thy supplication to the Almighty;

6 If thou wert pure and upright;

Surely now He would awake for thee,

And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

7 And though thy beginning was small,

Yet thy end should greatly increase.

8 For inquire, I pray thee, of the former generation,

And apply thyself to that which their fathers have searched out--

9 For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing,

Because our days upon earth are a shadow--

10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee,

And utter words out of their heart?

11 Can the rush shoot up without mire?

Can the reed-grass grow without water?

12 Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down,

It withereth before any other herb.

13 So are the paths of all that forget God;

And the hope of the godless man shall perish;

14 Whose confidence is gossamer,

And whose trust is a spider's web.

15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand;

He shall hold fast thereby, but it shall not endure.

16 He is green before the sun,

And his shoots go forth over his garden.

17 His roots are wrapped about the heap,

He beholdeth the place of stones.

18 If he be destroyed from his place,

Then it shall deny him: 'I have not seen thee.'

19 Behold, this is the joy of his way,

And out of the earth shall others spring.

20 Behold, God will not cast away an innocent man,

Neither will He uphold the evil-doers;

21 Till He fill thy mouth with laughter,

And thy lips with shouting.

22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame;

And the tent of the wicked shall be no more.

JOB 9 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 Of a truth I know that it is so;

And how can man be just with God?

3 If one should desire to contend with Him,

He could not answer Him one of a thousand.

4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength;

Who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered?

5 Who removeth the mountains, and they know it not,

When He overturneth them in His anger.

6 Who shaketh the earth out of her place,

And the pillars thereof tremble.

7 Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not;

And sealeth up the stars.

8 Who alone stretcheth out the heavens,

And treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

9 Who maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades,

And the chambers of the south.

10 Who doeth great things past finding out;

Yea, marvellous things without number.

11 Lo, He goeth by me, and I see Him not.

He passeth on also, but I perceive Him not.

12 Behold, He snatcheth away, who can hinder Him?

Who will say unto Him: 'What doest Thou?'

13 God will not withdraw His anger;

The helpers of Rahab did stoop under Him.

14 How much less shall I answer Him,

And choose out my arguments with Him?

15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer;

I would make supplication to Him that contendeth with me.

16 If I had called, and He had answered me;

Yet would I not believe that He would hearken unto my voice--

17 He that would break me with a tempest,

And multiply my wounds without cause;

18 That would not suffer me to take my breath,

But fill me with bitterness.

19 If it be a matter of strength, lo, He is mighty!

And if of justice, who will appoint me a time?

20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me;

Though I be innocent, He shall prove me perverse.

21 I am innocent-I regard not myself,

I despise my life.

22 It is all one-therefore I say:

He destroyeth the innocent and the wicked.

23 If the scourge slay suddenly,

He will mock at the calamity of the guiltless.

24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked;

He covereth the faces of the judges thereof;

If it be not He, who then is it?

25 Now my days are swifter than a runner;

They flee away, they see no good.

26 They are passed away as the swift ships;

As the vulture that swoopeth on the prey.

27 If I say: 'I will forget my complaint,

I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer',

28 I am afraid of all my pains,

I know that Thou wilt not hold me guiltless.

29 I shall be condemned;

Why then do I labour in vain?

30 If I wash myself with snow water,

And make my hands never so clean;

31 Yet wilt Thou plunge me in the ditch,

And mine own clothes shall abhor me.

32 For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him,

That we should come together in judgment.

33 There is no arbiter betwixt us,

That might lay his hand upon us both.

34 Let Him take His rod away from me,

And let not His terror make me afraid;

35 Then would I speak, and not fear Him;

For I am not so with myself.

JOB 10 — 1 My soul is weary of my life;

I will give free course to my complaint;

I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

2 I will say unto God: Do not condemn me;

Make me know wherefore Thou contendest with me.

3 Is it good unto Thee that Thou shouldest oppress,

That Thou shouldest despise the work of Thy hands,

And shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

4 Hast Thou eyes of flesh?

Or seest Thou as man seeth?

5 Are Thy days as the days of man,

Or Thy years as a man's days,

6 That Thou inquirest after mine iniquity,

And searchest after my sin,

7 Although Thou knowest that I shall not be condemned;

And there is none that can deliver out of Thy hand?

8 Thy hands have framed me and fashioned me

Together round about; yet Thou dost destroy me!

9 Remember, I beseech Thee, that Thou hast fashioned me as clay;

And wilt Thou bring me into dust again?

10 Hast Thou not poured me out as milk,

And curdled me like cheese?

11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh,

And knit me together with bones and sinews.

12 Thou hast granted me life and favour,

And Thy providence hath preserved my spirit.

13 Yet these things Thou didst hide in Thy heart;

I know that this is with Thee;

14 If I sin, then Thou markest me,

And Thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

15 If I be wicked, woe unto me;

And if I be righteous, yet shall I not lift up my head--

Being filled with ignominy

And looking upon mine affliction.

16 And if it exalt itself, Thou huntest me as a lion;

And again Thou showest Thyself marvellous upon me.

17 Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me,

And increasest Thine indignation upon me;

Host succeeding host against me.

18 Wherefore then hast Thou brought me forth out of the womb?

Would that I had perished, and no eye had seen me!

19 I should have been as though I had not been;

I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

20 Are not my days few? Cease then,

And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

21 Before I go whence I shall not return,

Even to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;

22 A land of thick darkness, as darkness itself;

A land of the shadow of death, without any order,

And where the light is as darkness.

JOB 11 — 1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 Should not the multitude of words be answered?

And should a man full of talk be accounted right?

3 Thy boastings have made men hold their peace,

And thou hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed;

4 And thou hast said: 'My doctrine is pure,

And I am clean in Thine eyes.'

5 But oh that God would speak,

And open His lips against thee;

6 And that He would tell thee the secrets of wisdom,

That sound wisdom is manifold!

Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

7 Canst thou find out the deep things of God?

Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty?

8 It is high as heaven; what canst thou do?

Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know?

9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth,

And broader than the sea.

10 If He pass by, and shut up,

Or gather in, then who can hinder Him?

11 For He knoweth base men;

And when He seeth iniquity, will He not then consider it?

12 But an empty man will get understanding,

When a wild ass's colt is born a man.

13 If thou set thy heart aright,

And stretch out thy hands toward Him--

14 If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away,

And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents--

15 Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot;

Yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear;

16 For thou shalt forget thy misery;

Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away;

17 And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday;

Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope;

Yea, thou shalt look about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.

19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid;

Yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail,

And they shall have no way to flee,

And their hope shall be the drooping of the soul.

JOB 12 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 No doubt but ye are the people,

And wisdom shall die with you.

3 But I have understanding as well as you;

I am not inferior to you;

Yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

4 I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbour,

A man that called upon God, and He answered him;

The just, the innocent man is a laughing-stock,

5 A contemptible brand in the thought of him that is at ease,

A thing ready for them whose foot slippeth.

6 The tents of robbers prosper,

And they that provoke God are secure,

In whatsoever God bringeth into their hand.

7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee;

And the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee;

8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee;

And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee;

9 Who knoweth not among all these,

That the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?

10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing,

And the breath of all mankind.--

11 Doth not the ear try words,

Even as the palate tasteth its food?

12 Is wisdom with aged men,

And understanding in length of days?--

13 With Him is wisdom and might;

He hath counsel and understanding.

14 Behold, He breaketh down, and it cannot be built again;

He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

15 Behold, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up;

Also He sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

16 With Him is strength and sound wisdom;

The deceived and the deceiver are His.

17 He leadeth counsellors away stripped,

And judges maketh He fools.

18 He looseth the bond of kings,

And bindeth their loins with a girdle.

19 He leadeth priests away stripped,

And overthroweth the mighty.

20 He removeth the speech of men of trust,

And taketh away the sense of the elders.

21 He poureth contempt upon princes,

And looseth the belt of the strong.

22 He uncovereth deep things out of darkness,

And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them;

He enlargeth the nations, and leadeth them away.

24 He taketh away the heart of the chiefs of the people of the land,

And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

25 They grope in the dark without light,

And He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

JOB 13 — 1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this,

Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

2 What ye know, do I know also;

I am not inferior unto you.

3 Notwithstanding I would speak to the Almighty,

And I desire to reason with God.

4 But ye are plasterers of lies,

Ye are all physicians of no value.

5 Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace!

And it would be your wisdom.

6 Hear now my reasoning,

And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

7 Will ye speak unrighteously for God,

And talk deceitfully for Him?

8 Will ye show Him favour?

Will ye contend for God?

9 Would it be good that He should search you out?

Or as one mocketh a man, will ye mock Him?

10 He will surely reprove you,

If ye do secretly show favour.

11 Shall not His majesty terrify you,

And His dread fall upon you?

12 Your memorials shall be like unto ashes,

Your eminences to eminences of clay.

13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak,

And let come on me what will.

14 Wherefore? I will take my flesh in my teeth,

And put my life in my hand.

15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him;

But I will argue my ways before Him.

16 This also shall be my salvation,

That a hypocrite cannot come before Him.

17 Hear diligently my speech,

And let my declaration be in your ears.

18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause;

I know that I shall be justified.

19 Who is he that will contend with me?

For then would I hold my peace and die.

20 Only do not two things unto me,

Then will I not hide myself from Thee:

21 Withdraw Thy hand far from me;

And let not Thy terror make me afraid.

22 Then call Thou, and I will answer;

Or let me speak, and answer Thou me.

23 How many are mine iniquities and sins?

Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24 Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face,

And holdest me for Thine enemy?

25 Wilt Thou harass a driven leaf?

And wilt Thou pursue the dry stubble?

26 That Thou shouldest write bitter things against me,

And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.

27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks,

And lookest narrowly unto all my paths;

Thou drawest Thee a line about the soles of my feet;

28 Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth,

Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

JOB 14 — 1 Man that is born of a woman

Is of few days, and full of trouble.

2 He cometh forth like a flower, and withereth;

He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

3 And dost Thou open Thine eyes upon such a one,

And bringest me into judgment with Thee?

4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

5 Seeing his days are determined,

The number of his months is with Thee,

And Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

6 Look away from him, that he may rest,

Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.

7 For there is hope of a tree,

If it be cut down, that it will sprout again,

And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,

And the stock thereof die in the ground;

9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud,

And put forth boughs like a plant.

10 But man dieth, and lieth low;

Yea, man perisheth, and where is he?

11 As the waters fail from the sea,

And the river is drained dry;

12 So man lieth down and riseth not;

Till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake,

Nor be roused out of their sleep.

13 Oh that Thou wouldest hide me in the nether-world,

That Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past,

That Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!-

14 If a man die, may he live again?

All the days of my service would I wait,

Till my relief should come--

15 Thou wouldest call, and I would answer Thee;

Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of Thy hands.

16 But now Thou numberest my steps,

Thou dost not even wait for my sin;

17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag,

And Thou heapest up mine iniquity.

18 And surely the mountain falling crumbleth away,

And the rock is removed out of its place;

19 The waters wear the stones;

The overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth;

So Thou destroyest the hope of man.

20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth;

Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.

21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not;

And they are brought low, but he regardeth them not.

22 But his flesh grieveth for him,

And his soul mourneth over him.

JOB 15 — 1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:

2 Should a wise man make answer with windy knowledge,

And fill his belly with the east wind?

3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk,

Or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

4 Yea, thou doest away with fear,

And impairest devotion before God.

5 For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth,

And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I;

Yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

7 Art thou the first man that was born?

Or wast thou brought forth before the hills?

8 Dost thou hearken in the council of God?

And dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

9 What knowest thou, that we know not?

What understandest thou, which is not in us?

10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men,

Much older than thy father.

11 Are the consolations of God too small for thee,

And the word that dealeth gently with thee?

12 Why doth thy heart carry thee away?

And why do thine eyes wink?

13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God,

And lettest such words go out of thy mouth.

14 What is man, that he should be clean?

And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

15 Behold, He putteth no trust in His holy ones;

Yea, the heavens are not clean in His sight.

16 How much less one that is abominable and impure,

Man who drinketh iniquity like water!

17 I will tell thee, hear thou me;

And that which I have seen I will declare--

18 Which wise men have told

From their fathers, and have not hid it;

19 Unto whom alone the land was given,

And no stranger passed among them.

20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days,

Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.

21 A sound of terrors is in his ears:

In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness,

And he is waited for of the sword.

23 He wandereth abroad for bread: 'Where is it?'

He knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

24 Distress and anguish overwhelm him;

They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

25 Because he hath stretched out his hand against God,

And behaveth himself proudly against the Almighty;

26 He runneth upon him with a stiff neck,

With the thick bosses of his bucklers.

27 Because he hath covered his face with his fatness,

And made collops of fat on his loins;

28 And he hath dwelt in desolate cities,

In houses which no man would inhabit,

Which were ready to become heaps.

29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue,

Neither shall their produce bend to the earth.

30 He shall not depart out of darkness;

The flame shall dry up his branches,

And by the breath of His mouth shall he go away.

31 Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself;

For vanity shall be his recompense.

32 It shall be accomplished before his time,

And his branch shall not be leafy.

33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine,

And shall cast off his flower as the olive.

34 For the company of the godless shall be desolate,

And fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity,

And their belly prepareth deceit.

JOB 16 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 I have heard many such things;

Sorry comforters are ye all.

3 Shall windy words have an end?

Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

4 I also could speak as ye do;

If your soul were in my soul's stead,

I could join words together against you,

And shake my head at you.

5 I would strengthen you with my mouth,

And the moving of my lips would assuage your grief.

6 Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged;

And though I forbear, what am I eased?

7 But now He hath made me weary;

Thou hast made desolate all my company.

8 And Thou hast shrivelled me up, which is a witness against me;

And my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth to my face.

9 He hath torn me in His wrath, and hated me;

He hath gnashed upon me with His teeth;

Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth;

They have smitten me upon the cheek scornfully;

They gather themselves together against me.

11 God delivereth me to the ungodly,

And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

12 I was at ease, and He broke me asunder;

Yea, He hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces;

He hath also set me up for His mark.

13 His archers compass me round about,

He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare;

He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach;

He runneth upon me like a giant.

15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin,

And have laid my horn in the dust.

16 My face is reddened with weeping,

And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

17 Although there is no violence in my hands,

And my prayer is pure.

18 O earth, cover not thou my blood,

And let my cry have no resting-place.

19 Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven,

And He that testifieth of me is on high.

20 Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors,

Mine eye poureth out tears unto God;

21 That He would set aright a man contending with God,

As a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!

22 For the years that are few are coming on,

And I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

JOB 17 — 1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct,

The grave is ready for me.

2 Surely there are mockers with me,

And mine eye abideth in their provocation.

3 Give now a pledge, be surety for me with Thyself;

Who else is there that will strike hands with me?

4 For Thou hast hid their heart from understanding;

Therefore shalt Thou not exalt them.

5 He that denounceth his friends for the sake of flattery,

Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

6 He hath made me also a byword of the people;

And I am become one in whose face they spit.

7 Mine eye also is dimmed by reason of vexation,

And all my members are as a shadow.

8 Upright men are astonished at this,

And the innocent stirreth up himself against the godless.

9 Yet the righteous holdeth on his way,

And he that hath clean hands waxeth stronger and stronger.

10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now;

And I shall not find a wise man among you.

11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off,

Even the thoughts of my heart.

12 They change the night into day;

The light is short because of darkness.

13 If I look for the nether-world as my house;

If I have spread my couch in the darkness;

14 If I have said to corruption: 'Thou art my father',

To the worm: 'Thou art my mother, and my sister';

15 Where then is my hope?

And as for my hope, who shall see it?

16 They shall go down to the bars of the nether-world,

When we are at rest together in the dust.

JOB 18 — 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said:

2 How long will ye lay snares for words?

Consider, and afterwards we will speak.

3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts,

And reputed dull in your sight?

4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger,

Shall the earth be forsaken for thee?

Or shall the rock be removed out of its place?

5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out,

And the spark of his fire shall not shine.

6 The light shall be dark in his tent,

And his lamp over him shall be put out.

7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened,

And his own counsel shall cast him down.

8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet,

And he walketh upon the toils.

9 A gin shall take him by the heel,

And a snare shall lay hold on him.

10 A noose is hid for him in the ground,

And a trap for him in the way.

11 Terrors shall overwhelm him on every side,

And shall entrap him at his feet.

12 His trouble shall be ravenous,

And calamity shall be ready for his fall.

13 It shall devour the members of his body,

Yea, the first-born of death shall devour his members.

14 That wherein he trusteth shall be plucked out of his tent;

And he shall be brought to the king of terrors.

15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his;

Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.

16 His roots shall dry up beneath,

And above shall his branch wither.

17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth,

And he shall have no name abroad.

18 He shall be driven from light into darkness,

And chased out of the world.

19 He shall have neither son nor son's son among his people,

Nor any remaining in his dwellings.

20 They that come after shall be astonished at his day,

As they that went before are affrighted.

21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked,

And this is the place of him that knoweth not God.

JOB 19 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 How long will ye vex my soul,

And crush me with words?

3 These ten times have ye reproached me;

Ye are not ashamed that ye deal harshly with me.

4 And be it indeed that I have erred,

Mine error remaineth with myself.

5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me,

And plead against me my reproach;

6 Know now that God hath subverted my cause,

And hath compassed me with His net.

7 Behold, I cry out: 'Violence!' but I am not heard;

I cry aloud, but there is no justice.

8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass,

And hath set darkness in my paths.

9 He hath stripped me of my glory,

And taken the crown from my head.

10 He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone;

And my hope hath He plucked up like a tree.

11 He hath also kindled His wrath against me,

And He counteth me unto Him as one of His adversaries.

12 His troops come on together,

And cast up their way against me,

And encamp round about my tent.

13 He hath put my brethren far from me,

And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me.

14 My kinsfolk have failed,

And my familiar friends have forgotten me.

15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger;

I am become an alien in their sight.

16 I call unto my servant, and he giveth me no answer,

Though I entreat him with my mouth.

17 My breath is abhorred of my wife,

And I am loathsome to the children of my tribe.

18 Even urchins despised me;

If I arise, they speak against me.

19 All my intimate friends abhor me;

And they whom I loved are turned against me.

20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh,

And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends;

For the hand of God hath touched me.

22 Why do ye persecute me as God,

And are not satisfied with my flesh?

23 Oh that my words were now written!

Oh that they were inscribed in a book!

24 That with an iron pen and lead

They were graven in the rock for ever!

25 But as for me, I know that my Redeemer liveth,

And that He will witness at the last upon the dust;

26 And when after my skin this is destroyed,

Then without my flesh shall I see God;

27 Whom I, even I, shall see for myself,

And mine eyes shall behold, and not another's.

My reins are consumed within me.

28 If ye say: 'How we will persecute him!'

Seeing that the root of the matter is found in me;

29 Be ye afraid of the sword;

For wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword,

That ye may know there is a judgment.

JOB 20 — 1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me,

Even by reason of mine agitation that is in me.

3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame,

But out of my understanding my spirit answereth me.

4 Knowest thou not this of old time,

Since man was placed upon earth,

5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short,

And the joy of the godless but for a moment?

6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens,

And his head reach unto the clouds;

7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung;

They that have seen him shall say: 'Where is he?'

8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found;

Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more;

Neither shall his place any more behold him.

10 His children shall appease the poor,

And his hands shall restore his wealth.

11 His bones are full of his youth,

But it shall lie down with him in the dust.

12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth,

Though he hide it under his tongue;

13 Though he spare it, and will not let it go,

But keep it still within his mouth;

14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned,

It is the gall of asps within him.

15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again;

God shall cast them out of his belly.

16 He shall suck the poison of asps;

The viper's tongue shall slay him.

17 He shall not look upon the rivers,

The flowing streams of honey and curd.

18 That which he laboured for shall he give back, and shall not swallow it down;

According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice.

19 For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor;

He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.

20 Because he knew no quietness within him,

In his greed he suffered nought to escape,

21 There was nothing left that he devoured not--

Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.

22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits;

The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him.

23 It shall be for the filling of his belly;

He shall cast the fierceness of His wrath upon him,

And shall cause it to rain upon him into his flesh.

24 If he flee from the iron weapon,

The bow of brass shall strike him through.

25 He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body;

Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall;

Terrors are upon him.

26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures;

A fire not blown by man shall consume him;

It shall go ill with him that is left in his tent.

27 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity,

And the earth shall rise up against him.

28 The increase of his house shall depart,

His goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God,

And the heritage appointed unto him by God.

JOB 21 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 Hear diligently my speech;

And let this be your consolations.

3 Suffer me, that I may speak;

And after that I have spoken, mock on.

4 As for me, is my complaint to man?

Or why should I not be impatient?

5 Turn unto me, and be astonished,

And lay your hand upon your mouth.

6 Even when I remember I am affrighted,

And horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.

7 Wherefore do the wicked live,

Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?

8 Their seed is established in their sight with them,

And their offspring before their eyes.

9 Their houses are safe, without fear,

Neither is the rod of God upon them.

10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not;

Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

11 They send forth their little ones like a flock,

And their children dance.

12 They sing to the timbrel and harp,

And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13 They spend their days in prosperity,

And peacefully they go down to the grave.

14 Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us;

For we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.

15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?

And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?'--

16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand;

The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out?

That their calamity cometh upon them?

That He distributeth pains in His anger?

18 That they are as stubble before the wind,

And as chaff that the storm stealeth away?

19 'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!'--

Let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.

20 Let his own eyes see his destruction,

And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him?

Seeing the number of his months is determined.

22 Shall any teach God knowledge?

Seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.

23 One dieth in his full strength,

Being wholly at ease and quiet;

24 His pails are full of milk,

And the marrow of his bones is moistened.

25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul,

And hath never tasted of good.

26 They lie down alike in the dust,

And the worm covereth them.

27 Behold, I know your thoughts,

And the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

28 For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince?

And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'

29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way;

And will ye misdeem their tokens,

30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity,

That they are led forth to the day of wrath?

31 But who shall declare his way to his face?

And who shall repay him what he hath done?

32 For he is borne to the grave,

And watch is kept over his tomb.

33 The clods of the valley are sweet unto him,

And all men draw after him,

As there were innumerable before him.

34 How then comfort ye me in vain?

And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?

JOB 22 — 1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:

2 Can a man be profitable unto God?

Or can he that is wise be profitable unto Him?

3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty, that thou art righteous?

Or is it gain to Him, that thou makest thy ways blameless?

4 Is it for thy fear of Him that He reproveth thee,

That He entereth with thee into judgment?

5 Is not thy wickedness great?

And are not thine iniquities without end?

6 For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for nought,

And stripped the naked of their clothing.

7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink,

And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

8 And as a mighty man, who hath the earth,

And as a man of rank, who dwelleth in it,

9 Thou hast sent widows away empty,

And the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

10 Therefore snares are round about thee,

And sudden dread affrighted thee,

11 Or darkness, that thou canst not see,

And abundance of waters cover thee.

12 Is not God in the height of heaven?

And behold the topmost of the stars, how high they are!

13 And thou sayest: 'What doth God know?

Can He judge through the dark cloud?

14 Thick clouds are a covering to Him, that He seeth not;

And He walketh in the circuit of heaven.'

15 Wilt thou keep the old way

Which wicked men have trodden?

16 Who were snatched away before their time,

Whose foundation was poured out as a stream;

17 Who said unto God: 'Depart from us';

And what could the Almighty do unto them?

18 Yet He filled their houses with good things--

But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

19 The righteous saw it, and were glad,

And the innocent laugh them to scorn:

20 'Surely their substance is cut off,

And their abundance the fire hath consumed.'

21 Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace;

Thereby shall thine increase be good.

22 Receive, I pray thee, instruction from His mouth,

And lay up His words in thy heart.

23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up--

If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents,

24 And lay thy treasure in the dust,

And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks;

25 And the Almighty be thy treasure,

And precious silver unto thee;

26 Then surely shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty,

And shalt lift up thy face unto God.

27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He will hear thee,

And thou shalt pay thy vows;

28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee,

And light shall shine upon thy ways.

29 When they cast thee down, thou shalt say: 'There is lifting up';

For the humble person He saveth.

30 He delivereth him that is innocent,

Yea, thou shalt be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands.

JOB 23 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter;

My hand is become heavy because of my groaning.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him,

That I might come even to His seat!

4 I would order my cause before Him,

And fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know the words which He would answer me,

And understand what He would say unto me.

6 Would He contend with me in His great power?

Nay; but He would give heed unto me.

7 There the upright might reason with Him;

So should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.

8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there,

And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;

9 On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him,

He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.

10 For He knoweth the way that I take;

When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held fast to His steps,

His way have I kept, and turned not aside.

12 I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips;

I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

13 But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him?

And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

14 For He will perform that which is appointed for me;

And many such things are with Him.

15 Therefore am I affrighted at His presence;

When I consider, I am afraid of Him.

16 Yea, God hath made my heart faint,

And the Almighty hath affrighted me;

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness,

Neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.

JOB 24 — 1 Why are times not laid up by the Almighty?

And why do not they that know Him see His days?

2 There are that remove the landmarks;

They violently take away flocks, and feed them.

3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless,

They take the widow's ox for a pledge.

4 They turn the needy out of the way;

The poor of the earth hide themselves together.

5 Behold, as wild asses in the wilderness

They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food;

The desert yieldeth them bread for their children.

6 They cut his provender in the field;

And they despoil the vineyard of the wicked.

7 They lie all night naked without clothing,

And have no covering in the cold.

8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains,

And embrace the rock for want of a shelter.

9 There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast,

And take a pledge of the poor;

10 So that they go about naked without clothing,

And being hungry they carry the sheaves;

11 They make oil within the rows of these men;

They tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

12 From out of the populous city men groan,

And the soul of the wounded crieth out;

Yet God imputeth it not for unseemliness.

13 These are of them that rebel against the light;

They know not the ways thereof,

Nor abide in the paths thereof.

14 The murderer riseth with the light, to kill the poor and needy;

And in the night he is as a thief.

15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight,

Saying: 'No eye shall see me';

And he putteth a covering on his face.

16 In the dark they dig through houses;

They shut themselves up in the day-time;

They know not the light.

17 For the shadow of death is to all of them as the morning;

For they know the terrors of the shadow of death.

18 He is swift upon the face of the waters;

Their portion is cursed in the earth;

He turneth not by the way of the vineyards.

19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters;

So doth the nether-world those that have sinned.

20 The womb forgetteth him; the worm feedeth sweetly on him;

He shall be no more remembered;

And unrighteousness is broken as a tree.

21 He devoureth the barren that beareth not;

And doeth not good to the widow.

22 He draweth away the mighty also by his power;

He riseth up, and he trusteth not his own life.

23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth,

Yet His eyes are upon their ways.

24 They are exalted for a little while, and they are gone;

Yea, they are brought low, they are gathered in as all others,

And wither as the tops of the ears of corn.

25 And if it be not so now, who will prove me a liar,

And make my speech nothing worth?

JOB 25 — 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said:

2 Dominion and fear are with Him;

He maketh peace in His high places.

3 Is there any number of His armies?

And upon whom doth not His light arise?

4 How then can man be just with God?

Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

5 Behold, even the moon hath no brightness,

And the stars are not pure in His sight;

6 How much less man, that is a worm!

And the son of man, that is a maggot!

JOB 26 — 1 Then Job answered and said:

2 How hast thou helped him that is without power!

How hast thou saved the arm that hath no strength!

3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom,

And plentifully declared sound knowledge!

4 With whose help hast thou uttered words?

And whose spirit came forth from thee?

5 The shades tremble

Beneath the waters and the inhabitants thereof.

6 The nether-world is naked before Him,

And Destruction hath no covering.

7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty space,

And hangeth the earth over nothing.

8 He bindeth up the waters in His thick clouds;

And the cloud is not rent under them.

9 He closeth in the face of His throne,

And spreadeth His cloud upon it.

10 He hath described a boundary upon the face of the waters,

Unto the confines of light and darkness.

11 The pillars of heaven tremble

And are astonished at His rebuke.

12 He stirreth up the sea with His power,

And by His understanding He smiteth through Rahab.

13 By His breath the heavens are serene;

His hand hath pierced the slant serpent.

14 Lo, these are but the outskirts of His ways;

And how small a whisper is heard of Him!

But the thunder of His mighty deeds who can understand?

JOB 27 — 1 And Job again took up his parable, and said:

2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my right;

And the Almighty, who hath dealt bitterly with me;

3 All the while my breath is in me,

And the spirit of God is in my nostrils,

4 Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness,

Neither shall my tongue utter deceit;

5 Far be it from me that I should justify you;

Till I die I will not put away mine integrity from me.

6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go;

My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked,

And let him that riseth up against me be as the unrighteous.

8 For what is the hope of the godless, though he get him gain,

When God taketh away his soul?

9 Will God hear his cry,

When trouble cometh upon him?

10 Will he have his delight in the Almighty,

And call upon God at all times?

11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God;

That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it;

Why then are ye become altogether vain?

13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God,

And the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.

14 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword;

And his offspring shall not have bread enough.

15 Those that remain of him shall be buried by pestilence,

And his widows shall make no lamentation.

16 Though he heap up silver as the dust,

And prepare raiment as the clay;

17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on,

And the innocent shall divide the silver.

18 He buildeth his house as a moth,

And as a booth which the keeper maketh.

19 He lieth down rich, but there shall be not to gather;

He openeth his eyes, and his wealth is not.

20 Terrors overtake him like waters;

A tempest stealeth him away in the night.

21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth;

And it sweepeth him out of his place.

22 Yea, it hurleth at him, and spareth not;

He would fain flee from its power.

23 Men shall clap their hands at him,

And shall hiss him out of his place.

JOB 28 — 1 For there is a mine for silver,

And a place for gold which they refine.

2 Iron is taken out of the dust,

And brass is molten out of the stone.

3 Man setteth an end to darkness,

And searcheth out to the furthest bound

The stones of thick darkness and of the shadow of death.

4 He breaketh open a shaft away from where men sojourn;

They are forgotten of the foot that passeth by;

They hang afar from men, they swing to and fro.

5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread,

And underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.

6 The stones thereof are the place of sapphires,

And it hath dust of gold.

7 That path no bird of prey knoweth,

Neither hath the falcon's eye seen it;

8 The proud beasts have not trodden it,

Nor hath the lion passed thereby.

9 He putteth forth his hand upon the flinty rock;

He overturneth the mountains by the roots.

10 He cutteth out channels among the rocks;

And his eye seeth every precious thing.

11 He bindeth the streams that they trickle not;

And the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.

12 But wisdom, where shall it be found?

And where is the place of understanding?

13 Man knoweth not the price thereof;

Neither is it found in the land of the living.

14 The deep saith: 'It is not in me';

And the sea saith: 'It is not with me.'

15 It cannot be gotten for gold,

Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,

With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

17 Gold and glass cannot equal it;

Neither shall the exchange thereof be vessels of fine gold.

18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;

Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it,

Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

20 Whence then cometh wisdom?

And where is the place of understanding?

21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,

And kept close from the fowls of the air.

22 Destruction and Death say:

'We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.'

23 God understandeth the way thereof,

And He knoweth the place thereof.

24 For He looketh to the ends of the earth,

And seeth under the whole heaven;

25 When He maketh a weight for the wind,

And meteth out the waters by measure.

26 When He made a decree for the rain,

And a way for the storm of thunders;

27 Then did He see it, and declare it;

He established it, yea, and searched it out.

28 And unto man He said:

'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;

And to depart from evil is understanding.'

JOB 29 — 1 And Job again took up his parable, and said:

2 Oh that I were as in the months of old,

As in the days when God watched over me;

3 When His lamp shined above my head,

And by His light I walked through darkness;

4 As I was in the days of my youth,

When the converse of God was upon my tent;

5 When the Almighty was yet with me,

And my children were about me;

6 When my steps were washed with butter,

And the rock poured me out rivers of oil!

7 When I went forth to the gate unto the city,

When I prepared my seat in the broad place,

8 The young men saw me and hid themselves,

And the aged rose up and stood;

9 The princes refrained talking,

And laid their hand on their mouth;

10 The voice of the nobles was hushed,

And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me,

And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me;

12 Because I delivered the poor that cried,

The fatherless also, that had none to help him.

13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me;

And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed itself with me;

My justice was as a robe and a diadem.

15 I was eyes to the blind,

And feet was I to the lame.

16 I was a father to the needy;

And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.

17 And I broke the jaws of the unrighteous,

And plucked the prey out of his teeth.

18 Then I said: 'I shall die with my nest,

And I shall multiply my days as the phoenix;

19 My root shall be spread out to the waters,

And the dew shall lie all night upon my branch;

20 My glory shall be fresh in me,

And my bow shall be renewed in my hand.'

21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited,

And kept silence for my counsel.

22 After my words they spoke not again;

And my speech dropped upon them.

23 And they waited for me as for the rain;

And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

24 If I laughed on them, they believed it not;

And the light of my countenance they cast not down.

25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief,

And dwelt as a king in the army,

As one that comforteth the mourners.

JOB 30 — 1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision,

Whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.

2 Yea, the strength of their hands, whereto should it profit me?

Men in whom ripe age is perished.

3 They are gaunt with want and famine;

They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation.

4 They pluck salt-wort with wormwood;

And the roots of the broom are their food.

5 They are driven forth from the midst of men;

They cry after them as after a thief.

6 In the clefts of the valleys must they dwell,

In holes of the earth and of the rocks.

7 Among the bushes they bray;

Under the nettles they are gathered together.

8 They are children of churls, yea, children of ignoble men;

They were scourged out of the land.

9 And now I am become their song,

Yea, I am a byword unto them.

10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.

11 For He hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me,

And they have cast off the bridle before me.

12 Upon my right hand rise the brood;

They entangle my feet,

And they cast up against me their ways of destruction.

13 They break up my path,

They further my calamity,

Even men that have no helper.

14 As through a wide breach they come;

In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves upon me.

15 Terrors are turned upon me,

They chase mine honour as the wind;

And my welfare is passed away as a cloud.

16 And now my soul is poured out within me;

Days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

17 In the night my bones are pierced, and fall from me,

And my sinews take no rest.

18 By the great force [of my disease] is my garment disfigured;

It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.

19 He hath cast me into the mire,

And I am become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry unto Thee, and Thou dost not answer me;

I stand up, and Thou lookest at me.

21 Thou art turned to be cruel to me;

With the might of Thy hand Thou hatest me.

22 Thou liftest me up to the wind, Thou causest me to ride upon it;

And Thou dissolvest my substance.

23 For I know that Thou wilt bring me to death,

And to the house appointed for all living.

24 Surely none shall put forth his hand to a ruinous heap,

Neither because of these things shall help come in one's calamity,

25 If I have not wept for him that was in trouble,

And if my soul grieved not for the needy.

26 Yet, when I looked for good, there came evil;

And when I waited for light, there came darkness.

27 Mine inwards boil, and rest not;

Days of affliction are come upon me.

28 I go mourning without the sun;

I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.

29 I am become a brother to jackals,

And a companion to ostriches.

30 My skin is black, and falleth from me,

And my bones are burned with heat.

31 Therefore is my harp turned to mourning,

And my pipe into the voice of them that weep.

JOB 31 — 1 I made a covenant with mine eyes;

How then should I look upon a maid?

2 For what would be the portion of God from above,

And the heritage of the Almighty from on high?

3 Is it not calamity to the unrighteous,

And disaster to the workers of iniquity?

4 Doth not He see my ways,

And count all my steps?

5 If I have walked with vanity,

And my foot hath hasted to deceit--

6 Let me be weighed in a just balance,

That God may know mine integrity--

7 If my step hath turned out of the way,

And my heart walked after mine eyes,

And if any spot hath cleaved to my hands;

8 Then let me sow, and let another eat;

Yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.

9 If my heart have been enticed unto a woman,

And I have lain in wait at my neighbour's door;

10 Then let my wife grind unto another,

And let others bow down upon her.

11 For that were a heinous crime;

Yea, it were an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

12 For it is a fire that consumeth unto destruction,

And would root out all mine increase.

13 If I did despise the cause of my man-servant,

Or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me--

14 What then shall I do when God riseth up?

And when He remembereth, what shall I answer Him?

15 Did not He that made me in the womb make him?

And did not One fashion us in the womb?

16 If I have withheld aught that the poor desired,

Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone,

And the fatherless hath not eaten thereof--

18 Nay, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father,

And I have been her guide from my mother's womb.

19 If I have seen any wanderer in want of clothing,

Or that the needy had no covering;

20 If his loins have not blessed me,

And if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless,

Because I saw my help in the gate;

22 Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade,

And mine arm be broken from the bone.

23 For calamity from God was a terror to me,

And by reason of His majesty I could do nothing.

24 If I have made gold my hope,

And have said to the fine gold: 'Thou art my confidence';

25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great,

And because my hand had gotten much;

26 If I beheld the sun when it shined,

Or the moon walking in brightness;

27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed,

And my mouth hath kissed my hand;

28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges;

For I should have lied to God that is above.

29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me,

Or exulted when evil found him--

30 Yea, I suffered not my mouth to sin

By asking his life with a curse.

31 If the men of my tent said not:

'Who can find one that hath not been satisfied with his meat?'

32 The stranger did not lodge in the street;

My doors I opened to the roadside.

33 If after the manner of men I covered my transgressions,

By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom--

34 Because I feared the great multitude,

And the most contemptible among families terrified me,

So that I kept silence, and went not out of the door.

35 Oh that I had one to hear me!--

Lo, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me--

And that I had the indictment which mine adversary hath written!

36 Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder;

I would bind it unto me as a crown.

37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps;

As a prince would I go near unto him.

38 If my land cry out against me,

And the furrows thereof weep together;

39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money,

Or have caused the tillers thereof to be disappointed--

40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat,

And noisome weeds instead of barley.

The words of Job are ended.

JOB 32 — 1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram; against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

I am young, and ye are very old;

Wherefore I held back, and durst not declare you mine opinion.

7 I said: 'Days should speak,

And multitude of years should teach wisdom.'

8 But it is a spirit in man,

And the breath of the Almighty, that giveth them understanding.

9 It is not the great that are wise,

Nor the aged that discern judgment.

10 Therefore I say: 'Hearken to me;

I also will declare mine opinion.'

11 Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened for your reasons,

Whilst ye searched out what to say.

12 Yea, I attended unto you,

And, behold, there was none that convinced Job,

Or that answered his words, among you.

13 Beware lest ye say: 'We have found wisdom;

God may vanquish him, not man!'

14 For he hath not directed his words against me;

Neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 They are amazed, they answer no more;

Words are departed from them.

16 And shall I wait, because they speak not,

Because they stand still, and answer no more?

17 I also will answer my part,

I also will declare mine opinion.

18 For I am full of words;

The spirit within me constraineth me.

19 Behold, mine inwards are as wine which hath no vent;

Like new wine-skins which are ready to burst.

20 I will speak, that I may find relief;

I will open my lips and answer.

21 Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person;

Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.

22 For I know not to give flattering titles;

Else would my Maker soon take me away.

JOB 33 — 1 Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech,

And hearken to all my words.

2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth,

My tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart;

And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

4 The spirit of God hath made me,

And the breath of the Almighty given me life.

5 If thou canst, answer thou me,

Set thy words in order before me, stand forth.

6 Behold, I am toward God even as thou art;

I also am formed out of the clay.

7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid,

Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.

8 Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing,

And I have heard the voice of thy words;

9 'I am clean, without transgression,

I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me;

10 Behold, He findeth occasions against me,

He counteth me for His enemy;

11 He putteth my feet in the stocks,

He marketh all my paths.'

12 Behold, I answer thee: In this thou art not right,

That God is too great for man;

13 Why hast thou striven against Him?

Seeing that He will not answer any of his words.

14 For God speaketh in one way,

Yea in two, though man perceiveth it not.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,

When deep sleep falleth upon men,

In slumberings upon the bed;

16 Then He openeth the ears of men,

And by their chastisement sealeth the decree,

17 That men may put away their purpose,

And that He may hide pride from man;

18 That He may keep back his soul from the pit,

And his life from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed,

And all his bones grow stiff;

20 So that his life maketh him to abhor bread,

And his soul dainty food.

21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen;

And his bones corrode to unsightliness.

22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit,

And his life to the destroyers.

23 If there be for him an angel,

An intercessor, one among a thousand,

To vouch for a man's uprightness;

24 Then He is gracious unto him, and saith:

'Deliver him from going down to the pit,

I have found a ransom.'

25 His flesh is tenderer than a child's;

He returneth to the days of his youth;

26 He prayeth unto God,

And He is favourable unto him;

So that he seeth His face with joy;

And He restoreth unto man his righteousness.

27 He cometh before men, and saith:

'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right,

And it profited me not.'

28 So He redeemeth his soul from going into the pit,

And his life beholdeth the light.

29 Lo, all these things doth God work,

Twice, yea thrice, with a man,

30 To bring back his soul from the pit,

That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me;

Hold thy peace, and I will speak.

32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me;

Speak, for I desire to justify thee.

33 If not, hearken thou unto me;

Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

JOB 34 — 1 Moreover Elihu answered and said:

2 Hear my words, ye wise men;

And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

3 For the ear trieth words,

As the palate tasteth food.

4 Let us choose for us that which is right;

Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 For Job hath said: 'I am righteous,

And God hath taken away my right;

6 Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar;

My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'

7 What man is like Job,

Who drinketh up scorning like water?

8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity,

And walketh with wicked men.

9 For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing

That he should be in accord with God.'

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding:

Far be it from God, that He should do wickedness;

And from the Almighty, that He should commit iniquity.

11 For the work of a man will He requite unto him,

And cause every man to find according to his ways.

12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly,

Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

13 Who gave Him a charge over the earth?

Or who hath disposed the whole world?

14 If He set His heart upon man,

If He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;

15 All flesh shall perish together,

And man shall return unto dust.

16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this;

Hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even one that hateth right govern?

And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty--

18 Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'?

Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'?--

19 That respecteth not the persons of princes,

Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor?

For they all are the work of His hands.

20 In a moment they die, even at midnight;

The people are shaken and pass away,

And the mighty are taken away without hand.

21 For His eyes are upon the ways of a man,

And He seeth all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death,

Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For He doth not appoint a time unto any man,

When he should go before God in judgment.

24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition,

And setteth others in their stead.

25 Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works;

And He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed.

26 He striketh them as wicked men

In the open sight of others;

27 Because they turned aside from following Him,

And would not have regard to any of His ways;

28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him,

And He heareth the cry of the afflicted.

29 When He giveth quietness, who then can condemn?

And when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him?

Whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man, alike;

30 That the godless man reign not,

That there be none to ensnare the people.

31 For hath any said unto God:

'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not;

32 That which I see not teach Thou me;

If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

33 Shall His recompense be as thou wilt? For thou loathest it,

So that thou must choose, and not I;

Therefore speak what thou knowest.

34 Men of understanding will say unto me,

Yea, every wise man that heareth me:

35 'Job speaketh without knowledge,

And his words are without discernment.'

36 Would that Job were tried unto the end,

Because of his answering like wicked men.

37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin,

He clappeth his hands among us,

And multiplieth his words against God.

JOB 35 — 1 Moreover Elihu answered and said:

2 Thinkest thou this to be thy right,

Or sayest thou: 'I am righteousness before God',

3 That thou inquirest: 'What advantage will it be unto Thee?'

And: 'What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'

4 I will give thee answer,

And thy companions with thee.

5 Look unto the heavens, and see;

And behold the skies, which are higher than thou.

6 If thou hast sinned, what doest thou against Him?

And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto Him?

7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou Him?

Or what receiveth He of thy hand?

8 Thy wickedness concerneth a man as thou art;

And thy righteousness a son of man.

9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;

They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

10 But none saith: 'Where is God my Maker,

Who giveth songs in the night;

11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth,

And maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?'

12 There they cry, but none giveth answer,

Because of the pride of evil men.

13 Surely God will not hear vanity,

Neither will the Almighty regard it.

14 Yea, when thou sayest thou canst not see Him--

The cause is before Him; therefore wait thou for Him.

15 And now, is it for nought that He punished in His anger?

And hath He not full knowledge of arrogance?

16 But Job doth open his mouth in vanity;

He multiplieth words without knowledge.

JOB 36 — 1 Elihu also proceeded, and said:

2 Suffer me a little, and I will tell thee;

For there are yet words on God's behalf.

3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar,

And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

4 For truly my words are not false;

One that is upright in mind is with thee.

5 Behold, God is mighty, yet He despiseth not any;

He is mighty in strength of understanding.

6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked;

But giveth to the poor their right.

7 He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous;

But with kings upon the throne

He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.

8 And if they be bound in fetters,

And be holden in cords of affliction;

9 Then He declareth unto them their work,

And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

10 He openeth also their ear to discipline,

And commandeth that they return from iniquity.

11 If they hearken and serve Him,

They shall spend their days in prosperity,

And their years in pleasures.

12 But if they hearken not, they shall perish by the sword,

And they shall die without knowledge.

13 But they that are godless in heart lay up anger;

They cry not for help when He bindeth them.

14 Their soul perisheth in youth,

And their life as that of the depraved.

15 He delivereth the afflicted by His affliction,

And openeth their ear by tribulation.

16 Yea, He hath allured thee out of distress

Into a broad place, where there is no straitness;

And that which is set on thy table is full of fatness;

17 And thou art full of the judgment of the wicked;

Judgment and justice take hold on them.

18 For beware of wrath, lest thou be led away by thy sufficiency;

Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.

19 Will thy riches avail, that are without stint,

Or all the forces of thy strength?

20 Desire not the night,

When peoples are cut off in their place.

21 Take heed, regard not iniquity;

For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

22 Behold, God doeth loftily in His power;

Who is a teacher like Him?

23 Who hath enjoined Him His way?

Or who hath said: 'Thou hast wrought unrighteousness'?

24 Remember that thou magnify His work,

Whereof men have sung.

25 All men have looked thereon;

Man beholdeth it afar off.

26 Behold, God is great, beyond our knowledge;

The number of His years is unsearchable.

27 For He draweth away the drops of water,

Which distil rain from His vapour;

28 Which the skies pour down

And drop upon the multitudes of men.

29 Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds,

The crashings of His pavilion?

30 Behold, He spreadeth His light upon it;

And He covereth the depths of the sea.

31 For by these He judgeth the peoples;

He giveth food in abundance.

32 He covereth His hands with the lightning,

And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark.

33 The noise thereof telleth concerning it,

The cattle also concerning the storm that cometh up.

JOB 37 — 1 At this also my heart trembleth,

And is moved out of its place.

2 Hear attentively the noise of His voice,

And the sound that goeth out of His mouth.

3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven,

And His lightning unto the ends of the earth.

4 After it a voice roareth;

He thundereth with the voice of His majesty;

And He stayeth them not when His voice is heard.

5 God thundereth marvellously with His voice;

Great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend.

6 For He saith to the snow: 'Fall thou on the earth';

Likewise to the shower of rain,

And to the showers of His mighty rain.

7 He sealeth up the hand of every man,

That all men whom He hath made may know it.

8 Then the beasts go into coverts,

And remain in their dens.

9 Out of the Chamber cometh the storm;

And cold out of the north.

10 By the breath of God ice is given,

And the breadth of the waters is straitened.

11 Yea, He ladeth the thick cloud with moister,

He spreadeth abroad the cloud of His lightning;

12 And they are turned round about by His guidance,

That they may do whatsoever He commandeth them

Upon the face of the habitable world:

13 Whether it be for correction, or for His earth,

Or for mercy, that He cause it to come.

14 Hearken unto this, O Job;

Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

15 Dost thou know how God enjoineth them,

And causeth the lightning of His cloud to shine?

16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds,

The wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

17 Thou whose garments are warm,

When the earth is still by reason of the south wind;

18 Canst thou with Him spread out the sky,

Which is strong as a molten mirror?

19 Teach us what we shall say unto Him;

For we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

20 Shall it be told Him that I would speak?

Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

21 And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies;

But the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

22 Out of the north cometh golden splendour,

About God is terrible majesty.

23 The Almighty, whom we cannot find out, is excellent in power,

Yet to judgment and plenteous justice He doeth no violence.

24 Men do therefore fear Him;

He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.

JOB 38 — 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel

By words without knowledge?

3 Gird up now thy loins like a man;

For I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto Me.

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Declare, if thou hast the understanding.

5 Who determined the measures thereof, if thou knowest?

Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened?

Or who laid the corner-stone thereof,

7 When the morning stars sang together,

And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 Or who shut up the sea with doors,

When it broke forth, and issued out of the womb;

9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof,

And thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

10 And prescribed for it My decree,

And set bars and doors,

11 And said: 'Thus far shalt thou come, but no further;

And here shall thy proud waves be stayed'?

12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days began,

And caused the dayspring to know its place;

13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth,

And the wicked be shaken out of it?

14 It is changed as clay under the seal;

And they stand as a garment.

15 But from the wicked their light is withholden,

And the high arm is broken.

16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea?

Or hast thou walked in the recesses of the deep?

17 Have the gates of death been revealed unto thee?

Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death?

18 Hast thou surveyed unto the breadths of the earth?

Declare, if thou knowest it all.

19 Where is the way to the dwelling of light,

And as for darkness, where is the place thereof;

20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof,

And that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

21 Thou knowest it, for thou wast then born,

And the number of thy days is great!

22 Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow,

Or hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail,

23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble,

Against the day of battle and war?

24 By what way is the light parted,

Or the east wind scattered upon the earth?

25 Who hath cleft a channel for the waterflood,

Or a way for the lightning of the thunder;

26 To cause it to rain on a land where no man is,

On the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground,

And to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

28 Hath the rain a father?

Or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

29 Out of whose womb came the ice?

And the hoar-frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

30 The waters are congealed like stone,

And the face of the deep is frozen.

31 Canst thou bind the chains of the Pleiades,

Or loose the bands of Orion?

32 Canst thou lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season?

Or canst thou guide the Bear with her sons?

33 Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens?

Canst thou establish the dominion thereof in the earth?

34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds,

That abundance of waters may cover thee?

35 Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go,

And say unto thee: 'Here we are'?

36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts?

Or who hath given understanding to the mind?

37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?

Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,

38 When the dust runneth into a mass,

And the clods cleave fast together?

39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lioness?

Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

40 When they couch in their dens,

And abide in the covert to lie in wait?

41 Who provideth for the raven his prey,

When his young ones cry unto God, and wander for lack of food?

JOB 39 — 1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth?

Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil?

Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young,

They cast out their fruit.

4 Their young ones wax strong, they grow up in the open field;

They go forth, and return not again.

5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free?

Or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

6 Whose house I have made the wilderness,

And the salt land his dwelling-place.

7 He scorneth the tumult of the city,

Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.

8 The range of the mountains is his pasture,

And he searcheth after every green thing.

9 Will the wild-ox be willing to serve thee?

Or will he abide by thy crib?

10 Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow?

Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great?

Or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

12 Wilt thou rely on him, that he will bring home thy seed,

And gather the corn of thy threshing-floor?

13 The wing of the ostrich beateth joyously;

But are her pinions and feathers the kindly stork's?

14 For she leaveth her eggs on the earth,

And warmeth them in dust,

15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them,

Or that the wild beast may trample them.

16 She is hardened against her young ones, as if they were not hers;

Though her labour be in vain, she is without fear;

17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom,

Neither hath He imparted to her understanding.

18 When the time cometh, she raiseth her wings on high,

And scorneth the horse and his rider.

19 Hast thou given the horse his strength?

Hast thou clothed his neck with fierceness?

20 Hast thou made him to leap as a locust?

The glory of his snorting is terrible.

21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength;

He goeth out to meet the clash of arms.

22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted;

Neither turneth he back from the sword.

23 The quiver rattleth upon him,

The glittering spear and the javelin.

24 He swalloweth the ground with storm and rage;

Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the horn.

25 As oft as he heareth the horn he saith: 'Ha, ha!'

And he smelleth the battle afar off,

The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

26 Doth the hawk soar by thy wisdom,

And stretch her wings toward the south?

27 Doth the vulture mount up at thy command,

And make her nest on high?

28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock,

Upon the crag of the rock, and the stronghold.

29 From thence she spieth out the prey;

Her eyes behold it afar off.

30 Her young ones also suck up blood;

And where the slain are, there is she.

JOB 40 — 1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said:

2 Shall he that reproveth contend with the Almighty?

He that argueth with God, let him answer it.

3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said:

4 Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer Thee?

I lay my hand upon my mouth.

5 Once have I spoken, but I will not answer again;

Yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.

6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

7 Gird up thy loins now like a man;

I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto Me.

8 Wilt thou even make void My judgment?

Wilt thou condemn Me, that thou mayest be justified?

9 Or hast thou an arm like God?

And canst thou thunder with a voice like Him?

10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency,

And array thyself with glory and beauty.

11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath;

And look upon every one that is proud, and abase him.

12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low;

And tread down the wicked in their place.

13 Hide them in the dust together;

Bind their faces in the hidden place.

14 Then will I also confess unto thee

That thine own right hand can save thee.

15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee;

He eateth grass as an ox.

16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins,

And his force is in the stays of his body.

17 He straineth his tail like a cedar;

The sinews of his thighs are knit together.

18 His bones are as pipes of brass;

His gristles are like bars of iron.

19 He is the beginning of the ways of God;

He only that made him can make His sword to approach unto him.

20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food,

And all the beasts of the field play there.

21 He lieth under the lotus-trees,

In the covert of the reed, and fens.

22 The lotus-trees cover him with their shadow;

The willows of the brook compass him about.

23 Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not;

He is confident, though the Jordan rush forth to his mouth.

24 Shall any take him by his eyes,

Or pierce through his nose with a snare?

25 Canst thou draw out leviathan with a fish-hook?

Or press down his tongue with a cord?

26 Canst thou put a ring into his nose?

Or bore his jaw through with a hook?

27 Will he make many supplications unto thee?

Or will he speak soft words unto thee?

28 Will he make a covenant with thee,

That thou shouldest take him for a servant for ever?

29 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?

Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

30 Will the bands of fishermen make a banquet of him?

Will they part him among the merchants?

31 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons?

Or his head with fish-spears?

32 Lay thy hand upon him;

Think upon the battle, thou wilt do so no more.

JOB 41 — 1 Behold, the hope of him is in vain;

Shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?

2 None is so fierce that dare stir him up;

Who then is able to stand before Me?

3 Who hath given Me anything beforehand, that I should repay him?

Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine.

4 Would I keep silence concerning his boastings,

Or his proud talk, or his fair array of words?

5 Who can uncover the face of his garment?

Who shall come within his double bridle?

6 Who can open the doors of his face?

Round about his teeth is terror.

7 His scales are his pride,

Shut up together as with a close seal.

8 One is so near to another,

That no air can come between them.

9 They are joined one to another;

They stick together, that they cannot be sundered.

10 His sneezings flash forth light,

And his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.

11 Out of his mouth go burning torches,

And sparks of fire leap forth.

12 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke,

As out of a seething pot and burning rushes.

13 His breath kindleth coals,

And a flame goeth out of his mouth.

14 In his neck abideth strength,

And dismay danceth before him.

15 The flakes of his flesh are joined together;

They are firm upon him; they cannot be moved.

16 His heart is as firm as a stone;

Yea, firm as the nether millstone.

17 When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid;

By reason of despair they are beside themselves.

18 If one lay at him with the sword, it will not hold;

Nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.

19 He esteemeth iron as straw,

And brass as rotten wood.

20 The arrow cannot make him flee;

Slingstones are turned with him into stubble.

21 Clubs are accounted as stubble;

He laugheth at the rattling of the javelin.

22 Sharpest potsherds are under him;

He spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mire.

23 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot;

He maketh the sea like a seething mixture.

24 He maketh a path to shine after him;

One would think the deep to be hoary.

25 Upon earth there is not his like,

Who is made to be fearless.

26 He looketh at all high things;

He is king over all the proud beasts.

JOB 42 — 1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said:

2 I know that Thou canst do every thing,

And that no purpose can be withholden from Thee.

3 Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge?

Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not,

Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

4 Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak;

I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.

5 I had heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear;

But now mine eye seeth Thee;

6 Wherefore I abhor my words, and repent,

Seeing I am dust and ashes.

7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: 'My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends; for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath. 8 Now therefore, take unto you seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt-offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you; for him will I accept, that I do not unto you aught unseemly; for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.' 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them; and the LORD accepted Job. 10 And the LORD changed the fortune of Job, when he prayed for his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house; and they bemoaned him, and comforted him concerning all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him; every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one a ring of gold. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second, Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 And after this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. 17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

Song of Solomon

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

SONG OF SOLOMON 1 — 1 THE SONG of songs, which is Solomon's.

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth--

For thy love is better than wine.

3 Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance;

Thy name is as ointment poured forth;

Therefore do the maidens love thee.

4 Draw me, we will run after thee;

The king hath brought me into his chambers;

We will be glad and rejoice in thee,

We will find thy love more fragrant than wine!

Sincerely do they love thee.

5 'I am black, but comely,

O ye daughters of Jerusalem,

As the tents of Kedar,

As the curtains of Solomon.

6 Look not upon me, that I am swarthy,

That the sun hath tanned me;

My mother's sons were incensed against me,

They made me keeper of the vineyards;

But mine own vineyard have I not kept.'

7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth,

Where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon;

For why should I be as one that veileth herself

Beside the flocks of thy companions?

8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,

Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock

And feed thy kids, beside the shepherds' tents.

9 I have compared thee, O my love,

To a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.

10 Thy cheeks are comely with circlets,

Thy neck with beads.

11 We will make thee circlets of gold

With studs of silver.

12 While the king sat at his table,

My spikenard sent forth its fragrance.

13 My beloved is unto me as a bag of myrrh,

That lieth betwixt my breasts.

14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna

In the vineyards of En-gedi.

15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair;

Thine eyes are as doves.

16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant;

Also our couch is leafy.

17 The beams of our houses are cedars,

And our panels are cypresses.

SONG OF SOLOMON 2 — 1 I am a rose of Sharon,

A lily of the valleys.

2 As a lily among thorns,

So is my love among the daughters.

3 As an apple-tree among the trees of the wood,

So is my beloved among the sons.

Under its shadow I delighted to sit,

And its fruit was sweet to my taste.

4 He hath brought me to the banqueting-house,

And his banner over me is love.

5 'Stay ye me with dainties, refresh me with apples;

For I am love-sick.'

6 Let his left hand be under my head,

And his right hand embrace me.

7 'I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

By the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field,

That ye awaken not, nor stir up love,

Until it please.'

8 Hark! my beloved! behold, he cometh,

Leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young hart;

Behold, he standeth behind our wall,

He looketh in through the windows,

He peereth through the lattice.

10 My beloved spoke, and said unto me:

'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone;

12 The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing is come,

And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

13 The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs,

And the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff,

Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice;

For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.'

15 'Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards;

For our vineyards are in blossom.'

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his,

That feedeth among the lilies.

17 Until the day breathe, and the shadows flee away,

Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a gazelle or a young hart

Upon the mountains of spices.

SONG OF SOLOMON 3 — 1 By night on my bed I sought him whom My soul loveth;

I sought him, but I found him not.

2 'I will rise now, and go about the city,

In the streets and in the broad ways,

I will seek him whom my soul loveth.'

I sought him, but I found him not.

3 The watchmen that go about the city found me:

'Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?'

4 Scarce had I passed from them,

When I found him whom my soul loveth:

I held him, and would not let him go,

Until I had brought him into my mother's house,

And into the chamber of her that conceived me.

5 'I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

By the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field,

That ye awaken not, nor stir up love,

Until it please.'

6 Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness

Like pillars of smoke,

Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,

With all powders of the merchant?

7 Behold, it is the litter of Solomon;

Threescore mighty men are about it,

Of the mighty men of Israel.

8 They all handle the sword,

And are expert in war;

Every man hath his sword upon his thigh,

Because of dread in the night.

9 King Solomon made himself a palanquin

Of the wood of Lebanon.

10 He made the pillars thereof of silver,

The top thereof of gold,

The seat of it of purple,

The inside thereof being inlaid with love,

From the daughters of Jerusalem.

11 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion,

And gaze upon king Solomon,

Even upon the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him in the day of his espousals,

And in the day of the gladness of his heart.

SONG OF SOLOMON 4 — 1 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair;

Thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil;

Thy hair is as a flock of goats,

That trail down from mount Gilead.

2 Thy teeth are like a flock of ewes all shaped alike,

Which are come up from the washing;

Whereof all are paired,

And none faileth among them.

3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet,

And thy mouth is comely;

Thy temples are like a pomegranate split open

Behind thy veil.

4 Thy neck is like the tower of David

Builded with turrets,

Whereon there hang a thousand shields,

All the armour of the mighty men.

5 Thy two breasts are like two fawns

That are twins of a gazelle,

Which feed among the lilies.

6 Until the day breathe,

And the shadows flee away,

I will get me to the mountain of myrrh,

And to the hill of frankincense.

7 Thou art all fair, my love;

And there is no spot in thee.

8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride,

With me from Lebanon;

Look from the top of Amana,

From the top of Senir and Hermon,

From the lions' dens,

From the mountains of the leopards.

9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;

Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes,

With one bead of thy necklace.

10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride!

How much better is thy love than wine!

And the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices!

11 Thy lips, O my bride, drop honey--

Honey and milk are under thy tongue;

And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

12 A garden shut up is my sister, my bride;

A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

13 Thy shoots are a park of pomegranates,

With precious fruits;

Henna with spikenard plants,

14 Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,

With all trees of frankincense;

Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.

15 Thou art a fountain of gardens,

A well of living waters,

And flowing streams from Lebanon.

16 Awake, O north wind;

And come, thou south;

Blow upon my garden,

That the spices thereof may flow out.

Let my beloved come into his garden,

And eat his precious fruits.

SONG OF SOLOMON 5 — 1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride;

I have gathered my myrrh with my spice;

I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;

I have drunk my wine with my milk.

Eat, O friends; drink, yea,

Drink abundantly, O beloved.

2 I sleep, but my heart waketh;

Hark! my beloved knocketh:

'Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled;

For my head is filled with dew,

My locks with the drops of the night.'

3 I have put off my coat;

How shall I put it on?

I have washed my feet;

How shall I defile them?

4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door,

And my heart was moved for him.

5 I rose up to open to my beloved;

And my hands dropped with myrrh,

And my fingers with flowing myrrh,

Upon the handles of the bar.

6 I opened to my beloved;

But my beloved had turned away, and was gone.

My soul failed me when he spoke.

I sought him, but I could not find him;

I called him, but he gave me no answer.

7 The watchmen that go about the city found me,

They smote me, they wounded me;

The keepers of the walls took away my mantle from me.

8 'I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

If ye find my beloved,

What will ye tell him?

That I am love-sick.'

9 'What is thy beloved more than another beloved,

O thou fairest among women?

What is thy beloved more than another beloved,

That thou dost so adjure us?'

10 'My beloved is white and ruddy,

Pre-eminent above ten thousand.

11 His head is as the most fine gold,

His locks are curled,

And black as a raven.

12 His eyes are like doves

Beside the water-brooks;

Washed with milk,

And fitly set.

13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices,

As banks of sweet herbs;

His lips are as lilies,

Dropping with flowing myrrh.

14 His hands are as rods of gold

Set with beryl;

His body is as polished ivory

Overlaid with sapphires.

15 His legs are as pillars of marble,

Set upon sockets of fine gold;

His aspect is like Lebanon,

Excellent as the cedars.

16 His mouth is most sweet;

Yea, he is altogether lovely.

This is my beloved, and this is my friend,

O daughters of Jerusalem.'

SONG OF SOLOMON 6 — 1 'Whither is thy beloved gone,

O thou fairest among women?

Whither hath thy beloved turned him,

That we may seek him with thee?'

2 'My beloved is gone down into his garden,

To the beds of spices,

To feed in the gardens,

And to gather lilies.

3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine,

That feedeth among the lilies.'

4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah,

Comely as Jerusalem,

Terrible as an army with banners.

5 Turn away thine eyes from me,

For they have overcome me.

Thy hair is as a flock of goats,

That trail down from Gilead.

6 Thy teeth are like a flock of ewes,

Which are come up from the washing;

Whereof all are paired,

And none faileth among them.

7 Thy temples are like a pomegranate split open

Behind thy veil.

8 There are threescore queens,

And fourscore concubines,

And maidens without number.

9 My dove, my undefiled, is but one;

She is the only one of her mother;

She is the choice one of her that bore her.

The daughters saw her, and called her happy;

Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

10 Who is she that looketh forth as the dawn,

Fair as the moon,

Clear as the sun,

Terrible as an army with banners?

11 I went down into the garden of nuts,

To look at the green plants of the valley,

To see whether the vine budded,

And the pomegranates were in flower.

12 Before I was aware, my soul set me

Upon the chariots of my princely people.

SONG OF SOLOMON 7 — 1 Return, return, O Shulammite;

Return, return, that we may look upon thee.

What will ye see in the Shulammite?

As it were a dance of two companies.

2 How beautiful are thy steps in sandals,

O prince's daughter!

The roundings of thy thighs are like the links of a chain,

The work of the hands of a skilled workman.

3 Thy navel is like a round goblet,

Wherein no mingled wine is wanting;

Thy belly is like a heap of wheat

Set about with lilies.

4 Thy two breasts are like two fawns

That are twins of a gazelle.

5 Thy neck is as a tower of ivory;

Thine eyes as the pools in Heshbon,

By the gate of Bath-rabbim;

Thy nose is like the tower of Lebanon

Which looketh toward Damascus.

6 Thy head upon thee is like Carmel,

And the hair of thy head like purple;

The king is held captive in the tresses thereof.

7 How fair and how pleasant art thou,

O love, for delights!

8 This thy stature is like to a palm-tree,

And thy breasts to clusters of grapes.

9 I said: 'I will climb up into the palm-tree,

I will take hold of the branches thereof;

And let thy breasts be as clusters of the vine,

And the smell of thy countenance like apples;

10 And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine,

That glideth down smoothly for my beloved,

Moving gently the lips of those that are asleep.'

11 I am my beloved's,

And his desire is toward me.

12 Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field;

Let us lodge in the villages.

13 Let us get up early to the vineyards;

Let us see whether the vine hath budded,

Whether the vine-blossom be opened,

And the pomegranates be in flower;

There will I give thee my love.

14 The mandrakes give forth fragrance,

And at our doors are all manner of precious fruits,

New and old,

Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8 — 1 Oh that thou wert as my brother,

That sucked the breasts of my mother!

When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee;

Yea, and none would despise me.

2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house,

That thou mightest instruct me;

I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine,

Of the juice of my pomegranate.

3 His left hand should be under my head,

And his right hand should embrace me.

4 'I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem:

Why should ye awaken, or stir up love,

Until it please?'

5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness,

Leaning upon her beloved?

Under the apple-tree I awakened thee;

There thy mother was in travail with thee;

There was she in travail and brought thee forth.

6 Set me as a seal upon thy heart,

As a seal upon thine arm;

For love is strong as death,

Jealousy is cruel as the grave;

The flashes thereof are flashes of fire,

A very flame of the LORD.

7 Many waters cannot quench love,

Neither can the floods drown it;

If a man would give all the substance of his house for love,

He would utterly be contemned.

8 We have a little sister,

And she hath no breasts;

What shall we do for our sister

In the day when she shall be spoken for?

9 If she be a wall,

We will build upon her a turret of silver;

And if she be a door,

We will enclose her with boards of cedar.

10 I am a wall,

And my breasts like the towers thereof;

Then was I in his eyes

As one that found peace.

11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;

He gave over the vineyard unto keepers;

Every one for the fruit thereof

Brought in a thousand pieces of silver.

12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me;

Thou, O Solomon, shalt have the thousand,

And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens,

The companions hearken for thy voice:

'Cause me to hear it.'

14 Make haste, my beloved,

And be thou like to a gazelle or to a young hart

Upon the mountains of spices.

Ruth

[1] [2] [3] [4]

RUTH 1 — 1 And it came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem in Judah went to sojourn in the field of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem in Judah. And they came into the field of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died both of them; and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband. 6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the field of Moab; for she had heard in the field of Moab how that the LORD had remembered His people in giving them bread. 7 And she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law: 'Go, return each of you to her mother's house; the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.' Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. 10 And they said unto her: 'Nay, but we will return with thee unto thy people.' 11 And Naomi said: 'Turn back, my daughters; why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say: I have hope, should I even have an husband to-night, and also bear sons; 13 would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye shut yourselves off for them and have no husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes, for the hand of the LORD is gone forth against me.' 14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth cleaved unto her. 15 And she said: 'Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her god; return thou after thy sister-in-law.' 16 And Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; 17 where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.' 18 And when she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking unto her. 19 So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was astir concerning them, and the women said: 'Is this Naomi?' 20 And she said unto them: 'Call me not Naomi, call me Marah; for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me back home empty; why call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?' 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the field of Moab-and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

RUTH 2 — 1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of valour, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi: 'Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find favour.' And she said unto her: 'Go, my daughter.' 3 And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. 4 And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers: 'The LORD be with you.' And they answered him: 'The LORD bless thee.' 5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers: 'Whose damsel is this?' 6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said: 'It is a Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the field of Moab; 7 and she said: Let me glean, I pray you, and gather after the reapers among the sheaves; so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, save that she tarried a little in the house.' 8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth: 'Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither pass from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens. 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them; have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.' 10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed down to the ground, and said unto him: 'Why have I found favour in thy sight, that thou shouldest take cognizance of me, seeing I am a foreigner?' 11 And Boaz answered and said unto her: 'It hath fully been told me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband; and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people that thou knewest not heretofore. 12 The LORD recompense thy work, and be thy reward complete from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.' 13 Then she said: 'Let me find favour in thy sight, my LORD; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken to the heart of thy handmaid, though I be not as one of thy handmaidens.' 14 And Boaz said unto her at meal-time: 'Come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar.' And she sat beside the reapers; and they reached her parched corn, and she did eat and was satisfied, and left thereof. 15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying: 'Let her glean even among the sheaves, and put her not to shame. 16 And also pull out some for her of purpose from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and rebuke her not.' 17 So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 And she took it up, and went into the city; and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned; and she brought forth and gave to her that which she had left after she was satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said unto her: 'Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee.' And she told her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought, and said: 'The man's name with whom I wrought to-day is Boaz.' 20 And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law: 'Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off His kindness to the living and to the dead.' And Naomi said unto her: 'The man is nigh of kin unto us, one of our near kinsmen.' 21 And Ruth the Moabitess said: 'Yea, he said unto me: Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.' 22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter-in-law: 'It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, and that thou be not met in any other field.' 23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

RUTH 3 — 1 And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her: 'My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2 And now is there not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor. 3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor; but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.' 5 And she said unto her: 'All that thou sayest unto me I will do.' 6 And she went down unto the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was startled, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said: 'Who art thou?' And she answered: 'I am Ruth thine handmaid; spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.' 10 And he said: 'Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter; thou hast shown more kindness in the end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou didst not follow the young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the men in the gate of my people do know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part; but if he be not willing to do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth; lie down until the morning.' 14 And she lay at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before one could discern another. For he said: 'Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.' 15 And he said: 'Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it'; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; and he went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said: 'Who art thou, my daughter?' And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17 And she said: 'These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me: Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.' 18 Then said she: 'Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing this day.'

RUTH 4 — 1 Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there; and, behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; unto whom he said: 'Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here.' And he turned aside, and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said: 'Sit ye down here.' And they sat down. 3 And he said unto the near kinsman: 'Naomi, that is come back out of the field of Moab, selleth the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's; 4 and I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying: Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it; but if it will not be redeemed, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee.' And he said: 'I will redeem it.' 5 Then said Boaz: 'What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi-hast thou also bought of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance?' 6 And the near kinsman said: 'I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance; take thou my right of redemption on thee; for I cannot redeem it.'- 7 Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour; and this was the attestation in Israel.- 8 So the near kinsman said unto Boaz: 'Buy it for thyself.' And he drew off his shoe. 9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people: 'Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I acquired to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place; ye are witnesses this day.' 11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said: 'We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel; and do thou worthily in Ephrath, and be famous in Beth-lehem; 12 and let thy house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.' 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 And the women said unto Naomi: 'Blessed be the LORD, who hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman, and let his name be famous in Israel. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age; for thy daughter-in-law, who loveth thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.' 16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying: 'There is a son born to Naomi'; and they called his name Obed; he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 and Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; 20 and Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon; 21 and Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 and Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

Lamentations

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

LAMENTATIONS 1 — [ALEPH] 1 How doth the city sit solitary,

That was full of people!

How is she become as a widow!

She that was great among the nations,

And princess among the provinces,

How is she become tributary!

[BETH] 2 She weepeth sore in the night,

And her tears are on her cheeks;

She hath none to comfort her

Among all her lovers;

All her friends have dealt treacherously with her,

They are become her enemies.

[GIMEL] 3 Judah is gone into exile because of affliction,

And because of great servitude;

She dwelleth among the nations,

She findeth no rest;

All her pursuers overtook her

Within the straits.

[DALETH] 4 The ways of Zion do mourn,

Because none come to the solemn assembly;

All her gates are desolate,

Her priests sigh;

Her virgins are afflicted,

And she herself is in bitterness.

[HE] 5 Her adversaries are become the head,

Her enemies are at ease;

For the LORD hath afflicted her

For the multitude of her transgressions;

Her young children are gone into captivity

Before the adversary.

[VAU] 6 And gone is from the daughter of Zion

All her splendour;

Her princes are become like harts

That find no pasture,

And they are gone without strength

Before the pursuer.

[ZAIN] 7 Jerusalem remembereth

In the days of her affliction and of her anguish

All her treasures that she had

From the days of old;

Now that her people fall by the hand of the adversary,

And none doth help her,

The adversaries have seen her,

They have mocked at her desolations.

[HETH] 8 Jerusalem hath grievously sinned,

Therefore she is become as one unclean;

All that honoured her despise her,

Because they have seen her nakedness;

She herself also sigheth,

And turneth backward.

[TETH] 9 Her filthiness was in her skirts,

She was not mindful of her end;

Therefore is she come down wonderfully,

She hath no comforter.

'Behold, O LORD, my affliction,

For the enemy hath magnified himself.'

[IOD] 10 The adversary hath spread out his hand

Upon all her treasures;

For she hath seen that the heathen

Are entered into her sanctuary,

Concerning whom Thou didst command

That they should not enter into Thy congregation.

[CAPH] 11 All her people sigh,

They seek bread;

They have given their pleasant things for food

To refresh the soul.

'See, O LORD, and behold,

How abject I am become.'

[LAMED] 12 'Let it not come unto you, all ye that pass by!

Behold, and see

If there be any pain like unto my pain,

Which is done unto me,

Wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me

In the day of His fierce anger.

[MEM] 13 From on high hath He sent fire

Into my bones, and it prevaileth against them;

He hath spread a net for my feet,

He hath turned me back;

He hath made me desolate

And faint all the day.

[NUN] 14 The yoke of my transgressions is impressed by His hand;

They are knit together,

They are come up upon my neck;

He hath made my strength to fail;

The Lord hath delivered me into their hands,

Against whom I am not able to stand.

[SAMECH] 15 The Lord hath set at nought

All my mighty men in the midst of me;

He hath called a solemn assembly against me

To crush my young men;

The Lord hath trodden as in a winepress

The virgin the daughter of Judah.'

[AIN] 16 'For these things I weep;

Mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water;

Because the comforter is far from me,

Even he that should refresh my soul;

My children are desolate,

Because the enemy hath prevailed.'

[PE] 17 Zion spreadeth forth her hands;

There is none to comfort her;

The LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob,

That they that are round about him should be his adversaries;

Jerusalem is among them

As one unclean.

[TZADE] 18 'The LORD is righteous;

For I have rebelled against His word;

Hear, I pray you, all ye peoples,

And behold my pain:

My virgins and my young men

Are gone into captivity.

[KOPH] 19 I called for my lovers,

But they deceived me;

My priests and mine elders

Perished in the city,

While they sought them food

To refresh their souls.

[RESH] 20 Behold, O LORD, for I am in distress,

Mine inwards burn;

My heart is turned within me,

For I have grievously rebelled.

Abroad the sword bereaveth,

At home there is the like of death.

[SHIN] 21 They have heard that I sigh,

There is none to comfort me;

All mine enemies have heard of my trouble, and are glad,

For Thou hast done it;

Thou wilt bring the day that Thou hast proclaimed,

And they shall be like unto me.

[TAU] 22 Let all their wickedness come before Thee;

And do unto them,

As Thou hast done unto me

For all my transgressions;

For my sighs are many

And my heart is faint.'

LAMENTATIONS 2 — [ALEPH] 1 How hath the Lord covered with a cloud

The daughter of Zion in His anger!

He hath cast down from heaven unto the earth

The beauty of Israel,

And hath not remembered His footstool

In the day of His anger.

[BETH] 2 The Lord hath swallowed up unsparingly

All the habitations of Jacob;

He hath thrown down in His wrath

The strongholds of the daughter of Judah;

He hath brought them down to the ground;

He hath profaned the kingdom and the princes thereof.

[GIMEL] 3 He hath cut off in fierce anger

All the horn of Israel;

He hath drawn back His right hand

From before the enemy;

And He hath burned in Jacob like a flaming fire,

Which devoureth round about.

[DALETH] 4 He hath bent His bow like an enemy,

Standing with His right hand as an adversary,

And hath slain all that were pleasant to the eye;

In the tent of the daughter of Zion

He hath poured out His fury like fire.

[HE] 5 The Lord is become as an enemy,

He hath swallowed up Israel;

He hath swallowed up all her palaces,

He hath destroyed his strongholds;

And He hath multiplied in the daughter of Judah

Mourning and moaning.

[VAU] 6 And He hath stripped His tabernacle, as if it were a garden,

He hath destroyed His place of assembly;

The LORD hath caused to be forgotten in Zion

Appointed season and sabbath,

And hath rejected in the indignation of His anger

The king and the priest.

[ZAIN] 7 The Lord hath cast off His altar,

He hath abhorred His sanctuary,

He hath given up into the hand of the enemy

The walls of her palaces;

They have made a noise in the house of the LORD,

As in the day of a solemn assembly.

[HETH] 8 The LORD hath purposed to destroy

The wall of the daughter of Zion;

He hath stretched out the line,

He hath not withdrawn

His hand from destroying;

But He hath made the rampart and wall to mourn,

They languish together.

[TETH] 9 Her gates are sunk into the ground;

He hath destroyed and broken her bars;

Her king and her princes are among the nations,

Instruction is no more;

Yea, her prophets find

No vision from the LORD.

[IOD] 10 They sit upon the ground, and keep silence,

The elders of the daughter of Zion;

They have cast up dust upon their heads,

They have girded themselves with sackcloth;

The virgins of Jerusalem hang down

Their heads to the ground.

[CAPH] 11 Mine eyes do fail with tears,

Mine inwards burn,

My liver is poured upon the earth,

For the breach of the daughter of my people;

Because the young children and the sucklings swoon

In the broad places of the city.

[LAMED] 12 They say to their mothers:

'Where is corn and wine?'

When they swoon as the wounded

In the broad places of the city,

When their soul is poured out

Into their mothers' bosom.

[MEM] 13 What shall I take to witness for thee? What shall I liken to thee,

O daughter of Jerusalem?

What shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee,

O virgin daughter of Zion?

For thy breach is great like the sea;

Who can heal thee?

[NUN] 14 Thy prophets have seen visions for thee

Of vanity and delusion;

And they have not uncovered thine iniquity,

To bring back thy captivity;

But have prophesied for thee burdens

Of vanity and seduction.

[SAMECH] 15 All that pass by clap

Their hands at thee;

They hiss and wag their head

At the daughter of Jerusalem:

'Is this the city that men called

The perfection of beauty,

The joy of the whole earth?'

[PE] 16 All thine enemies have opened

Their mouth wide against thee;

They hiss and gnash the teeth;

They say: 'We have swallowed her up;

Certainly this is the day that we looked for;

We have found, we have seen it.'

[AIN] 17 The LORD hath done that which He devised;

He hath performed His word

That He commanded in the days of old;

He hath thrown down unsparingly;

And He hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee,

He hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries.

[TZADE] 18 Their heart cried unto the Lord:

'O wall of the daughter of Zion,

Let tears run down like a river

Day and night;

Give thyself no respite;

Let not the apple of thine eye cease.

[KOPH] 19 Arise, cry out in the night,

At the beginning of the watches;

Pour out thy heart like water

Before the face of the Lord;

Lift up thy hands toward Him

For the life of thy young children,

That faint for hunger

At the head of every street.'

[RESH] 20 'See, O LORD, and consider,

To whom Thou hast done thus!

Shall the women eat their fruit,

The children that are dandled in the hands?

Shall the priest and the prophet be slain

In the sanctuary of the Lord?

[SHIN] 21 The youth and the old man lie

On the ground in the streets;

My virgins and my young men

Are fallen by the sword;

Thou hast slain them in the day of Thine anger;

Thou hast slaughtered unsparingly.

[TAU] 22 Thou hast called, as in the day of a solemn assembly,

My terrors on every side,

And there was none in the day of the LORD'S anger

That escaped or remained;

Those that I have dandled and brought up

Hath mine enemy consumed.'

LAMENTATIONS 3 — [ALEPH] 1 I am the man that hath seen affliction

By the rod of His wrath.

2 He hath led me and caused me to walk

In darkness and not in light.

3 Surely against me He turneth His hand

Again and again all the day.

[BETH] 4 My flesh and my skin hath He worn out;

He hath broken my bones.

5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me

With gall and travail.

6 He hath made me to dwell in dark places,

As those that have been long dead.

[GIMEL] 7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot go forth;

He hath made my chain heavy.

8 Yea, when I cry and call for help,

He shutteth out my prayer.

9 He hath enclosed my ways with hewn stone,

He hath made my paths crooked.

[DALETH] 10 He is unto me as a bear lying in wait,

As a lion in secret places.

11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces;

He hath made me desolate.

12 He hath bent His bow, and set me

As a mark for the arrow.

[HE] 13 He hath caused the arrows of His quiver

To enter into my reins.

14 I am become a derision to all my people,

And their song all the day.

15 He hath filled me with bitterness,

He hath sated me with wormwood.

[VAU] 16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones,

He hath made me to wallow in ashes.

17 And my soul is removed far off from peace,

I forgot prosperity.

18 And I said: 'My strength is perished,

And mine expectation from the LORD.'

[ZAIN] 19 Remember mine affliction and mine anguish,

The wormwood and the gall.

20 My soul hath them still in remembrance,

And is bowed down within me.

21 This I recall to my mind,

Therefore have I hope.

[HETH] 22 Surely the LORD'S mercies are not consumed,

Surely His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Thy faithfulness.

24 'The LORD is my portion', saith my soul;

'Therefore will I hope in Him.'

[TETH] 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him,

To the soul that seeketh Him.

26 It is good that a man should quietly wait

For the salvation of the LORD.

27 It is good for a man that he bear

The yoke in his youth.

[IOD] 28 Let him sit alone and keep silence,

Because He hath laid it upon him.

29 Let him put his mouth in the dust,

If so be there may be hope.

30 Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him

Let him be filled full with reproach.

[CAPH] 31 For the Lord will not cast off

For ever.

32 For though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion

According to the multitude of His mercies.

33 For He doth not afflict willingly,

Nor grieve the children of men.

[LAMED] 34 To crush under foot

All the prisoners of the earth,

35 To turn aside the right of a man

Before the face of the Most High,

36 To subvert a man in his cause,

The Lord approveth not.

[MEM] 37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass,

When the Lord commandeth it not?

38 Out of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not

Evil and good?

39 Wherefore doth a living man complain,

A strong man because of his sins?

[NUN] 40 Let us search and try our ways,

And return to the LORD.

41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands

Unto God in the heavens.

42 We have transgressed and have rebelled;

Thou hast not pardoned.

[SAMECH] 43 Thou hast covered with anger and pursued us;

Thou hast slain unsparingly.

44 Thou hast covered Thyself with a cloud,

So that no prayer can pass through.

45 Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse

In the midst of the peoples.

[PE] 46 All our enemies have opened their mouth

Wide against us.

47 Terror and the pit are come upon us,

Desolation and destruction.

48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water,

For the breach of the daughter of my people.

[AIN] 49 Mine eye is poured out, and ceaseth not,

Without any intermission,

50 Till the LORD look forth,

And behold from heaven.

51 Mine eye affected my soul,

Because of all the daughters of my city.

[TZADE] 52 They have chased me sore like a bird,

That are mine enemies without cause.

53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon,

And have cast stones upon me.

54 Waters flowed over my head;

I said: 'I am cut off.'

[KOPH] 55 I called upon Thy name, O LORD,

Out of the lowest dungeon.

56 Thou heardest my voice; hide not

Thine ear at my sighing, at my cry.

57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon Thee;

Thou saidst: 'Fear not.'

[RESH] 58 O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul;

Thou hast redeemed my life.

59 O LORD, Thou hast seen my wrong;

Judge Thou my cause.

60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance

And all their devices against me.

[SHIN] 61 Thou hast heard their taunt, O LORD,

And all their devices against me;

62 The lips of those that rose up against me,

And their muttering against me all the day.

63 Behold Thou their sitting down, and their rising up;

I am their song.

[TAU] 64 Thou wilt render unto them a recompense, O LORD,

According to the work of their hands.

65 Thou wilt give them hardness of heart,

Thy curse unto them.

66 Thou wilt pursue them in anger, and destroy them

From under the heavens of the LORD.

LAMENTATIONS 4 — [ALEPH] 1 How is the gold become dim!

How is the most fine gold changed!

The hallowed stones are poured out

At the head of every street.

[BETH] 2 The precious sons of Zion,

Comparable to fine gold,

How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers,

The work of the hands of the potter!

[GIMEL] 3 Even the jackals draw out the breast,

They give suck to their young ones;

The daughter of my people is become cruel,

Like the ostriches in the wilderness.

[DALETH] 4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth

To the roof of his mouth for thirst;

The young children ask bread,

And none breaketh it unto them.

[HE] 5 They that did feed on dainties

Are desolate in the streets;

They that were brought up in scarlet

Embrace dunghills.

[VAU] 6 For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater

Than the sin of Sodom,

That was overthrown as in a moment,

And no hands fell upon her.

[ZAIN] 7 Her princes were purer than snow,

They were whiter than milk,

They were more ruddy in body than rubies,

Their polishing was as of sapphire;

[HETH] 8 Their visage is blacker than a coal;

They are not known in the streets;

Their skin is shrivelled upon their bones;

It is withered, it is become like a stick.

[TETH] 9 They that are slain with the sword are better

Than they that are slain with hunger;

For these pine away, stricken through,

For want of the fruits of the field.

[IOD] 10 The hands of women full of compassion

Have sodden their own children;

They were their food

In the destruction of the daughter of my people.

[CAPH] 11 The LORD hath accomplished His fury,

He hath poured out His fierce anger;

And He hath kindled a fire in Zion,

Which hath devoured the foundations thereof.

[LAMED] 12 The kings of the earth believed not,

Neither all the inhabitants of the world,

That the adversary and the enemy would enter

Into the gates of Jerusalem.

[MEM] 13 It is because of the sins of her prophets,

And the iniquities of her priests,

That have shed the blood of the just

In the midst of her.

[NUN] 14 They wander as blind men in the streets,

They are polluted with blood,

So that men cannot

Touch their garments.

[SAMECH] 15 'Depart ye! unclean!' men cried unto them,

'Depart, depart, touch not';

Yea, they fled away and wandered;

Men said among the nations:

'They shall no more sojourn here.'

[PE] 16 The anger of the LORD hath divided them;

He will no more regard them;

They respected not the persons of the priests,

They were not gracious unto the elders.

[AIN] 17 As for us, our eyes do yet fail

For our vain help;

In our watching we have watched

For a nation that could not save.

[TZADE] 18 They hunt our steps,

That we cannot go in our broad places;

Our end is near, our days are fulfilled;

For our end is come.

[KOPH] 19 Our pursuers were swifter

Than the eagles of the heaven;

They chased us upon the mountains,

They lay in wait for us in the wilderness.

[RESH] 20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD,

Was taken in their pits;

Of whom we said: 'Under his shadow

We shall live among the nations.'

[SHIN] 21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom,

That dwellest in the land of Uz:

The cup shall pass over unto thee also;

Thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.

[TAU] 22 The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion,

He will no more carry thee away into captivity;

He will punish thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom,

He will uncover thy sins.

LAMENTATIONS 5 — 1 Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us;

Behold, and see our reproach.

2 Our inheritance is turned unto strangers,

Our houses unto aliens.

3 We are become orphans and fatherless,

Our mothers are as widows.

4 We have drunk our water for money;

Our wood cometh to us for price.

5 To our very necks we are pursued;

We labour, and have no rest.

6 We have given the hand to Egypt,

And to Assyria, to have bread enough;

7 Our fathers have sinned, and are not;

And we have borne their iniquities.

8 Servants rule over us;

There is none to deliver us out of their hand.

9 We get our bread with the peril of our lives

Because of the sword of the wilderness.

10 Our skin is hot like an oven

Because of the burning heat of famine.

11 They have ravished the women in Zion,

The maidens in the cities of Judah.

12 Princes are hanged up by their hand;

The faces of elders are not honoured.

13 The young men have borne the mill,

And the children have stumbled under the wood.

14 The elders have ceased from the gate,

The young men from their music.

15 The joy of our heart is ceased;

Our dance is turned into mourning.

16 The crown is fallen from our head;

Woe unto us! for we have sinned.

17 For this our heart is faint,

For these things our eyes are dim;

18 For the mountain of Zion, which is desolate,

The foxes walk upon it.

19 Thou, O LORD, art enthroned for ever,

Thy throne is from generation to generation.

20 Wherefore dost Thou forget us for ever,

And forsake us so long time?

21 Turn Thou us unto Thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned;

Renew our days as of old.

22 Thou canst not have utterly rejected us,

And be exceeding wroth against us!

Ecclesiastes

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

ECCLESIASTES 1 — 1 The words of the Koheleth, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth;

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

3 What profit hath man of all his labour

Wherein he laboureth under the sun?

4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh;

And the earth abideth for ever.

5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down,

And hasteth to his place where he ariseth.

6 The wind goeth toward the south,

And turneth about unto the north;

It turneth about continually in its circuit,

And the wind returneth again to its circuits.

7 All the rivers run into the sea,

Yet the sea is not full;

Unto the place whither the rivers go,

Thither they go again.

8 All things toil to weariness;

Man cannot utter it,

The eye is not satisfied with seeing,

Nor the ear filled with hearing.

9 That which hath been is that which shall be,

And that which hath been done is that which shall be done;

And there is nothing new under the sun.

10 Is there a thing whereof it is said: 'See, this is new'? --it hath been already, in the ages which were before us. 11 There is no remembrance of them of former times; neither shall there be any remembrance of them of latter times that are to come, among those that shall come after.

12 I Koheleth have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; it is a sore task that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight;

And that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

16 I spoke with my own heart, saying: 'Lo, I have gotten great wisdom, more also than all that were before me over Jerusalem'; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly--I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

18 For in much wisdom is much vexation;

And he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

ECCLESIASTES 2 — 1 I said in my heart: 'Come now, I will try thee with mirth, and enjoy pleasure'; and, behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter: 'It is mad'; and of mirth: 'What doth it accomplish?' 3 I searched in my heart how to pamper my flesh with wine, and, my heart conducting itself with wisdom, how yet to lay hold on folly, till I might see which it was best for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven the few days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; 5 I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit; 6 I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the wood springing up with trees; 7 I acquired men--servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem; 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and treasure such as kings and the provinces have as their own; I got me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, women very many. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom stood me in stead. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart had joy of all my labour; and this was my portion from all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

14 The wise man, his eyes are in his head;

But the fool walketh in darkness.

And I also perceived that one event happeneth to them all. 15 Then said I in my heart: 'As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?' Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will long ago have been forgotten. And how must the wise man die even as the fool! 17 So I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

18 And I hated all my labour wherein I laboured under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun. 21 For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what hath a man of all his labour, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboureth under the sun? 23 For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.

24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who will eat, or who will enjoy, if not I? 26 For to the man that is good in His sight He giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He giveth the task, to gather and to heap up, that he may leave to him that is good in the sight of God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

ECCLESIASTES 3 — 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to seek, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time for war, and a time for peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that he laboureth? 10 I have seen the task which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in its time; also He hath set the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live. 13 But also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy pleasure for all his labour, is the gift of God. 14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God hath so made it, that men should fear before Him. 15 That which is hath been long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God seeketh that which is pursued.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. 17 I said in my heart: 'The righteous and the wicked God will judge; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.' 18 I said in my heart: 'It is because of the sons of men, that God may sift them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.' 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all return to dust. 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth downward to the earth? 22 Wherefore I perceived that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

ECCLESIASTES 4 — 1 But I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive; 3 but better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

5 The fool foldeth his hands together,

And eateth his own flesh.

6 Better is a handful of quietness,

Than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.

7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. 14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor. 15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead. 16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

17 Guard thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be ready to hearken: it is better than when fools give sacrifices; for they know not that they do evil.

ECCLESIASTES 5 — 1 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.

2 For a dream cometh through a multitude of business;

And a fool's voice through a multitude of words.

3 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest. 4 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 5 Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt, neither say thou before the messenger, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? 6 For through the multitude of dreams and vanities there are also many words; but fear thou God.

7 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they. 8 But the profit of a land every way is a king that maketh himself servant to the field.

9 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity. 10 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes?

11 Sweet is the sleep of a labouring man, whether he eat little or much; but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

12 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt; 13 and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand. 14 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 15 And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind? 16 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath.

17 Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him; for this is his portion. 18 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour--this is the gift of God. 19 For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

ECCLESIASTES 6 — 1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men: 2 a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 3 If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul have not enough of good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he; 4 for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; 5 moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath gratification rather than the other; 6 yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and enjoy no good; do not all go to one place?

7 All the labour of man is for his mouth,

And yet the appetite is not filled.

8 For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or the poor man that hath understanding, in walking before the living? 9 Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

10 Whatsoever cometh into being, the name thereof was given long ago, and it is foreknown what man is; neither can he contend with Him that is mightier than he. 11 Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better? 12 For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

ECCLESIASTES 7 — 1 A good name is better than precious oil;

And the day of death than the day of one's birth.

2 It is better to go to the house of mourning,

Than to go to the house of feasting;

For that is the end of all men,

And the living will lay it to his heart.

3 Vexation is better than laughter;

For by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning;

But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise,

Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,

So is the laughter of the fool;

This also is vanity.

7 Surely oppression turneth a wise man into a fool;

And a gift destroyeth the understanding.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof;

And the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry;

For anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

10 Say not thou: 'How was it that the former days were better than these?' for it is not out of wisdom that thou inquirest concerning this.

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance,

Yea, a profit to them that see the sun.

12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.

13 Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God hath made even the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing. 16 Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17 Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of the one; yea, also from the other withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God shall discharge himself of them all.

19 Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. 20 For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

21 Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee; 22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

23 All this have I tried by wisdom; I said: 'I will get wisdom'; but it was far from me. 24 That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out? 25 I turned about, and applied my heart to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness; 26 and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands; whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 27 Behold, this have I found, saith Koheleth, adding one thing to another, to find out the account; 28 which yet my soul sought, but I found not; one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 29 Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

ECCLESIASTES 8 — 1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?

A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine,

And the boldness of his face is changed.

2 I [counsel thee:] keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his presence; stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Forasmuch as the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him: 'What doest thou?'

5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing;

And a wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment.

6 For to every matter there is a time and judgment; for the evil of man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not that which shall be; for even when it cometh to pass, who shall declare it unto him? 8 There is no man that hath power over the wind to retain the wind; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it. 9 All this have I seen, even applied my heart thereto, whatever the work that is done under the sun; what time one man had power over another to his hurt.

10 And so I saw the wicked buried, and they entered into their rest; but they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city; this also is vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil; 12 because a sinner doeth evil a hundred times, and prolongeth his days--though yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before Him; 13 but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he feareth not before God. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth: that there are righteous men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous--I said that this also is vanity. 15 So I commended mirth, that a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry, and that this should accompany him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth--for neither day nor night do men see sleep with their eyes--17 then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun; because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

ECCLESIASTES 9 — 1 For all this I laid to my heart, even to make clear all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them. 2 All things come alike to all; there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the good, so is the sinner, and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all; yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is long ago perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy,

And drink thy wine with a merry heart;

For God hath already accepted thy works.

8 Let thy garments be always white;

And let thy head lack no oil.

9 Enjoy life with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which He hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherein thou labourest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand attaineth to do by thy strength, that do; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 12 For man also knoweth not his time; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13 This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it; 15 now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I: 'Wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.'

17 The words of the wise spoken in quiet

Are more acceptable than the cry of a ruler among fools.

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war;

But one sinner destroyeth much good.

ECCLESIASTES 10 — 1 Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid;

So doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.

2 A wise man's understanding is at his right hand;

But a fool's understanding at his left.

3 Yea also, when a fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee,

Leave not thy place;

For gentleness allayeth great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun,

Like an error which proceedeth from a ruler:

6 Folly is set on great heights,

And the rich sit in low place.

7 I have seen servants upon horses,

And princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it;

And whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith;

And he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

10 If the iron be blunt,

And one do not whet the edge,

Then must he put to more strength;

But wisdom is profitable to direct.

11 If the serpent bite before it is charmed,

Then the charmer hath no advantage.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious;

But the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness;

And the end of his talk is grievous madness.

14 A fool also multiplieth words;

Yet man knoweth not what shall be;

And that which shall be after him,

Who can tell him?

15 The labour of fools wearieth every one of them,

For he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a boy,

And thy princes feast in the morning!

17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a free man,

And thy princes eat in due season,

In strength, and not in drunkenness!

18 By slothfulness the rafters sink in;

And through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.

19 A feast is made for laughter,

And wine maketh glad the life;

And money answereth all things.

20 Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought,

And curse not the rich in thy bedchamber;

For a bird of the air shall carry the voice,

And that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

ECCLESIASTES 11 — 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters,

For thou shalt find it after many days.

2 Divide a portion into seven, yea, even into eight;

For thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3 If the clouds be full of rain,

They empty themselves upon the earth;

And if a tree fall in the south, or in the north,

In the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.

4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow;

And he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind,

Nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child;

Even so thou knowest not the work of God

Who doeth all things.

6 In the morning sow thy seed,

And in the evening withhold not thy hand;

For thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that,

Or whether they both shall be alike good.

7 And the light is sweet,

And a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.

8 For if a man live many years,

Let him rejoice in them all,

And remember the days of darkness,

For they shall be many.

All that cometh is vanity.

9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth;

And let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth,

And walk in the ways of thy heart,

And in the sight of thine eyes;

But know thou, that for all these things

God will bring thee into judgment.

10 Therefore remove vexation from thy heart,

And put away evil from thy flesh;

For childhood and youth are vanity.

ECCLESIASTES 12 — 1 Remember then thy Creator in the days of thy youth,

Before the evil days come,

And the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say:

'I have no pleasure in them';

2 Before the sun, and the light, and the moon,

And the stars, are darkened,

And the clouds return after the rain;

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,

And the strong men shall bow themselves,

And the grinders cease because they are few,

And those that look out shall be darkened in the windows,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the street,

When the sound of the grinding is low;

And one shall start up at the voice of a bird,

And all the daughters of music shall be brought low;

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high,

And terrors shall be in the way;

And the almond-tree shall blossom,

And the grasshopper shall drag itself along,

And the caperberry shall fail;

Because man goeth to his long home,

And the mourners go about the streets;

6 Before the silver cord is snapped asunder,

And the golden bowl is shattered,

And the pitcher is broken at the fountain,

And the wheel falleth shattered, into the pit;

7 And the dust returneth to the earth as it was,

And the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.

8 Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth;

All is vanity.

9 And besides that Koheleth was wise, he also taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 Koheleth sought to find out words of delight, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails well fastened are those that are composed in collections; they are given from one shepherd. 12 And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man. 14 For God shall bring every work into the judgment concerning every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.

The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man.

Esther

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

ESTHER 1 — 1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus--this is Ahasuerus who reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces--2 that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the castle, 3 in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him; 4 when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty, many days, even a hundred and fourscore days. 5 And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the castle, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; 6 there were hangings of white, fine cotton, and blue, bordered with cords of fine linen and purple, upon silver rods and pillars of marble; the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of green, and white, and shell, and onyx marble. 7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold--the vessels being diverse one from another--and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king. 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Bizzetha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains; therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

13 Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times--for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment; 14 and the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat the first in the kingdom: 15 'What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, forasmuch as she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?' 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: 'Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples, that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it will be said: The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king's princes. So will there arise enough contempt and wrath. 19 If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus, and that the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom, great though it be, all the wives will give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.' 21 And the word pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan; 22 for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and speak according to the language of his people.

ESTHER 2 — 1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was assuaged, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him: 'Let there be sought for the king young virgins fair to look on; 3 and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the castle, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegai the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their ointments be given them; 4 and let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti.' And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

5 There was a certain Jew in Shushan the castle, whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair the son of Shimei the son of Kish, a Benjamite, 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter; for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was of beautiful form and fair to look on; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.

8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was published, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the castle, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her ointments, with her portions, and the seven maidens, who were meet to be given her out of the king's house; and he advanced her and her maidens to the best place in the house of the women. 10 Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not tell it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.

12 Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women, twelve months--for so were the days of their anointing accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six month with sweet odours, and with other ointments of the women--13 when then the maiden came unto the king, whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, who kept the concubines; she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king.

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, and Mordecai sat in the king's gate--20 Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him--21 in those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those that kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing became known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

ESTHER 3 — 1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down, and prostrated themselves before Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him. 3 Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai: 'Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?' 4 Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's words would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 But it seemed contemptible in his eyes to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai; wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. 7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus: 'There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king's laws; therefore it profiteth not the king to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.' 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman: 'The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.'

12 Then were the king's scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof, and there was written, according to all that Haman commanded, unto the king's satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people; to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king's ring. 13 And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing, to be given out for a decree in every province, was to be published unto all peoples, that they should be ready against that day. 15 The posts went forth in haste by the king's commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the castle; and the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.

ESTHER 4 — 1 Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 and he came even before the king's gate; for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 And Esther's maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly pained; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai; and to take his sackcloth from off him; but he accepted it not. 5 Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was. 6 So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her; and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him, for her people.

9 And Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Then Esther spoke unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai: 11 'All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live; but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.' 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.

13 Then Mordecai bade them to return answer unto Esther: 'Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house will perish; and who knoweth whether thou art not come to royal estate for such a time as this?' 15 Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai: 16 'Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.' 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

ESTHER 5 — 1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house; and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house. 2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 3 Then said the king unto her: 'What wilt thou, queen Esther? for whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be given thee.' 4 And Esther said: 'If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.' 5 Then the king said: 'Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath said.' So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine: 'Whatever thy petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.' 7 Then answered Esther, and said: 'My petition and my request is--8 if I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request--let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said.'

9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, Haman was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife. 11 And Haman recounted unto them the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and everything as to how the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman said moreover: 'Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow also am I invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.' 14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him: 'Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon; then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet.' And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

ESTHER 6 — 1 On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, of those that kept the door, who had sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said: 'What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?' Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him: 'There is nothing done for him.' 4 And the king said: 'Who is in the court?' --Now Haman was come into the outer court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.--5 And the king's servants said unto him: 'Behold, Haman standeth in the court.' And the king said: 'Let him come in.' 6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him: 'What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?'--Now Haman said in his heart: 'Whom would the king delight to honour besides myself?'--7 And Haman said unto the king: 'For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, 8 let royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and on whose head a crown royal is set; 9 and let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man therewith whom the king delighteth to honour, and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him: Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.' 10 Then the king said to Haman: 'Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate; let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.' 11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him: 'Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.'

12 And Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered. 13 And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him: 'If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.' 14 While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hastened to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

ESTHER 7 — 1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine: 'Whatever thy petition, queen Esther, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.' 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said: 'If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request; 4 for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, for the adversary is not worthy that the king be endamaged.'

5 Then spoke the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen: 'Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?' 6 And Esther said: 'An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman.' Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. 7 And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman remained to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king: 'Will he even force the queen before me in the house?' As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9 Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains that were before the king: 'Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman.' And the king said: 'Hang him thereon.' 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath assuaged.

ESTHER 8 — 1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. 2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

3 And Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. 5 And she said: 'If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king's provinces; 6 for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?'

7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew: 'Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. 8 Write ye also concerning the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.' 9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, even to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. 10 And they wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king's service, bred of the stud; 11 that the king had granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, and to slay, and to cause to perish, all the forces of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, 12 upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 The copy of the writing, to be given out for a decree in every province, was to be published unto all the peoples, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 So the posts that rode upon swift steeds that were used in the king's service went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment; and the decree was given out in Shushan the castle.

15 And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a rob of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. 16 The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.

ESTHER 9 — 1 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them; whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them; 2 the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt; and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples. 3 And all the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and they that did the king's business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai was fallen upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5 And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them. 6 And in Shushan the castle the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8 and Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9 and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews' enemy, slew they; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.

11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the castle was brought before the king. 12 And the king said unto Esther the queen: 'The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the castle, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now whatever thy petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request further, it shall be done.' 13 Then said Esther: 'If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.' 14 And the king commanded it so to be done; and a decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. 15 And the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men in Shushan; but on the spoil they laid not their hand.

16 And the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of them that hated them seventy and five thousand--but on the spoil they laid not their hand--17 on the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews that were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore do the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, 21 to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23 And the Jews took upon them to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; 24 because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast pur, that is, the lot, to discomfit them, and to destroy them; 25 but when she came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head; and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them, 27 the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, and according to the appointed time thereof, every year; 28 and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote down all the acts of power, to confirm this second letter of Purim. 30 And he sent letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, 31 to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had ordained for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. 32 And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

ESTHER 10 — 1 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. 2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, how the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren; seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his seed.

Daniel

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

DANIEL 1 — 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god, and the vessels he brought into the treasure-house of his god. 3 And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz his chief officer, that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel, and of the seed royal, and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom was no blemish, but fair to look on, and skilful in all wisdom, and skilful in knowledge, and discerning in thought, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 And the chief of the officers gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the officers that he might not defile himself. 9 And God granted Daniel mercy and compassion in the sight of the chief of the officers. 10 And the chief of the officers said unto Daniel: 'I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces sad in comparison with the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king.' 11 Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the chief of the officers had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12 'Try thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's food; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.' 14 So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and tried them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's food. 16 So the steward took away their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

17 Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the chief of the officers brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

DANIEL 2 — 1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him. 2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. 3 And the king said unto them: 'I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.' 4 Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Aramaic: 'O king, live for ever! tell thy servants the dream, and we will declare the interpretation.' 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans: 'The thing is certain with me; if ye make not known unto me the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. 6 But if ye declare the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour; only declare unto me the dream and the interpretation thereof.' 7 They answered the second time and said: 'Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will declare the interpretation.' 8 The king answered and said: 'I know of a truth that ye would gain time, inasmuch as ye see the thing is certain with me, 9 that, if ye make not known unto me the dream, there is but one law for you; and ye have agreed together to speak before me lying and corrupt words, till the time be changed; only tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can declare unto me the interpretation thereof.' 10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said: 'There is not a man upon the earth that can declare the king's matter; forasmuch as no great and powerful king hath asked such a thing of any magician, or enchanter, or Chaldean. 11 And it is a hard thing that the king asketh, and there is none other that can declare it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.' 12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.

14 Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and discretion to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; 15 he answered and said to Arioch the king's captain: 'Wherefore is the decree so peremptory from the king?' Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, that he might declare unto the king the interpretation.

17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions; 18 that they might ask mercy of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel spoke and said:

Blessed be the name of God

From everlasting even unto everlasting;

For wisdom and might are His;

21 And He changeth the times and the seasons;

He removeth kings, and setteth up kings;

He giveth wisdom unto the wise,

And knowledge to them that know understanding;

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things;

He knoweth what is in the darkness,

And the light dwelleth with Him.

23 I thank Thee, and praise Thee,

O Thou God of my fathers,

Who hath given me wisdom and might,

And hast now made known unto me what we desired of Thee;

For Thou hast made known unto us the king's matter.

24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus unto him: 'Destroy not the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will declare unto the king the interpretation.'

25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him: 'I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.' 26 The king spoke and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar: 'Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?' 27 Daniel answered before the king, and said: 'The secret which the king hath asked can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor astrologers, declare unto the king; 28 but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and He hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the end of days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these: 29 as for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and He that revealeth secrets hath made known to thee what shall come to pass. 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart.

31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was surpassing, stood before thee; and the appearance thereof was terrible. 32 As for that image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, 33 its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of clay. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them; and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

37 Thou, O king, king of kings, unto whom the God of heaven hath given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory; 38 and wheresoever the children of men, the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven dwell, hath He given them into thy hand, and hath made thee to rule over them all; thou art the head of gold. 39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron; forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and beateth down all things; and as iron that crusheth all these, shall it break in pieces and crush. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the firmness of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so part of the kingdom shall be strong, and part thereof broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves by the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron doth not mingle with clay. 44 And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; nor shall the kingdom be left to another people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, but it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter; and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.' 46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an offering and sweet odours unto him. 47 The king spoke unto Daniel, and said: 'Of a truth it is, that your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret.' 48 Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel was in the gate of the king.

DANIEL 3 — 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits; he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 And the herald cried aloud: 'To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at what time ye hear the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; 6 and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.' 7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: 'O king, live for ever! 10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; 11 and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.'

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then were these men brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them: 'Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that ye serve not my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made,well; but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is the god that shall deliver you out of my hands?' 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king: 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. 17 If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, He will deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and out of thy hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.'

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar filled with fury, and the form of his visage was changed, against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, and their robes, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore because the king's commandment was peremptory, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was alarmed, and rose up in haste; he spoke and said unto his ministers: 'Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?' They answered and said unto the king: 'True, O king.' 25 He answered and said: 'Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.'

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace; he spoke and said: 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of God Most High, come forth, and come hither.' Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth out of the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, and the king's ministers, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their cloaks changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said: 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king's word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god that is able to deliver after this sort.' 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.

31 'Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; peace be multiplied unto you. 32 It hath seemed good unto me to declare the signs and wonders that God Most High hath wrought toward me.

33 How great are His signs!

And how mighty are His wonders!

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

And His dominion is from generation to generation.

DANIEL 4 — 1 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 2 I saw a dream which made me afraid; and imaginings upon my bed and the visions of my head affrighted me. 3 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 4 Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 5 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and I told the dream before him: 6 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret causeth thee trouble, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. 7 Thus were the visions of my head upon my bed: I saw,

And behold a tree in the midst of the earth,

And the height thereof was great.

8 The tree grew, and was strong,

And the height thereof reached unto heaven,

And the sight thereof to the end of all the earth.

9 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much,

And in it was food for all;

The beasts of the field had shadow under it,

And the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the branches thereof,

And all flesh was fed of it.

10 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from heaven. 11 He cried aloud, and said thus:

Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches,

Shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit;

Let the beasts get away from under it,

And the fowls from its branches.

12 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth,

Even in a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field;

And let it be wet with the dew of heaven,

And let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth;

13 Let his heart be changed from man's,

And let a beast's heart be given unto him;

And let seven times pass over him.

14 The matter is by the decree of the watchers,

And the sentence by the word of the holy ones;

To the intent that the living may know

That the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,

And giveth it to whomsoever He will,

And setteth up over it the lowest of men.

15 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen; and thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation; but thou art able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.'

16 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while, and his thoughts affrighted him. The king spoke and said: 'Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation, affright thee.' Belteshazzar answered and said: 'My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine adversaries. 17 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 18 whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation; 19 it is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 20 And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying: Hew down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even in a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him--21 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king, 22 that thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee; till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. 23 And whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 24 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by almsgiving, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of thy prosperity.'

25 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 26 At the end of twelve months he was walking upon the royal palace of Babylon. 27 The king spoke, and said: 'Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for a royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?' 28 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven: 'O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: the kingdom is departed from thee. 29 And thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee; until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.' 30 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

31 'And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever;

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

And His kingdom from generation to generation;

32 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

And He doeth according to His will in the host of heaven,

And among the inhabitants of the earth;

And none can stay His hand,

Or say unto Him: What doest Thou?

33 At the same time mine understanding returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and my splendour returned unto me; and my ministers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and surpassing greatness was added unto me. 34 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven; for all His works are truth, and His ways justice; and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.'

DANIEL 5 — 1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his consorts and his concubines, might drink therein. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his lords, his consorts and his concubines, drank in them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the palm of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king's countenance was changed in him, and his thoughts affrighted him; and the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon: 'Whosoever shall read this writing, and declare unto me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall rule as one of three in the kingdom.'

8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly affrighted, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed. 10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house; the queen spoke and said: 'O king, live for ever! let not thy thoughts affright thee, nor let thy countenance be changed; 11 there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers; 12 forasmuch as a surpassing spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and declaring of riddles, and loosing of knots, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will declare the interpretation.'

13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spoke and said unto Daniel: 'Art thou Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah? 14 I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and surpassing wisdom is found in thee. 15 And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not declare the interpretation of the thing. 16 But I have heard of thee, that thou canst give interpretations, and loose knots; now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt rule as one of three in the kingdom.'

17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king: 'Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O thou king, God Most High gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty; 19 and because of the greatness that He gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him; 21 and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; until he knew that God Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that He setteth up over it whomsoever He will. 22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thy heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy consorts and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified; 24 then was the palm of the hand sent from before Him, and this writing was inscribed. 25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE MENE, TEKEL UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end. 27 TEKEL, Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 PERES, thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.'

29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should rule as one of three in the kingdom. 30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain.

DANIEL 6 — 1 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. 2 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; 3 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage. 4 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the presidents and the satraps, because a surpassing spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

5 Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 6 Then said these men: 'We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him in the matter of the law of his God.' 7 Then these presidents and satraps came tumultuously to the king, and said thus unto him: 'King Darius, live for ever! 8 All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the ministers and the governors, have consulted together that the king should establish a statute, and make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 9 Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.' 10 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the interdict.

11 And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house--now his windows were open in his upper chamber toward Jerusalem--and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 12 Then these men came tumultuously, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 13 Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's interdict: 'Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?' The king answered and said: 'The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.' 14 Then answered they and said before the king: 'That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.' 15 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 16 Then these men came tumultuously unto the king, and said unto the king: 'Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.' 17 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said unto Daniel: 'Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.' 18 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

19 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were diversions brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. 20 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 21 And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a pained voice; the king spoke and said to Daniel: 'O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?' 22 Then said Daniel unto the king: 'O king, live for ever! 23 My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.' 24 Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God. 25 And the king commanded, and they brought those men that had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and they had not come to the bottom of the den, when the lions had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces.

26 Then king Darius wrote unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: 'Peace be multiplied unto you. 27 I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel;

For He is the living God,

And stedfast for ever,

And His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed,

And His dominion shall be even unto the end;

28 He delivereth and rescueth,

And He worketh signs and wonders

In heaven and in earth;

Who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.'

29 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

DANIEL 7 — 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed; then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. 2 Daniel spoke and said: I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven broke forth upon the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings; I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon two feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. 5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was said thus unto it: 'Arise, devour much flesh.' 6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the sides of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. 9 I beheld

Till thrones were placed,

And one that was ancient of days did sit:

His raiment was as white snow,

And the hair of his head like pure wool;

His throne was fiery flames,

And the wheels thereof burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued

And came forth from before him;

Thousand thousands ministered unto him,

And ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;

The judgment was set,

And the books were opened.

11 I beheld at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke, I beheld even till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. 12 And as for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

13 I saw in the night visions,

And, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven

One like unto a son of man,

And he came even to the Ancient of days,

And he was brought near before Him.

14 And there was given him dominion,

And glory, and a kingdom,

That all the peoples, nations, and languages

Should serve him;

His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,

And his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

15 As for me Daniel, my spirit was pained in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head affrighted me. 16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things: 17 'These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, that shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.' 19 Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was diverse from all of them, exceeding terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; 20 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell; even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose appearance was greater than that of its fellows. 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High; and the time came, and the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 Thus he said: 'The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise; and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings. 25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the seasons and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and his dominions shall be taken away, to be consumed and to be destroy unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.' 28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my thoughts much affrighted me, and my countenance was changed in me; but I kept the matter in my heart.

DANIEL 8 — 1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 2 And I saw in the vision; now it was so, that when I saw, I was in Shushan the castle, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision, and I was by the stream Ulai. 3 And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the stream a ram which had two horns; and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; and no beasts could stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and magnified himself.

5 And as I was considering, behold, a he-goat came from the west over the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground; and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the stream, and ran at him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and broke his two horns; and there was no power in the ram to stand before him; but he cast him down to the ground, and trampled upon him; and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 And the he-goat magnified himself exceedingly; and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came up the appearance of four horns toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the beauteous land. 10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground, and trampled upon them. 11 Yea, it magnified itself, even to the prince of the host; and from him the continual burnt-offering was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12 And the host was given over to it together with the continual burnt-offering through transgression; and it cast down truth to the ground, and it wrought, and prospered. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said unto that certain one who spoke: 'How long shall be the vision concerning the continual burnt-offering, and the transgression that causes appalment, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?' 14 And he said unto me: 'Unto two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be victorious.'

15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, that I sought to understand it; and, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, who called, and said: 'Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.' 17 So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was terrified, and fell upon my face; but he said unto me: 'Understand, O son of man; for the vision belongeth to the time of the end.' 18 Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright. 19 And he said: 'Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the latter time of the indignation; for it belongeth to the appointed time of the end. 20 The ram which thou sawest having the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough he-goat is the king of Greece; and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 And as for that which was broken, in the place whereof four stood up, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not with his power. 23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have completed their transgression, there shall stand up a king of fierce countenance, and understanding stratagems. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper and do; and he shall destroy them that are mighty and the people of the saints. 25 And through his cunning he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and in time of security shall he destroy many; he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 26 And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true; but thou, shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come.' 27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was appalled at the vision, but understood it not.

DANIEL 9 — 1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; 2 in the first year of his reign I Daniel meditated in the books, over the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish for the desolations of Jerusalem seventy years. 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes. 4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made confession, and said: 'O Lord, the great and awful God, who keepest covenant and mercy with them that love Thee and keep Thy commandments, 5 we have sinned, and have dealt iniquitously, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, and have turned aside from Thy commandments and from Thine ordinances; 6 neither have we hearkened unto Thy servants the prophets, that spoke in Thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 Unto Thee, O Lord, belongeth righteousness, but unto us confusion of face, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither Thou hast driven them, because they dealt treacherously with Thee. 8 O LORD, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against Thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong compassions and forgivenesses; for we have rebelled against Him; 10 neither have we hearkened to the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed Thy law, and have turned aside, so as not to hearken to Thy voice; and so there hath been poured out upon us the curse and the oath that is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God; for we have sinned against Him. 12 And He hath confirmed His word, which He spoke against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil; so that under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us; yet have we not entreated the favour of the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in Thy truth. 14 And so the LORD hath watched over the evil, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all His works which He hath done, and we have not hearkened to His voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought Thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten Thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, let Thine anger and Thy fury, I pray Thee, be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city upon which Thy name is called; for we do not present our supplications before Thee because of our righteousness, but because of Thy great compassions. 19 O Lord, hear, O Lord, forgive, O Lord, attend and do, defer not; for Thine own sake, O my God, because Thy name is called upon Thy city and Thy people.'

20 And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, approached close to me about the time of the evening offering. 22 And he made me to understand, and talked with me, and said: 'O Daniel, I am now come forth to make thee skilful of understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications a word went forth, and I am come to declare it; for thou art greatly beloved; therefore look into the word, and understand the vision. 24 Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sin, and to forgive iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal vision and prophet, and to anoint the most holy place. 25 Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the word to restore and to build Jerusalem unto one anointed, a prince, shall be seven weeks; and for threescore and two weeks, it shall be built again, with broad place and moat, but in troublous times. 26 And after the threescore and two weeks shall an anointed one be cut off, and be no more; and the people of a prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; but his end shall be with a flood; and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and upon the wing of detestable things shall be that which causeth appalment; and that until the extermination wholly determined be poured out upon that which causeth appalment.'

DANIEL 10 — 1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the word was true, even a great warfare; and he gave heed to the word, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Tigris, 5 I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz; 6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as torches of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; howbeit a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So that I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. 10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me tottering upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me: 'O Daniel, thou man greatly beloved, give heed unto the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for now am I sent unto thee'; and when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me: 'Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard; and I am come because of thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I was left over there beside the kings of Persia. 14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the end of days; for there is yet a vision for the days.'

15 And when he had spoken unto me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb. 16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said unto him that stood before me: 'O my lord, by reason of the vision my pains are come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.' 18 Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. 19 And he said: 'O man greatly beloved, fear not! peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.' And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said: 'Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.' 20 Then said he: Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I go forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come. 21 Howbeit I will declare unto thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth; and there is none that holdeth with me against these, except Michael your prince.

DANIEL 11 — 1 And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to be a supporter and a stronghold unto him.

2 And now will I declare unto thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all; and when he is waxed strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece. 3 And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion wherewith he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.

6 And at the end of years they shall join themselves together; and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the strength of her arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm; but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begot her, and he that obtained her in those times.

7 But one of the shoots of her roots shall stand up in his place, and shall come unto the army, and shall enter into the stronghold of the king of the north, and shall deal with them, and shall prevail; 8 and also their gods, with their molten images, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold, shall he bring into captivity into Egypt; and he shall desist some years from the king of the north. 9 And he shall come into the kingdom of the king of the south, but he shall return into his own land.

10 And his sons shall stir themselves up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces, and he shall come on, and overflow, as he passes through; and he shall return and stir himself up, even to his stronghold. 11 And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north; and he shall set forth a great multitude, but the multitude shall be given into his hand. 12 and the multitude shall be carried away, and his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down tens of thousands; but he shall not prevail. 13 And the king of the north shall again set forth a multitude, greater than the former; and he shall come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with much substance. 14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south; also the children of the violent among thy people shall lift themselves up to establish the vision; but they shall stumble. 15 And the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take a well-fortified city; and the arms of the south shall not withstand; and as for his chosen people, there shall be no strength in them to withstand. 16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in the beauteous land, and in his hand shall be extermination. 17 And he shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, but shall make an agreement with him; and he shall give him the daughter of women, to destroy it; but it shall not stand, neither be for him. 18 After this shall he set his face unto the isles, and shall take many; but a captain shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; yea, he shall cause his own reproach to return upon him. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the strongholds of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.

20 Then shall stand up in his place one that shall cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

21 And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, upon whom had not been conferred the majesty of the kingdom; but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by blandishments. 22 And the arms of the flood shall be swept away from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully; and he shall come up and become strong, with a little nation. 24 In time of security shall he come even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers: he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance; yea, he shall devise his devices against fortresses, but only until the time.

25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall stir himself up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise devices against him. 26 Yea, they that eat of his food shall destroy him, and his army shall be swept away; and many shall fall down slain. 27 And as for both these kings, their hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper, for the end remaineth yet for the time appointed. 28 And he shall return to his own land with great substance; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do his pleasure, and return to his own land.

29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come into the south; but it shall not be in the latter time as it was in the former. 30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be cowed, and he shall return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and shall do his pleasure; and he shall return, and have regard unto them that forsake the holy covenant. 31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the stronghold, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the detestable thing that causeth appalment. 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt by blandishments; but the people that know their God shall show strength, and prevail. 33 And they that are wise among the people shall cause the many to understand; yet they shall stumble by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall stumble, they shall be helped with a little help; but many shall join themselves unto them with blandishments. 35 And some of them that are wise shall stumble, to refine among them, and to purify, and to make white, even to the time of the end; for it is yet for the time appointed.

36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak strange things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done. 37 Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers; and neither the desire of women, nor any god, shall he regard; for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 But in his place shall he honour the god of strongholds; and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and costly things. 39 And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god; whom he shall acknowledge, shall increase glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price.

40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow, as he passes through. 41 He shall enter also into the beauteous land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand, Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall affright him; and he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to take away many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the beauteous holy mountain; and he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

DANIEL 12 — 1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproaches and everlasting abhorrence. 3 And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn the many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.'

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the bank of the river on this side, and the other on the bank of the river on that side. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river: 'How long shall it be to the end of the wonders?' 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he lifted up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

8 And I heard, but I understood not; then said I: 'O my Lord, what shall be the latter end of these things?' 9 And he said: 'Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the detestable thing that causes appalment set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Happy is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be; and thou shalt rest, and shalt stand up to thy lot, at the end of the days.'

Ezra

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

EZRA 1 — 1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying: 2 'Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD, the God of heaven, given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whosoever there is among you of all His people--his God be with him--let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, He is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill-offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.'

5 Then rose up the heads of fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all they that were round about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. 7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; 8 even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. 9 And this is the number of them: thirty basins of gold, a thousand basins of silver, nine and twenty knives; 10 thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. 11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

EZRA 2 — 1 Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; 2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah.

The number of the men of the people of Israel:

3 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.

4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.

6 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.

7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.

11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.

12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.

14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.

15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.

16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

18 The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.

19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.

20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.

21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.

22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.

24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.

25 The children of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

26 The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

27 The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.

28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

30 The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.

31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.

34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

38 The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.

41 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.

42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and nine.

43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth; 44 the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon; 45 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub; 46 the children of Hagab, the children of Salmai, the children of Hanan; 47 the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah; 48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam; 49 the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai; 50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephusim; 51 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur; 52 the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha; 53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah; 54 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda; 56 the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel; 57 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Ami.

58 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

59 And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not tell their fathers' houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: 60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. 61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. 62 These sought their register, that is, the genealogy, but it was not found; therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood. 63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, 65 beside their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven; and they had two hundred singing men and singing women. 66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; 67 their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68 And some of the heads of fathers' houses, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place; 69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work threescore and one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests' tunics.

70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

EZRA 3 — 1 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. 3 And they set the altar upon its bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of the countries, and they offered burnt-offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt-offerings morning and evening. 4 And they kept the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt-offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required; 5 and afterward the continual burnt-offering, and the offerings of the new moons, and of all the appointed seasons of the LORD that were hallowed, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill-offering unto the LORD. 6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offerings unto the LORD; but the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. 7 They gave money also unto the hewers, and to the carpenters; and food, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar-trees from Lebanon to the sea, unto Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.

8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of the LORD. 9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, and Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to have the oversight of the workmen in the house of God; the sons of Henadad also, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the direction of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD: 'for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever toward Israel.' And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, the old men that had seen the first house standing on its foundation, wept with a loud voice, when this house was before their eyes; and many shouted aloud for joy; 13 so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

EZRA 4 — 1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto the LORD, the God of Israel; 2 then they drew near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers' houses, and said unto them: 'Let us build with you; for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up hither.' 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses of Israel, said unto them: 'Ye have nothing to do with us to build a house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD, the God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.' 4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and harried them while they were building, 5 and hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Aramaic character, and set forth in the Aramaic tongue. 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort--9 then wrote Rehum the commander, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinites, and the Apharesattechites, the Tarpelites, the Apharesites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehites, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asenappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and the rest that are in the country beyond the River:--'And now--11 this is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king--thy servants the men beyond the River--and now 12 be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and are digging out the foundations. 13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, impost, or toll, and so thou wilt endamage the revenue of the kings. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and announced to the king, 15 that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers; so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste. 16 We announce to the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.'

17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the commander, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the River: 'Peace, and now 18 the letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. 19 And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. 20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, impost, and toll, was paid unto them. 21 Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me. 22 And take heed that ye be not slack herein; why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?'

23 Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. 24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

EZRA 5 — 1 Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem; in the name of the God of Israel prophesied they unto them. 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them. 3 At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto them: 'Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this structure?' 4 'Then spoke we unto them after this manner,wrote they: What are the names of the men that build this building?' 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease, till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.

6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharesachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king; 7 they sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: 'Unto Darius the king, all peace. 8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands. 9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus: Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? 10 We asked them their names also, to announce to thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them. 11 And thus they returned us answer, saying: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and finished. 12 But because that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. 13 But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God. 14 And the gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; 15 and he said unto him: Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place. 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not completed. 17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let search be made in the king's treasure-house there, which is at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.'

EZRA 6 — 1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up, in Babylon. 2 And there was found at Ahmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written: 'A record. 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; 4 with three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber, and let the expenses be given out of the king's house; 5 and also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought back unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place, and thou shalt put them in the house of God.'

6 'Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharesachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence; 7 let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place. 8 Moreover I make a decree concerning what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God; that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence unto these men, that they be not hindered. 9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail; 10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons. 11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this; 12 and may the God that hath caused His name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples, that shall put forth their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.'

13 Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had thus sent, acted with all diligence. 14 And the elders of the Jews builded and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 And the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 And they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure; and they killed the passover lamb for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. 21 And the children of Israel, that were come back out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, did eat, 22 and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; for the LORD had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

EZRA 7 — 1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest--6 this Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. 7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.

11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of His statutes to Israel: 12 'Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, and so forth. And now 13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, that are minded of their own free will to go with thee to Jerusalem, go. 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king and his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thy hand; 15 and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, 16 and all the silver and gold that thou shalt find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill-offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem; 17 therefore thou shalt with all diligence buy with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meal-offerings and their drink-offerings, and shalt offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee and to thy brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do ye after the will of your God. 19 And the vessels that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house. 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers that are beyond the River, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done with all diligence, 22 unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred measures of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 24 Also we announce to you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, the singers, porters, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, impost, or toll, upon them. 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God that is in thy hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people that are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye him that knoweth them not. 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him with all diligence, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.'

27 Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem; 28 and hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

EZRA 8 — 1 Now these are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. 2 Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom; of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; of the sons of David, Hattush. 3 Of the sons of Shecaniah: of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah; and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty. 4 Of the sons of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah; and with him two hundred males. 5 Of the sons of Shechaniah, the son of Jahaziel; and with him three hundred males. 6 And of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan; and with him fifty males. 7 And of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah; and with him seventy males. 8 And of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael; and with him fourscore males. 9 Of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel; and with him two hundred and eighteen males. 10 And of the sons of Shelomith, the son of Josiphiah; and with him a hundred and threescore males. 11 And of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah the son of Bebai; and with him twenty and eight males. 12 And of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him a hundred and ten males. 13 And of the sons of Adonikam, that were the last; and these are their names, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah; and with them threescore males. 14 And of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur; and with him seventy males.

15 And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there we encamped three days; and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. 16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, teachers. 17 And I gave them commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should say unto Iddo and his brother, who were set over the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God. 18 And according to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen; 19 and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty; 20 and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim; all of them were mentioned by name.

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a straight way, for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. 22 For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; because we had spoken unto the king, saying: 'The hand of our God is upon all them that seek Him, for good; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him.' 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this; and He was entreated of us. 24 Then I separated twelve of the chiefs of the priests, besides Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them, 25 and weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering for the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his princes, and all Israel there present, had offered; 26 I even weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hundred talents; of gold a hundred talents; 27 and twenty bowels of gold, of a thousand darics; and two vessels of fine bright brass, precious as gold. 28 And I said unto them: 'Ye are holy unto the LORD, and the vessels are holy; and the silver and the gold are a freewill-offering unto the LORD, the God of your fathers. 29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chiefs of the priests and the Levites, and the princes of the fathers' houses of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.' 30 So the priests and the Levites received the weight of the silver and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.

31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and lier-in-wait by the way. 32 And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. 33 And on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levites; 34 the whole by number and by weight; and all the weight was written at that time.

35 The children of the captivity, that were come out of exile, offered burnt-offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he-goats for a sin-offering; all this was a burnt-offering unto the LORD. 36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's satraps, and to the governors beyond the River; and they furthered the people and the house of God.

EZRA 9 — 1 Now when these things were done, the princes drew near unto me, saying: 'The people of Israel, and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons; so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the peoples of the lands; yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been first in this faithlessness.' 3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down appalled. 4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of them of the captivity; and I sat appalled until the evening offering.

5 And at the evening offering I arose up from my fasting, even with my garment and my mantle rent; and I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God; 6 and I said: 'O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to Thee, my God; for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our guiltiness is grown up unto the heavens. 7 Since the days of our fathers we have been exceeding guilty unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to spoiling, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. 8 And now for a little moment grace hath been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in His holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. 9 For we are bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the ruins thereof, and to give us a fence in Judah and in Jerusalem. 10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken Thy commandments, 11 which Thou hast commanded by Thy servants the prophets, saying: The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, wherewith they have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness. 12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity for ever; that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. 13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, seeing that Thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such a remnant, 14 shall we again break Thy commandments, and make marriages with the peoples that do these abominations? wouldest not Thou be angry with us till Thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape? 15 O LORD, the God of Israel, Thou art righteous; for we are left a remnant that is escaped, as it is this day; behold, we are before Thee in our guiltiness; for none can stand before Thee because of this.'

EZRA 10 — 1 Now while Ezra prayed, and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children; for the people wept very sore. 2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra: 'We have broken faith with our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing. 3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of the LORD, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. 4 Arise; for the matter belongeth unto thee, and we are with thee; be of good courage, and do it.'

5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chiefs of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word. So they swore. 6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water; for he mourned because of the faithlessness of them of the captivity. 7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; 8 and that whosoever came not within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of the captivity.

9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within the three days; it was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the broad place before the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. 10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them: 'Ye have broken faith, and have married foreign women, to increase the guilt of Israel. 11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His pleasure; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the foreign women.' 12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice: 'As thou hast said, so it is for us to do. 13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two; for we have greatly transgressed in this matter. 14 Let now our princes of all the congregation stand, and let all them that are in our cities that have married foreign women come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God be turned from us, as touching this matter.' 15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this matter; and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. 16 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers' houses, after their fathers' houses, and all of them by their names, were separated; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. 17 And they were finished with all the men that had married foreign women by the first day of the first month.

18 And among the sons of the priests there were found that had married foreign women, namely: of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brethren, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 And they gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt. 20 And of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. 21 And of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah. 22 And of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. 23 And of the Levites: Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah-the same is Kelita-Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. 24 And of the singers: Eliashib; and of the porters: Shallum, and Telem, and Uri. 25 And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, and Izziah, and Malchijah, and Mijamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. 26 And of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Elijah. 27 And of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza. 28 And of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, Athlai. 29 And of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth. 30 And of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, and Binnui, and Manasseh. 31 And of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon; 32 Benjamin, Malluch, Shemariah. 33 Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. 34 Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, and Uel; 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhu; 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib; 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasai; 38 and Bani, and Binnui, Shimei; 39 Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah; 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai; 41 Azarel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah; 42 Shallum, Amariah, Joseph. 43 Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, and Joel, Benaiah. 44 All these had taken foreign wives; and some of them had wives by whom they had children.

Nehemiah

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NEHEMIAH 1 — 1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the castle, 2 that Hanani, one of my brethren, came out of Judah, he and certain men; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, that were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me: 'The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.' 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, 5 and said: 'I beseech Thee, O LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awful God, that keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments; 6 let Thine ear now be attentive, and Thine eyes open, that Thou mayest hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, which I pray before Thee at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel Thy servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee; yea, I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have dealt very corruptly against Thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which Thou didst command Thy servant Moses. 8 Remember, I beseech Thee, the word that Thou didst command Thy servant Moses, saying: If ye deal treacherously, I will scatter you abroad among the peoples; 9 but if ye return unto Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though your dispersed were in the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to cause My name to dwell there. 10 Now these are Thy servants and Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy great power, and by Thy strong hand. 11 O Lord, I beseech Thee, let now Thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy servants, who delight to fear Thy name; and prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.' Now I was cupbearer to the king.

NEHEMIAH 2 — 1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. 2 And the king said unto me: 'Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart.' Then I was very sore afraid. 3 And I said unto the king: 'Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?' 4 Then the king said unto me: 'For what dost thou make request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said unto the king: 'If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.' 6 And the king said unto me, the queen also sitting by him: 'For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return?' So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. 7 Moreover I said unto the king: 'If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through till I come unto Judah; 8 and a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's park, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertaineth to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into.' And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

9 Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen. 10 And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. 11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. 12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem; neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. 13 And I went out by night by the valley gate, even toward the dragon's well, and to the dung gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. 14 Then I went on to the fountain gate and to the king's pool; but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass. 15 Then went I up in the night in the valley, and viewed the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned. 16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

17 Then said I unto them: 'Ye see the evil case that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire; come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.' 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also of the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said: 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said: 'What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?' 20 Then answered I them, and said unto them: 'The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build; but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.'

NEHEMIAH 3 — 1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel. 2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. 3 And the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof. 4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. 5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; and their nobles put not their necks to the work of their lord. 6 And the gate of the old city repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof. 7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, for them that appertained to the throne of the governor beyond the River. 8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they restored Jerusalem even unto the broad wall. 9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem. 10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabneiah. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces. 12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. 13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits of the wall unto the dung gate. 14 And the dung gate repaired Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth-cherem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof. 15 And the fountain gate repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king's garden, even unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and unto the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty men. 17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district. 18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah. 19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another portion, over against the ascent to the armoury at the Turning. 20 After him Baruch the son of Zaccai earnestly repaired another portion, from the Turning unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the Plain. 23 After them repaired Benjamin and Hasshub over against their house. After them repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah beside his own house. 24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another portion, from the house of Azariah unto the Turning and unto the corner. 25 Palal the son of Uzai repaired over against the Turning, and the tower that standeth out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh repaired.--26 Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that standeth out.--27 After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that standeth out, and unto the wall of Ophel. 28 Above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his own house. 29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his own house. And after him repaired Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate. 30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another portion. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber. 31 After him repaired Malchijah one of the goldsmiths unto the house of the Nethinim, and of the merchants, over against the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

33 But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. 34 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said: 'What do these feeble Jews? will they restore at will? will they sacrifice? will they make an end this day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned?' 35 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said: 'Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.' 36 Hear, O our God; for we are despised; and turn back their reproach upon their own head, and give them up to spoiling in a land of captivity; 37 and cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before Thee; for they have vexed Thee before the builders. 38 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto half the height thereof; for the people had a mind to work.

NEHEMIAH 4 — 1 But it came to pass that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth; 2 and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein. 3 But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 4 And Judah said: 'The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.' 5 And our adversaries said: 'They shall not know, neither see, till we come into the midst of them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.' 6 And it came to pass that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times: 'Ye must return unto us from all places.' 7 Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 8 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people: 'Be not ye afraid of them; remember the Lord, who is great and awful, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses.'

9 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. 10 And it came to pass from that time forth, that half of my servants wrought in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 11 They that builded the wall and they that bore burdens laded themselves, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other held his weapon; 12 and the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the horn was by me. 13 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people: 'The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another; 14 in what place soever ye hear the sound of the horn, resort ye thither unto us; our God will fight for us.'

15 So we wrought in the work; and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. 16 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people: 'Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and may labour in the day.' 17 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one that went to the water had his weapon.

NEHEMIAH 5 — 1 Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. 2 For there were that said: 'We, our sons and our daughters, are many; let us get for them corn, that we may eat and live.' 3 Some also there were that said: 'We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses; let us get corn, because of the dearth.' 4 There were also that said: 'We have borrowed money for the king's tribute upon our fields and our vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already; neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.'

6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7 Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them: 'Ye lend upon pledge, every one to his brother.' And I held a great assembly against them. 8 And I said unto them: 'We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that sold themselves unto the heathen; and would ye nevertheless sell your brethren, and should they sell themselves unto us?' Then held they their peace, and found never a word. 9 Also I said: 'The thing that ye do is not good; ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? 10 And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, have lent them money and corn. I pray you, let us leave off this exaction. 11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundred pieces of silver, and the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.' 12 Then said they: 'We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest.' Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. 13 Also I shook out my lap, and said: 'So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied.' And all the congregation said: 'Amen', and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15 But the former governors that were before me laid burdens upon the people, and took of them for bread and wine above forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants lorded over the people; but so did not I, because of the fear of God. 16 Yea, also I set hand to the work of this wall, neither bought we any land; and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. 17 Moreover there were at my table of the Jews and the rulers a hundred and fifty men, beside those that came unto us from among the nations that were round about us. 18 Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep, also fowls were prepared for me; and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine; yet for all this I demanded not the bread of the governor, because the service was heavy upon this people. 19 Remember unto me, O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.

NEHEMIAH 6 — 1 Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein--though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates--2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying: 'Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.' But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying: 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?' 4 And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. 5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; 6 wherein was written: 'It is reported among the nations, and Geshem saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou buildest the wall; and thou wouldest be their king, even according to these words. 7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to proclaim of thee at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judah; and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.' 8 Then I sent unto him, saying: 'There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.' 9 For they all would have us afraid, saying: 'Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.' But now, strengthen Thou my hands.

10 And as for me, I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said: 'Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.' 11 And I said: 'Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being such as I, could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.' 12 And I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; for he pronounced this prophecy against me, whereas Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might taunt me. 14 Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have me put in fear.

15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. 16 And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard thereof, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. 17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. 18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife. 19 Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

NEHEMIAH 7 — 1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, 2 that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. 3 And I said unto them: 'Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand on guard, let them shut the doors, and bar ye them; and let watches be appointed of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.' 4 Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. 5 And my God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of them that came up at the first, and I found written therein:

6 These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and that returned unto Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city; 7 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.

The number of the men of the people of Israel:

8 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred and seventy and two.

9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.

11 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.

12 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

15 The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.

16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.

17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.

19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.

20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.

21 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.

22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.

24 The children of Hariph, a hundred and twelve.

25 The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

26 The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, a hundred fourscore and eight.

27 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.

28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two.

29 The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.

30 The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.

31 The men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty and two.

32 The men of Beth-el and Ai, a hundred twenty and three.

33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

34 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

35 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.

38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.

40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.

41 The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

42 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodeiah, seventy and four.

44 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred forty and eight.

45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, a hundred thirty and eight. 46 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth; 47 the children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon; 48 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai; 49 the children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar; 50 the children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda; 51 the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah; 52 the children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim; 53 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur; 54 the children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha; 55 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah; 56 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida; 58 the children of Jala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel; 59 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Amon.

60 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

61 And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not tell their fathers' houses, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel: 62 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two. 63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. 64 These sought their register, that is, the genealogy, but it was not found; therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood. 65 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, 67 beside their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven; and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women. 68 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; 69 their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

70 And some from among the heads of fathers' houses gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasury a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' tunics. 71 And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pounds of silver. 72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and threescore and seven priests' tunics.

73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinim, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities. And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in their cities, NEHEMIAH 8 — 1 all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spoke unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. 2 And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the congregation, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the Law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people--for he was above all the people--and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered: 'Amen, Amen', with the lifting up of their hands; and they bowed their heads, and fell down before the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, even the Levites, caused the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 And they read in the book, in the Law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people: 'This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep.' For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said unto them: 'Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.' 11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying: 'Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.' 12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

13 And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the Law. 14 And they found written in the Law, how that the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month; 15 and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying: 'Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.' 16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the congregation of them that were come back out of the captivity made booths, and dwelt in the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. 18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the ordinance.

NEHEMIAH 9 — 1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth upon them. 2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the Law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and prostrated themselves before the LORD their God.

4 Then stood up upon the platform of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God. 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: 'Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting; and let them say: Blessed be Thy glorious Name, that is exalted above all blessing and praise.

6 Thou art the LORD, even Thou alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and Thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth Thee. 7 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; 8 and foundest his heart faithful before Thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, even to give it unto his seed, and hast performed Thy words; for Thou art righteous; 9 And Thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red Sea; 10 and didst show signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land; for Thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them; and didst get Thee a name, as it is this day. 11 And Thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers Thou didst cast into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover in a pillar of cloud Thou didst lead them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. 13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spokest with them from heaven, and gavest them right ordinances and laws of truth, good statutes and commandments; 14 and madest known unto them Thy holy sabbath, and didst command them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by the hand of Moses Thy servant; 15 and gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and didst command them that they should go in to possess the land which Thou hadst lifted up Thy hand to give them.

16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to Thy commandments, 17 and refused to hearken, neither were mindful of Thy wonders that Thou didst among them; but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage; but Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and forsookest them not. 18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said: 'This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations; 19 yet Thou in Thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud departed not from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go. 20 Thou gavest also Thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not Thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst. 21 Yea, forty years didst Thou sustain them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

22 Moreover Thou gavest them kingdoms and peoples, which Thou didst allot quarter by quarter; so they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan. 23 Their children also didst Thou multiply as the stars of heaven, and didst bring them into the land, concerning which Thou didst say to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it. 24 So the children went in and possessed the land, and Thou didst subdue before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. 25 And they took fortified cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns hewn out, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit-trees in abundance; so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and luxuriated in Thy great goodness.

26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee, and cast Thy law behind their back, and slew Thy prophets that did forewarn them to turn them back unto Thee, and they wrought great provocations. 27 Therefore Thou didst deliver them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them; and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heardest from heaven; and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them saviours who might save them out of the hand of their adversaries. 28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before Thee; therefore didst Thou leave them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them; yet when they returned, and cried unto Thee, many times didst Thou hear from heaven, and deliver them according to Thy mercies; 29 and didst forewarn them, that Thou mightest bring them back unto Thy law; yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto Thy commandments, but sinned against Thine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them, and presented a stubborn shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear. 30 Yet many years didst Thou extend mercy unto them, and didst forewarn them by Thy spirit through Thy prophets; yet would they not give ear; therefore gavest Thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless in Thy manifold mercies Thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for Thou art a gracious and merciful God.

32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awful God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the travail seem little before Thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all Thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. 33 Howbeit Thou art just in all that is come upon us; for Thou hast dealt truly, but we have done wickedly; 34 neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept Thy law, nor hearkened unto Thy commandments and Thy testimonies, wherewith Thou didst testify against them. 35 For they have not served Thee in their kingdom, and in Thy great goodness that Thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which Thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works. 36 Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that Thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it. 37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom Thou hast set over us because of our sins; also they have power over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.'

NEHEMIAH 10 — 1 And yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and subscribe it; and our princes, our Levites, and our priests, set their seal unto it.

2 Now those that set their seal were:

Nehemiah the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zedekiah; 3 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah; 4 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah; 5 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch; 6 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah; 7 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch; 8 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin; 9 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah. These were the priests.

10 And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; 11 and their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan; 12 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah; 13 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah; 14 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu.

15 The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani; 16 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai; 17 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin; 18 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur; 19 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai; 20 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai; 21 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir; 22 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua; 23 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah; 24 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub; 25 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek; 26 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah; 27 and Ahiah, Hanan, Anan; 28 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

29 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one that had knowledge and understanding; 30 they cleaved to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes; 31 and that we would not give our daughters unto the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons; 32 and if the peoples of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

33 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God; 34 for the showbread, and for the continual meal-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the appointed seasons, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. 35 And we cast lots, the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers' houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law; 36 and to bring the first-fruits of our land, and the first-fruits of all fruit of all manner of trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD; 37 also the first-born of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God; 38 and that we should bring the first of our dough, and our heave-offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the wine and the oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our land unto the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. 39 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes; and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-house. 40 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the heave-offering of the corn, of the wine, and of the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers; and we will not forsake the house of our God.

NEHEMIAH 11 — 1 And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem; the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities. 2 And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

3 Now these are the chiefs of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israelites, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants. 4 And in Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin.

Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez; 5 and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. 6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt in Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.

7 And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah. 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. 9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.

10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God, 12 and their brethren that did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, 13 and his brethren, chiefs of fathers' houses, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14 and their brethren, mighty men of valour, a hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God; 17 and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two.

20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21 But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.

22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God. 23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a sure ordinance concerning the singers, as every day required. 24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people. 25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kiriath-arba and the towns thereof, and in Dibon and the towns thereof, and in Jekabzeel and the villages thereof; 26 and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and Beth-pelet; 27 and in Hazar-shual, and in Beer-sheba and the towns thereof; 28 and in Ziklag, and in Meconah and in the towns thereof; 29 and in En-rimmon, and in Zorah, and in Jarmuth; 30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and the fields thereof, Azekah and the towns thereof. So they encamped from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

31 And the children of Benjamin from Geba onward, at Michmas and Aijah, and at Beth-el and the towns thereof; 32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah; 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim; 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat; 35 Lod, and Ono, Ge-harashim. 36 And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin.

NEHEMIAH 12 — 1 Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra; 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush; 3 Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth; 4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah; 5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah; 6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah; 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. 9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in wards.

10 And Jeshua begot Joiakim, and Joiakim begot Eliashib, and Eliashib begot Joiada, 11 and Joiada begot Jonathan and Jonathan begot Jaddua.

12 And in the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers' houses: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14 of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15 of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16 of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17 of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin; of Moadiah, Piltai; 18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 19 and of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

22 The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded heads of fathers' houses; also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian.

23 The sons of Levi, heads of fathers' houses, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. 24 And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward against ward. 25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the store-houses of the gates. 26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest the scribe.

27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the Plain round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth-gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies that gave thanks and went in procession: on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate; 32 and after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah; 33 and Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah; 35 and certain of the priests' sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph; 36 and his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe was before them; 37 and by the fountain gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. 38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went to meet them, and I after them, with the half of the people, upon the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, even unto the broad wall; 39 and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the gate of the old city and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate; and they stood still in the gate of the guard. 40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 and Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. 43 And they offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women also and the children rejoiced; so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

44 And on that day were men appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the heave-offerings, for the first-fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that took their stations. 45 And they kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, and so did the singers and the porters, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, as every day required; and they hallowed for the Levites; and the Levites hallowed for the sons of Aaron.

NEHEMIAH 13 — 1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever; 2 because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them; howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the alien mixture.

4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied unto Tobiah, 5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests. 6 But in all this time I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went unto the king, and after certain days asked I leave of the king; 7 and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8 And it grieved me sore; therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers; and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal-offerings and the frankincense.

10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said: 'Why is the house of God forsaken?' And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the wards thereof.

15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in heaps of corn, and lading asses therewith; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I forewarned them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them: 'What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.'

19 And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath; and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I forewarned them, and said unto them: 'Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you.' From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Thy mercy.

23 In those days also saw I the Jews that had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab; 24 and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. 25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God: 'Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel; nevertheless even him did the foreign women cause to sin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to break faith with our God in marrying foreign women?'

28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I chased him from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

30 Thus cleansed I them from everything foreign, and appointed wards for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work; 31 and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

1 Chronicles

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[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29]

1 CHRONICLES 1 — 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh; 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; 4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

5 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. 6 And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Diphath, and Togarmah. 7 And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

8 The sons of Ham: Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 9 And the sons of Cush: Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raama, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raama: Sheba, and Dedan. 10 And Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 11 And Mizraim begot Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, 12 and Pathrusim, and Casluhim--from whence came the Philistines--and Caphtorim. 13 And Canaan begot Zidon his first-born, and Heth; 14 and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite; 15 and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite; 16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

17 The Sons of Shem: Elam, and Asshur, and Arpachshad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech. 18 And Arpachshad begot Shelah, and Shelah begot Eber. 19 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan. 20 And Joktan begot Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah; 21 and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah; 22 and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba; 23 and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.

24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah; 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu; 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah; 27 Abram--the same is Abraham. 28 The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael.

29 These are their generations: the first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 30 Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema, 31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedem. These are the sons of Ishmael.

32 And the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. 33 And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

34 And Abraham begot Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau, and Israel.

35 The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam and Korah. 36 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek. 37 The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

38 And the sons of Seir: Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan. 39 And the sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister. 40 The sons of Shobal: Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon: Aiah, and Anah. 41 The sons of Anah: Dishon. And the sons of Dishon: Hamran, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. 42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz, and Aran.

43 Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before their reigned any king over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 44 And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. 45 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead. 46 And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Avith. 47 And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead. 48 And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead. 49 And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. 50 And Baal-hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pai; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 51 And Hadad died.

And the chiefs of Edom were: the chief of Timna, the chief of Alvah, the chief of Jetheth; 52 the chief of Oholibamah, the chief of Elah, the chief of Pinon; 53 the chief of Kenaz, the chief of Teman, the chief of Mibzar; 54 the chief of Magdiel, the chief of Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.

1 CHRONICLES 2 — 1 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; 2 Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

3 The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah; which three were born unto him of Bath-shua the Canaanitess. And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him. 4 And Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.

5 The sons of Perez: Hezron, and Hamul. 6 And the sons of Zerah: Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all. 7 And the sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass concerning the devoted thing. 8 And the sons of Ethan: Azariah.

9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him: Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai. 10 And Ram begot Amminadab; and Amminadab begot Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah; 11 and Nahshon begot Salma, and Salma begot Boaz; 12 and Boaz begot Obed, and Obed begot Jesse; 13 and Jesse begot his first-born Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third; 14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth; 15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh. 16 And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three. 17 And Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.

18 And Caleb the son of Hezron begot children of Azubah his wife--and of Jerioth--and these were her sons: Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon. 19 And Azubah died, and Caleb took unto him Ephrath, who bore him Hur. 20 And Hur begot Uri, and Uri begot Bezalel.

21 And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead; whom he took to wife when he was threescore years old; and she bore him Segub. 22 And Segub begot Jair, who had three and twenty cities in the land of Gilead. 23 And Geshur and Aram took Havvoth-jair from them, with Kenath, and the villages thereof, even threescore cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. 24 And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb-ephrath, then Abiah Hezron's wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.

25 And the sons of Jerahmeel the first-born of Hezron were Ram the first-born, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, Ahijah. 26 And Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.

27 And the sons of Ram the first-born of Jerahmeel were Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker. 28 And the sons of Onam were Shammai, and Jada; and the sons of Shammai: Nadab, and Abishur. 29 And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail; and she bore him Ahban, and Molid. 30 And the sons of Nadab: Seled, and Appaim; but Seled died without children. 31 And the sons of Appaim: Ishi. And the sons of Ishi: Sheshan. And the sons of Sheshan: Ahlai. 32 And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai: Jether, and Jonathan: and Jether died without children. 33 And the sons of Jonathan: Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.

34 Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha. 35 So Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife; and she bore him Attai. 36 And Attai begot Nathan, and Nathan begot Zabad; 37 and Zabad begot Ephlal, and Ephlal begot Obed; 38 and Obed begot Jehu, and Jehu begot Azariah; 39 and Azariah begot Helez, and Helez begot Eleasah; 40 and Eleasah begot Sisamai, and Sisamai begot Shallum; 41 and Shallum begot Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begot Elishama.

42 And the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his first-born, who was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron. 43 And the sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema. 44 And Shema begot Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem begot Shammai. 45 And the son of Shammai was Maon; and Maon was the father of Beth-zur. 46 And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, and Moza, and Gazez; and Haran begot Gazez. 47 And the sons of Jahdai: Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph. 48 Maacah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. 49 And the wife of Shaaph the father of Madmannah bore Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsah. 50 These were the sons of Caleb.

The sons of Hur the first-born of Ephrath: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim; 51 Salma the father of Beth-lehem, Hareph the father of Beth-gader. 52 And Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim had sons: Haroeh, and half of the Menuhoth. 53 And the families of Kiriath-jearim: the Ithrites, and the Puthites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zorathites, and the Eshtaolites.

54 The sons of Salma: Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites. 55 And the families of scribes that dwelt at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

1 CHRONICLES 3 — 1 Now these were the sons of David, that were born unto him in Hebron: the first-born, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess; 2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; 3 the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. 4 Six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.

5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel; 6 and Ibhar, and Elishama, and Eliphelet; 7 and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia; 8 and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. 9 All these were the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.

10 And Solomon's son was Rehoboam; Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son; 11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son; 12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son; 13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son; 14 Amon his son, Josiah his son. 15 And the sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. 16 And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.

17 And the sons of Jeconiah--the same is Assir--Shealtiel his son; 18 and Malchiram, and Pedaiah, and Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. 19 And the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel, and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister; 20 and Hashubah and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushabhesed, five. 21 And the sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah, and Jeshaiah; the sons of [Jeshaiah]: Rephaiah; the sons of [Rephaiah]: Arnan; the sons of [Arnan]: Obadiah; the sons of [Obadiah]: Shecaniah. 22 And the sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah; and the sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, and Igal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six. 23 And the sons of Neariah: Elioenai, and Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three. 24 And the sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Delaiah, and Anani, seven.

1 CHRONICLES 4 — 1 The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal. 2 And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath; and Jahath begot Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.

3 And these were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazlelponi; 4 and Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur the first-born of Ephrath, the father of Beth-lehem.

5 And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. 6 And Naarah bore him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Timeni, and Ahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. 7 And the sons of Helah were Zereth, and Zohar, and Ethnan. 8 And Koz begot Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. 9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying: 'Because I bore him with pain.' 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying: 'Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest work deliverance from evil, that it may not pain me!' And God granted him that which he requested.

11 And Chelub the brother of Shuhah begot Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. 12 And Eshton begot Beth-rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah.

13 And the sons of Kenaz: Othniel, and Seraiah; and the sons of Othniel: Hathath. 14 And Meonothai begot Ophrah; and Seraiah begot Joab the father of Ge-harashim; for they were craftsmen. 15 And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the sons of Elah: Kenaz.

16 And the sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. 17 And the sons of Ezrah: Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon. And she bore Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa--18 and his wife Hajehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah--and these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh whom Mered took.

19 And the sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. 20 And the sons of Shimon: Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi: Zoheth, and Ben-zoheth.

21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, and Ladah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea; 22 and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had dominion in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem. And the records are ancient. 23 These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plantations and hedges; there they dwelt occupied in the king's work.

24 The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, and Jamim, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul; 25 Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. 26 And the sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son. 27 And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah.

28 And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and Moladah, and Hazar-shual; 29 and at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad; 30 and at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag; 31 and at Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susim, and at Beth-biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities unto the reign of David. 32 And their villages were Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities; 33 and all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and they have their genealogy.

34 And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah; 35 and Joel, and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel; 36 and Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshoaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah; 37 and Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah; 38 these mentioned by name were princes in their families; and their fathers' houses increased greatly. 39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. 40 And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they that dwelt there aforetime were of Ham. 41 And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the Meunim that were found there, and destroyed them utterly, unto this day, and dwelt in their stead; because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42 And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43 And they smote the remnant of the Amalekites that escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

1 CHRONICLES 5 — 1 And the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel--for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, yet not so that he was to be reckoned in the genealogy as first-born. 2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came he that is the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's--3 the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son; 5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son; 6 Beerah his son, whom Tillegath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive; he was prince of the Reubenites. 7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned: the chief Jeiel, and Zechariah, 8 and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baal-meon; 9 and eastward he dwelt even unto the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates; because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead. 10 And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead.

11 And the sons of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah: 12 Joel the chief, and Shapham the second, and Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan; 13 and their brethren of their fathers' houses: Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jacan, and Zia, and Eber, seven. 14 These were the sons of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jehishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of their fathers' houses. 16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in the towns thereof, and in all the open lands of the plain, upon their borders. 17 All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, as many as were valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were forty and four thousand seven hundred and threescore, that were able to go forth to war. 19 And they made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, and Naphish, and Nodab. 20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and He was entreated of them, because they put their trust in Him. 21 And they took away their cattle: of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand; and of souls of men a hundred thousand. 22 For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their stead until the captivity.

23 And the children of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land, from Bashan unto Baal-hermon and Senir and mount Hermon, where they increased. 24 And these were the heads of their fathers' houses: Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses.

25 And they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and went astray after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God destroyed before them. 26 And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tillegath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, unto this day.

27 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 28 And the sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. 29 And the children of Amram: Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 30 Eleazar begot Phinehas, Phinehas begot Abishua; 31 and Abishua begot Bukki, and Bukki begot Uzzi; 32 and Uzzi begot Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begot Meraioth; 33 Meraioth begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub; 34 and Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Ahimaaz; 35 and Ahimaaz begot Azariah, and Azariah begot Johanan; 36 and Johanan begot Azariah--he it is that executed the priest's office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem--37 and Azariah begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub; 38 and Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Shallum; 39 and Shallum begot Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begot Azariah; 40 and Azariah begot Seraiah, and Seraiah begot Jehozadak; 41 and Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

1 CHRONICLES 6 — 1 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari. 2 And these are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni, and Shimei. 3 And the sons of Kohath were Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. 4 The sons of Merari: Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.

5 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son; 6 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son.

7 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son; 8 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son; 9 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 10 And the sons of Elkanah: Amasai, and Ahimoth. 11 As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah: Zophai his son, and Nahath his son; 12 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 13 And the sons of Samuel: the first-born Vashni; then Abiah.

14 The sons of Merari: Mahli; Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son; 15 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

16 And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. 17 And they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem; and they took their station at their service according to their order. 18 And these are they that took their station, and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel; 19 the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah; 20 the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai; 21 the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah; 22 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah; 23 the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel. 24 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand; even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea; 25 the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah; 26 the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah; 27 the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei; 28 the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi. 29 And on the left hand their brethren the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch; 30 the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah; 31 the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer; 32 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. 33 And their brethren the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

34 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of burnt-offering, and upon the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 35 And these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son; 36 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son; 37 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son; 38 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.

39 Now these are their dwelling-places according to their encampments in their borders: to the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, for theirs was the first lot, 40 to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah, and the open land round about it; 41 but the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 42 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the city of refuge, Hebron; Libnah also with the open land about it, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa with the open land about it; 43 and Hilen with the open land about it, Debir with the open land about it; 44 and Ashan with the open land about it, and Beth-shemesh with the open land about it; 45 and out of the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with the open land about it, and Alemeth with the open land about it, and Anathoth with the open land about it. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.

46 And unto the rest of the sons of Kohath were given by lot, out of the family of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities. 47 And to the sons of Gershom, according to their families, out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. 48 Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, according to their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.

49 So the children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with the open land about them. 50 And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name.

51 And some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim. 52 And they gave unto them the city of refuge, Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim with the open land about it; Gezer also with the open land about it; 53 and Jokmeam with the open land about it, and Bethhoron with the open land about it; 54 and Aijalon with the open land about it, and Gath-rimmon with the open land about it; 55 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with the open land about it, and Bileam with the open land about it, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.

56 Unto the sons of Gershom were given, out of the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with the open land about it, and Ashtaroth with the open land about it; 57 and out of the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with the open land about it, Dobrath with the open land about it; 58 and Ramoth with the open land about it, and Anem with the open land about it; 59 and out of the tribe of Asher: Mashal with the open land about it, and Abdon with the open land about it; 60 and Hukok with the open land about it; and Rehob with the open land about it; 61 and out of the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with the open land about it, and Hammon with the open land about it, and Kiriathaim with the open land about it.

62 Unto the rest [of the Levites], the sons of Merari, were given, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmono with the open land about it, Tabor with the open land about it; 63 and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, were given them, out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with the open land about it, and Jahaz with the open land about it, 64 and Kedemoth with the open land about it, and Mephaath with the open land about it; 65 and out of the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with the open land about it, and Mahanaim with the open land about it, 66 and Heshbon with the open land about it, and Jazer with the open land about it.

1 CHRONICLES 7 — 1 And of the sons of Issachar: Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four. 2 And the sons of Tola: Uzzi and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valour according to their generations, even of Tola; their number in the days of David was two and twenty thousand and six hundred. 3 And the sons of Uzzi: Izrahiah; and the sons of Izrahiah: Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Isshiah, five; all of them chief men. 4 And with them, by their generations, after their fathers' houses, were bands of the host for war, six and thirty thousand; for they had many wives and sons. 5 And their brethren among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valour, reckoned in all by genealogy, were fourscore and seven thousand.

6 [The sons of] Benjamin: Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three. 7 And the sons of Bela: Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers' houses, mighty men of valour; and they were reckoned by genealogy twenty and two thousand and thirty and four. 8 And the sons of Becher: Zemirah, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jeremoth, and Abijah, and Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher. 9 And they were reckoned by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valour, twenty thousand and two hundred. 10 And the sons of Jediael: Bilhan; and the sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar. 11 All these were sons of Jediael, even heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valour, seventeen thousand and two hundred, that were able to go forth in the host for war. 12 Shuppim also, and Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, the son of another.

13 The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

14 The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his wife bore--his concubine the Aramitess bore Machir the father of Gilead; 15 and Machir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maacah--and the name of the second was Zelophehad; and Zelophehad had daughters. 16 And Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rekem. 17 And the sons of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. 18 And his sister Hammolecheth bore Ish-hod, and Abiezer, and Mahlah. 19 And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.

20 And the sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah--and Bered was his son, and Tahath his son, and Eleadah his son, and Tahath his son, 21 and Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son--and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in the land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle. 22 And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him. 23 And he went in to his wife, and she conceived, and bore a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house. 24 And his daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth-horon the nether and the upper, and Uzzen-sheerah. 25 And Rephah was his son, and Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son; 26 Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son; 27 Nun his son, Joshua his son. 28 And their possessions and habitations were Beth-el and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Aiah and the towns thereof; 29 and by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth-shean and the towns thereof, Taanach and the towns thereof, Megiddo and the towns thereof, Dor and the towns thereof. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.

30 The sons of Asher: Imnah, and Ishvah, and Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister. 31 And the sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. 32 And Heber begot Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister. 33 And the sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Asvath. These are the children of Japhlet. 34 And the sons of Shemer: Ahi, and Rohgah, and Hubbah, and Aram. 35 And the sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal. 36 The sons of Zophah: Suah, and Harnepher, and Shaul, and Beri, and Imrah; 37 Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilsha, and Ithran, and Beera. 38 And the sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispa, and Ara. 39 And the sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rizia. 40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers' houses, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was twenty and six thousand men.

1 CHRONICLES 8 — 1 And Benjamin begot Bela his first-born, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third; 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 And Bela had sons, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud; 4 and Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah; 5 and Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram. 6 And these are the sons of Ehud--these are the heads of fathers' houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and they were carried captive to Manahath; 7 and Naaman, and Ahijah, and Gera, were they that carried them captive--and he begot Uzza, and Ahihud. 8 And Shaharaim begot children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away, to wit, Hushim and Baara his wives; 9 he begot of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcam; 10 and Jeuz, and Sachiah, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers' houses. 11 and of Hushim he begot Abitub, and Elpaal.

12 And the sons of Elpaal: Eber, and Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof; 13 and Beriah, and Shema, who were heads of fathers' houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath. 14 And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth; 15 and Zebadiah, and Arad, and Eder; 16 and Michael, and Ishpah, and Joha, were the sons of Beriah. 17 And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hizki, and Heber; 18 and Ishmerai, and Izliah, and Jobab, were the sons of Elpaal. 19 And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi; 20 and Elienai, and Zillethai, and Eliel; 21 and Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, were the sons of Shimei. 22 And Ishpan, and Ebed, and Eliel; 23 and Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan; 24 and Hananiah, and Elam, and Anthothiah; 25 and Iphdeiah, and Penuel, were the sons of Shashak. 26 And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah; 27 and Jaareshiah, and Elijah, and Zichri, were the sons of Jeroham. 28 These were heads of fathers' houses throughout their generations, chief men; these dwelt in Jerusalem.

29 And in Gibeon there dwelt the father of Gibeon,Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maacah; 30 and his first-born son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab; 31 and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher. 32 And Mikloth begot Shimeah. And they also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against their brethren.

33 And Ner begot Kish; and Kish begot Saul; and Saul begot Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. 34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begot Micah. 35 And the sons of Micah; Pithon, and Melech, and Taarea, and Ahaz. 36 And Ahaz begot Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah begot Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza; 37 and Moza begot Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39 And the sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers; and had many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.

1 CHRONICLES 9 — 1 So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel; and Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their transgression. 2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, Israelites, the priests, the Levites, and the Nethinim. 3 And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh: 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Perez the son of Judah. 5 And of the Shilonites: Asaiah the first-born and his sons. 6 And of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety. 7 And of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah, 8 and Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibneiah; 9 and their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were heads of fathers' houses by their fathers' houses.

10 And of the priests: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin; 11 and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; 12 and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13 and their brethren, heads of their fathers' houses, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

14 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 and Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; 16 and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

17 And the porters: Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brother Shallum the chief; 18 who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward; they were the porters for the camp of the children of Levi. 19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of his father's house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the Tent; and their fathers had been over the camp of the LORD, keepers of the entry; 20 and Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, the LORD being with him. 21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tent of meeting. 22 All these that were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office. 23 So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, even the house of the Tent, by wards. 24 On the four sides were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south. 25 And their brethren, in their villages, were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them; 26 for the four chief porters were in a set office. These were the Levites.

They were also over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God. 27 And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge thereof was upon them, and to them pertained the opening thereof morning by morning. 28 And certain of them had charge of the vessels of service; for by tale were they brought in and by tale were they taken out. 29 Some of them also were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy vessels, and over the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. 30 And some of the sons of the priests prepared the confection of the spices. 31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were baked on griddles. 32 And some of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread, to prepare it every sabbath.

33 And these are the singers, heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, who dwelt in the chambers and were free from other service; for they were employed in their work day and night. 34 These were heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, by their generations, chief men; these dwelt at Jerusalem.

35 And in Gibeon there dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maacah; 36 and his first-born son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab; 37 and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 And Mikloth begot Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against their brethren.

39 And Ner begot Kish; and Kish begot Saul; and Saul begot Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. 40 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begot Micah. 41 And the sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Taharea,and Ahaz. 42 And Ahaz begot Jarah; and Jarah begot Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza. 43 And Moza begot Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 44 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.

1 CHRONICLES 10 — 1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was in anguish by reason of the archers. 4 Then said Saul unto his armour-bearer: 'Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and make a mock of me.' But his armour-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died. 6 So Saul died, and his three sons; and all his house died together. 7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa. 9 And they stripped him, and took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto their idols, and to the people. 10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon. 11 And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the terebinth in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD, which he kept not; and also for that he asked counsel of a ghost, to inquire thereby, 14 and inquired not of the LORD; therefore He slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

1 CHRONICLES 11 — 1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying: 'Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was thou that didst lead out and bring in Israel; and the LORD thy God said unto thee: Thou shalt feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over My people Israel.' 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Samuel.

4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem--the same is Jebus--and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. 5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David: 'Thou shalt not come in hither.' Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. 6 And David said: 'Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.' And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief. 7 And David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David. 8 And he built the city round about, from Millo even round about; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 And David waxed greater and greater; for the LORD of hosts was with him.

10 Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who held strongly with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. 11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the captains; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them at one time.

12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. 14 But they stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great victory.

15 And three of the thirty chiefs went down to the rock to David, unto the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 16 And David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem. 17 And David longed, and said: 'Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!' 18 And the three broke through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David; but David would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD, 19 and said: 'My God forbid it me, that I should do this; shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it.' Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

20 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them, and had a name among the three. 21 Of the three in the second rank he was the most honourable, and was made their captain; howbeit he attained not to the first three.

22 Beniah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he smote the two altar-hearths of Moab; he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow. 23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. 24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men. 25 Behold, he was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three; and David set him over his guard.

26 Also the mighty men of valour: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem; 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite; 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite; 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite; 30 Mahrai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite; 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite; 32 Hurai of Nahale-gaash, Abiel the Arbathite; 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite; 34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shageh the Hararite; 35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur; 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite; 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai; 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri; 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Nahrai the Berothite, the armour-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah; 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite; 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai; 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him; 43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite; 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite; 45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite; 46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite; 47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

1 CHRONICLES 12 — 1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he was yet shut up because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war. 2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow; they were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite; 4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; 5 and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite; 6 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Hariphite; 7 Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites; 8 and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of the troop.

9 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valour, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains; 10 Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third; 11 Mashmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth; 12 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh; 13 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth; 14 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh. 15 These of the sons of Gad were captains of the host; he that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand. 16 These are they that went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

17 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold unto David. 18 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them: 'If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you; but if ye be come to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and give judgment.' 19 Then the spirit clothed Amasai, who was chief of the captains:

Thine are we, David,

And on thy side, thou son of Jesse;

Peace, peace be unto thee,

And peace be to thy helpers;

for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

20 Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they helped them not; for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying: 'He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.' 21 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands that were of Manasseh. 22 And they helped David against the troop, for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host. 23 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great host, like the host of God.

24 And these are the numbers of the heads of them that were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. 25 The children of Judah that bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war. 26 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. 27 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred. 28 And Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred; 29 and Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains. 30 And of the children of Benjamin, the brethren of Saul, three thousand; for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. 31 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous men in their fathers' houses. 32 And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king. 33 And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. 34 Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand; and that could order the battle array, and were not of double heart. 35 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand. 36 And of the Danites that could set the battle in array, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred. 37 And of Asher, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, forty thousand. 38 And on the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand. 39 All these, being men of war, that could order the battle array, came with a whole heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. 40 And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had made preparation for them. 41 Moreover they that were nigh unto them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, victual of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.

1 CHRONICLES 13 — 1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader. 2 And David said unto all the assembly of Israel: 'If it seem good unto you, and if it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad everywhere unto our brethren that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites that are in their cities that have open land about them, that they may gather themselves unto us; 3 and let us bring back the ark of our God to us; for we sought not unto it in the days of Saul.' 4 And all the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5 So David assembled all Israel together, from Shihor the brook of Egypt even unto the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, the LORD that sitteth upon the cherubim, whereon is called the Name. 7 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might; even with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. 9 And when they came unto the threshing-floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and He smote him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God. 11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had broken forth upon Uzza; and that place was called Perez-uzza unto this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying: 'How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?' 13 So David removed not the ark unto him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months; and the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.

1 CHRONICLES 14 — 1 And Huram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar-trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was exalted exceedingly, for His people Israel's sake.

3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David begot more sons and daughters. 4 And these are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon; 5 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet; 6 and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia; 7 and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

8 And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, saying: 'Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt Thou deliver them into my hand?' And the LORD said unto him: 'Go up; for I will deliver them into thy hand.' 11 So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and David said: 'God hath broken mine enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters.' Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 12 And they left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire.

13 And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14 And David inquired again of God; and God said unto him: 'Thou shalt not go up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees. 15 And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle; for God is gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.' 16 And David did as God commanded him; and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer. 17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

1 CHRONICLES 15 — 1 And [David] made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. 2 Then David said: 'None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of the LORD, and to minister unto Him for ever.' 3 And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto its place, which he had prepared for it. 4 And David gathered together the sons of Aaron, and the Levites; 5 of the sons of Kohath: Uriel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twenty; 6 of the sons of Merari: Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty; 7 of the sons of Gershom: Joel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and thirty; 8 of the sons of Elizaphan: Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred; 9 of the sons of Hebron: Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore; 10 of the sons of Uzziel: Amminadab the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twelve. 11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 and said unto them: 'Ye are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, unto the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because ye bore it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought Him not according to the ordinance.' 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God upon their shoulders with the bars thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.

16 And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphalehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers. 19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan,were appointed, with cymbals of brass to sound aloud; 20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries set to Alamoth; 21 and Mattithiah, and Eliphalehu, and Mikneiahu, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith, to lead. 22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song; he was master in the song, because he was skilful. 23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were door-keepers for the ark. 24 And Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obed-edom with joy. 26 And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams. 27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the singers in the song; and David had upon him an ephod of linen. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the horn, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with psalteries and harps. 29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and making merry; and she despised him in her heart.

1 CHRONICLES 16 — 1 And they brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before God. 2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a cake made in a pan, and a sweet cake.

4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, with psalteries and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.

7 Then on that day did David first ordain to give thanks unto the LORD, by the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

8 O give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name;

Make known His doings among the peoples.

9 Sing unto Him, sing praises unto Him;

Speak ye of all His marvellous works.

10 Glory ye in His holy name;

Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11 Seek ye the LORD and His strength;

Seek His face continually.

12 Remember His marvellous works that He hath done,

His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth;

13 O ye seed of Israel His servant,

Ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones.

14 He is the LORD our God;

His judgments are in all the earth.

15 Remember His covenant for ever,

The word which He commanded to a thousand generations;

16 [The covenant] which He made with Abraham,

And His oath unto Isaac;

17 And He established it unto Jacob for a statute,

To Israel for an everlasting covenant;

18 Saying: 'Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan,

The lot of your inheritance.'

19 When ye were but a few men in number,

Yea, very few, and sojourners in it,

20 And when they went about from nation to nation,

And from one kingdom to another people,

21 He suffered no man to do them wrong,

Yea, for their sake He reproved kings:

22 'Touch not Mine anointed ones,

And do My prophets no harm.'

23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth;

Proclaim His salvation from day to day.

24 Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvellous works among all the peoples.

25 For great is the LORD, and highly to be praised;

He also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the peoples are things of nought;

But the LORD made the heavens.

27 Honour and majesty are before Him;

Strength and gladness are in His place.

28 Ascribe unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the peoples,

Ascribe unto the LORD glory and strength.

29 Ascribe unto the LORD the glory due unto His name;

Bring an offering, and come before Him;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth;

The world also is established that it cannot be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

And let them say among the nations: 'The LORD reigneth.'

32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;

Let the field exult, and all that is therein;

33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy,

Before the LORD, for He is come to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good;

For His mercy endureth for ever.

35 And say ye: 'Save us, O God of our salvation,

And gather us together and deliver us from the nations,

That we may give thanks unto Thy holy name,

That we may triumph in Thy praise.'

36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

From everlasting even to everlasting.

And all the people said: 'Amen,' and praised the LORD.

37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required; 38 and Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jedithun and Hosah to be door-keepers; 39 and Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt-offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of burnt-offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the Law of the LORD, which He commanded unto Israel; 41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endureth for ever; 42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, to sound aloud with trumpets and cymbals, and with instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate. 43 And all the people departed every man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.

1 CHRONICLES 17 — 1 And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet: 'Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD dwelleth under curtains.' 2 And Nathan said unto David: 'Do all that is in thy heart; for God is with thee.' 3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying: 4 'Go and tell David My servant: Thus saith the LORD: Thou shalt not build Me a house to dwell in; 5 for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, unto this day; but have [gone] from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. 6 In all places wherein I have walked among all Israel, spoke I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed My people, saying: Why have ye not built Me a house of cedar? 7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto My servant David: Thus saith the LORD of hosts: I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over My people Israel; 8 and I have been with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee; and I will make thee a name, like unto the name of the great ones that are in the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be disquieted no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 10 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will subdue all thine enemies. Moreover I tell thee that the LORD will build thee a house. 11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days are fulfilled that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will set up thy seed after thee, who shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne for ever. 13 I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to Me for a son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee; 14 but I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom for ever; and his throne shall be established for ever.' 15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

16 Then David the king went in, and sat before the LORD; and he said: 'Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me thus far? 17 And this was a small thing in Thine eyes, O God; but Thou hast spoken of Thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me after the manner of a man of high degree, O LORD God. 18 What can David say yet more unto Thee concerning the honour which is done to Thy servant? for Thou knowest Thy servant. 19 O LORD, for Thy servant's sake, and according to Thine own heart, hast Thou wrought all this greatness, to make known all these great things. 20 O LORD, there is none like Thee, neither is there any God beside Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 And who is like Thy people Israel, a nation one in the earth, whom God went to redeem unto Himself for a people, to make Thee a name by great and tremendous things, in driving out nations from before Thy people, whom Thou didst redeem out of Egypt. 22 For Thy people Israel didst Thou make Thine own people for ever; and Thou, LORD, becamest their God. 23 And now, O LORD, let the word that Thou hast spoken concerning Thy servant, and concerning his house, be established for ever, and do as Thou hast spoken. 24 Yea, let it be established, and let Thy name be magnified for ever, that it may be said: The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel; and the house of David Thy servant shall be established before Thee. 25 For Thou, O my God, hast revealed to Thy servant that Thou wilt build him a house; therefore hath Thy servant taken heart to pray before Thee. 26 And now, O LORD, Thou alone art God, and hast promised this good thing unto Thy servant; 27 and now it hath pleased Thee to bless the house of Thy servant, that it may continue for ever before Thee; for Thou, O LORD, hast blessed, and so let [Thy servant] be blessed for ever.'

1 CHRONICLES 18 — 1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought presents.

3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah by Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots. 5 And when the Arameans of Damascus came to succour Hadarezer king of Zobah, David smote of the Arameans two and twenty thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, and brought presents. And the LORD gave victory to David whithersoever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadarezer, David took very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 And when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to salute him, and to bless him--because he had fought against Hadarezer and smitten him; for Hadarezer had wars with Tou--and he had with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass. 11 These also did king David dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah smote of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand. 13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the LORD gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

14 And David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness unto all his people. 15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. 16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe; 17 and Beniah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

1 CHRONICLES 19 — 1 And it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead. 2 And David said: 'l will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.' So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun: 'Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?' 4 So Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their hips, and sent them away. 5 Then there went certain persons, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said: 'Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.'

6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Aram-naharaim, and out of Aram-maacah, and out of Zobah. 7 So they hired them thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people; who came and encamped before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 9 And the children of Ammon came out and put the battle in array at the gate of the city; and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.

10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Arameans. 11 And the rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother, and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12 And he said: 'If the Arameans be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee. 13 Be of good courage, and let us prove strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the LORD do that which seemeth Him good.' 14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh unto the battle to meet the Arameans; and they fled before him. 15 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Arameans were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

16 And when the Arameans saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and brought out the Arameans that were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer at their head. 17 And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Arameans, they fought with him. 18 And the Arameans fled before Israel; and David slew of the Arameans the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host. 19 And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and served him; neither would the Arameans help the children of Ammon any more.

1 CHRONICLES 20 — 1 And it came to pass, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and overthrew it. 2 And David took the crown of Malcam from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head; and he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 3 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. And thus did David unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

4 And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; then Sibbecai the Hushathite slew Sippai, of the sons of the giants; and they were subdued. 5 And there was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. 6 And there was again war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six [on each hand], and six [on each foot]; and he also was born unto the giant. 7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him. 8 These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

1 CHRONICLES 21 — 1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 And David said to Joab and to the princes of the people: 'Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know the sum of them.' 3 And Joab said: 'The LORD make His people a hundred times so many more as they are; but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of guilt unto Israel?' 4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. 5 And Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men that drew sword; and Judah was four hundred three-score and ten thousand men that drew sword. 6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not number among them; for the king's word was abominable to Joab.

7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He smote Israel. 8 And David said unto God: 'I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing; but now, put away, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of Thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.' 9 And the LORD spoke unto Gad, David's seer, saying: 10 'Go and speak unto David, saying: Thus saith the LORD: I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.' 11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him: 'Thus saith the LORD: Take which thou wilt: 12 either three years of famine; or three months to be swept away before thy foes, while the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to Him that sent me.' 13 And David said unto Gad: 'I am in a great strait; let me fall now into the hand of the LORD, for very great are His mercies; and let me not fall into the hand of man.'

14 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel; and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men. 15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it; and as he was about to destroy, the LORD beheld, and He repented Him of the evil, and said to the destroying angel: 'It is enough; now stay thy hand.' And the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD standing between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. 17 And David said unto God: 'Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? let Thy hand, I pray Thee, O LORD my God, be against me, and against my father's house; but not against Thy people, that they should be plagued.'

18 Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the LORD. 20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons that were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. 21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshing-floor, and bowed down to David with his face to the ground. 22 Then David said to Ornan: 'Give me the place of this threshing-floor, that I may build thereon an altar unto the LORD; for the full price shalt thou give it me; that the plague may be stayed from the people.' 23 And Ornan said unto David: 'Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes; lo, I give thee the oxen for burnt-offerings, and the threshing-instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal-offering; I give it all' 24 And king David said to Ornan: 'Nay, but I will verily buy it for the full price; for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer a burnt-offering without cost.' 25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight. 26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon the LORD; and He answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering. 27 And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword back into the sheath thereof.

28 At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. 29 For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt-offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. 30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God; for he was terrified because of the sword of the angel of the LORD. 1 CHRONICLES 22 — 1 Then David said: 'This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt-offering for Israel.'

2 And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God. 3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight; 4 and cedar-trees without number; for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar-trees in abundance to David. 5 And David said: 'Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries; I will therefore make preparation for him.' So David prepared abundantly before his death.

6 Then He called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. 7 And David said to Solomon: 'My son, as for me, it was in my heart to build a house unto the name of the LORD my God. 8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying: Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars; thou shalt not build a house unto My name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in My sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for My name; and he shall be to Me for a son, and I will be to him for a father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. 11 Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as He hath spoken concerning thee. 12 Only the LORD give thee discretion and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel; that so thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. 13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel; be strong, and of good courage; fear not, neither be dismayed. 14 Now, behold, in my straits I have prepared for the house of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight, for it is in abundance; timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto. 15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all men that are skilful in any manner of work; 16 of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.'

17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son: 18 'Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath He not given you rest on every side? for He hath delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before His people. 19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek after the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.'

1 CHRONICLES 23 — 1 Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel. 2 And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. 3 And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand. 4 Of these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges; 5 and four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised the LORD `with the instruments which I made to praise therewith.'

6 And David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7 Of the Gershonites: Ladan, and Shimei. 8 The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three. 9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers' houses of Ladan. 10 And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11 And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they became a fathers' house in one reckoning.

12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. 13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should be sanctified as most holy, he and his sons for ever, to offer before the LORD, to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name for ever. 14 But as for Moses the man of God, his sons are named among the tribe of Levi. 15 The sons of Moses: Gershom, and Eliezer. 16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. 17 And the sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18 The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. 19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.

21 The sons of Merari: Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar, and Kish. 22 And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only; and their brethren the sons of Kish took them to wife. 23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

24 These were the sons of Levi after their fathers' houses, even the heads of the fathers' houses, according to their muster, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from twenty years old and upward. 25 For David said: 'The LORD, the God of Israel, hath given rest unto His people, and He dwelleth in Jerusalem for ever; 26 and also the Levites shall no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it for the service thereof.' 27 For by the last ordinances of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their station was at the side of the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God; 29 for the showbread also, and for the fine flour for a meal-offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked on the griddle, or of that which is soaked, and for all manner of measure and size; 30 and to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even; 31 and to offer all burnt-offerings unto the LORD, on the sabbaths, on the new moons, and in the appointed seasons, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually, before the LORD; 32 and that they should keep the charge of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 CHRONICLES 24 — 1 And the courses of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office. 3 And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. 4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers' houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers' houses, eight. 5 Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for they were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. 6 And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites: one father's house being taken for Eleazar, and proportionately for Ithamar.

7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah; 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim; 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin; 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah; 11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah; 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim; 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab; 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer; 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez; 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel; 17 the one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul; 18 the three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah. 19 These were the orderings of them in their service, to come into the house of the LORD according to the ordinance given unto them by the hand of Aaron their father, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

20 And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 And Benai, Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah, his son, 27 even the sons of Merari through Jaaziah his son: Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 Of Kish: the sons of Kish, Jerahmeel. 30 And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers' houses. 31 These likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers' houses of the chief even as those of his younger brother.

1 CHRONICLES 25 — 1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals; and the number of them that did the work according to their service was: 2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph; under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied according to the direction of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six; under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD. 4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth; 5 all these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the things pertaining to God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All these were under the hands of their fathers for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the direction of the king-Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. 7 And the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in singing unto the LORD, even all that were skilful, was two hundred fourscore and eight. 8 And they cast lots ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph;

The second to Gedaliah; he and his brethren and sons were twelve;

10 The third to Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

11 The fourth to Izri, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

12 The fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

13 The sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

14 The seventh to Jesarelah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

16 The ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

17 The tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

18 The eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

19 The twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

20 For the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

21 For the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

22 For the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

23 For the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

24 For the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

25 For the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

26 For the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

27 For the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

28 For the one and twentieth to Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

29 For the two and twentieth to Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

30 For the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

31 For the four and twentieth to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.

1 CHRONICLES 26 — 1 For the courses of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites: Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2 And Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the first-born, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth; 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4 And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the first-born, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethanel the fifth; 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him. 6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valour. 7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, and Rephael and Obed and Elzabad his brethren, valiant men; Elihu also, and Semachiah. 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men in strength for the service; threescore and two of Obed-edom. 9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, valiant men, eighteen. 10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief--for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief--11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

12 These courses of the doorkeepers, even the chief men, had wards over against their brethren, to minister in the house of the LORD. 13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to their fathers' houses, for every gate. 14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a discreet counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. 15 To Obed-edom southward; and to his sons the Storehouse. 16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goeth up, ward against ward. 17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the Storehouse two and two. 18 For the Precinct westward, four at the causeway, and two at the Precinct. 19 These were the courses of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.

20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God, and over the treasuries of the hallowed things. 21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers' houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22 The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasuries of the house of the LORD. 23 Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites; 24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasuries. 25 And his brethren by Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son. 26 This Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers' houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated. 27 Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of the LORD. 28 And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.

29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sorts were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. 30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward; for all the business of the LORD, and for the service of the king. 31 Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers' houses. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead. 32 And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred, heads of fathers' houses, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.

1 CHRONICLES 27 — 1 Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the heads of fathers' houses and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers that served the king, in any matter of the courses which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand. 2 Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 3 Of the children of Perez was he, and the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4 And over the course of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his course, and Mikloth the ruler; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the priest, chief; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 6 This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty; and of his course was Ammizabad his son. 7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Mahrai, the Netophathite, of the Zerahites; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; 17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok; 18 of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; 19 of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel; 20 of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; 21 of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; 22 of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under; because the LORD had said He would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but finished not; and there came wrath for this upon Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.

25 And over the king's treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 and over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite; 28 and over the olive-trees and the sycomore-trees that were in the Lowland was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash; 29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shirtai the Sharonite; and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai; 30 and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; 31 and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons; 33 and Ahithophel was the king's counsellor; and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend; 34 and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar; and the captain of the king's host was Joab.

1 CHRONICLES 28 — 1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and cattle of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valour, unto Jerusalem. 2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said: 'Hear me, my brethren, and my people; as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building. 3 But God said unto me: Thou shalt not build a house for My name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood. 4 Howbeit the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever; for He hath chosen Judah to be prince, and in the house of Judah, the house of my father, and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel; 5 and of all my sons--for the LORD hath given me many sons--He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 And He said unto me: Solomon thy son, he shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be to Me for a son, and I will be to him for a father. 7 And I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do My commandments and Mine ordinances, as at this day. 8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you for ever.

9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts; if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever. 10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.'

11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the ark-cover; 12 and the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, for the courts of the house of the LORD, and for all the chambers round about, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the hallowed things; 13 also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD: 14 of gold by weight for the vessels of gold, for all vessels of every kind of service; of silver for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service; 15 by weight also for the candlesticks of gold, and for the lamps thereof, of gold, by weight for every candlestick and for the lamps thereof; and for the candlesticks of silver, silver by weight for every candlestick and for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick; 16 and the gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver; 17 and the flesh-hooks, and the basins, and the jars, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl; 18 and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, even the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 'All this do I give thee in writing, as the LORD hath made me wise by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.'

20 And David said to Solomon his son: 'Be strong and of good courage, and do it; fear not, nor be dismayed; for the LORD God, even my God, is with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD be finished. 21 And, behold, there are the courses of the priests and the Levites, for all the service of the house of God; and there shall be with thee in all manner of work every willing man that hath skill, for any manner of service; also the captains and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.'

1 CHRONICLES 29 — 1 And David the king said unto all the congregation: 'Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. 2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the brass for the things of brass, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. 3 Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, 4 even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, wherewith to overlay the walls of the houses; 5 of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto the LORD?'

6 Then the princes of the fathers' houses, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly; 7 and they gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and of iron a hundred thousand talents. 8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a whole heart they offered willingly to the LORD; and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation; and David said: 'Blessed be Thou, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou rulest over all; and in Thy hand is power and might; and in Thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. 15 For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers were: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee a house for Thy holy name cometh of Thy hand, and is all Thine own. 17 I know also, my God, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy Thy people, that are present here, offer willingly unto Thee. 18 O LORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever, even the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people, and direct their heart unto Thee; 19 and give unto Solomon my son a whole heart, to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made, provision.'

20 And David said to all the congregation: 'Now bless the LORD your God.' And all the congregation blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and prostrated themselves before the LORD, and before the king. 21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel; 22 and did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be prince, and Zadok to be priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel hearkened to him. 24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. 25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

26 Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 28 And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. 29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the words of Samuel the seer, and in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the words of Gad the seer; 30 with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

2 Chronicles

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[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

[31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36]

2 CHRONICLES 1 — 1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. 2 And Solomon spoke unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers' houses. 3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 5 Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, had been put before the tabernacle of the LORD; and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. 6 And Solomon offered there, upon the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tent of meeting, he offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it.

7 In that night did God, appear unto Solomon, and said unto him: 'Ask what I shall give thee.' 8 And Solomon said unto God: 'Thou hast shown great kindness unto David my father, and hast made me king in his stead. 9 Now, O LORD God, let Thy promise unto David my father be established; for Thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this Thy people, that is so great?' 11 And God said to Solomon: 'Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of them that hate thee, neither yet hast asked long life, but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people, over whom I have made thee king; 12 wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee, and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.' 13 So Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, unto Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel.

14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 15 And the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore-trees that are in the Lowland, for abundance. 16 And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; also out of Keve, the king's merchants buying them of the men of Keve at a price. 17 And they fetched up, and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Aram, did they bring them out by their means.

18 Now Solomon purposed to build a house for the name of the LORD, and a house for his kingdom.

2 CHRONICLES 2 — 1 And Solomon counted out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand men that were hewers in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. 2 And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying: 'As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him a house to dwell therein,even so deal with me. 3 Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the appointed seasons of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. 4 And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods. 5 But who is able to build Him a house, seeing the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? who am I then, that I should build Him a house, save only to offer before Him? 6 Now therefore send me a man skilful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that hath skill to grave all manner of gravings, to be with the skilful men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide. 7 Send me also cedar-trees, cypress-trees, and sandal-wood, out of Lebanon; for I know that thy servants have skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, 8 even to prepare me timber in abundance; for the house which I am about to build shall be great and wonderful. 9 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.'

10 Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: 'Because the LORD loveth His people, He hath made thee king over them.' 11 Huram said moreover: 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with discretion and understanding, that should build a house for the LORD, and a house for his kingdom. 12 And now I have sent a skilful man, endued with understanding, even Huram my master craftsman, 13 the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to devise any device; to do whatever may be set before him, with thy skilful men, and with the skilful men of my lord David thy father. 14 Now therefore the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants; 15 and we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.'

16 And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found a hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. 17 And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people at work.

2 CHRONICLES 3 — 1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father; for which provision had been made in the Place of David, in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. 2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. 3 Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the ancient measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. 4 And the porch that was before the house, the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the height a hundred and twenty; and he overlaid it within with pure gold. 5 And the greater house he covered with cypress-wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and wrought thereon palm-trees and chains. 6 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty; and the gold was gold of Parvaim. 7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the thresholds, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubim on the walls.

8 And he made the most holy place; the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. 9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

10 And in the most holy place he made two cherubim of image work; and they overlaid them with gold. 11 And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. 12 And the wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub. 13 The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits; and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.

14 And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim thereon.

15 Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.

16 And he made chains in the Sanctuary, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains. 17 And he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

2 CHRONICLES 4 — 1 Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

2 Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and the height thereof was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. 3 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast. 4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set upon them above, and all their hinder parts were inward. 5 And it was a handbreadth thick; and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths.

6 He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them; such things as belonged to the burnt-offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

7 And he made the ten candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them; and he set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.

8 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made a hundred basins of gold.

9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.

10 And he set the sea on the right side [of the house] eastward, toward the south.

11 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. So Huram made an end of doing the work that he wrought for king Solomon in the house of God: 12 the two pillars, and the bowls, and the two capitals which were on the top of the pillars; and the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; 13 and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks: two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars. 14 He made also the bases, and the lavers made he upon the bases; 15 one sea, and the twelve oxen under it. 16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the flesh-hooks, and all the vessels thereof, did Huram his master craftsman make for king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass. 17 In the plain of the Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. 18 Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance; for the weight of the brass could not be found out.

19 And Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon was the showbread; 20 and the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn according to the ordinance before the Sanctuary, of pure gold; 21 and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, and that perfect gold; 22 and the snuffers, and the basins, and the pans, and the fire-pans, of pure gold. And as for the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house, that is, of the temple, were of gold.

2 CHRONICLES 5 — 1 Thus all the work that Solomon wrought for the house of the LORD was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had hallowed; even the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.

2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. 3 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month. 4 And all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. 5 And they brought up the ark, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; these did the priests and the Levites bring up. 6 And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude. 7 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto its place, into the Sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim. 8 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above. 9 And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the Sanctuary; but they could not be seen without; and there they are unto this day. 10 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place--for all the priests that were present had sanctified themselves, and did not keep their courses; 12 also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brethren, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets--13 it came even to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD: 'for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever'; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

2 CHRONICLES 6 — 1 Then spoke Solomon:

The LORD hath said that He would dwell in the thick darkness.

2 But I have built Thee a house of habitation,

And a place for Thee to dwell in for ever.

3 And the king turned his face, and blessed all the congregation of Israel; and all the congregation of Israel stood. 4 And he said: 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth unto David my father, and hath with His hands fulfilled it, saying: 5 Since the day that I brought forth My people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that My name might be there; neither chose I any man to be prince over My people Israel; 6 but I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might be there; and have chosen David to be over My people Israel. 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said unto David my father: Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for My name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart; 9 nevertheless thou shalt not build the house, but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for My name. 10 And the LORD hath established His word that He spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11 And there have I set the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with the children of Israel.'

12 And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands--13 for Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven--14 and he said: 'O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like Thee, in the heaven, or in the earth; who keepest covenant and mercy with Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their heart; 15 who hast kept with Thy servant David my father that which Thou didst promise him; yea, Thou spokest with Thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with Thy hand, as it is this day. 16 Now therefore, O LORD, the God of Israel, keep with Thy servant David my father that which Thou hast promised him, saying: There shall not fail thee a man in My sight to sit on the throne of Israel; if only thy children take heed to their way, to walk in My law as thou hast walked before Me. 17 Now therefore, O LORD, the God of Israel, let Thy word be verified, which Thou spokest unto Thy servant David.

18 But will God in very truth dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have builded! 19 Yet have Thou respect unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which Thy servant prayeth before Thee; 20 that Thine eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place whereof Thou hast said that thou wouldest put Thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant shall pray toward this place. 21 And hearken Thou to the supplications of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place; yea, hear Thou from Thy dwelling-place, even from heaven; and when Thou hearest, forgive.

22 If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be exacted of him to cause him to swear, and he come and swear before Thine altar in this house; 23 then hear Thou from heaven, and do, and judge Thy servants, requiting the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

24 And if Thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, when they sin against Thee, and shall turn again and confess Thy name, and pray and make supplication before Thee in this house; 25 then hear Thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the land which Thou gavest to them and to their fathers.

26 When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, when they sin against Thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess Thy name, turning from their sin, when Thou dost afflict them; 27 then hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy servants, and of Thy people Israel, when Thou dost direct them on the good way wherein they should walk; and send rain upon Thy land, which Thou hast given to Thy people for an inheritance.

28 If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague or whatsoever sickness there be; 29 what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all Thy people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own pain, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house; 30 then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest--for Thou, even Thou only, knowest the hearts of the children of men--31 that they may fear Thee, to walk in Thy ways, all the days that they live in the land which Thou gavest unto our fathers.

32 Moreover concerning the stranger, that is not of Thy people Israel, when be shall come out of a far country for Thy great name's sake, and Thy mighty hand, and Thine outstretched arm; when they shall come and pray toward this house; 33 then hear Thou from heaven, even from Thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know Thy name, and fear Thee, as doth Thy people Israel, and that they may know that Thy name is called upon this house which I have built.

34 If Thy people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatsoever way Thou shalt send them, and they pray unto Thee toward this city which Thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for Thy name; 35 then hear Thou from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. 36 If they sin against Thee--for there is no man that sinneth not--and Thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto a land far off or near; 37 yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn, and make supplication unto Thee in the land of their captivity, saying: We have sinned, we have done iniquitously, and have dealt wickedly; 38 if they return unto Thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which Thou gavest unto their fathers, and the city which Thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for Thy name; 39 then hear Thou from heaven, even from Thy dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause; and forgive Thy people who have sinned against Thee.

40 Now, O my God, let, I beseech Thee, Thine eyes be open, and let Thine ears be attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place.

41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into Thy resting-place,

Thou, and the ark of Thy strength;

Let Thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation,

And let Thy saints rejoice in good.

42 O LORD God, turn not away the face of Thine anointed;

Remember the good deeds of David Thy servant.'

2 CHRONICLES 7 — 1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD'S house. 3 And all the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD was upon the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and prostrated themselves, and gave thanks unto the LORD; 'for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.'

4 And the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the LORD. 5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 6 And the priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the king had made, to give thanks unto the LORD, for His mercy endureth for ever, with the praises of David by their hand; and the priests sounded trumpets over against them; and all Israel stood. 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD; for there he offered the burnt-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings; because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat.

8 So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the Brook of Egypt. 9 And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 10 And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away unto their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people.

11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him: 'I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people; 14 if My people, upon whom My name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent, unto the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that My name may be there for ever; and Mine eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually. 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before Me as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep My statutes and Mine ordinances; 18 then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I covenanted with David thy father, saying: There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. 19 But if ye turn away, and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 20 then will I pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for My name, will I cast out of My sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 And this house, which is so high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall say: Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? 22 And they shall answer: Because they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them; therefore hath He brought all this evil upon them.'

2 CHRONICLES 8 — 1 And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house, 2 that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and prevailed against it. 4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store-cities, which he built in Hamath. 5 Also he built Beth-horon the upper, and Beth-horon the nether, fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars; 6 and Baalath, and all the store-cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

7 As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel; 8 of their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, of them did Solomon raise a levy of bondservants, unto this day. 9 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen.

10 And these were the chief officers of king Solomon, even two hundred and fifty, that bore rule over the people.

11 And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her; for he said: 'No wife of mine shall dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.'

12 Then Solomon offered burnt-offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch, 13 even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the appointed seasons, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. 14 And he appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise, and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required; the doorkeepers also by their courses at every gate; for so had David the man of God commanded. 15 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures. 16 So all the work of Solomon was set in order from the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.

17 Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, on the sea-shore in the land of Edom. 18 And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and fetched from thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.

2 CHRONICLES 9 — 1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great train, and camels that bore spices and gold in abundance, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she spoke with him of all that was in her heart. 2 And Solomon told her all her questions; and there was not any thing hid from Solomon which he told her not. 3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 4 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. 5 And she said to the king: 'It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom. 6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me; thou exceedest the fame that I heard. 7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, that stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. 8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, who delighted in thee, to set thee on His throne, to be king for the LORD thy God; because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made He thee king over them, to do justice and righteousness.'

9 And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices in great abundance, and precious stones; neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. 10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon that brought gold from Ophir, brought sandal-wood and precious stones. 11 And the king made of the sandal-wood paths for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, and harps and psalteries for the singers; and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. 12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants.

13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; 14 beside that which the traffickers and merchants brought; and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. 15 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target; 16 three hundred shields of beaten gold also: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. 18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and arms on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. 19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps; there was not the like made in any kingdom.

20 And all king Solomon's drinking-vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. 21 For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

22 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. 24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 26 And he ruled over all the kings from the River even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. 27 And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore-trees that are in the Lowland, for abundance. 28 And they brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt, and out of all lands.

29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Jedo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 31 And Solomon slept with his fathers; they buried him in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 10 — 1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it--for he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon--that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying: 4 'Thy father made our yoke grievous; now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.' 5 And he said unto them: 'Come again unto me after three days.' And the people departed.

6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying: 'What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?' 7 And they spoke unto him, saying: 'If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.' 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men that were grown up with him, that stood before him. 9 And he said unto them: 'What counsel give ye, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying: Make the yoke that thy father did put upon us lighter?' 10 And the young men that were grown up with him spoke unto him, saying: 'Thus shalt thou say unto the people that spoke unto thee, saying: Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them: My little finger is thicker than my father's loins. 11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.'

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying: 'Come to me again the third day.' 13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying: '[My father] made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.' 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was brought about of God, that the LORD might establish His word, which He spoke by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

16 And when all Israel [saw] that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying: 'What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to your tents, O Israel; now see to thine own house, David.' So all Israel departed unto their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the levy; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, so that he died. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

2 CHRONICLES 11 — 1 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, that were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom back to Rehoboam. 2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying: 3 'Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying: 4 Thus saith the LORD: Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren; return every man to his house, for this thing is of Me.' So they hearkened unto the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. 6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 and Beth-zur, and Soco, and Adullam, 8 and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 9 and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah, 10 and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities. 11 And he fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and oil and wine. 12 And in every city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. And Judah and Benjamin adhered to him.

13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel presented themselves to him out of all their border. 14 For the Levites left their open land and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem; for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest's office unto the LORD; 15 and he appointed him priests for the high places, and for the satyrs, and for the calves which he had made. 16 And after them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice unto the LORD, the God of their fathers. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.

18 And Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse; 19 and she bore him sons: Jeush, and Shemariah, and Zaham. 20 And after her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 21 And Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines--for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines, and begot twenty and eight sons and threescore daughters. 22 And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, even the prince among his brethren; for he was minded to make him king. 23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fortified city; and he gave them victual in abundance. And he sought for them many wives.

2 CHRONICLES 12 — 1 And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. 2 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had dealt treacherously with the LORD, 3 with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen; and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. 4 And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came unto Jerusalem. 5 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them: 'Thus saith the LORD: Ye have forsaken Me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.' 6 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said: 'The LORD is righteous.' 7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying: 'They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. 8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know My service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.'

9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all away; he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. 10 And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king's house. 11 And it was so, that as oft as the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and bore them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber. 12 And when he humbled himself, the anger of the LORD turned from him, that He would not destroy him altogether; and moreover in Judah there were good things found.

13 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned; for Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there; and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess. 14 And he did that which was evil, because he set not his heart to seek the LORD.

15 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. 16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 13 — 1 In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah. 2 Three years reigned he in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. 3 And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valour. 4 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, and said: 'Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel; 5 ought ye not to know that the LORD, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? 6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord. 7 And there were gathered unto him vain men, base fellows that strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and faint-hearted, and could not withstand them. 8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods. 9 Have ye not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the peoples of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same becometh a priest of them that are no gods. 10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and we have priests ministering unto the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work; 11 and they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense; the showbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken Him. 12 And, behold, God is with us at our head, and His priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD, the God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.'

13 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them; so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them. 14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah; and God delivered them into their hand. 17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter; so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. 18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD, the God of their fathers. 19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof. 20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah; and the LORD smote him, and he died. 21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begot twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters. 22 And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.

23 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and Asa his son reigned in his stead; in his days the land was quiet ten years. 2 CHRONICLES 14 — 1 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God; 2 for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim; 3 and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 4 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images; and the kingdom was quiet before him. 5 And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. 6 For he said unto Judah: 'Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He hath given us rest on every side.' So they built and prospered. 7 And Asa had an army that bore bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand; all these were mighty men of valour.

8 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah. 9 Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephath at Mareshah. 10 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said: 'LORD, there is none beside Thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength; help us, O LORD our God; for we rely on Thee, and in Thy name are we come against this multitude. Thou art the LORD our God; let not man prevail against Thee.' 11 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. 12 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar; and there fell of the Ethiopians so that none remained alive; for they were shattered before the LORD, and before His host; and they carried away very much booty. 13 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for a terror from the LORD came upon them; and they spoiled all the cities; for there was much spoil in them. 14 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep in abundance and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.

2 CHRONICLES 15 — 1 And the spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded; 2 and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him: 'Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you, while ye are with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. 3 Now for long seasons Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law; 4 but when in their distress they turned unto the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found of them. 5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great discomfitures were upon all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God did discomfit them with all manner of adversity. 7 But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.'

8 And when Asa heard these words, even the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the detestable things out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill-country of Ephraim; and he renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. 9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and them that sojourned with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon; for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. 10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 11 And they sacrificed unto the LORD in that day, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. 12 And they entered into the covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 and that whosoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. 14 And they swore unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with horns. 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them; and the LORD gave them rest round about.

16 And also Maacah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. 17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was whole all his days. 18 And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had hallowed, and that he himself had hallowed, silver, and gold, and vessels. 19 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.

2 CHRONICLES 16 — 1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasa king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Aram, that dwelt at Damascus, saying: 3 'There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father; behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasa king of Israel, that he may depart from me.' 4 And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali. 5 And it came to pass, when Baasa heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease. 6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had builded; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him: 'Because thou hast relied on the king of Aram, and hast not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Aram escaped out of thy hand. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, He delivered them into thy hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is whole toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.' 10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great; yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. 13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. 14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers' art; and they made a very great burning for him.

2 CHRONICLES 17 — 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baalim; 4 but sought to the God of his father, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD; and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9 And they taught in Judah, having the book of the Law of the LORD with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.

10 And a terror from the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. 13 And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valour, in Jerusalem. 14 And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses: of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour; 17 and of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war. 19 These were they that waited on the king beside those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

2 CHRONICLES 18 — 1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. 2 And after a lapse of years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that were with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead. 3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah: 'Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead?' And he answered him: 'I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.'

4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel: 'Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD today.' 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said unto them: 'Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?' And they said: 'Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.' 6 But Jehoshaphat said: 'Is there not here besides a prophet of the LORD, that we might inquire of him?' 7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat: 'There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but always evil; the same is Micaiah the son of Imla.' And Jehoshaphat said: 'Let not the king say so.' 8 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said: 'Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.' 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they sat in a threshing-floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said: 'Thus saith the LORD: With these shalt thou gore the Arameans, until they be consumed.' 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying: 'Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper; for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.'

12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying: 'Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.' 13 And Micaiah said: 'As the LORD liveth, what my God saith, that will I speak.' 14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him: 'Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?' And he said: 'Go ye up, and prosper; and they shall be delivered into your hand.' 15 And the king said to him: 'How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD.' 16 And he said: 'I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said: These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace.' 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat: 'Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?' 18 And he said: 'Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting upon His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left. 19 And the LORD said: who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spoke saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. 20 And there came forth the spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said: I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him: Wherewith? 21 And he said: I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said: Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also; go forth, and do so. 22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets; and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.'

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the check, and said: 'Which way went the spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?' 24 And Micaiah said: 'Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.' 25 And the king of Israel said: 'Take ye Micaiah; and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; 26 and say: Thus saith the king: Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with scant bread and with scant water, until I return in peace.' 27 And Micaiah said: 'If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me.' And he said: 'Hear, ye peoples, all of you.'

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the kind of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat: 'I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes.' So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle. 30 Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying: 'Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.' 31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said: 'It is the king of Israel.' Therefore they turned about to fight against him; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. 32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 33 And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the lower armour and the breastplate; wherefore he said to the driver of the chariot: 'Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore wounded.' 34 And the battle increased that day; howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Arameans until the even; and about the time of the going down of the sun he died.

2 CHRONICLES 19 — 1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat: 'Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate the LORD? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before the LORD. 3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.'

4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD, the God of their fathers. 5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges: 'Consider what ye do; for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD; and He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now therefore let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.'

8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them, saying: 'Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a whole heart. 10 And whensoever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, ye shall warn them, that they be not guilty towards the LORD, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren; thus shall ye do, and ye shall not be guilty. 11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters; also the officers of the Levites before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD be with the good.'

2 CHRONICLES 20 — 1 And it came to pass after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying: `There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea from Aram; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar'--the same is En-gedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek unto the LORD; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to seek help of the LORD; even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court; 6 and he said: 'O LORD, the God of our fathers, art not Thou alone God in heaven? and art not Thou ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in Thy hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee. 7 Didst not Thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever? 8 And they dwelt therein, and have built Thee a sanctuary therein for Thy name, saying: 9 If evil come upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before Thee--for Thy name is in this house--and cry unto Thee in our affliction, and Thou wilt hear and save. 10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom Thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and destroyed them not; 11 behold, they render unto us evil, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt Thou not execute judgment on them? for we have no might against this great multitude that cometh against us; neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon Thee.' 13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; 15 and he said: 'Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat: thus saith the LORD unto you: Fear not ye, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 To-morrow go ye down against them; behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed; to-morrow go out against them; for the LORD is with you.' 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. 19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.

20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said: 'Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.' 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them that should sing unto the LORD, and praise in the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and say: 'Give thanks unto the LORD, for His mercy endureth for ever.' 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

24 And when Judah came to the watch-tower of the wilderness, they looked upon the multitude; and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none that escaped. 25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much. 26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah, unto this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD. 29 And a terror from God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about.

31 And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah; he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD. 33 Howbeit the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts unto the God of their fathers. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the words of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel. 35 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel; the same did very wickedly; 36 and he joined him with himself to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying: 'Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath made a breach in thy works.' And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

2 CHRONICLES 21 — 1 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. 2 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariahu, and Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3 And their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the first-born. 4 Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel. 5 Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife; and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. 7 Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and as He promised to give a lamp to him and to his children alway.

8 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. 9 Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him; and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites that compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots. 10 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day; then did Libnah revolt at the same time from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers. 11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go astray, and drew Judah away. 12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying: 'Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father: Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah; 13 but hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go astray, like as the house of Ahab made Israel to go astray; and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, who were better than thyself; 14 behold, the LORD will smite with a great plague thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy substance; 15 and thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.'

16 And the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians that are beside the Ethiopians; 17 and they came up against Judah, and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

18 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. 19 And it came to pass, that in process of time, at the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. 20 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed joyless; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

2 CHRONICLES 22 — 1 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead; for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. 4 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab; for they were his counsellors after the death of his father, to his destruction. 5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead; and the Arameans wounded Joram. 6 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

7 Now the downfall of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went unto Joram; for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. 8 And it came to pass, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, that he found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah, and slew them. 9 And he sought Ahaziah, and they caught him--now he was hiding in Samaria--and they brought him to Jehu, and slew him; and they buried him, for they said: 'He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart.' And there was none of the house of Ahaziah that had power to hold the kingdom.

10 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. 11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bed-chamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest--for she was the sister of Ahaziah--hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. 12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years; and Athaliah reigned over the land.

2 CHRONICLES 23 — 1 And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him. 2 And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers' houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them: 'Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath spoken concerning the sons of David. 4 This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; 5 and a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation; and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD. 6 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy; but all the people shall keep the charge of the LORD. 7 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever cometh into the house, let him be slain; and be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.'

8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses. 9 And Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God. 10 And he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king round about. 11 Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown and the insignia, and made him king; and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said: 'Long live the king.'

12 And when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD; 13 and she looked, and, behold, the king stood on his platform at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets; the singers also [played] on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said: 'Treason, treason.' 14 And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them: 'Have her forth between the ranks; and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword'; for the priest said: 'Slay her not in the house of the LORD.' 15 So they made way for her; and she went to the entry of the horse gate to the king's house; and they slew her there.

16 And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be the LORD'S people. 17 And all the people went to the house of Baal, and broke it down, and broke his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18 And Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt-offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the direction of David. 19 And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none that was unclean in any thing should enter in. 20 And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD; and they came through the upper gate unto the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. 21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet; and they slew Athaliah with the sword.

2 CHRONICLES 24 — 1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. 2 And Joash did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begot sons and daughters.

4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of the LORD. 5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them: 'Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter.' Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. 6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and unto him: 'Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tent of the testimony?' 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the hallowed things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon the Baalim.

8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD. 9 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for the LORD the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness. 10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end. 11 And it was so, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the chief priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it back to its place. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to repair the house of the LORD. 13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it. 14 And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels wherewith to minister, and buckets, and pans, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

15 But Jehoiada waxed old and was full of days, and he died; a hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. 16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and His house. 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and prostrated themselves before the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. 18 And they forsook the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness. 19 Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back unto the LORD; and they admonished them, but they would not give ear.

20 And the spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said unto them: 'Thus saith God: Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, He hath also forsaken you.' 21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. 22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said: 'The LORD look upon it, and require it.'

23 And it came to pass, when the year was come about, that the army of the Arameans came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. 24 For the army of the Arameans came with a small company of men; and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment upon Joash. 25 And when they were departed from him--for they left him in great diseases--his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings. 26 And these are they that conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess. 27 Now concerning his sons, and the multitude of the burdens against him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 25 — 1 Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. 2 And he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not with a whole heart. 3 Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established unto him, that he slew his servants who had killed the king his father. 4 But he put not their children to death, but did according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying: 'The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.'

5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers' houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. 6 He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver. 7 But there came a man of God to him, saying: 'O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, even with all the children of Ephraim. 8 But if thou wilt go, and do engage never so valiantly in battle, God will cast thee down before the enemy; for God hath power to help, and to cast down.' 9 And Amaziah said to the man of God: 'But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?' And the man of God answered: 'The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.' 10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go back home; wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger.

11 And Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand. 12 And other ten thousand did the children of Judah carry away alive, and brought them unto the top of the Rock, and cast them down from the top of the Rock, that they all were broken in pieces. 13 But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote of them three thousand, and took much spoil.

14 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and prostrated himself before them, and offered unto them. 15 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and He sent unto him a prophet, who said unto him: 'Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of thy hand?' 16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him: 'Have we made thee of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?' Then the prophet forbore, and said: 'I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.'

17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying: 'Come, let us look one another in the face.' 18 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying: 'The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying: Give thy daughter to my son to wife; and there passed by the wild beasts that were in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle. 19 Thou sayest--lo, thou hast smitten Edom; will thy heart therefore lift thee up to glory therein? abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle with evil, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?' 20 But Amaziah would not hear; for it was of God, that He might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom. 21 So Joash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah. 22 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to his tent. 23 And Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 24 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

25 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. 26 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? 27 Now from the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there. 28 And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

2 CHRONICLES 26 — 1 And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. 2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. 3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did that, which was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 And he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in [the country of] Ashdod, and among the Philistines. 7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Meunim. 8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah; and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he waxed exceeding strong. 9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the Turning, and fortified them. 10 And be built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the Lowland also, and in the table-land; and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry.

11 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains. 12 The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses, even the mighty men of valour, was two thousand and six hundred. 13 And under their hand was a trained army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. 14 And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. 15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and upon the corners, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against the LORD his God; for he went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. 17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men; 18 and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him: 'It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron that are consecrated it pertaineth to burn incense; go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thy honour from the LORD God.' 19 Then Uzziah was wroth; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense. 20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from thence; yea, himself made haste also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. 21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a house set apart, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD; and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land. 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write. 23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said: 'He is a leper'; and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 27 — 1 Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. 2 And he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly. 3 He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. 4 Moreover he built cities in the hill-country of Judah, and in the forest he built castles and towers. 5 He fought also with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon render unto him, in the second year also, and in the third. 6 So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God. 7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. 9 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 28 — 1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, like David his father; 2 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for the Baalim. 3 Moreover he offered in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. 4 And he sacrificed and offered in the high places, and on the hills, and under every leafy tree. 5 Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Aram; and they smote him, and carried away of his a great multitude of captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. 6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. 7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king. 8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them: 'Behold, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was wroth with Judah, He hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage which hath reached up unto heaven. 10 And now ye purpose to bring the children of Judah and Jerusalem into subjection for bondmen and bondwomen unto you; but are there not even with you acts of guilt of your own against the LORD your God? 11 Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that ye have taken captive of your brethren; for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.' 12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Jehohanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war, 13 and said unto them: 'Ye shall not bring in the captives hither; for ye purpose that which will bring upon us guilt against the LORD, to add unto our sins and to our guilt; for our guilt is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.' 14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. 15 And the men that have been mentioned by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm-trees, unto their brethren; then they returned to Samaria.

16 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. 17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. 18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the Lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco with the towns thereof, and Timnah with the towns thereof, Gimzo also and the towns thereof; and they dwelt there. 19 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he had cast away restraint in Judah, and acted treacherously against the LORD. 20 And Tillegath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. 21 For Ahaz stripped the house of the LORD, and the house of the king and the princes, and gave thereof unto the king of Assyria; but it helped him not.

22 And in the time of his distress did he act even more treacherously against the LORD, this same king Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him; and he said: 'Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me.' But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD; and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 And in every city of Judah he made high places to offer unto other gods, and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers. 26 Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem; for they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel; and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 29 — 1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old; and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. 3 He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. 4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the broad place on the east; 5 and said unto them: `Hear me, ye Levites: now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 6 For our fathers have acted treacherously, and done that which was evil in the sight of the LORD our God, and have forsaken Him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. 7 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt-offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. 8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He hath delivered them to be a horror, an astonishment, and a hissing, as ye see with your eyes. 9 For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. 10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, that His fierce anger may turn away from us. 11 My sons, be not now negligent; for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before Him, to minister unto Him, and that ye should be His ministers, and offer unto Him.'

12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah; 13 and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; 14 and of the sons of Heman, Jehiel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. 15 And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and went in, according to the commandment of the king by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. 16 And the priests went in unto the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad to the brook Kidron. 17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD; and they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end. 18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king within the palace, and said: 'We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, even the altar of burnt-offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the table of showbread, with all the vessels thereof. 19 Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away when he acted treacherously, have we prepared and sanctified; and, behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.'

20 Then Hezekiah the king arose early, and gathered the princes of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD. 21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he-goats, for a sin-offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD. 22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and dashed it against the altar; and they killed the rams, and dashed the blood against the altar; they killed also the lambs, and dashed the blood against the altar. 23 And they brought near the he-goats for the sin-offering before the king and the congregation, and they laid their hands upon them; 24 and the priests killed them, and they made a sin-offering with their blood upon the altar, to make atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt-offering and the sin-offering should be made for all Israel.

25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was of the LORD by His prophets. 26 And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar. And when the burnt-offering began, the song of the LORD began also, and the trumpets, together with the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 And all the congregation prostrated themselves, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt-offering was finished. 29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves and prostrated themselves. 30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.

31 Then Hezekiah answered and said: 'Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of the LORD.' And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt-offerings. 32 And the number of the burnt-offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for a burnt-offering to the LORD. 33 And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. 34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings; wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. 35 And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace-offerings, and the drink-offerings for every burnt-offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was firmly established. 36 And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.

2 CHRONICLES 30 — 1 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD, the God of Israel. 2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. 3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. 4 And the thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the congregation. 5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem; for they had not kept it in great numbers according as it is written.

6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying: 'Ye children of Israel, turn back unto the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may return to the remnant that are escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, who acted treacherously against the LORD, the God of their fathers, so that He delivered them to be an astonishment, as ye see. 8 Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into His sanctuary, which He hath sanctified for ever, and serve the LORD your God, that His fierce anger may turn away from you. 9 For if ye turn back unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that led them captive, and shall come back into this land; for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you, if ye return unto Him.'

10 So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even unto Zebulun; but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. 11 Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. 12 Also in Judah was the hand of God to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of the LORD.

13 And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. 14 And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron. 15 Then they killed the passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month; and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt-offerings into the house of the LORD. 16 And they stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of God; the priests dashed the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the congregation that had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites had the charge of killing the passover lambs for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. 18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying: 'The good LORD pardon 19 every one that setteth his heart to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, though [he be] not [cleansed] according to the purification that pertaineth to holy things.' 20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 21 And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22 And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly unto all the Levites that were well skilled in the service of the LORD. So they did eat throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace-offerings, and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

23 And the whole congregation took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept other seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation for offerings a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep; and priests sanctified themselves in great numbers. 25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. 27 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard of the LORD, and their prayer came up to His holy habitation, even unto heaven.

2 CHRONICLES 31 — 1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priest and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD. 3 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt-offerings, and the burnt-offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the appointed seasons, as it is written in the Law of the LORD. 4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of the LORD. 5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 6 And the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of hallowed things which were hallowed unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps. 7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and His people Israel. 9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10 And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said: 'Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty; for the LORD hath blessed His people; and that which is left is this great store.'

11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them. 12 And they brought in the offerings and the tithes and the hallowed things faithfully; and over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was second. 13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God. 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill-offerings of God, to distribute the offerings of the LORD, and the most holy things. 15 And under him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small; 16 beside them that were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even every one that entered into the house of the LORD, for his daily portion, for their service in their charges according to their courses; 17 and them that were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers' houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses; 18 even to give to them that were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation; for in their office of trust they administered the sacred gifts; 19 also for the sons of Aaron the priests, that were in the fields of the open land about their cities, in every city, there were men that were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.

20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah; and he wrought that which was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. 21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

2 CHRONICLES 32 — 1 After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to make a breach therein for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city; and they helped him. 4 So there was gathered much people together, and they stopped all the fountains, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying: 'Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?' 5 And he took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance. 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying: 7 'Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; for there is a Greater with us than with him: 8 with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.' And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem--now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him--unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying: 10 `Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria: Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying: The LORD our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying: Ye shall worship before one altar, and upon it shall ye offer? 13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any wise able to deliver their land out of my hand? 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand? 15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah beguile you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe ye him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers; how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand?'

16 And his servants spoke yet more against the LORD God, and against His servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote also a letter, to taunt the LORD, the God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying: 'As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver His people out of my hand.' 18 And they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to terrify them, and to affright them; that they might take the city. 19 And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands.

20 And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. 22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all, and guided them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

24 In those days Hezekiah was sick even unto death; and he prayed unto the LORD; and He spoke unto him, and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah rendered not according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up; therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour; and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels; 28 store-houses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and flocks in folds. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart.

32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchres of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 33 — 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the nations, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baalim, and made Asheroth, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD said: 'In Jerusalem shall My name be for ever.' 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practised soothsaying, and used enchantments, and practised sorcery, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit; he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him. 7 And he set the graven image of the idol, which he had made, in the house of God, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son: 'In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put My name for ever; 8 neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers; if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.' 9 And Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, so that they did evil more than did the nations, whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

10 And the LORD spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they gave no heed. 11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in distress, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And he prayed unto Him; and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD He was God.

14 Now after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate; and he compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height; and he put captains of the army in all the fortified cities of Judah. 15 And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 16 And he built up the altar of the LORD, and offered thereon sacrifices of peace-offerings and of thanksgiving, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, but only unto the LORD their God.

18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, behold, they are written among the acts of the kings of Israel. 19 His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his transgression, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the graven images, before he humbled himself; behold, they are written in the history of the seers. 20 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house; and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

21 Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. 22 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed unto all the graven images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them. 23 And he humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon became guilty more and more. 24 And his servants conspired against him, and put him to death in his own house. 25 But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

2 CHRONICLES 34 — 1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images. 4 And they broke down the altars of the Baalim in his presence; and the sun-images, that were on high above them, he hewed down; and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. 5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and purged Judah and Jerusalem. 6 And so did he in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their axes round about. 7 And he broke down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the graven images into powder, and hewed down all the sun-images throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.

8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. 9 And they came to Hilkiah the high priest, and delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites, the keepers of the door, had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin, and they returned to Jerusalem. 10 And they delivered it into the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD; and the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD gave it to mend and repair the house; 11 even to the carpenters and to the builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to make beams for the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed. 12 And the men did the work faithfully; and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to preside over it; and other of the Levites, all that had skill with instruments of music. 13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and presided over all that did the work in every manner of service; and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.

14 And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses. 15 and Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe: 'I have found the book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and moreover brought back word unto the king, saying: 'All that was committed to thy servants, they do it. 17 And they have poured out the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and into the hand of the workmen.' 18 And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying: 'Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book.' And Shaphan read therein before the king. 19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the Law, that he rent his clothes. 20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying: 21 'Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do according unto all that is written in this book.'

22 So Hilkiah, and they whom the king [had commanded], went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe--now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter--and they spoke to her to that effect. 23 And she said unto them: 'Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell ye the man that sent you unto me: 24 Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah; 25 because they have forsaken Me, and have offered unto other gods, that they might provoke Me with all the works of their hands; therefore is My wrath poured out upon this place, and it shall not be quenched. 26 But unto the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him: Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: As touching the words which thou hast heard, 27 because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest His words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and hast humbled thyself before Me, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof.' And they brought back word unto the king.

29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small; and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. 31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments, and His testimonies, and His statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. 32 And he caused all that were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were found in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. All his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 CHRONICLES 35 — 1 And Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem; and they killed the passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD. 3 And he said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, that were holy unto the LORD: 'Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden upon your shoulders; now serve the LORD your God, and His people Israel. 4 And prepare ye after your fathers' houses by your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son. 5 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of your brethren the children of the people, and let there be for each a portion of a father's house of the Levites. 6 And kill the passover lamb, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brethren, to do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.'

7 And Josiah gave to the children of the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all of them for the passover-offerings, unto all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks; these were of the king's substance. 8 And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover-offerings two thousand and six hundred [small cattle], and three hundred oxen. 9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for the passover-offerings five thousand [small cattle], and five hundred oxen.

10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their courses, according to the king's commandment. 11 And they killed the passover lamb, and the priests dashed [the blood, which they received] of their hand, and the Levites flayed them. 12 And they removed the portions that were to be burnt, that they might give them to the divisions of the fathers' houses of the children of the people, to present unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen. 13 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance; and the holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the people. 14 And afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests; because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering the portions that were to be burnt and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron. 15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters were at every gate; they needed not to depart from their service, for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

16 So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt-offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah. 17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. 18 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him. 21 But he sent ambassadors to him, saying: 'What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war; and God hath given command to speed me; forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that He destroy thee not.' 22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Neco, from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. 23 And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants: 'Have me away; for I am sore wounded.' 24 So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. 25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah; and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations, unto this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel; and, behold, they are written in the lamentations. 26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds, according to that which is written in the Law of the LORD, 27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

2 CHRONICLES 36 — 1 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem. 2 Joahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 3 And the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem, and fined the land a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

5 Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. 6 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. 7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah; and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem; and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. 10 And at the return of the year king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

11 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; 12 and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. 13 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD, the God of Israel. 14 Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, transgressed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted the house of the LORD which He had hallowed in Jerusalem. 15 And the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent to them by His messengers, sending betimes and often; because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling-place; 16 but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

17 Therefore He brought upon them the king of the Chaldeans, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man or hoary-headed; He gave them all into his hand. 18 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. 19 And they burnt the house of God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia; 21 to fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had been paid her sabbaths; for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying: 23 `Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD, the God of heaven, given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whosoever there is among you of all His people--the LORD his God be with him--let him go up.'

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5/18/2010