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© Copyright 2016 by G. Allen Walker. Once this revision is out of “alpha & beta” forms it will become freely copy. You may not reproduce this work in any format that is ‘sold’ or included in ‘sold’ packages or other forms at the present time. The PDF will be available for non-commercial use at:

http://www.ModernLiteralVersion.org

Preface:

We had plans to use Young’s Literal Translation but found very early on that it is not even close to what people have claimed it to be and the idea was scrapped.

Then we sought better, after asking multiple Hebrew Scholars and we decided on the "A Conservative Version" done Dr. Walter L Porter, ThD. The ACV was already a great revision of the “American Standard Version 1901." Dr. Porter's goals were to remove archaic wording and put it into better English form (subject, verb, object). All other revisions of the “American Standard Version” have been more interested in readability, that is not our goal here. Our goal is to further increase the accuracy and word uniformity. We cannot hope to achieve the accuracy of the Old Testament like we did in the “Modern Literal Version New Testament”. Hebrew is just not as precise as Koine Greek but so far to date we have corrected about 42,000 places.

We had no plans to release the Alpha version except in electronic formats but the request for a book has been too high to ignore.

This is an “Open Source Translation” which means you can help... yes YOU! We need people who can do simple word checks and English proofreading.

Please excuse any formatting and "non-pretties" until it is in Beta version.

The reason why this is not one whole book Old and New Testaments alike is that we are limited in on-demand proclaiming by a 630 page limit even on 8.5"x11" "maximum square inches" paper. Books cater to the over 40 age group so 7 point font is just not for the 40+ year old group.

Definitions:

A, an are supplied words in the Hebrew O.T as well as the Greek N.T.

Banner = flag, signal, signet, ensign, etc. No way to tell exactly what shape it was.

Lie or Lie With = 1. Literally lay down... 2. Have sex with.

Seed = 1. A literal seed as what is planted in soil. 2. Offspring. 3. Seed or ‘seed of copulation’ = semen.

You, you = singular “you.”

You^*, you^*, your^*, yours^* = plural “you” / “yours.”

Hebrew Measures change to English sizes

Two-quart container = kac or cab, a Hebrew measure

10-gallon container = an ephah (also about a bushel or 40 liters)

1-gallon container = an omer

128-grain weights = Drachma, Dram, Daric

9-gallon container = a Hebrew bath

5-quart container = a hin

Italicized words are supplied words that the translators added to help clarify the Hebrew.

{} curly braces are footnotes, other possible spellings or references; they too are not in the original Hebrew.

UK English:

savoury,

To God is the glory forever. Amen.

[Genesis 1] TOC

^1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ^1:2 And the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God fluttered upon the face of the waters.

^1:3 And God said, Let there be light and there was light. ^1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good. And God divided the light from the darkness. ^1:5 And God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

^1:6 And God said, Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters. ^1:7 And God made the expanse and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse. And it was so. ^1:8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

^1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together to one place and let the dry land appear. And it was so. ^1:10 And God called the dry land Earth and he called the gathering together of the waters Seas. And God saw that it was good.

^1:11 And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit (which has seed in it) according to their kind upon the earth. And it was so.

^1:12 And the earth brought out grass, herbs yielding seed according to their kind and trees bearing fruit (which has seed in it), according to their kind. And God saw that it was good. ^1:13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

^1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of heaven to divide the day from the night and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years. ^1:15 And let them be for lights in the expanse of heaven to give light upon the earth. And it was so.

^1:16 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night and also the stars. ^1:17 And God set them in the expanse of heaven to give light upon the earth, ^1:18 and to rule over the day and over the night and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. ^1:19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

^1:20 And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of heaven. ^1:21 And God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought out abundantly, according to their kind and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

^1:22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas and let birds multiply on the earth. ^1:23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

^1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kind. And it was so.

^1:25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kind and the cattle according to their kind and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

^1:26 And God said, Let Us make man in our image– after our likeness– and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the cattle, and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. ^1:27 And God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; he created them male and female.

^1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and have power over it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.

^1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you^* every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed. To you^* it will be for food, ^1:30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps upon the earth in which there is life, every green herb, for food. And it was so.

^1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

[Genesis 2] TOC

^2:1 And the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them. ^2:2 And God finished his work by the seventh day which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. ^2:3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work which God had created and made.

^2:4 These are the genealogies of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven. ^2:5 And no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up, because Jehovah God had not caused it to rain upon the earth. And there was not a man to work the ground, ^2:6 but there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

^2:7 And Jehovah God formed man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. ^2:8 And Jehovah God planted a garden eastward in Eden and he put the man whom he had formed there.

^2:9 And out of the ground Jehovah God made to grow every tree that is desirable to the sight and good for food; also in the midst of the garden the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

^2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden and from there it was divided and became four chief rivers. ^2:11 The name of the first is Pishon. It is that river which encompasses the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. ^2:12 And the gold of that land is good; there is bdellium {sweat smelling gum resin or its plant} and the onyx stone too. ^2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon. The same is it which encompasses the whole land of Cush. ^2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel {Tigris}. It is that river which goes east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

^2:15 And Jehovah God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to work it and to keep it. ^2:16And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden, ^2:17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will not eat from it. Because in the day that you eat from it, you will surely die.

^2:18 And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone, I will make a helper for him. ^2:19 And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was the name of it. ^2:20 And the man gave names to all the cattle and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field, but for man there was not found a helper for him.

^2:21 And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man and he slept. And God took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh under it. ^2:22 And from the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, he made a woman and brought her to the man.

^2:23 And the man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She will be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. ^2:24Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother and will cling to his wife and the two will be one flesh. ^2:25 And the man and his wife were both naked and they were not ashamed.

[Genesis 3] TOC

^3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said to the woman, Yes, because God has said, You will not eat of any tree of the garden? ^3:2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, ^3:3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You will not eat of it, nor will you^* touch it, lest you^* die.

^3:4 And the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. ^3:5 Because God knows that in the day you^* eat of it, then your^* eyes will be opened and you^* will be like God, knowing good and evil.

^3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate. And she also gave to her husband with her and he ate. ^3:7 And the eyes of them were both opened and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.

^3:8 And they heard the sound of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God among the trees of the garden.

^3:9 And Jehovah God called to the man and said to him, Where are you?

^3:10 And he said, I heard your sound in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked. And I hid myself.

^3:11 And he said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you that you should not eat?

^3:12 And the man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I ate.

^3:13 And Jehovah God said to the woman, What is this that you have done?

And the woman said, The serpent deceived me and I ate.

^3:14 And Jehovah God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle and above every beast of the field. Upon your belly you will go and dust you will eat all the days of your life. ^3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise your head and you will bruise his heel.

^3:16 He said to the woman, I will greatly multiply your pain and your childbearing, in pain you will bring forth children. And your desire will be to your husband and he will rule over you.

^3:17 And to Adam he said, Because you have obeyed the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You will not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you. You will eat of it in toil all the days of your life.

^3:18 Also, it will bring forth thorns and thistles to you and you will eat the herb of the field. ^3:19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your face, till you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken. Because you are dust and you will return to dust.

^3:20 And the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. ^3:21 And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins and clothed them.

^3:22 And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man has become as one of Us, to know good and evil and now, lest he put forth his hand and also take of the tree of life and eat and live everlasting– ^3:23 therefore Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to work the ground from where he was taken.

^3:24 So he drove out the man. And he placed the cherubim and the flame of a sword which turned every way at the east of the garden of Eden to guard the way of the tree of life.

[Genesis 4] TOC

^4:1 And the man knew Eve his wife and she conceived and bore Cain and said, I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah. ^4:2 And again she bore his brother, Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain worked the ground.

^4:3 And it happened in process of time, that Cain brought an offering to Jehovah of the fruit of the ground. ^4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the first-offspring of his flock and of the fat of it. And Jehovah had respect to Abel and to his offering, ^4:5but he did not have respect to Cain and to his offering. And Cain was furious and his countenance fell.

^4:6 And Jehovah said to Cain, Why are you furious? And why has your countenance fallen? ^4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire will be for you and you should rule over it.

^4:8 And Cain told Abel his brother. And it happened, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. ^4:9 And Jehovah said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?

^4:10 And he said, What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground. ^4:11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. ^4:12 When you till the ground, it will not again yield to you its strength. You will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.

^4:13 And Cain said to Jehovah, My punishment is greater than I can bear. ^4:14 Behold, you have driven me out this day from the face of the ground and I will be hid from your face and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer in the earth. And it will happen, that whoever finds me will kill me. ^4:15 And Jehovah said to him, Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold. And Jehovah appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone who found him should not kill^* him.

^4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. ^4:17 And Cain knew his wife and she conceived and bore Enoch. And Cain built a city and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.

^4:18 And Irad was born to Enoch and Irad fathered Mehujael and Mehujael fathered Methushael and Methushael fathered Lamech.

^4:19 And Lamech took to him two wives. The name of the one was Adah and the name of the other was Zillah. ^4:20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle. ^4:21And his brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who handle the harp and pipe. ^4:22 And Zillah, she also bore Tubal-cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron. And the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

^4:23 And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice, you^*, the wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. Because I have killed a man for wounding me and a young man for bruising me. ^4:24If Cain will be avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.

^4:25 And Adam knew his wife again and she bore a son and called his name Seth. Because, she said, God has appointed for me another seed instead of Abel, because Cain killed him. ^4:26 And to Seth, to him there was also born a son and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of Jehovah.

[Genesis 5] TOC

{The Genealogy: Adam to Noah's sons. Gen_5:1-32, 1Ch_1:1-4 & Luk_3:36-38.}

^5:1 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in the likeness of God, ^5:2 he created them male and female and blessed them and in the day when they were created he called their name Man.

^5:3 And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years and fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image and called his name Seth. ^5:4 And the days of Adam were eight hundred years after he fathered Seth. And he fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:5And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years and he died.

^5:6 And Seth lived a hundred and five years and fathered Enosh. ^5:7 And Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after he fathered Enosh and fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years and he died.

^5:9 And Enosh lived ninety years and fathered Kenan. ^5:10 And Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after he fathered Kenan and fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:11 And all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years and he died.

^5:12 And Kenan lived seventy years and fathered Mahalalel. ^5:13 And Kenan lived eight hundred and forty years after he fathered Mahalalel and fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:14 And all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years and he died.

^5:15 And Mahalalel lived sixty-five years and fathered Jared. ^5:16 And Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years after he fathered Jared and fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:17 And all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years and he died.

^5:18 And Jared lived a hundred and sixty-two years and fathered Enoch. ^5:19 And Jared lived eight hundred years after he fathered Enoch and fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years and he died.

^5:21 And Enoch lived sixty-five years and fathered Methuselah. ^5:22 And Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he fathered Methuselah and fathered more sons and daughters.^5:23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. ^5:24 And Enoch walked with God and he did not die, because God took him.

^5:25 And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty-seven years and fathered Lamech. ^5:26 And Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years after he fathered Lamech and fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years and he died.

^5:28 And Lamech lived a hundred and eighty-two years and fathered a son. ^5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, because of the ground which Jehovah has cursed. ^5:30 And Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years after he fathered Noah and fathered more sons and daughters. ^5:31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years and he died.

^5:32 And Noah was five hundred years old. And Noah fathered Shem, Ham and Japheth.

[Genesis 6] TOC

^6:1 And it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground and daughters were born to them, ^6:2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair. And they took to them wives of all that they chose. ^6:3 And Jehovah said, My Spirit will not strive in man everlasting, he is flesh in their erring. Yet his days will be a hundred and twenty years.

^6:4 The giants were on the earth in those days. And also after that, when the sons of God came to the daughters of men and they bore sons to them, they were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

^6:5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only continually evil. ^6:6And Jehovah regretted that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him in his heart. ^6:7 And Jehovah said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the ground, from man to beast, to creeping things and birds of the heavens, because I regret that I have made them. ^6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah.

^6:9 These are the genealogies of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. ^6:10 And Noah fathered three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth.

^6:11 And the earth was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence. ^6:12 And God saw the earth and behold, it was corrupt, because all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.

^6:13 And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh has come before me, because the earth is filled with violence through them and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

^6:14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. You will make rooms in the ark and will pitch it inside and outside with pitch. ^6:15 And this is how you will make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits and the height of it thirty cubits. ^6:16 You will make a door for the ark and you will finish it to a cubit upward. And you will set the door of the ark in the side of it and you will make it with lower, second and third stories.

^6:17 And I, behold, I bring the flood of waters upon this earth, to destroy all flesh, in which is the breath of life, from under heaven. Everything that is on the earth will die.

^6:18 But I will establish my covenant with you. And you will come into the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you.

^6:19 And from every living thing of all flesh, you will bring into the ark two of every sort, to keep them alive with you. They will be male and female.^6:20 Of the birds according to their kind and of the cattle according to their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind. Two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive.

^6:21 And you take to you of all food that is eaten and gather it to yourself and it will be for food for you and for them. ^6:22 Noah did so according to all that God commanded him and so he did.

[Genesis 7] TOC

^7:1 And Jehovah said to Noah, Come, you and all your house into the ark, because I have seen you to be righteous before me in this generation. ^7:2 You will take to you the male and his female of every clean beast by sevens. And two of the beasts that are not clean, male and his female. ^7:3 Also of the birds of the heavens by sevens, male and female, to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

^7:4 Because after seven days and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights and I will blot from the face of the ground every living thing that I have made.

^7:5 And Noah did according to all that Jehovah commanded him. ^7:6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

^7:7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives went in with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. ^7:8 Of clean beasts and of beasts that are not clean and of birds and of everything that creeps upon the ground ^7:9 went in two by two there into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God commanded Noah.

^7:10 And it happened after the seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. ^7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up and the windows of heaven were opened.^7:12 And for forty days and forty nights the rain was upon the earth.

^7:13 In the same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ark, ^7:14 they and every beast according to its kind and all the cattle according to their kind and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, every bird of every wing.

^7:15 And they went in, to Noah and into the ark, two by two of all flesh in which is the breath of life.^7:16 And those that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him. And Jehovah shut him in.

^7:17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth. And the waters increased and bore up the ark and it was lifted up above the earth. ^7:18 And the waters prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth and the ark went upon the face of the waters. ^7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth and all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered, ^7:20 fifteen cubits upward. The waters prevailed and the mountains were covered.

^7:21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, from birds, to cattle, to beasts and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth and all mankind. ^7:22All died in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, of all that was on the dry land. ^7:23 And every living thing was destroyed that was upon the face of the ground, from man, to cattle, to creeping things and birds of the heavens and they were destroyed from the earth. And only Noah was left and those who were with him in the ark. ^7:24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.

[Genesis 8] TOC

^8:1 And God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth and the waters subsided. ^8:2 Also the fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped and the rain from heaven was restrained. ^8:3 And the waters returned from the earth, going and returning. And after the end of a hundred and fifty days the waters decreased.

^8:4 And the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month. ^8:5 And the waters decreased, going and returning until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.

^8:6 And it happened at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. ^8:7 And he sent out a raven. And it went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from the earth. ^8:8 And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had gone away from the face of the ground. ^8:9But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot. And she returned to him to the ark, because the waters were on the face of the whole earth. And he put out his hand and took her and brought her in, to him and into the ark.

^8:10 And he stayed yet another seven days and again he sent out the dove out of the ark. ^8:11 And the dove came in, in the evening to him. And behold, in her mouth an olive leaf plucked off, so Noah knew that the waters had gone away from the earth.

^8:12 And he stayed yet seven other days and sent forth the dove. And she did not return again to him any more. ^8:13 And it happened in the six hundred and first year, in the first month of the year and the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked. And behold, the face of the ground was nearly dried. ^8:14 And the earth was dry in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month.

^8:15 And God spoke to Noah, saying, ^8:16 Go forth from the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives with you. ^8:17 Bring forth with you every living thing that is with you, of all flesh, both birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon the earth.

^8:18 And Noah went forth and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. ^8:19 Every beast, every creeping thing and every bird, whatever moves upon the earth, according to their families, went forth out of the ark.

^8:20 And Noah built an altar to Jehovah and took of every clean beast and of every clean bird and offered burnt-offerings on the altar. ^8:21 And Jehovah smelled the sweet aroma. And Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more because of man, because the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. I will not again kill^* everything living, as I have done. ^8:22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest and cold and heat and summer and winter and day and night will not cease.

[Genesis 9] TOC

^9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. ^9:2And the fear of you^* and the dread of you^* will be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, with all that creeps on the ground and all the fishes of the sea. They are delivered into your^* hand. ^9:3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you^*. As the green herb, I have given you^* all. ^9:4 But you^* will not eat flesh in its life, that is its blood.

^9:5 And surely I will require your^* blood, the blood of your^* lives. I will require it at the hand of every beast. And I will require the life of man at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother. ^9:6 Whoever sheds man's blood, his blood will be shed by man. Because he made man in the image of God. ^9:7 And you^* be fruitful and multiply. Bring forth abundantly on the earth and multiply on it.

^9:8 And God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, ^9:9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you^* and with your^* seed after you^* ^9:10and with every living creature that is with you^*, the birds, the cattle and every beast of the earth with you^*, of all that go out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. ^9:11 And I will establish my covenant with you^*. Neither will all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of the flood, nor will there be a flood any more to destroy the earth.

^9:12 And God said, This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you^* and every living creature that is with you^*, everlasting. ^9:13 I set my bow in the cloud and it will be for a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.^9:14 And it will happen, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud. ^9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you^* and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. ^9:16 And the bow will be in the cloud and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. ^9:17 And God said to Noah, This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

^9:18 And the sons of Noah, who went forth from the ark, were Shem and Ham and Japheth. And Ham is the father of Canaan. ^9:19 These three were the sons of Noah and from these the whole earth was spread over.

^9:20 And Noah began to be a farmer and planted a vineyard. ^9:21 And he drank of the wine and was drunken. And he was uncovered within his tent. ^9:22And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside.

^9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. And their faces were backward and they did not see their father's nakedness.

^9:24 And Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him. ^9:25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan. He will be a servant to his brothers.

^9:26 And he said, Praise Jehovah, the God of Shem. And let Canaan be his servant. ^9:27 God enlarge Japheth and let him dwell in the tents of Shem. And let Canaan be his servant.

^9:28 And Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. ^9:29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years and he died.

[Genesis 10] TOC

{The Descendants of Noah's Sons. 1Ch_1:5-8, Gen_10:1-7.}

^10:1 Now these are the genealogies of the sons of Noah, of Shem, Ham and Japheth. And the sons who were born to them after the flood.

^10:2 The sons of Japheth were: Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.

^10:3 And the sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah. ^10:4 And the sons of Javan were: Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim.

^10:5 From these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, every man according to his tongue, according to their families, in their nations.

^10:6 And the sons of Ham were: Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan.

{Gen_10:7-20; 1 Ch_1:9-16}

^10:7 And the sons of Cush were: Seba and Havilah and Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca {Sabtechah}. And the sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan.

^10:8 And Cush fathered Nimrod. He began to be a mighty man on the earth. ^10:9 He was a mighty hunter before Jehovah. Therefore it is said, Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Jehovah. ^10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. ^10:11 He went forth out of that land into Assyria and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-ir and Calah ^10:12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

^10:13 And Mizraim fathered Ludim and Anamim and Lehabim and Naphtuhim ^10:14 and Pathrusim and Casluhim (from where the Philistines went forth) and Caphtorim.

^10:15 And Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and Heth ^10:16 and the Jebusite and the Amorite and the Girgashite ^10:17 and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite ^10:18 and the Arvadite and the Zemarite and the Hamathite. And afterward the Canaanite family were spread abroad. ^10:19 And the border of the Canaanite was from Sidon, as you go toward Gerar, to Gaza, as you go toward Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, to Lasha.

^10:20 These are the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, in their nations.

{Gen_10:21-30; 1Ch_1:17-23}

^10:21 And to Shem, the father of all the sons of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, sons were also born to him. ^10:22 The sons of Shem were: Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram. ^10:23 And the sons of Aram were: Uz and Hul and Gether and Mash. ^10:24 And Arpachshad fathered Shelah and Shelah fathered Eber.

^10:25 And to Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg. Because in his days the earth was divided. And his brother's name was Joktan. ^10:26 And Joktan fathered Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah ^10:27 and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah ^10:28 and Obal and Abimael and Sheba ^10:29and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. ^10:30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

^10:31 These are the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations.

^10:32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood.

[Genesis 11] TOC

^11:1 And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech. ^11:2 And it happened, as they traveled east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and they dwelt there. ^11:3 And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone and they had tar for mortar. ^11:4 And they said, Come, let us build a city for us and a tower and its top in the heavens. And let us make a name for ourselves, lest we are scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

^11:5 And Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower, which the sons of man built.

^11:6 And Jehovah said, Behold, they are one people and they have all one language and this is what they begin to do. And now nothing will be withheld from them, which they propose to do. ^11:7Come, let Us go down there and confound their language, that they may not understand each other's speech.

^11:8 So Jehovah scattered them abroad from there upon the face of all the earth and they left off building the city. ^11:9 Therefore the name of it was called Babel, because Jehovah confounded the language of all the earth there and Jehovah scattered them abroad upon the face of all the earth from there.

{From Shem to Abraham. 1Ch_1:24-27, Gen_11:10-26 & Luk_3:34-36.}

^11:10 These are the genealogies of Shem. Shem was a hundred years old and fathered Arpachshad two years after the flood. ^11:11 And Shem lived five hundred years after he fathered Arpachshad and fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:12 And Arpachshad lived thirty-five years and fathered Shelah. ^11:13 And Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he had fathered Shelah and fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:14 And Shelah lived thirty years and fathered Eber. ^11:15 And Shelah lived four hundred and three years after he fathered Eber and he fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:16 And Eber lived thirty-four years and fathered Peleg. ^11:17 And Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he fathered Peleg and fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:18 And Peleg lived thirty years and fathered Reu. ^11:19 And Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he fathered Reu and fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:20 And Reu lived thirty-two years and fathered Serug. ^11:21 And Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he fathered Serug and fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:22 And Serug lived thirty years and fathered Nahor. ^11:23 And Serug lived two hundred years after he fathered Nahor and fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:24 And Nahor lived twenty-nine years and fathered Terah. ^11:25 And Nahor lived a hundred and nineteen years after he fathered Terah and fathered more sons and daughters.

^11:26 And Terah lived seventy years and fathered Abram, Nahor and Haran.

^11:27 Now these are the genealogies of Terah were: Terah fathered Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran fathered Lot. ^11:28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldeans.

^11:29 And Abram and Nahor took wives to themselves. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah. ^11:30 And Sarai was barren; she had no child.

^11:31 And Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his son's son and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife. And they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldeans, to go into the land of Canaan. And they came to Haran and dwelt there.^11:32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years and Terah died in Haran.

[Genesis 12] TOC

^12:1 Now Jehovah said to Abram, Go out of your country and from your kindred and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you. ^12:2And I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great and you will be a blessing. ^12:3 And I will bless those who bless you and he who curses you I will curse. And all the families of the earth will be blessed in you.

^12:4 So Abram went as Jehovah had spoken to him and Lot went with him. And Abram was a son of seventy-five years when he departed out of Haran. ^12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son and all their substance that they had gathered and the souls that they had gotten in Haran and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan. And they came into the land of Canaan. ^12:6 And Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was in the land then.

^12:7 And Jehovah appeared to Abram and said, I will give this land to your seed. And he built an altar there to Jehovah, who appeared to him. ^12:8 And he moved from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. Andhe built an altar there to Jehovah and called upon the name of Jehovah. ^12:9And Abram traveled, going on still toward the South.

^12:10 And there was a famine in the land. And Abram went down into Egypt to journey there, because the famine was severe in the land. ^12:11 And it happened, when he came near to enter into Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, Behold, I beseech you, I know that you are a fair woman to look upon. ^12:12And it will happen, when the Egyptians will see you, that they will say, This is his wife. And they will kill me, but they will let you live. ^12:13 I beseech you, say that you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake and that my soul may live because of you.

^12:14 And it happened, that, when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. ^12:15 And the princes of Pharaoh saw her and praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. ^12:16 And he dealt well with Abram for her sake. And he had sheep and oxen and male-donkeys and men-servants and maid-servants and female-donkeys and camels.

^12:17 And Jehovah struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.^12:18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she is your wife? ^12:19 Why did you say, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore behold your wife. Take her and go your way. ^12:20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him. And they brought him on the way and his wife and all that he had.

[Genesis 13] TOC

^13:1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had and Lot with him, into the South. ^13:2 And Abram was very heavy in riches, in cattle, in silver and in gold. {Coins did not exist at the time.} ^13:3 And he went on his journeys from the South even to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, ^13:4 to the place of the altar, which he had made there at first. And Abram called on the name of Jehovah there.

^13:5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. ^13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together. Because their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. ^13:7 And there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle. And the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt in the land then.

^13:8 And Abram said to Lot, I beseech you, let there be no strife between me and you and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, because we are men– brothers. ^13:9Is not the whole land before you? I beseech you, separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

^13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (this was before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar.

^13:11 So Lot chose for himself all the Plain of the Jordan. And Lot traveled east and they separated themselves the one from the other. ^13:12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan. And Lot dwelt in the cities of the Plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom. ^13:13Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and great sinners against Jehovah.

^13:14 And Jehovah said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, Lift up your eyes now and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward. ^13:15 Because all the land which you see, to you I will give it and to your seed everlasting. ^13:16 And I will make your seed like the dust of the earth. So that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then may your seed also be numbered. ^13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it, because I will give it to you.

^13:18 And Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron and built an altar there to Jehovah.

[Genesis 14] TOC

^14:1 And it happened in the days of Amraphel King of Shinar, Arioch King of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer King of Elam and Tidal King of Goiim, ^14:2 that they made war with Bera King of Sodom and with Birsha King of Gomorrah, with Shinab King of Admah and with Shemeber King of Zeboiim and the King of Bela (which is Zoar).

^14:3 All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (which is the Salt Sea). ^14:4 They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. ^14:5 And in the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer came and the kings that were with him and killed^* the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim ^14:6 and the Horites on their Mount Seir, to El-paran, which is by the wilderness. ^14:7 And they returned and came to En-mishpat (which is Kadesh) and killed^* all the country of the Amalekites and also the Amorites, who dwelt in Hazazon-tamar.

^14:8 Andthe King of Sodom went out there and the King of Gomorrah and the King of Admah and the King of Zeboiim and the King of Bela (which is Zoar) and they arranged for battle against them in the valley of Siddim, ^14:9 against Chedorlaomer King of Elam and Tidal King of Goiim and Amraphel King of Shinar and Arioch King of Ellasar; four kings against the five kings.

^14:10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. And the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled and they fell there. And those who remained fled to the mountain. ^14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food and went their way.^14:12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom and his goods and departed.

^14:13 And some man came who had escaped and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he dwelt by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. And these were allies with Abram.

^14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen of them and pursued as far as Dan. ^14:15 And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants and killed^* them and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. ^14:16 And he brought back all the goods and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods and also the women and the people.

^14:17 And the King of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (what is the King's Valley).

^14:18 And Melchizedek King of Salem brought out bread and wine. And he was priest of God Most High. ^14:19 And he blessed him and said, Abram be blessed from God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth. ^14:20 And praise God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And Abram gave him a tenth of all.

^14:21 And the King of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the men and take the goods for yourself. ^14:22And Abram said to the King of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand to Jehovah, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, ^14:23 that I will not take a thread nor a shoe latchet nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich,^14:24 except only what the young men have eaten and the portion of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them take their portion.

[Genesis 15] TOC

^15:1 After these things the word of Jehovah came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not fear, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.

^15:2 And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what will you give me, since I go childless. And he who will be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? ^15:3And Abram said, Behold, you have given no seed to me. And behold, a man born in my house is my heir.

^15:4 And behold, the word of Jehovah came to him, saying, This man will not be your heir, but he who will come forth out of your own guts will be your heir.

^15:5 And he brought him outside and said, Look now toward heaven and number the stars, if you are able to number them. And he said to him, So your seed will be. ^15:6 And he believed in Jehovah and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

^15:7 And he said to him, I am Jehovah who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it. ^15:8 And he said, O Lord Jehovah, how will I know that I will inherit it? ^15:9And he said to him, Take a heifer three years old for me and a female-goat three years old and a ram three years old and a turtle dove and a young pigeon.

^15:10 And he took all these for him and divided them in the midst and laid each half opposite the other. But he did not divide the birds. ^15:11 And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses and Abram drove them away. ^15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram. And behold, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.

^15:13 And God said to Abram, Know of a certainty that your seed will be travelers in a land that is not theirs. And your seed will serve them and they will mistreat them for four hundred years. ^15:14 And I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve and afterward they will come out with great substance. ^15:15 But you will go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. ^15:16 And they will come here again in the fourth generation, because the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.

^15:17 And it happened, that, when the sun went down and it was dark, behold, there appeared a smoking furnace and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces.

^15:18 In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your seed I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates: ^15:19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite ^15:20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim ^15:21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.

[Genesis 16] TOC

^16:1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children. And she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. ^16:2 And Sarai said to Abram, Behold now, Jehovah has restrained me from bearing children. I beseech you, go in to my handmaid. Perhaps I will be built up from her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. ^16:3 And Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid and gave her to Abram, her husband, to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt in the land of Canaan for ten years.

^16:4 And he went in to Hagar and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. ^16:5 And Sarai said to Abram, My wrong be upon you. I gave my handmaid into your bosom and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes. Jehovah judge between me and you. ^16:6 But Abram said to Sarai, Behold, your maid is in your hand, do to her what is good in your eyes. And Sarai mistreated her and she fled from her face.

^16:7 And the messenger of Jehovah found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. ^16:8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's handmaid, from where have you come? And where are you going?

And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.

^16:9 And the messenger of Jehovah said to her, Return to your mistress and submit yourself under her hands. ^16:10 And the messenger of Jehovah said to her, I will greatly multiply your seed, that it will not be numbered for a multitude.

^16:11 And the messenger of Jehovah said to her, Behold, you are with child and will bear a son and you will call his name Ishmael, because Jehovah has heard your affliction. ^16:12 And he will be a wild donkey among men, his hand against every man and every man's hand against him and he will dwell in the presence of all his brothers.

^16:13 And she called the name of Jehovah who spoke to her, You are a God who sees, because she said, Have I even looked behind him, who sees me here?^16:14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi {The Living One Who Sees Me}. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

^16:15 And Hagar bore Abram a son. And Abram called the name of his son, Ishmael, whom Hagar bore. ^16:16 And Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

[Genesis 17] TOC

^17:1 And when Abram was ninety-nine years old, Jehovah appeared to Abram and said to him, I am God Almighty, walk before me and you will be perfect. ^17:2 And I will make my covenant between you and me and will multiply you exceedingly.

^17:3 And Abram fell on his face. And God talked with him, saying, ^17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with you and you will be the father of a multitude of nations. ^17:5 Neither will your name any more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, because I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. ^17:6 And I will make you exceedingly fruitful. And I will make nations of you and kings will come out of you.

^17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your seed after you. ^17:8 And I will give to you and to your seed after you, the land of your travels, all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God.

^17:9 And God said to Abraham, And as for you, you will keep my covenant, you and your seed after you throughout their generations. ^17:10 This is my covenant, which you^* will keep, between me and you^* and your seed after you; every male among you^* will be circumcised. ^17:11 And you^* will be circumcised in the flesh of your^* foreskin and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and you^*.

^17:12 And he who is eight days old will be circumcised among you^*, every male throughout your^* generations: he who is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of your seed. ^17:13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. And my covenant will be in your^* flesh for an everlasting covenant. ^17:14 And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.

^17:15 And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you will not call her name Sarai, because her name will be Sarah. ^17:16 And I will bless her. And moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her and she will be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will be by her.

^17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face and laughed and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him who is a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear? ^17:18 And Abraham said to God, If only Ishmael might live before you!

^17:19 And God said, No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son and you will call his name Isaac. And I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. ^17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He will father twelve princes and I will make him a great nation. ^17:21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time in the next year. ^17:22And he left off talking with him and God went up from Abraham.

^17:23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son and all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him.

^17:24 And Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.^17:25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. ^17:26 In the same day Abraham was circumcised and Ishmael his son. ^17:27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

[Genesis 18] TOC

^18:1 And Jehovah appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. ^18:2 And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood by him. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed himself to the earth ^18:3 and said, My Lord, if I have now found favor in your sight, I beseech you, do not pass away from your servant. ^18:4 Now let a little water be fetched and wash your^* feet and rest yourselves under the tree. ^18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread and strengthen your^* heart. After that, you^* will pass on, because you^* came to your^* servant. And they said, Do so, as you have said.

^18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah and said, Quickly, prepare three measures of fine meal, knead it and make cakes. ^18:7 And Abraham ran to the herd and fetched a calf, tender and good and gave it to the servant. And he hastened to dress it. ^18:8And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had dressed and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree and they ate.

^18:9 And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. ^18:10 And he said, I will certainly return to you when the season comes round, and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son. And Sarah heard in the tent door, which was behind him.

^18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age. It had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. ^18:12 And Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I have become old shall I have pleasure from my lord who is also old?

^18:13 And Jehovah said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I who am old certainly bear a child? ^18:14 Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes round and Sarah will have a son.

^18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I did not laugh, because he was afraid.

And he said, No, but you did laugh.

^18:16 And the men rose up from there and looked toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. ^18:17 And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I do, ^18:18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? ^18:19Because I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice, to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken of him.

^18:20 And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and because their sin is very grievous, ^18:21 I will go down now and see whether they have done according to the cry which comes to me. And if not, I will know.

^18:22 And the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham yet stood before Jehovah. ^18:23 And Abraham drew near and said, Will you consume righteous men with wicked men? ^18:24Perhaps there are fifty righteous men within the city. Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous men that are in it? ^18:25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to kill a righteous man with a wicked man, that so the righteous man should be as the wicked man. Far be it from you. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

^18:26 And Jehovah said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous men within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake. ^18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken it upon me to speak to the Lord, who am I but dust and ashes.

^18:28 Perhaps there will lack five of the fifty righteous men. Will you destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there.

^18:29 And he spoke to him yet again and said, Perhaps there will be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the forty's sake.

^18:30 And he said, Oh let the Lord not be furious and I will speak. Perhaps there will be thirty found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

^18:31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord. Perhaps there will be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty's sake.

^18:32 And he said, Oh let the Lord not be furious and I will speak yet but this once. Perhaps ten will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten's sake. ^18:33 And Jehovah went his way as soon as he had left off speaking with Abraham and Abraham returned to his place.

[Genesis 19] TOC

^19:1 And the two messengers came to Sodom in the evening and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. And Lot saw them and rose up to meet them. And he bowed himself with his face to the earth ^19:2 and he said, Behold now, my lords, I beseech you^*, turn aside into your^* servant's house and abide all night and wash your^* feet and you^* will rise up early and go on your^* way. And they said, No, but we will abide in the street all night.

^19:3 And he urged them greatly. And they turned aside to him and entered into his house. And he made a feast for them and baked unleavened bread and they ate.

^19:4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, encompassed themselves around the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. ^19:5 And they called to Lot and said to him, Where are the men who came to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.

^19:6 And Lot went out to them to the doorway and shut the door after him. ^19:7 And he said, I beseech you^*, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.^19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters who have not known a man. I beseech you^*, let me bring them out to you^* and you^* do to them as is good in your^* eyes. Only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shadow of my roof.

^19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said, This one came in to journey and he will be a judge? Now we will deal worse with you, than with them. And they pressed greatly upon the man, against Lot and drew near to break the door.

^19:10 But the men put forth their hand and brought Lot to them into the house and shut the door.^19:11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door.

^19:12 And the men said to Lot, Have you any here in Sodom besides those in the house? Take your son-in-law and your sons and your daughters and whomever you have in the city and bring them out of the place. ^19:13 Because we will destroy this place, because the cry of them has been great before Jehovah. And Jehovah has sent us to destroy it.

^19:14 And Lot went out and spoke to his sons in-law, who married his daughters and said, Up, you^* get out of this place, because Jehovah will destroy the city. But he seemed as a man jesting, to his sons-in-law.

^19:15 And when the morning arose, then the messengers hurried Lot, saying, Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are found here, lest you are consumed in the iniquity of the city. ^19:16But he lingered. And the men laid hold upon his hand and upon the hand of his wife and upon the hand of his two daughters, because Jehovah was being merciful to him and they brought him forth and set him outside the city.

^19:17 And it happened, when they had brought them outside, that he said, Escape for your life. Do not look behind you, neither will you stay in all the Plain. Escape to the mountain, lest you are consumed.

^19:18 And Lot said to them, Oh, not so, my lord.^19:19 Behold now, your servant has found favor in your sight and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown to me in saving my life and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest evil overtake me and I die. ^19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee to and it is a little one. Oh let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul will live.

^19:21 And he said to him, Behold, I have lifted up you concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. ^19:22You hasten, escape there, because I cannot do anything till you have come there. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

^19:23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot came to Zoar. ^19:24 Then Jehovah rained brimstone and fire upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah, from Jehovah out of heaven. ^19:25 And he overthrew those cities and all the Plain and all the inhabitants of the cities and what grew upon the ground. ^19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him and she became a pillar of salt.

^19:27 And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the face of Jehovah. ^19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the Plain and saw it. And behold, the smoke of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace.

^19:29 And it happened, when God destroyed the cities of the Plain, that God remembered Abraham and that he sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt. ^19:30 And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain and his two daughters with him, because he feared to dwell in Zoar. And he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

^19:31 And the firstborn said to the younger, Our father is old and there is not a man on the earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth. ^19:32Come, let us make our father drink wine and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed by our father. ^19:33 And they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. And he did not know when she lay down, nor when she arose.

^19:34 And it happened on the day after, that the firstborn said to the younger, Behold, I lay with my father last night. Let us make him drink wine this night also and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve seed by our father. ^19:35 And they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him. And he did not know when she lay down, nor when she arose.

^19:36 And both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. ^19:37 And the firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. ^19:38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. The same is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.

[Genesis 20] TOC

^20:1 And Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur. And he traveled in Gerar. ^20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister. And Abimelech King of Gerar sent and took Sarah. ^20:3But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night and said to him, Behold, you are but a dead man, over the woman whom you have taken; she is a man's wife.

^20:4 Now Abimelech had not come near her. And he said, Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?^20:5 Did he not himself say to me, She is my sister? And she, even she herself said, He is my brother. In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.

^20:6 And God said to him in the dream, Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this. And I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch her. ^20:7 Now therefore restore the man's wife. Because he is a prophet and he will pray for you and you will live. And if you do not restore her, you will know that you will surely die, you and all who are yours.

^20:8 And Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their ears. And the men were exceedingly afraid.

^20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What have you done to us? And in what way have I sinned against you, that you have brought such a great sin on me and on my kingdom? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done. ^20:10And Abimelech said to Abraham, What did you see, that you have done this thing?

^20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place and they will kill me because of my wife. ^20:12 And moreover she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother and she became my wife. ^20:13 And it happened, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, This is your kindness which you will show to me. At every place where we will come, say of me, He is my brother.

^20:14 And Abimelech took sheep and oxen and men-servants and women-servants and gave them to Abraham and restored to him Sarah his wife. ^20:15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you. ^20:16 And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all who are with you. And you are correct in regard to all this.

^20:17 And Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maid-servants. And they bore children. ^20:18 Because Jehovah had closed up fast all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

[Genesis 21] TOC

^21:1 And Jehovah visited Sarah as he had said and Jehovah did to Sarah as he had spoken. ^21:2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.^21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, Isaac, whom Sarah bore to him. ^21:4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. ^21:5And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born to him.

^21:6 And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me. ^21:7 And she said, Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah should nurse sons? Because I have borne him a son in his old age.

{Gen_21:8-23:20; Gen_11:32; Gen_24:1-67}

^21:8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. ^21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. ^21:10 Therefore she said to Abraham, Cast out this handmaid and her son. Because the son of this handmaid will not be heir with my son, that is with Isaac. ^21:11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of his son.

^21:12 And God said to Abraham, Do not let it be grievous in your sight because of the lad and because of your handmaid. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. Because in Isaac will your seed be called. ^21:13 And I will also make a nation of the son of the handmaid, because he is your seed.

^21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning and took bread and a skin-container of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder and the child and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. ^21:15And the water in the skin-container was spent and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. ^21:16 And she went and sat herself down opposite him a good way off, as if it was a bowshot away. Because she said, Do not let me look upon the death of the child. And she sat opposite him and lifted up her voice and wept.

^21:17 And God heard the voice of the lad. And the messenger of God called to Hagar out of heaven and said to her, What troubles you, Hagar? Do not fear, because God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. ^21:18Arise, lift up the lad and hold him in your hand, because I will make him a great nation. ^21:19 And God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin-container with water and gave the lad a drink.

^21:20 And God was with the lad and he grew. And he dwelt in the wilderness and became an archer as he grew up. ^21:21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran. And his mother took a wife out of the land of Egypt for him.

^21:22 And it happened at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, God is with you in all that you do. ^21:23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have traveled. ^21:24 And Abraham said, I will swear.

^21:25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of the well of water which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. ^21:26 And Abimelech said, I do not know who has done this thing, neither did you tell me, nor yet did I hear of it, except today.

^21:27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech. And the two made a covenant. ^21:28 And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves. ^21:29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, What do these seven ewe-lambs mean which you have set by themselves? ^21:30 And he said, Because these seven ewe-lambs you will take from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well. ^21:31 Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because both of them swore there.

^21:32 So they cut a covenant at Beer-sheba. And Abimelech rose up and Phicol the captain of his army and they returned into the land of the Philistines. ^21:33 And Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba and called on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God, there. ^21:34 And Abraham traveled in the land of the Philistines many days.

[Genesis 22] TOC

^22:1 And it happened after these things, that God proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham. And he said, Behold, here I am. ^22:2 And he said, Take your son now, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and go into the land of Moriah. And offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell you of.

^22:3 And Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son. And he split the wood for the burnt-offering and rose up and went to the place of which God had told him. ^22:4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. ^22:5 And Abraham said to his young men, You^* abide here with the donkey and I and the lad will go over there and we will worship and come back again to you^*.

^22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering and laid it upon Isaac his son. And he took the fire and the knife in his hand. And both of them went together.

^22:7 And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, My father.

And he said, Behold, here I am, my son.

And he said, Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering? ^22:8 And Abraham said, God himself will see to the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son. So they went both of them together.

^22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of. And Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. ^22:10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.

^22:11 And the messenger of Jehovah called to him out of heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham.

And he said, Behold, here I am.

^22:12 And he said, Do not lay your hand upon the lad, neither do you anything to him. Because now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.

^22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt-offering instead of his son. ^22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh {Jehovah Sees}. As it is said to this day, It will be provided in the mountain of Jehovah.

^22:15 And the messenger of Jehovah called to Abraham a second time out of heaven ^22:16 and said, I have sworn by myself, says Jehovah, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, ^22:17 that in blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is upon the sea _shore and your seed will possess the gate of his enemies ^22:18 and in your seed will all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.

^22:19 So Abraham returned to his young men. And they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba. ^22:20 And it happened after these things, that it was told to Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she has also borne sons to your brother Nahor: ^22:21 Uz his first born and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram, ^22:22 and Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel. ^22:23 And Bethuel fathered Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. ^22:24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah.

[Genesis 23] TOC

^23:1 And the life of Sarah was a hundred and twenty-seven years. These were the years of the life of Sarah. ^23:2 And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba {The City of Arba} (what is Hebron), in the land of Canaan. And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

^23:3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, ^23:4 I am a stranger and a traveler with you^*. Give me a burial possession with you^*, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

^23:5 And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, ^23:6 Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in our choice sepulchers. None of us will withhold his sepulcher from you, but so that you may bury your dead.

^23:7 And Abraham rose up and bowed himself to the people of the land, and to the sons of Heth. ^23:8And he spoke with them, saying, If it is your^* mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, ^23:9that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. Let him give it to me for the full price for a burial possession in the midst of you^*.

^23:10 Now Ephron was sitting in the midst of the sons of Heth. And Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the sons of Heth, even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, ^23:11No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field. And the cave that is in it, I give it to you. I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. Bury your dead.

^23:12 And Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land. ^23:13 And he spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But, I beseech you, if you would hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it from me and I will bury my dead there.

^23:14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, ^23:15 My lord, listen to me. A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? Therefore bury your dead.

^23:16 And Abraham listened to Ephron. And Abraham weighed the silver to Ephron that he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, what passes with the merchant. {the typical selling price}^23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the border of it all around, were made sure ^23:18 to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

^23:19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (what is Hebron), in the land of Canaan. ^23:20And the field and the cave that is in it, were made sure to Abraham for a burial possession by the sons of Heth.

[Genesis 24] TOC

^24:1 And Abraham was old, well stricken in age. And Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things. ^24:2And Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, I beseech you, put your hand under my thigh. ^24:3 And I will make you swear by Jehovah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell. ^24:4 But you will go to my country and to my kindred and take a wife for my son Isaac.

^24:5 And the servant said to him, Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I bring your son again to the land from where you came? ^24:6 And Abraham said to him, You beware that you not bring my son there again. ^24:7Jehovah, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my nativity and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, To your seed I will give this land. He will send his messenger before you and you will take a wife for my son from there.

^24:8 And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be clear from this my oath. Only you will not bring my son there again. ^24:9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

^24:10 And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master and departed, having all good things of his master's in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. ^24:11 And he made the camels to kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.

^24:12 And he said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, I beseech you, cause her to meet before me this day and show kindness to my master Abraham. ^24:13 Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. ^24:14 And let it happen, that the maiden to whom I will say, I beseech you, let down your pitcher, that I may drink.

And she will say, Drink and I will also give your camels drink. Let it be her, the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. And I will know that you have shown kindness to my master by this.

^24:15 And it happened, before he was done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. ^24:16 And the maiden was very fair to look upon, a virgin, no man had known her. And she went down to the fountain and filled her pitcher and came up.

^24:17 And the servant ran to meet her and said, I beseech you, give me a little water to drink from your pitcher.

^24:18 And she said, Drink, my lord. And she hurried and let down her pitcher upon her hand and gave him drink. ^24:19 And when she had finished giving him drink, she said, I will also draw for your camels, until they have done drinking. ^24:20 And she hurried and emptied her pitcher into the trough and ran again to the well to draw and drew for all his camels.

^24:21 And the man looked steadfastly on her, keeping silent, to know whether Jehovah had made his journey prosperous or not.

^24:22 And it happened, as the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, ^24:23 and said, Whose daughter are you? Tell me, I beseech you. Is there room in your father's house for us to lodge in?

^24:24 And she said to him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.^24:25 Moreover, she said to him, We both have enough straw and fodder and room to lodge in.

^24:26 And the man bowed his head and worshiped Jehovah. ^24:27 And he said, Praise Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master, I being in the way, Jehovah has led me to the house of my master's brothers.

^24:28 And the girl ran and told her mother's house according to these words. ^24:29 And Rebekah had a brother and his name was Laban. And Laban ran out to the man, to the fountain. ^24:30 And it happened, when he saw the ring and the bracelets upon his sister's hands and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus, the man spoke to me, that he came to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the fountain. ^24:31 And he said, Come in, you blessed of Jehovah. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and room for the camels.

^24:32 And the man came into the house and he ungirded the camels. And he gave straw and fodder for the camels and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. ^24:33 And there was food set before him to eat. But he said, I will not eat until I have told of my errand. And he said, Speak on.

^24:34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant. ^24:35And Jehovah has blessed my master greatly and he has become great. And he has given him flocks and herds and silver and gold and men-servants and maid-servants and camels and donkeys. ^24:36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old. And to him he has he given all that he has.

^24:37 And my master made me swear, saying, You will not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, ^24:38 but you will go to my father's house and to my kindred and take a wife for my son.

^24:39 And I said to my master, Perhaps the woman will not follow me.

^24:40 And he said to me, Jehovah, before whom I walk, will send his messenger with you and prosper your way. And you will take a wife for my son of my kindred and of my father's house. ^24:41 Then you will be clear from my oath, when you come to my kindred. And if they do not give her to you, you will be clear from my oath.

^24:42 And I came this day to the fountain and said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, I pray, if you will, prosper the way on which I am now going, ^24:43 behold, I am standing by the fountain of water and let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, I beseech you, give me a little water from your pitcher to drink, ^24:44 and she will say to me, Both drink you and I will also draw for your camels, let her be the woman whom Jehovah has appointed for my master's son.

^24:45 And before I was done speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. And she went down to the fountain and drew. And I said to her, Let me drink, I beseech you.^24:46 And she made haste and let down her pitcher from her shoulder and said, Drink and I will also give your camels drink. So I drank and she also made the camels drink.

^24:47 And I asked her and said, Whose daughter are you? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him. And I put the ring upon her nose and the bracelets upon her hands. ^24:48 And I bowed my head and worshiped Jehovah and blessed Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter for his son. ^24:49 And now if you^* will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

^24:50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceeds from Jehovah; we cannot speak to you bad or good. ^24:51 Behold, Rebekah is before you, take her and go and let her be your master's son's wife, as Jehovah has spoken.

^24:52 And it happened, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Jehovah. ^24:53 And the servant brought out jewels of silver and jewels of gold and garments and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. ^24:54 And they ate and drank, he and the men who were with him and stayed all night. And they rose up in the morning and he said, Send me away to my master.

^24:55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the maiden abide with us a few days, for at the least ten. After that she will go.

^24:56 And he said to them, Do not hinder me, since Jehovah has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master. ^24:57 And they said, We will call the maiden and inquire at her mouth. ^24:58And they called Rebekah and said to her, Will you go with this man?

And she said, I will go.

^24:59 And they sent Rebekah their sister away and her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. ^24:60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, Our sister, you will be the mother of thousands of ten thousands and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate them. ^24:61 And Rebekah arose and her maidens and they rode upon the camels and followed the man. And the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

^24:62 And Isaac came from the way of Beer-lahai-roi {Well of the Living One, My Beholder}, and he dwelt in the land of the South. ^24:63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. ^24:64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes and when she saw Isaac, she fell from the camel. ^24:65And she said to the servant, What man is this who walks in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. And she took her veil and covered herself.

^24:66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. ^24:67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her. And Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

[Genesis 25] TOC

{Gen_25:1-4, 1Ch_1:32-33 Wife Keturah}

^25:1 And Abraham took another wife and her name was Keturah. ^25:2 And she bore him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah. ^25:3 And Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim. ^25:4 And the sons of Midian were: Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

{Gen_25:5-6, 25:12-18, 1Ch_1:28-31, 1:34}

^25:5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.^25:6 But to the sons of the concubines that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts. And he sent them away eastward from Isaac his son, while he yet lived to the east country.

^25:7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, a hundred seventy-five years. ^25:8 And Abraham gave up the spirit and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years and was gathered to his people.

^25:9 And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre, ^25:10the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. Abraham and Sarah his wife was buried there.

^25:11 And it happened after the death of Abraham, that God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac dwelt by Beer-lahai-roi {Well of the Living One, my Beholder}.

{1Ch_1:28-31, Gen_25:12-17. Ishmael}

^25:12 Now these are the genealogies of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore to Abraham. ^25:13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their genealogy: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam, ^25:14and Mishma and Dumah and Massa, ^25:15 Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. ^25:16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their nations.

^25:17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty-seven years. And he gave up the spirit and died and was gathered to his people. ^25:18 And they dwelt from Havilah to Shur which is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He abode opposite all his brothers.

^25:19 And these are the genealogies of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham fathered Isaac. ^25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to be his wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. ^25:21 And Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren. And Jehovah was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

^25:22 And the children struggled together within her. And she said, If it is so, why am I this way? And she went to inquire of Jehovah.

^25:23 And Jehovah said to her, Two nations are in your womb and two peoples will be separated from your guts. And the one people will be stronger than the other people. And the elder will serve the younger.

^25:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. ^25:25And the first came out red all over like a hairy garment and they called his name Esau. ^25:26 And after that his brother came out and his hand had hold on Esau's heel and his name was called Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

^25:27 And the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. And Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. ^25:28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate from his game. And Rebekah loved Jacob.

^25:29 And Jacob boiled pottage. And Esau came in from the field and he was faint. ^25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, I beseech you, feed me with that same red pottage, because I am faint. Therefore his name was called Edom.

^25:31 And Jacob said, First sell me your birthright. ^25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I am about to die and what profit will the birthright do to me? ^25:33And Jacob said, Swear to me first. And he swore to him and he sold his birthright to Jacob. ^25:34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils. And he ate and drank and rose up and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.

[Genesis 26] TOC

^26:1 And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech King of the Philistines, to Gerar. ^26:2 And Jehovah appeared to him and said, Do not go down into Egypt. Dwell in the land which I will tell you of. ^26:3 Journey in this land and I will be with you and will bless you. Because I will give all these lands to you and to your seed, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. ^26:4 And I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and will give to your seed all these lands and in your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed, ^26:5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my order, my commandments, my statutes and my laws.

^26:6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar. ^26:7 And the men of the place asked him of his wife. And he said, She is my sister. Because he feared to say, My wife. Lest, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she was fair to look upon. ^26:8 And it happened, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech King of the Philistines looked out at a window and saw; and behold, Isaac was playing with Rebekah his wife.

^26:9 And Abimelech called Isaac and said, Behold, she is certainly your wife and how did you say, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, Because I said, Lest I die because of her. ^26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife and you would have brought guilt upon us. ^26:11And Abimelech ordered all the people, saying, He who touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death.

^26:12 And Isaac sowed in that land and found a hundredfold in the same year. And Jehovah blessed him. ^26:13 And the man became great and grew more and more until he became very great. ^26:14 And he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great household. And the Philistines envied him.

^26:15 Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped and filled with soil. ^26:16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, Go from us, because you are much mightier than we. ^26:17 And Isaac departed from there and encamped in the valley of Gerar and dwelt there.

^26:18 And Isaac again dug the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. For the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham. And he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. ^26:19And Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found a well of springing water there.

^26:20 And the herdsmen of Gerar contended with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, The water is ours. And he called the name of the well Esek {Contention}, because they contended with him. ^26:21 And they dug another well and they contended for that also. And he called the name of it Sitnah {Opposition}.

^26:22 And he moved from there and dug another well and they did not contend for that. And he called the name of it Rehoboth {Wide Places}. And he said, Because now Jehovah has made room for us and we will be fruitful in the land. ^26:23 And he went up from there to Beer-sheba.

^26:24 And Jehovah appeared to him the same night and said, I am the God of Abraham your father. Do not fear, because I am with you and will bless you and multiply your seed because of my servant Abraham.^26:25 And he built an altar there and called upon the name of Jehovah and pitched his tent there. And Isaac's servants dug a well there.

^26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar and Ahuzzath his friend and Phicol the captain of his army. ^26:27 And Isaac said to them, Why have you^* come to me, seeing you^* hate me and have sent me away from you^*?

^26:28 And they said, We saw plainly that Jehovah was with you. And we said, Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you. And let us make a covenant with you, ^26:29 that you will do us no evil, as we have not touched you and as we have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You now are the blessed of Jehovah.

^26:30 And he made a feast for them and they ate and drank. ^26:31 And they rose up promptly in the morning and swore one to another. And Isaac sent them away and they departed from him in peace.

^26:32 And it happened in the same day, that Isaac's servants came and told him concerning the well which they had dug and said to him, We have found water. ^26:33 And he called it Shibah {Swearing}. Therefore the name of the city is Beer-sheba {Well of the Sevenfold Oath} to this day.

^26:34 And when Esau was forty years old he took a wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. ^26:35 And they were a bitterness of spirit to Isaac and to Rebekah.

[Genesis 27] TOC

^27:1 And it happened, that when Isaac was old and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son and said to him, My son. And he said to him, Here I am. ^27:2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I do not know the day of my death.

^27:3 Now therefore I beseech you, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow and go out to the field and take game for me. ^27:4 And make savory food for me, what I love and bring it to me, that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.

^27:5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for game and to bring it home. ^27:6 And Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, ^27:7 Bring game for me and make savory food for me, that I may eat and bless you before Jehovah before my death.

^27:8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. ^27:9 Go now to the flock and fetch me two good kids of the goats from there. And I will make them savory food for your father, what he loves. ^27:10 And you will bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.

^27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. ^27:12 My father will perhaps feel me and I will seem to him as a deceiver. And I will bring a curse upon me and not a blessing. ^27:13 And his mother said to him, Upon me be your curse, my son. Only obey my voice and go fetch them for me.

^27:14 And he went and fetched and brought them to his mother. And his mother made savory food, what his father loved. ^27:15 And Rebekah took the desirable garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house and put them upon Jacob her younger son. ^27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands and upon the smooth of his neck. ^27:17 And she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

^27:18 And he came to his father and said, My father. And he said, Here I am. Who are you, my son? ^27:19 And Jacob said to his father, I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you commanded me. I beseech you, arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me. ^27:20 And Isaac said to his son, How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because Jehovah your God brought it before me.

^27:21 And Isaac said to Jacob, I beseech you, come near that I may feel you, my son, whether you are my very son Esau or not. ^27:22 And Jacob went near to Isaac his father. And he felt him and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. ^27:23 And he did not discern him, because his hands were hairy as his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him.

^27:24 And he said, Are you my very son Esau? And he said, I am. ^27:25 And he said, Bring it near to me and I will eat of my son's game, that my soul may bless you. And he brought it near to him and he ate. And he brought wine to him and he drank.

^27:26 And his father Isaac said to him, Come near now and kiss me, my son. ^27:27 And he came near and kissed him. And he smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that Jehovah has blessed. ^27:28 And God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and new wine. ^27:29 Let peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers and let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed is he who curses you and blessed is he who blesses you.

^27:30 And it happened, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob and Jacob was yet scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. ^27:31 And he also made savory food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that your soul may bless me.

^27:32 And Isaac his father said to him, Who are you? And he said, I am your son, your firstborn, Esau. ^27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly and said, Who then is he who has taken game and brought it to me and I have eaten of all before you came and have blessed him? Yes, he will be blessed.^27:34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. ^27:35 And he said, Your brother came with guile and has taken away your blessing.

^27:36 And he said, Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing. And he said, Have you not reserved a blessing for me?

^27:37 And Isaac answered and said to Esau, Behold, I have made him your lord and all his brothers I have given to him for servants and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. And what then shall I do for you, my son?

^27:38 And Esau said to his father, Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.^27:39 And Isaac his father answered and said to him, Behold, of the fatness of the earth will be your dwelling and of the dew of heaven from above. ^27:40And you will live by your sword and you will serve your brother. And it will happen, when you will break loose, that you will shake his yoke from your neck.

^27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. And Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob.^27:42 And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah. And she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you, to kill you.

^27:43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice and arise, flee to Laban my brother to Haran. ^27:44And abide with him a few days, until your brother's fury turns away, ^27:45 until your brother's anger turns away from you and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and fetch you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you^* both in one day?

^27:46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, those like these, of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?

[Genesis 28] TOC

^28:1 And Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and ordered him and said to him, You will not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. ^28:2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father and take a wife from there of the daughters of Laban your mother's brother. ^28:3 And God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples,^28:4 and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your seed with you, that you may inherit the land of your travels, which God gave to Abraham.

^28:5 And Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.

^28:6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram, to take for him a wife from there and that as he blessed him he gave him an order, saying, You will not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan, ^28:7 and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Paddan-aram.

^28:8 And Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please Isaac his father. ^28:9 And Esau went to Ishmael and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.

^28:10 And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. ^28:11 And he fell {came} upon a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun was set. And he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. ^28:12 And he dreamed and behold, a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the messengers of God ascending and descending on it.

^28:13 And behold, Jehovah stood above it and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, to you I will give it and to your seed. ^28:14 And your seed will be as the dust of the earth and you will spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed in you and in your seed. ^28:15 And behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you again into this land. Because I will not leave you, until I have done what I have spoken to you.

^28:16 And Jacob awoke out of his sleep and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place and I did not know it. ^28:17 And he was afraid and said, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven. ^28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil upon the top of it. ^28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel {House of God}, but the name of the city was Luz at first.

^28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me bread to eat and garments to put on, ^28:21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace and Jehovah will be my God, ^28:22 then this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God's house. And of all that you will give me I will surely give the tenth to you.

[Genesis 29] TOC

^29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the sons of the east. ^29:2 And he looked, and behold, a well in the field. And behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there by it, because they watered the flocks out of that well. And the stone upon the well's mouth was great. ^29:3 And all the flocks were gathered there. And they rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the sheep and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in its place.

^29:4 And Jacob said to them, My brothers, where are you^* from? And they said, We are of Haran. ^29:5And he said to them, Do you^* know Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. ^29:6 And he said to them, Is it well with him? And they said, It is well. And behold, Rachel his daughter comes with the sheep.

^29:7 And he said, Behold, it is yet high day, it is not time that the cattle should be gathered together. Water the sheep and go and feed them. ^29:8 And they said, We cannot until all the flocks be gathered together and they roll the stone from the well's mouth. Then we water the sheep. ^29:9 While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, becauses he kept them.

^29:10 And it happened, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. ^29:11And Jacob kissed Rachel and lifted up his voice and wept. ^29:12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother and that he was Rebekah's son. And she ran and told her father.

^29:13 And it happened, when Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.^29:14 And Laban said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

^29:15 And Laban said to Jacob, Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me freely? Tell me, what will your wages be? ^29:16 And Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah and the name of the younger was Rachel. ^29:17And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. ^29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel and he said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter. ^29:19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Abide with me.

^29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel. And they seemed to him but a few days in the love he had for her. ^29:21 And Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her. ^29:22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. ^29:23 And it happened in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to him. And he went in to her. ^29:24 And Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid.

^29:25 And it happened in the morning that, behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me? ^29:26And Laban said, It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn. ^29:27 Fulfill the week of this one and we will also give you the other for the service which you will serve with me yet seven other years.

^29:28 And Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. And he gave him Rachel his daughter as a wife. ^29:29And Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, Bilhah his handmaid to be her handmaid. ^29:30 And he also went in to Rachel and also he loved Rachel more than Leah and served with him yet seven other years.

{Gen_29:31-30:24, Gen_35:16-18, 1Ch_2:1-2.}

^29:31 And Jehovah saw that Leah was hated and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. ^29:32And Leah conceived and bore a son and she called his name Reuben. Because she said, Because Jehovah has looked upon my affliction, because now my husband will love me.

^29:33 And she conceived again and bore a son and said, Because Jehovah has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also. And she called his name Simeon.

^29:34 And she conceived again and bore a son and said, Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi.

^29:35 And she conceived again and bore a son. And she said, This time I will praise Jehovah. Therefore she called his name Judah. And she left off bearing.

[Genesis 30] TOC

^30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no sons, Rachel envied her sister and she said to Jacob, Give me sons, or else I die.

^30:2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel and he said, Am I in God's place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?

^30:3 And she said, Behold, my maid Bilhah, go in to her, that she may bear upon my knees and I also may obtain sons by her. ^30:4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid as a wife and Jacob went in to her. ^30:5And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. ^30:6 And Rachel said, God has judged me and has also heard my voice and has given me a son. Therefore she called his name Dan.

^30:7 And Bilhah Rachel's handmaid conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. ^30:8 And Rachel said, With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister and I have indeed prevailed. And she called his name Naphtali.

^30:9 When Leah saw that she had left off bearing, she took Zilpah her handmaid and gave her to Jacob as a wife. ^30:10 And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a son. ^30:11 And Leah said, Good-fortune! And she called his name Gad.

^30:12 And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bore Jacob a second son. ^30:13 And Leah said, I am fortunate! Because the daughters will call me fortunate. And she called his name Asher.

^30:14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found love-apples in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, I beseech you, give me from your son's love-apples.

^30:15 And she said to her, Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? And would you take away my son's love-apples also?

And Rachel said, Therefore he may lie with you tonight for your son's love-apples.

^30:16 And Jacob came from the field in the evening and Leah went out to meet him and said, You must come in to me, because I have surely hired you with my son's love-apples. And he lay with her that night.

^30:17 And God listened to Leah and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. ^30:18 And Leah said, God has given me my hire, because I gave my handmaid to my husband. And she called his name Issachar.

^30:19 And Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob. ^30:20 And Leah said, God has endowed me with a good endowment. Now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons. And she called his name Zebulun.

^30:21 And afterwards she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah.

^30:22 And God remembered Rachel. And God listened to her and opened her womb. ^30:23 And she conceived and bore a son and said, God has taken away my reproach. ^30:24 And she called his name Joseph, saying, Jehovah adds another son to me.

^30:25 And it happened, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country. ^30:26Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you and let me go, because you know my service with which I have served you.

^30:27 And Laban said to him, If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, because I have learned by experience that Jehovah has blessed me for your sake.

^30:28 And he said, Appoint for me your wages and I will give it.

^30:29 And he said to him, You yourself know how I have served you and how your cattle have fared with me. ^30:30 Because it was little which you had before I came and it has increased to a multitude and Jehovah has blessed you wherever I turned. And now when shall I also provide for my own house?

^30:31 And he said, What shall I give you? And Jacob said, You will not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. ^30:32 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one and every black one among the sheep and the spotted and speckled among the goats and these will be my hire.

^30:33 So will my righteousness answer for me after this, when you will come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the sheep, that is with me, will be considered stolen.

^30:34 And Laban said, Behold, O that it might be according to your word. ^30:35 And he removed that day the male-goats that were striped and spotted and all the female-goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it and all the black ones among the sheep and gave them into the hand of his sons. ^30:36 And he set three days' journey between himself and Jacob. And Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

^30:37 And Jacob took for him rods of fresh poplar and of the almond and of the plane tree and peeled white streaks in them and made the white which was in the rods appear. ^30:38 And he set the rods which he had peeled before the flocks by the troughs, by the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. And they conceived when they came to drink.

^30:39 And the flocks conceived before the rods and the flocks brought out striped, speckled and spotted. ^30:40 And Jacob separated the lambs and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban. And he put his own herds apart and did not put them near Laban's flock.

^30:41 And it happened, whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the flock in the troughs, that they might conceive among the rods, ^30:42 but when the flock were weak, he did not put them in. So the weaker were Laban's and the stronger Jacob's.

^30:43 And the man increased exceedingly and had large flocks and maid-servants and men-servants and camels and donkeys.

[Genesis 31] TOC

^31:1 And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob has taken away all that was our father's and he has made all this glory of what was our father's his. ^31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not nice toward him as formerly.

^31:3 And Jehovah said to Jacob, Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred and I will be with you.

^31:4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, ^31:5 and said to them, I see your^* father's countenance, that it is not nice toward me as formerly, but the God of my father has been with me. ^31:6 And you^* know that with all my power I have served your^* father.

^31:7 And your^* father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. ^31:8 If he said thus, The speckled will be your wages, then all the flock bore speckled and if he said thus, The striped will be your wages, then all the flock bore striped. ^31:9 And God has taken away the cattle of your^* father and given them to me.

^31:10 And it happened at the time that the flock conceive, that I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male-goats which leaped upon the flock were striped, speckled and grayed.^31:11 And the messenger of God said to me in the dream, Jacob.

And I said, Here I am.

^31:12 And he said, Lift up now your eyes and see, all the male-goats which leap upon the flock are striped, speckled and grayed, because I have seen all that Laban does to you. ^31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land and return to the land of your nativity.

^31:14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? ^31:15 Are we not accounted by him as foreigners? Because he has sold us and has also devoured our money. ^31:16 Because all the riches which God has taken away from our father, that is ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.

^31:17 Then Jacob rose up and set his sons and his wives upon the camels. ^31:18 And he carried away all his cattle and all his substance which he had gathered, the cattle of his spoil, which he had gathered in Paddan-aram, to go to Isaac his father to the land of Canaan.

^31:19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep and Rachel stole the household-idol that was her father's.^31:20 And Jacob stole away secretly from Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he fled. ^31:21 So he fled with all that he had. And he rose up and passed over the River and set his face toward the mountain of Gilead.

^31:22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled. ^31:23 And he took his brothers with him and pursued after him seven days' journey and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead. ^31:24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night and said to him, Take heed to yourself that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.

^31:25 And Laban came up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain. And Laban encamped with his brothers in the mountain of Gilead. ^31:26 And Laban said to Jacob, What have you done, that you have stolen away my heart and carried away my daughters as captives of the sword? ^31:27Why did you steal away secretly and creep away from me and did not tell me, that I might have sent you away with gladness and with songs, with tambourine and with harp, ^31:28 and did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly.

^31:29 It is in the power of my hand to do you^* harm, but the God of your^* father spoke to me last night, saying, Take heed to yourself that you not speak to Jacob either good or bad. ^31:30 And now, though you have certainly gone, because you have been very desirous for your father's house, yet why have you stolen my gods?

^31:31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid, because I said, Lest you should take your daughters from me by force. ^31:32 With whomever you find your gods, he will not live, before our brothers. Discern with me what is yours and take it to you. For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

^31:33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two maidservants, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah's tent and entered into Rachel's tent. ^31:34 Now Rachel had taken the household-idol and put them in the camel's saddle and sat upon them. And Laban felt around all the tent, but did not find them. ^31:35 And she said to her father, Do not let my lord be furious that I cannot rise up before you, because the manner of women is upon me. And he searched, but did not find the household-idol.

^31:36 And Jacob was furious and contended with Laban. And Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? What is my sin that you have hotly-pursued after me? ^31:37 Since you have felt around all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my brothers and your brothers, that they may judge between us two.

^31:38 These twenty years I have been with you, your ewe-lambs and your female-goats have not cast their young and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks. ^31:39 I did not bring to you what was torn by beasts; I bore the loss of it, you required it of my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.

^31:40 I was there in the day, the drought and the frost by night consumed me and my sleep fled from my eyes.

^31:41 These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock. And you have changed my wages ten times. ^31:42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.

^31:43 And Laban answered and said to Jacob, The daughters are my daughters and the sons are my sons and the flocks are my flocks and all that you see is mine. And what can I do this day to these my daughters, or to their sons whom they have borne?^31:44 And now come, let us make a covenant, I and you and let it be for a witness between me and you.

^31:45 And Jacob took a stone and lifted it up for a pillar. ^31:46 And Jacob said to his brothers, Gather stones and they took stones and made a heap. And they ate there by the heap. ^31:47 And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha {Aramaic: Heap of the Testimony}, but Jacob called it Galeed {Hebrew: Heap of the Testimony}.

^31:48 And Laban said, This heap is witness between me and you this day. Therefore the name of it was called Galeed, ^31:49 and Mizpah. Since he said, May Jehovah watch between me and you, when we are hidden from one another, ^31:50 if you will mistreat my daughters and if you will take wives besides my daughters, no man is with us, see, God is witness between me and you.

^31:51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap and behold the pillar, which I have set between me and you. ^31:52 This heap is witness and the pillar is witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar for harm to me. ^31:53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us. And Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac.

^31:54 And Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his brothers to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.^31:55 And early in the morning Laban rose up and kissed his sons and his daughters and blessed them. And Laban departed and returned to his place.

[Genesis 32] TOC

^32:1 And Jacob went on his way and the messengers of God met him. ^32:2 And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God's camp. And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

^32:3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother to the land of Seir, the field of Edom. ^32:4 And he commanded them, saying, You^* will say to my lord Esau thus, your servant Jacob says thus, I have traveled with Laban and stayed until now. ^32:5 And I have oxen and donkeys, flocks and men-servants and maid-servants. And I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.

^32:6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to your brother Esau and moreover he comes to meet you and four hundred men with him. ^32:7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. And he divided the people that were with him and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies. ^32:8 And he said, If Esau comes to the one company and slays it, then the company which is left will escape.

^32:9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Jehovah, who said to me, Return to your country and to your kindred and I will do good things with you, ^32:10 I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant, because with my staff I passed over this Jordan and now I have become two companies.

^32:11 I beseech you, deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau. Because I fear him, lest he comes and slays me, the mother with the sons. ^32:12 And you said, I will surely do you good and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for a multitude.

^32:13 And he lodged there that night and took of what he had with him a present for Esau his brother:^32:14 two hundred female-goats and twenty male-goats, two hundred ewe-lambs and twenty rams, ^32:15thirty milk camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female-donkeys and ten foals.

^32:16 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every herd by itself and said to his servants, Pass over before me and put a space between herd and herd. ^32:17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, Whose are you? And where do you go? And whose are these before you? ^32:18 Then you will say, Your servant Jacob's. It is a present sent to my lord Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.

^32:19 And he commanded also the second and the third and all who followed the herds, saying, On this manner will you^* speak to Esau when you^* find him,^32:20 and you^* will say, Moreover, behold, your servant Jacob is behind us. Because he said, I will appease him with the present that goes before me and afterward I will see his face. Perhaps he will accept me. ^32:21 So the present passed over before him and he himself lodged that night in the company.

^32:22 And he rose up that night and took his two wives and his two handmaids and his eleven sons and passed over the ford of the Jabbok. ^32:23 And he took them and sent them over the brook and sent over what he had.

^32:24 And Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. ^32:25And when he saw that he did not prevail against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained as he wrestled with him.

^32:26 And he said, Let me go, because the day breaks. And he said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. ^32:27 And he said to him, What is your name? And he said, Jacob. ^32:28 And he said, Your name will be called Jacob no more, but Israel, because you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.

^32:29 And Jacob asked him and said, I beseech you, tell me your name.

And he said, Why is it that you ask for my name? And he blessed him there.

^32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel {Face of God}, because, I have seen God, face to face and my life is preserved.

^32:31 And the sun rose upon him as he passed over Peniel {Face of God} and he limped upon his thigh. ^32:32 Therefore the sons of Israel do not eat the muscle of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh, to this day, because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the muscle of the hip.

[Genesis 33] TOC

^33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming and four hundred men with him. And he divided the children to Leah and to Rachel and to the two handmaids. ^33:2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost and Leah and her children behind and Rachel and Joseph behind them.^33:3 And he himself passed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

^33:4 And Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him and they wept.^33:5 And he lifted up his eyes and saw the women and the children and said, Who are these with you? And he said, The children whom God has graciously given your servant.

^33:6 Then the handmaids came near, they and their children and they bowed themselves. ^33:7 And Leah also and her children came near and bowed themselves. And afterward Joseph came near and Rachel and they bowed themselves.

^33:8 And he said, What do you mean by all this company which I met? And he said, To find favor in the sight of my lord.

^33:9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother, let what you have be yours.

^33:10 And Jacob said, No, I beseech you, if now I have found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face, as any man would see the face of God and you were pleased with me. ^33:11 I beseech you, take my gift that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have enough. And he urged him and he took it.

^33:12 And he said, Let us pull out and let us go and I will go before you. ^33:13 And he said to him, My lord knows that the children are tender and that the flocks and herds with me have their young and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die. ^33:14 I beseech you,let my lord pass over before his servant and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord to Seir.

^33:15 And Esau said, Let me now leave with you some of the folks that are with me. And he said, What need is it? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord. ^33:16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

^33:17 And Jacob traveled to Succoth and built for him a house and made booths for his cattle. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.^33:18 And Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-aram and encamped before the city. ^33:19 And he bought the parcel of ground, where he had pitched his tent, at the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred lambs. ^33:20 And he erected an altar there and called it El-Elohe-Israel {God of Israel is Mighty}.

[Genesis 34] TOC

^34:1 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. ^34:2 And Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. And he took her and lay with her and humbled her. ^34:3 And his soul clung to Dinah the daughter of Jacob and he loved the maiden and spoke kindly to the maiden. ^34:4 And Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, Get me this maiden as a wife.

^34:5 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. And his sons were with his cattle in the field and Jacob held his peace until they came. ^34:6And Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. ^34:7 And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. And the men were grieved and they were furious, because he had done senselessness in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter, which thing ought not to be done.

^34:8 And Hamor spoke with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longs for your^* daughter. I beseech you^*, give her to him as a wife. ^34:9 And make marriages with us; give your^* daughters to us and take our daughters to you^*. ^34:10 And you^* will dwell with us and the land will be before you^*. Dwell and trade in it and get possessions for you^* in it.

^34:11 And Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, Let me find favor in your^* eyes and what you^* will say to me I will give. ^34:12 Ask me ever so much wedding-money and gift and I will give as you^* will say to me, but give me the maiden as a wife.

^34:13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with guile and spoke, because he had defiled Dinah their sister, ^34:14 and said to them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to a man who is uncircumcised, because that is a reproach to us.

^34:15 We will consent to you^* only on this condition, if you^* will be as we are, that every male of you^* be circumcised. ^34:16 Then we will give our daughters to you^* and we will take your^* daughters to us. And we will dwell with you^* and we will become one people. ^34:17 But if you^* will not listen to us, to be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and we will be gone.

^34:18 And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem Hamor's son. ^34:19 And the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter. And he was honored above all the house of his father.

^34:20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city and spoke with the men of their city, saying, ^34:21 These men are peaceable with us, therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it, for, behold, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us for wives and let us give them our daughters.

^34:22 Only on this condition will the men consent to us to dwell with us, to become one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised. ^34:23 Shall not their cattle and their substance and all their beasts be ours? Only let us consent to them and they will dwell with us.

^34:24 And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and to Shechem his son and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

^34:25 And it happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each man took his sword and came upon the city securely and killed all the males. ^34:26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword and took Dinah out of Shechem's house and went forth.

^34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister. ^34:28 They took their flocks and their herds and their donkeys and what was in the city and what was in the field, ^34:29 and all their wealth and all their little ones and their wives, they took captive and made a prey, even all that was in the house.

^34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You^* have troubled me, to make me stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. And I being few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill^* me and I will be destroyed, I and my house. ^34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a prostitute?

[Genesis 35] TOC

^35:1 And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.

^35:2 Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, Put away the foreign gods that are among you^* and purify yourselves and change your^* garments. ^35:3 And let us arise and go up to Bethel and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me on the way which I went. ^35:4 And they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hand and the rings which were in their ears. And Jacob hid them under the oak that was by Shechem.

^35:5 And they traveled and a terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

^35:6 So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan (what is Bethel), he and all the people that were with him. ^35:7 And he built an altar there and called the place El-bethel, because God was revealed to him there, when he fled from the face of his brother.

^35:8 And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse died and she was buried below Bethel under the oak. And the name of it was called Allon-bacuth {Oak of Weeping}.

^35:9 And God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram and blessed him. ^35:10 And God said to him, Your name is Jacob. Your name will not be called any more Jacob, but Israel will be your name. And he called his name Israel. ^35:11 And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be of you and kings will come out of your loins. ^35:12And the land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you and I will give the land to your seed after you.

^35:13 And God went up from him in the place where he spoke with him. ^35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he spoke with him, a pillar of stone. And he poured out a drink-offering on it and poured oil on it. ^35:15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.

^35:16 And they traveled from Bethel. And there was still some distance to come to Ephrath and Rachel travailed and she had hard labor. ^35:17 And it happened, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, Do not fear, now you will have another son. ^35:18 And it happened, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-oni {Son of Sorrow}, but his father called him Benjamin {Son of the Right}.

^35:19 And Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (what is Bethlehem). ^35:20 And Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave, the same is the Pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.

^35:21 And Israel traveled and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder. ^35:22 And it happened, while Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine and Israel heard of it.

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. ^35:23 The sons of Leah were: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn and Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun. ^35:24 The sons of Rachel were: Joseph and Benjamin. ^35:25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid were: Dan and Naphtali.^35:26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid were: Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

^35:27 And Jacob came to Isaac his father to Mamre, to Kiriath-arba (what is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac traveled.

{Gen_35:28-29, 40:1-23, 41:1-57}

^35:28 And the days of Isaac were a hundred and eighty years. ^35:29 And Isaac gave up the spirit and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And Esau and Jacob his sons buried him.

[Genesis 36] TOC

{Gen_36:1-19, 1Ch_1:35:27}

^36:1 Now these are the genealogies of Esau (what is Edom). ^36:2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, ^36:3 and Basemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth. ^36:4 And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau and Basemath bore Reuel, ^36:5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush and Jalam and Korah. These are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

^36:6 And Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all the souls of his house and his cattle and all his beasts and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan and went into a land away from his brother Jacob. ^36:7 Because their substance was too great for them to dwell together and the land of their travels could not bear them because of their cattle. ^36:8 And Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom.

^36:9 And these are the genealogies of Esau (the father of the Edomites) in Mount Seir. ^36:10 These are the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau. ^36:11 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho and Gatam and Kenaz. ^36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son and she bore to Eliphaz: Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, Esau's wife. ^36:13 And these are the sons of Reuel: Nahath and Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah, these were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. ^36:14 And these were the sons of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and she bore to Esau Jeush and Jalam and Korah.

^36:15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau: The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau were: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, ^36:16chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs that came by Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah. ^36:17 And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs that came by Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. ^36:18 And these are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah. These are the chiefs that came by Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife. ^36:19 These are the sons of Esau and these are their chiefs. The same is Edom.

{Gen_36:20-30, 1Ch_1:38-42}

^36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah, ^36:21 and Dishon and Ezer and Dishan. These are the chiefs that came of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. ^36:22 And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman. And Lotan's sister was Timna. ^36:23 And these are the sons of Shobal: Alvan and Manahath and Ebal, Shepho and Onam. ^36:24 And these are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he fed the donkeys of Zibeon his father. ^36:25 And these are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah. ^36:26 And these are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran. ^36:27 These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan and Zaavan and Akan. ^36:28 These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.

^36:29 These are the chiefs that came from the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah, ^36:30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, chief Dishan. These are the chiefs that came from the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.

{Gen_36:31-43, 1Ch_1:43-2:2}

^36:31 And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the sons of Israel. ^36:32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom and the name of his city was Dinhabah. ^36:33And Bela died and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned instead of him. ^36:34 And Jobab died and Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned instead of him. ^36:35 And Husham died and Hadad the son of Bedad, who killed^* Midian in the field of Moab, reigned instead of him. And the name of his city was Avith. ^36:36And Hadad died and Samlah from Masrekah reigned instead of him. ^36:37 And Samlah died and Shaul of Rehoboth by the Euphrates River reigned instead of him. ^36:38 And Shaul died and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned instead of him. ^36:39 And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died and Hadar reigned instead of him. And the name of his city was Pau and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

^36:40 And these are the names of the chiefs that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names: chief Timnah, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, ^36:41 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, ^36:42 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, ^36:43 chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their dwellings in the land of their possession. This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.

[Genesis 37] TOC

^37:1 And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's travels, in the land of Canaan.

^37:2 These are the genealogies of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives and Joseph brought the evil report of them to their father.

^37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made for him a coat of many colors. ^37:4 And his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers. And they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

^37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream and he told it to his brothers and they hated him yet still more. ^37:6And he said to them, Hear, I beseech you^*, this dream which I have dreamed. ^37:7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright. And behold, your^* sheaves came all around and bowed-down to my sheaf.

^37:8 And his brothers said to him, Shall you indeed reign over us? Or will you indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet still more for his dreams and for his words.

^37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream and told it to his brothers. And said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream again. And behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing-down to me.

^37:10 And he told it to his father and to his brothers. And his father rebuked him and said to him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow-down ourselves to the earth to you? ^37:11And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

^37:12 And his brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. ^37:13 And Israel said to Joseph, Are your brothers not feeding the flock in Shechem? Come and I will send you to them.

And he said to him, Here I am.

^37:14 And he said to him, Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers and well with the flock and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron and he came to Shechem.

^37:15 And a certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, What do you seek?

^37:16 And he said, I am seeking my brothers. I beseech you, tell me where they are feeding.

^37:17 And the man said, They have departed from here, because I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.

^37:18 And they saw him afar off. And before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him. ^37:19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer comes. ^37:20 Come now therefore and let us kill him and cast him into one of the pits. And we will say, An evil beast has devoured him. And we will see what will become of his dreams.

^37:21 And Reuben heard it and delivered him out of their hand and said, Let us not take his life. ^37:22And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood. Cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him, that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.

^37:23 And it happened, when Joseph came to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him, ^37:24 and they took him and cast him into the pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.

^37:25 And they sat down to eat bread. And they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

^37:26 And Judah said to his brothers, What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? ^37:27Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and do not let our hand be upon him, because he is our brother, our flesh. And his brothers listened to him.

^37:28 And Midianites, merchants passed by there and they drew and lifted Joseph up out of the pit and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt.

^37:29 And Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit. And he tore his clothes,^37:30 and he returned to his brothers and said, The child is not there, and I, where shall I go?

^37:31 And they took Joseph's coat and killed a male-goat and dipped the coat in the blood. ^37:32 And they sent the coat of many colors and they brought it to their father and said, We have found this. Please recognize it, whether it is your son's coat or not.

^37:33 And he recognized it and said, It is my son's coat. An evil beast has devoured him; Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces. ^37:34 And Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth upon his loins and mourned for his son many days. ^37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and he said, Because I will go down to Sheol to my son mourning. And his father wept for him.

^37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard.

[Genesis 38] TOC

{Gen_38:1-30, 1Ch_2:3-6, 8}

{Rth_4:18-22, Mat_1:3-6, Luk_3:31-33, 1Ch_2:5-14.}

^38:1 And it happened at that time, that Judah went down away from his brothers and stretched forth to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. ^38:2 And Judah saw a daughter of a certain Canaanite there whose name was Shua. And he took her and went in to her. ^38:3 And she conceived and bore a son and he called his name Er. ^38:4 And she conceived again and bore a son and she called his name Onan. ^38:5 And she yet again bore a son and called his name Shelah. And he was at Chezib, when she bore him.

^38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn and her name was Tamar. ^38:7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah and Jehovah killed him. ^38:8 And Judah said to Onan, Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her and raise up seed to your brother.

^38:9 And Onan knew that the seed would not be his. And it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother. ^38:10 And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of Jehovah and he also killed him.

^38:11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in law, Remain a widow in your father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up, because he said, Lest he also die, like his brothers. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. ^38:12 And Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died in process of time. And Judah was comforted and went up to his sheep shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

^38:13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold, your father-in-law goes up to Timnah to shear his sheep. ^38:14 And she put the garments of her widowhood off from her and covered herself with her veil and wrapped herself and sat in the gateway of two-springs Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah, because he saw that Shelah was grown up and she was not given to him as a wife.

^38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a prostitute, because she had covered her face. ^38:16 And he turned to her by the way and said, I beseech you, come let me come in to you, because he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.

And she said, What will you give me, that you may come in to me?

^38:17 And he said, I will send you a kid of the goats from the flock.

And she said, Will you give me a pledge, till you send it?

^38:18 And he said, What pledge shall I give you?

And she said, Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand. And he gave them to her and came in to her and she conceived by him. ^38:19And she arose and went away and put off her veil from her and put on the garments of her widowhood.

^38:20 And Judah sent the kid of the goats by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, but he did not find her. ^38:21 Then he asked the men of her place, saying, Where is the prostitute, who was at two-springs Enaim by the wayside?

And they said, There has been no prostitute here.

^38:22 And he returned to Judah and said, I have not found her and also the men of the place said, There has been no prostitute here.

^38:23 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we are put to shame. Behold, I sent this kid and you have not found her.

^38:24 And it happened about three months after, that it was told to Judah, saying, Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the prostitute and moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution.

And Judah said, Bring her forth and let her be burnt.

^38:25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man, whose these are, I am with child. And she said, I beseech you, discern whose these are, the signet and the cords and the staff. ^38:26 And Judah acknowledged them and said, She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

^38:27 And it happened in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. ^38:28 And it happened, when she travailed, that one put out a hand. And the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

^38:29 And it happened, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out. And she said, Why have you made a breach for yourself? Therefore his name was called Perez. ^38:30 And afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread upon his hand. And his name was called Zerah.

[Genesis 39] TOC

^39:1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down there. ^39:2And Jehovah was with Joseph. And he was a man who succeeds. And he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

^39:3 And his master saw that Jehovah was with him and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand. ^39:4 And Joseph found favor in his sight and he ministered to him. And he made him overseer over his house and all that he had, he put into his hand.

^39:5 And it happened from the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake. And the blessing of Jehovah was upon all that he had, in the house and in the field. ^39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand and he did not know anything that he had, except the bread which he ate. And Joseph was handsome and fine-looking.

^39:7 And it happened, after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and she said, Lie with me. ^39:8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, Behold, my master does not know what is in the house with me and he has put all that he has into my hand. ^39:9 He is not greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?

^39:10 And it happened, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

^39:11 And it happened, about this time, that he went into the house to do his work and there was none of the men of the house inside there. ^39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me. And he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out.

^39:13 And it happened, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled forth, ^39:14that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me and I cried with a loud voice. ^39:15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me and fled and got out.

^39:16 And she laid up his garment by her until his master came home. ^39:17 And she spoke to him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me. ^39:18 And it happened, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me and fled out.

^39:19 And it happened, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, After this manner, your servant did this to me, so that his wrath was kindled. ^39:20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were bound. And he was there in the prison.

^39:21 But Jehovah was with Joseph and showed kindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. ^39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. And whatever they did there, he was the doer of it. ^39:23 The keeper of the prison did not look to anything that was under his hand, because Jehovah was with him and what he did, Jehovah made it prosper.

[Genesis 40] TOC

{Gen_35:28-29, 40:1-23, 41:1-57}

^40:1 And it happened after these things, that the cupbearer of the King of Egypt and his baker, offended their lord the King of Egypt. ^40:2 And Pharaoh was angry against his two officers, against the chief of the cupbearers and against the chief of the bakers. ^40:3 And he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. ^40:4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them and he ministered to them. And they continued a season in confinement.

^40:5 And they dreamed a dream both of them in one night, each man his dream, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the King of Egypt, who were bound in the prison.

^40:6 And Joseph came in to them in the morning and saw them, and behold, they were sad. ^40:7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in confinement in his master's house, saying, Why do you^* look so sad today?

^40:8 And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream and there is no man who can interpret it.

And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, I beseech you^*.

^40:9 And the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me. ^40:10 And three tendrils were in the vine. And it was as though it budded, and its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters of it brought out ripe grapes. ^40:11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

^40:12 And Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it: the three tendrils are three days;^40:13 within yet three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office. And you will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when you was his cupbearer.

^40:14 But have me in your remembrance when it will be well with you and I beseech you, show kindness to me and make mention of me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this house. ^40:15 Because indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.

^40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. ^40:17 And there was of all manner of baked food for Pharaoh in the uppermost basket and the birds ate them out of the basket upon my head.

^40:18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation of it: the three baskets are three days;^40:19 within yet three days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree and the birds will eat your flesh from you.

^40:20 And it happened the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast to all his servants. And he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. ^40:21 And he restored the chief of the cup-bearers to his office of cup-bearer again and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand, ^40:22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. ^40:23Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

[Genesis 41] TOC

^41:1 And it happened at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed. And behold, he stood by the river. ^41:2 And behold, there came up out of the river seven cows, fine-looking and fattened and they fed in the reed grass. ^41:3 And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-fleshed and stood by the other cows upon the brink of the river. ^41:4 And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed cows ate up the seven fine-looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.

^41:5 And he slept and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain came up upon one stalk, fat and good. ^41:6 And behold, seven ears, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them.^41:7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven fat and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.

^41:8 And it happened in the morning, that his spirit was troubled and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all the wise men of it. And Pharaoh told them his dream, but there was no man who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

^41:9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day. ^41:10Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the guard, me and the chief baker. ^41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he, we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.

^41:12 And there was a young man with us there, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard and we told him. And he interpreted to us our dreams. He interpreted to each man according to his dream. ^41:13And it happened, as he interpreted to us, so it was; he restored me to my office and he hanged him.

^41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph. And they brought him hastily out of the pit and he shaved himself and changed his garments and came in to Pharaoh. ^41:15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamed a dream and there is no man who can interpret it. And I have heard say of you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it. ^41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

^41:17 And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the brink of the river. ^41:18 And behold, there came up out of the river seven cows, fat-fleshed and fine-looking and they fed in the reed grass. ^41:19 And behold, seven other cows came up after them, poorly and very ill-formed and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness. ^41:20 And the lean and ill-favored cows ate up the first seven fat cows. ^41:21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them, but they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

^41:22 And I saw in my dream, and behold, seven ears came up upon one stalk, full and good. ^41:23 And behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them, ^41:24 and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no man who could declare it to me.

^41:25 And Joseph said to Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one; what God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh. ^41:26 The seven good cows are seven years and the seven good ears are seven years; the dream is one. ^41:27 And the seven lean and ill-favored cows that came up after them are seven years and also the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind, they will be seven years of famine.

^41:28 That is the thing which I spoke to Pharaoh. What God is about to do he has shown to Pharaoh.^41:29 Behold, seven years of great plenty are coming throughout all the land of Egypt, ^41:30 and seven years of famine will arise after them. And all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt and the famine will consume the land. ^41:31 And the plenty will not be known in the land because of that famine which follows, because it will be very grievous.

^41:32 And because the dream was doubled to Pharaoh, it is because the thing is established by God and God will shortly make it happen.

^41:33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out for a man discreet and wise and set him over the land of Egypt. ^41:34 Let Pharaoh do this and let him appoint overseers over the land and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. ^41:35And let them gather all the food of these good years that come and lay up grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities and let them keep it.^41:36 And the food will be for a store to the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt, that the land does not perish through the famine.

^41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. ^41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the spirit of God? ^41:39 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Inasmuch as God has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as you. ^41:40 You will be over my house and according to your word all my people will be ruled. Only in the throne I will be greater than you. ^41:41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.

^41:42 And Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand and arrayed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. ^41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had and they cried before him, Bow the knee. And he set him over all the land of Egypt.^41:44 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh and without you no man will lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.

^41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah {Egyptian: Savior of the Age; Hebrew: Revealer of Secrets} and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah priest of On, for a wife. And Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. ^41:46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh King of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

^41:47 And the earth brought out by handfuls in the seven plentiful years. ^41:48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt and laid up the food in the cities. The food of the field, which was all around every city, he laid up in the same. ^41:49 And Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left off numbering, because it was without number.

^41:50 And two sons were born to Joseph before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah priest of On, bore to him. ^41:51And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, because God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house. ^41:52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim, because God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

^41:53 And the seven years of plenty, that was in the land of Egypt, came to an end. ^41:54 And the seven years of famine began to come, just-as Joseph had said. And there was famine in all lands, but there was bread in all the land of Egypt. ^41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. And Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, Go to Joseph; what he says to you^*, do.

^41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth. And Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. ^41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe on all the earth.

[Genesis 42] TOC

^42:1 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt. And Jacob said to his sons, Why do you^* look one upon another? ^42:2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. You^* get down there and buy for us from there, that we may live and not die.

^42:3 And Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. ^42:4 But Benjamin {Son of the Right}, Joseph's brother, Jacob did not send with his brothers, because he said, Lest perhaps harm befall him.

^42:5 And the sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, because the famine was in the land of Canaan. ^42:6 And Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves to him with their faces to the earth.

^42:7 And Joseph saw his brothers and he knew them, but made himself foreign to them and spoke roughly with them. And he said to them. From where do you^* come?

And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. ^42:8 And Joseph knew his brothers, but they did not know him.

^42:9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them. And said to them, You^* are spies; you^* have come to see the nakedness of the land.

^42:10 And they said to him, No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. ^42:11 We are all one man's sons. We are true men. Your servants are no spies.

^42:12 And he said to them, No, but you^* have come to see the nakedness of the land.

^42:13 And they said, We your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. And behold, the youngest is this day with our father and one is not {i.e. dead}.

^42:14 And Joseph said to them, This is what I spoke to you^*, saying, You^* are spies. ^42:15 By this you^* will be proved; by the life of Pharaoh you^* will not go forth from here unless your^* youngest brother comes here. ^42:16 Send one of you^* and let him fetch your^* brother. And you^* will be bound, that your^* words may be proved, whether there is truth in you^*, or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you^* are spies.^42:17 And he put them all together into confinement three days.

^42:18 And Joseph said to them the third day, Do this and live, because I fear God. ^42:19 If you^* are true men, let one of your^* brothers be bound in your^* prison house, but go, carry grain for the famine of your^* houses, ^42:20 and bring your^* youngest brother to me. So will your^* words be verified and you^* will not die. And they did so.

^42:21 And they said one to another, We are truly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul when he besought us and we would not hear. Therefore this distress has come upon us.

^42:22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Did I not speak to you^*, saying, Do not sin against the child and you^* would not hear? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required.

^42:23 And they did not know that Joseph understood them, because there was an interpreter between them. ^42:24 And he turned himself around from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them and took Simeon from among them and bound him before their eyes.

^42:25 Then Joseph commanded to fill their vessels with grain and to restore every man's money into his sack and to give them provisions for the way. And it was done thus to them. ^42:26 And they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there.

^42:27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder in the lodging place, he saw his money, and behold, it was in the mouth of his sack.^42:28 And he said to his brothers, My money is restored, and behold, it is even in my sack. And their heart failed them and they turned trembling one to another, saying, What is this that God has done to us?

^42:29 And they came to Jacob their father to the land of Canaan and told him all that had befallen them, saying, ^42:30 The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us and took us for spies of the country. ^42:31 And we said to him, We are true men and we are no spies. ^42:32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is not and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

^42:33 And the man, the lord of the land, said to us, By this I will know that you^* are true men. Leave one of your^* brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your^* houses and go your^* way, ^42:34 and bring your^* youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you^* are no spies, but that you^* are true men. So I will deliver your^* brother to you^* and you^* will trade in the land.

^42:35 And it happened as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid.

^42:36 And Jacob their father said to them, You^* have bereaved me of my sons. Joseph is not and Simeon is not and you^* will take Benjamin {Son of the Right} away. All these things are against me.

^42:37 And Reuben spoke to his father, saying, Kill my two sons if I do not bring him to you. Deliver him into my hand and I will bring him to you again.^42:38 And he said, My son will not go down with you^*, because his brother is dead and he only is left. If harm befalls him by the way in which you^* go, then you^* will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.

[Genesis 43] TOC

^43:1 And the famine was severe in the land. ^43:2And it happened, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, Go again, buy us a little food.

^43:3 And Judah spoke to him, saying, The man testified to us, saying, You^* will not see my face unless your^* brother is with you^*. ^43:4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you, ^43:5 but if you will not send him, we will not go down. Because the man said to us, You^* will not see my face unless your^* brother be with you^*.

^43:6 And Israel said, Why did you^* deal so ill with me, as to tell the man whether you^* had yet a brother? ^43:7 And they said, The man asked diligently concerning ourselves and concerning our kindred, saying, Is your^* father yet alive? Have you^* another brother? And we told him those words. Could we know in any way that he would say, Bring your^* brother down?

^43:8 And Judah said to Israel his father, Send the young man with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. ^43:9 I will be a surety for him, of my hand will you require him. If I do not bring him to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. ^43:10 Because unless we had lingered, surely we would have now returned a second time.

^43:11 And their father Israel said to them, If it is so now, do this: take of the choice fruits of the land in your^* vessels and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, spicery and myrrh, nuts and almonds. ^43:12 And take double money in your^* hand and the money that was returned in the mouth of your^* sacks carry again in your^* hand. Perhaps it was an oversight. ^43:13 Also take your^* brother and arise, go again to the man.

^43:14 And God Almighty give you^* mercy before the man, that he may release to you^* your^* other brother and Benjamin {Son of the Right}. And if I be bereaved of my sons, I am bereaved.

^43:15 And the men took that present and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin {Son of the Right} and rose up and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

^43:16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin {Son of the Right} with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house and kill and make ready, because the men will dine with me at noon. ^43:17And the man did as Joseph commanded and the man brought the men to Joseph's house.

^43:18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house and they said, We are brought in because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us and take us for bondmen and our donkeys.

^43:19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house and they spoke to him at the door of the house, ^43:20 and said, Oh, my lord, we indeed came down at the first time to buy food. ^43:21 And it happened, when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. And we have brought it again in our hand. ^43:22 And we have brought other money down in our hand to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.

^43:23 And he said, Peace be to you^*, do not fear. Your^* God and the God of your^* father, has given you^* treasure in your^* sacks. I had your^* money.

And he brought Simeon out to them. ^43:24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water and they washed their feet. And he gave their donkeys fodder. ^43:25 And they made ready the present against Joseph's coming at noon, because they heard that they should eat bread there.

^43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house and bowed themselves to him to the earth. ^43:27And he asked them of their welfare and said, Is your^* father well, the old man of whom you^* spoke? Is he yet alive? ^43:28 And they said, Your servant our father is well; he is yet alive. And they bowed the head and then bowed-down to him.

^43:29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw Benjamin {Son of the Right} his brother, his mother's son and said, Is this your^* youngest brother, of whom you^* spoke to me? And he said, God be gracious to you, my son. ^43:30 And Joseph made haste, because his heart yearned over his brother and he sought where to weep. And he entered into his chamber and wept there. ^43:31 And he washed his face and came out. And he restrained himself and said, Set on bread.

^43:32 And they set on for him by himself and for them by themselves and for the Egyptians, who ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, because that is an abomination to the Egyptians.

^43:33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men marveled with one another. ^43:34 And he took and sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin's {Son of the Right's} portion was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.

[Genesis 44] TOC

^44:1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. ^44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest and his grain money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

^44:3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. ^44:4 And when they had gone out of the city and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, Up, follow after the men and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you^* rewarded evil for good? ^44:5 Is not this that in which my lord drinks and how he indeed a diviner? You^* have done evil in so doing. ^44:6 And he overtook them and he spoke to them these words.

^44:7 And they said to him, Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing. ^44:8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then would we steal out of your lord's house silver or gold? ^44:9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die and we also will be my lord's bondmen. ^44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according to your^* words. He with whom it is found will be my bondman and you^* will be blameless.

^44:11 Then they hurried and took down every man his sack to the ground and opened every man his sack. ^44:12 And he searched, and began at the eldest and left off at the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's {Son of the Right's} sack. ^44:13 Then they tore their clothes and every man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

^44:14 And Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house. And he was yet there and they fell before him on the ground. ^44:15 And Joseph said to them, What deed is this that you^* have done? Do you^* not know that such a man as I can indeed a diviner?

^44:16 And Judah said, What will we say to my lord? What will we speak, or how will we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are my lord's bondmen, both we and he also in whose hand the cup is found.

^44:17 And he said, Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup is found, he will be my bondman, but as for you^*, you^* get up in peace to your^* father.

^44:18 Then Judah came near to him and said, Oh, my lord, I beseech you, let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears and do not let your anger burn against your servant, because you are even as Pharaoh.

^44:19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have you^* a father, or a brother? ^44:20 And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man and a child of his old age, a little one. And his brother is dead and he alone is left of his mother and his father loves him.

^44:21 And you said to your servants, Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes upon him. ^44:22And we said to my lord, The young man cannot leave his father, if he should leave his father, his father would die. ^44:23 And you said to your servants, Unless your^* youngest brother come down with you^*, you^* will see my face no more.

^44:24 And it happened when we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.^44:25 And our father said, Go again, buy us a little food. ^44:26 And we said, We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down, because we may not see the man's face unless our youngest brother be with us.

^44:27 And your servant my father said to us, You^* know that my wife bore me two sons. ^44:28 And the one went out from me and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces and I have not seen him since. ^44:29 And if you^* take this one also from me and harm befall him, you^* will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.

^44:30 Now therefore when I come to your servant my father and the young man is not with us, since his life is bound up in the young man's life, ^44:31 it will happen, when he sees that the young man is not with us, that he will die. And your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. ^44:32 Because your servant became a surety for the young man to my father, saying, If I do not bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.

^44:33 Now therefore, I beseech you, let your servant abide a bondman to my lord instead of the young man and let the young man go up with his brothers. ^44:34 Because how shall I go up to my father, if the young man is not with me? Lest I see the evil that will come on my father.

[Genesis 45] TOC

^45:1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood before him and he cried out, Cause every man to go out from me. And no man stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. ^45:2 And he wept aloud and the Egyptians heard and the house of Pharaoh heard.

^45:3 And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph, does my father yet live? And his brothers could not answer him, because they were troubled at his presence.^45:4 And Joseph said to his brothers, Come near to me, I beseech you^*. And they came near and he said, I am Joseph your^* brother, whom you^* sold into Egypt.

^45:5 And now do not be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you^* sold me here, because God sent me before you^* to preserve life. ^45:6 Because the famine has been in the land these two years and there are yet five years, in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. ^45:7 And God sent me before you^* to preserve for you^* a remnant on the earth and to save you^* alive by a great deliverance.

^45:8 So now it was not you^* that sent me here, but God and he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

^45:9 You^* hasten and go up to my father and say to him, Your son Joseph says thus: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me, do not delay.^45:10 And you will dwell in the land of Goshen and you will be near to me, you and your sons and your sons' sons and your flocks and your herds and all that you have. ^45:11 And I will nourish you there, because there are yet five years of famine, lest you come to poverty, you and your household and all that you have.

^45:12 And behold, your^* eyes see and the eyes of my brother Benjamin {Son of the Right}, that it is my mouth that speaks to you^*. ^45:13 And you^* will tell my father of all my glory in Egypt and of all that you^* have seen. And you^* will hasten and bring down my father here.

^45:14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's {Son of the Right's} neck and wept and Benjamin {Son of the Right} wept upon his neck. ^45:15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. And after that his brothers talked with him.

^45:16 And the report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brothers have come. And it pleased Pharaoh well and his servants.

^45:17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Say to your brothers, Do this: load your^* beasts and go, you^* get to the land of Canaan, ^45:18 and take your^* father and your^* households and come to me. And I will give you^* the good of the land of Egypt and you^* will eat the fat of the land.

^45:19 Now you are commanded, this do you^*: Take wagons for you^* out of the land of Egypt for your^* little ones and for your^* wives and bring your^* father and come. ^45:20 Also do not regard your^* stuff, because the good of all the land of Egypt is yours^*.

^45:21 And the sons of Israel did so. And Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh and gave them provision for the way. ^45:22He gave to all of them, each man, changes of garments, but to Benjamin {Son of the Right} he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments.

^45:23 And he sent to his father according to this manner: ten donkeys laden with the good things of Egypt and ten female-donkeys laden with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way. ^45:24 So he sent his brothers away and they departed. And he said to them, See that you^* do not tremble {i.e. quarrel} by the way.

^45:25 And they went up out of Egypt and came into the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. ^45:26 And they told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt. And his heart fainted, because he did not believe them.

^45:27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. And when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. ^45:28 And Israel said, It is enough, Joseph my son is yet alive. I will go and see him before I die.

[Genesis 46] TOC

^46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. ^46:2 And God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here I am. ^46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of your father. Do not fear to go down into Egypt, because I will make of you a great nation there. ^46:4 I will go down with you into Egypt and I will also surely bring you up again and Joseph will put his hand upon your eyes.

^46:5 And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father and their little ones and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. ^46:6 And they took up their goods and all their property, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, they came into the land of Egypt, Jacob and all his seed with him: ^46:7 the sons and the sons of his sons with him, his daughters and the daughters of his daughters. And he brought all his seed into Egypt.

^46:8 And these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn. ^46:9 And the sons of Reuben were: Hanoch and Pallu and Hezron and Carmi. ^46:10 And the sons of Simeon were: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. ^46:11 And the sons of Levi were: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. ^46:12 And the sons of Judah were: Er and Onan and Shelah and Perez and Zerah. But Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. ^46:13And the sons of Issachar were: Tola and Puvah and Job and Shimron. ^46:14 And the sons of Zebulun were: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. ^46:15 These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, with his daughter Dinah. All the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty-three.

^46:16 And the sons of Gad were: Ziphion and Haggi, Shuni and Ezbon, Eri and Arodi and Areli.^46:17 And the sons of Asher were: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi and Beriah and Serah their sister. And the sons of Beriah were: Heber and Malchiel. ^46:18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter; and these she bore to Jacob, even sixteen souls.

^46:19 The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife were: Joseph and Benjamin. ^46:20 And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah priest of On, bore to him. ^46:21 And the sons of Benjamin were: Bela and Becher and Ashbel, Gera and Naaman, Ehi and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard. ^46:22 These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.

^46:23 And the sons of Dan were: Hushim. ^46:24 And the sons of Naphtali were: Jahzeel and Guni and Jezer and Shillem. ^46:25 These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter and these she bore to Jacob. All the souls were seven.

^46:26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, that came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were sixty-six. ^46:27 And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, that came into Egypt, were seventy.

^46:28 And he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to show the way before him to Goshen and they came into the land of Goshen. ^46:29 And Joseph made his chariot ready and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen. And he presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. ^46:30And Israel said to Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are yet alive.

^46:31 And Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's house, I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, My brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. ^46:32And the men are shepherds, because they have been keepers of cattle and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.

^46:33 And it will happen, when Pharaoh will call you^* and will say, What is your^* occupation? ^46:34 that you^* will say, Your servants have been keepers of cattle from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers, that you^* may dwell in the land of Goshen, because every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.

[Genesis 47] TOC

^47:1 Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh and said, My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan. And behold, they are in the land of Goshen. ^47:2 And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh.

^47:3 And Pharaoh said to his brothers, What is your^* occupation? And they said to Pharaoh, Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers. ^47:4And they said to Pharaoh, We have come to journey in the land, because there is no pasture for your servants' flocks, because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please, let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

^47:5 And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, Your father and your brothers have come to you. ^47:6 The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers to dwell in the best of the land; in the land of Goshen let them dwell. And if you know any able men among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.

^47:7 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father and set him before Pharaoh and Jacob knelt before Pharaoh.^47:8 And Pharaoh said to Jacob, How many are the days of the years of your life? ^47:9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. ^47:10 And Jacob knelt before Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.

^47:11 And Joseph placed his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. ^47:12 And Joseph nourished his father and his brothers and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families.

^47:13 And there was no bread in all the land, because the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. ^47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought. And Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.

^47:15 And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, Give us bread, why should we die in your presence? Because our money fails.

^47:16 And Joseph said, Give your^* cattle and I will give you^* for your^* cattle, if money fails. ^47:17 And they brought their cattle to Joseph. And Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses and for the flocks and for the herds and for the donkeys. And he fed them with bread in exchange for all their cattle for that year.

^47:18 And when that year was ended, they came to him the second year and said to him, We will not hide from my lord, how that our money is all spent and the herds of cattle are my lord's; there is nothing left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies and our lands. ^47:19 Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed, that we may live and not die and that the land not be desolate.

^47:20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. Because the Egyptians, every man, sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. And the land became Pharaoh's. ^47:21 And as for the people, he moved them to the cities from one end of the border of Egypt even to the other end of it. ^47:22Only he did not buy the land of the priests, because the priests had a portion from Pharaoh and ate their portion which Pharaoh gave them. Therefore they did not sell their land.

^47:23 Then Joseph said to the people, Behold, I have bought you^* this day and your^* land for Pharaoh. Behold, here is seed for you^* and you^* will sow the land. ^47:24 And it will happen at the harvest gathering, that you^* will give a fifth to Pharaoh and four parts will be your^* own, for seed of the field and for your^* food and for those of your^* households and for food for your^* little ones.

^47:25 And they said, You have saved our lives. Let us find favor in the sight of my lord and we will be Pharaoh's servants.

^47:26 And Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh's.

^47:27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they got possessions in it and were fruitful and multiplied exceedingly. ^47:28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were a hundred forty-seven years.

^47:29 And the time drew near that Israel must die. And he called his son Joseph and said to him, If now I have found favor in your sight, I beseech you, put your hand under my thigh {i.e. to carry him} and deal kindly and truly with me. I beseech you, do not bury me in Egypt, ^47:30 but when I sleep with my fathers, you will carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place. And he said, I will do as you have said.

^47:31 And he said, Swear to me and he swore to him. And Israel bowed himself upon the head of the bed.

[Genesis 48] TOC

^48:1 And it happened after these things, that it was reported to Joseph, Behold, your father is sick. And he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. ^48:2 And it was reported to Jacob, saying, Behold, your son Joseph comes to you. And Israel strengthened himself and sat upon the bed.

^48:3 And Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, ^48:4 and said to me, Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your seed after you for an everlasting possession.

^48:5 And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine, Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine. ^48:6 And your offspring, which you father after them, will be your, they will be called after the name of their brothers in their inheritance.

^48:7 And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to come to Ephrath. And I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (what is Bethlehem).

^48:8 And Israel beheld Joseph's sons and said, Who are these? ^48:9 And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me here. And he said, I beseech you, bring them to me and I will bless them.

^48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near to him and he kissed them and embraced them. ^48:11 And Israel said to Joseph, I had not a prayer to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your seed also.

^48:12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. ^48:13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand and brought them near to him.

^48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands deliberately, because Manasseh was the firstborn.

^48:15 And he blessed Joseph and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day,^48:16 the messenger who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads and let my name be named on them and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

^48:17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. And he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.^48:18 And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father, because this is the firstborn, put your right hand upon his head.

^48:19 And his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he and his seed will become a multitude of nations. ^48:20 And he blessed them that day, saying, Israel will be blessed in you, saying, God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh. And he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

^48:21 And Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I die, but God will be with you^* and bring you^* again to the land of your^* fathers. ^48:22 Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

[Genesis 49] TOC

^49:1 And Jacob called to his sons and said, gather yourselves together, that I may tell you^* what will befall you^* in the latter days. ^49:2 Assemble yourselves and hear, you^* sons of Jacob and listen to Israel your^* father.

^49:3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, the preeminence of dignity and the pre-eminence of power. ^49:4 Boiling over as water, you will not have the pre-eminence, because you went up to your father's bed, then you defiled it; he went up to my couch.

^49:5 Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their swords. ^49:6 O my soul, do not come into their council, to their assembly, my glory, do not be united, because they killed^* a man in their anger and they hocked an ox in their self-will. ^49:7 Cursed is their anger, because it was fierce and their wrath, because it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

^49:8 Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father's sons will bow down before you. ^49:9 Judah is a lion's cub. My son, you have gone up from the prey. He stooped down, he couched as a lion and as a lioness, who will rouse him up?

^49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the peoples will be to him. ^49:11 Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his raiment in the blood of grapes. ^49:12 His eyes will be red with wine and his teeth white with milk.

^49:13 Zebulun will dwell at the haven of the sea and he will be for a haven of ships. And his border will be upon Sidon.

^49:14 Issachar is a strong donkey, couching down between the sheepfolds. ^49:15 And he saw a resting place that it was good and the land that it was pleasant. And he bowed his shoulder to bear and became a servant under forced-labor.

^49:16 Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. ^49:17 Dan will be a serpent in the way, an adder in the path, that bites the horse's heels, so that his rider falls backward. ^49:18 I have waited for your salvation, O Jehovah.

^49:19 Gad, a troop will press upon him, but he will press upon their heel.

^49:20 Out of the Asher his bread will be fat and he will yield royal delicacies.

^49:21 Naphtali is a female-deer let loose. He gives pleasant words.

^49:22 Joseph is a fruitful son, a fruitful son by a fountain, his daughters run over the wall. ^49:23 The archers embittered at him and shot at him and persecute him, ^49:24 but his bow abode in strength. And the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (the shepherd, the stone of Israel is from there), ^49:25 even by the God of your father, who will help you and by the Almighty, who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

^49:26 The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my forefathers to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They will be on the head of Joseph and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.

^49:27 Benjamin is a wolf which tears. In the morning he will devour the prey and at evening he will divide the spoil.

^49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel and this is it that their father spoke to them and blessed them; every man according to his blessing he blessed them.

^49:29 And he ordered them and said to them, I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, ^49:30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a burying place.

^49:31 They buried Abraham and Sarah his wife there; they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife there and I buried Leah there, ^49:32 in the field and the cave that is in it, which was purchased from the sons of Heth.

^49:33 And when Jacob made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed and yielded up the spirit and was gathered to his people.

[Genesis 50] TOC

^50:1 And Joseph fell upon his father's face and wept upon him and kissed him. ^50:2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. And the physicians embalmed Israel. ^50:3And forty days were fulfilled for him, because so are fulfilled the days of embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days.

^50:4 And when the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found favor in your^* eyes, speak, I beseech you^*, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, ^50:5 My father made me swear, saying, Behold, I die. In my grave which I have dug for me in the land of Canaan, you will you bury me there. Now therefore let me go up, I beseech you and bury my father and I will come again.

^50:6 And Pharaoh said, Go up and bury your father, just-as he made you swear.

^50:7 And Joseph went up to bury his father and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house and all the elders of the land of Egypt, ^50:8 and all the house of Joseph and his brothers and his father's house. Only their little ones and their flocks and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. ^50:9 And both chariots and horsemen went up with him there. And it was a very great company.

^50:10 And they came to the threshing floor of Atad {Thorns}, which is beyond the Jordan. And they lamented there with a very great and sore lamentation. And he made a mourning for his father seven days. ^50:11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians. Therefore the name of it was called Abel-mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.

^50:12 And his sons did to him just-as he commanded them. ^50:13 His sons carried him into the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field, for a possession of a burying place, of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

^50:14 And Joseph returned into Egypt, he and his brothers and all who went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father. ^50:15 And when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us and will return to us all the evil which we did to him.

^50:16 And they sent a message to Joseph, saying, Your father commanded before he died, saying, ^50:17So will you^* say to Joseph, Forgive, I beseech you now, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did to you evil. And now, please, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father. And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

^50:18 And his brothers also went and fell down before his face and they said, Behold, we are your servants. ^50:19 And Joseph said to them, Do not fear, because am I in the place of God? ^50:20 And as for you^*, you^* meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. ^50:21 Now therefore do not fear. I will nourish you^* and your^* little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

^50:22 And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father's house. And Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. ^50:23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's sons of the third generation. Also the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph's knees.

^50:24 And Joseph said to his brothers, I die, but God will surely visit you^* and bring you^* up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. ^50:25 And Joseph took an oath of the sons of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you^* and you^* will carry up my bones from here.

^50:26 So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten years old and they embalmed him and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

[Exodus 1] TOC

{Exo_1:1-2:25, 1Ch_6:1-3}

^1:1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt (every man and his household who came with Jacob): ^1:2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, ^1:3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin, ^1:4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. ^1:5 And all the souls who came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls. And Joseph was in Egypt already.

^1:6 And Joseph died and all his brothers and all that generation. ^1:7 And the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly and multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty and the land was filled with them.

^1:8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. ^1:9 And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. ^1:10 Come, let us deal craftily with them, lest they multiply and it happen, that, when war happens, they also join themselves to our enemies and fight against us and get them up out of the land.

^1:11 Therefore they set forced-labor managers over them to mistreat them with their burdens. And they built store-cities for Pharaoh which were Pithom and Raameses. ^1:12 But as much as they mistreated them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. And they were grieved because of the sons of Israel.

^1:13 And the Egyptians made the sons of Israel to serve with rigor. ^1:14 And they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, with which they made them serve with rigor.

^1:15 And the King of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah. ^1:16 And he said, When you^* do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women and see them upon the stool, if it is a son, then you^* will kill him, but if it is a daughter, then she will live. ^1:17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the King of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.

^1:18 And the King of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, Why have you^* done this thing and have saved the male children alive? ^1:19And the midwives said to Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women, because they are lively and are delivered before the midwife comes to them.

^1:20 And God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very mighty. ^1:21 And it happened, because the midwives feared God, that he made them households.

^1:22 And Pharaoh ordered all his people, saying, Every son that is born you^* will cast into the river and every daughter you^* will save alive.

[Exodus 2] TOC

^2:1 And a man of the house of Levi went and took a wife a daughter of Levi. ^2:2 And the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw him that he was a good looking child, she hid him three months.

^2:3 And when she could no longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes and daubed it with tar and with pitch. And she put the child in it and laid it in the reeds by the river's edge. ^2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.

^2:5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river and her maidens walked along by the riverside. And she saw the ark among the reeds and sent her handmaid to fetch it. ^2:6 And she opened it and saw the child, and behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.

^2:7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you? ^2:8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maiden went and called the child's mother. ^2:9 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Take this child away and nurse it for me and I will give you your wages. And the woman took the child and nursed it.

^2:10 And the child grew and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. And she called his name Moses and said, Because I drew him out of the water.

^2:11 And it happened in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out to his brothers and looked on their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian slaying a Hebrew, one of his brothers. ^2:12 And he looked this way and that way and when he saw that there was no man, he killed^* the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

^2:13 And he went out the second day, and behold, two men of the Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to him who did the wrong, Why do you kill^* your neighbor? ^2:14 And he said, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you think to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian? And Moses feared and said, Surely the thing is known.

^2:15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian and he sat down by a well. ^2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. ^2:17 And the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock.

^2:18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that you^* have come so soon today? ^2:19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and moreover he drew water for us and watered the flock. ^2:20 And he said to his daughters, And where is he? Why is it that you^* have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.

^2:21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. ^2:22And she bore a son and he called his name Gershom, because he said, I have been a traveler in a foreign land.

^2:23 And it happened in the course of those many days, that the King of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage and they cried and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. ^2:24 And God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. ^2:25 And God saw the sons of Israel and God took knowledge of them.

[Exodus 3] TOC

^3:1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the wilderness and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb.

^3:2 And the messenger of Jehovah appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. And he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire and the bush was not consumed. ^3:3 And Moses said, I will turn aside now and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

^3:4 And when Jehovah saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here I am. ^3:5And he said, Do not draw near here. Put off your shoes from your feet, because the place on which you stand is holy ground. ^3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look upon God.

^3:7 And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, because I know their sorrows. ^3:8 And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.

^3:9 And now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to me. Moreover I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.^3:10 Come now therefore and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth my people the sons of Israel out of Egypt.

^3:11 And Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring forth the sons of Israel out of Egypt? ^3:12 And he said, I will certainly be with you. And this will be the sign to you, that I have sent you: When you have brought out the people out of Egypt, you^* will serve God upon this mountain.

^3:13 And Moses said to God, Behold, when I come to the sons of Israel and will say to them, The God of your^* fathers has sent me to you^* and they will say to me, What is his name? What shall I say to them? ^3:14 And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. And he said, You will say to the sons of Israel thus: I AM has sent me to you^*.

^3:15 And God said moreover to Moses, You will say to the sons of Israel thus: Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you^*. This is my name everlasting and this is my memorial to all generations.

^3:16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, I have surely visited you^* and seen what is done to you^* in Egypt. ^3:17 And I have said, I will bring you^* up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.

^3:18 And they will listen to your voice. And you will come, you and the elders of Israel, to the King of Egypt and you^* will say to him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. And now please let us go, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Jehovah our God.

^3:19 And I know that the King of Egypt will not give you^* leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand. ^3:20And I will put forth my hand and kill^* Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst of it and after that he will let you^* go.

^3:21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. And it will happen, that, when you^* go, you^* will not go empty. ^3:22 But every woman will ask of her neighbor and of her who travels in her house, jewels of silver and jewels of gold and garments. And you^* will put them upon your^* sons and upon your^* daughters and you^* will despoil the Egyptians.

[Exodus 4] TOC

^4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice, because they will say, Jehovah has not appeared to you.

^4:2 And Jehovah said to him, What is that in your hand? And he said, A rod. ^4:3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground. And it became a serpent and Moses fled from before it. ^4:4And Jehovah said to Moses, Put forth your hand and take it by the tail (and he put forth his hand and laid hold of it and it became a rod in his hand), ^4:5 that they may believe that Jehovah, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.

^4:6 And Jehovah said furthermore to him, Put now your hand into your bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom. And when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as snow. ^4:7 And he said, Put your hand into your bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again and when he took it out of his bosom, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.

^4:8 And it will happen, if they will not believe you, nor listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. ^4:9 And it will happen, if they will not believe even these two signs, nor listen to your voice, that you will take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry land. And the water which you take out of the river will become blood upon the dry land.

^4:10 And Moses said to Jehovah, Oh, Lord, I am not a man of words, neither yesterday nor in any time past, nor since you have spoken to your servant, because I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue. ^4:11 And Jehovah said to him, Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes a man dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, Jehovah? ^4:12Now therefore go and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you will speak.

^4:13 And he said, Oh, Lord, I beseech you, send by the hand of him whom you will send.

^4:14 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Moses and he said, Do I not know your brother, Aaron the Levite, that he can speak well? And also, behold, he comes forth to meet you and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. ^4:15And you will speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you^* what you^* will do, ^4:16 and he will be your spokesman to the people. And it will happen, that he will be to you a mouth and you will be to him as God. ^4:17 And you will take this rod in your hand, with which you will do the signs.

^4:18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, Let me go, I beseech you and return to my brothers who are in Egypt and see whether they are yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.

^4:19 And Jehovah said to Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt, because all the men are dead who sought your life. ^4:20 And Moses took his wife and his sons and set them upon a donkey and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

^4:21 And Jehovah said to Moses, When you go back into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your hand, but I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. ^4:22And you will say to Pharaoh, Jehovah says thus: Israel is my son, my firstborn, ^4:23 and I have said to you, Let my son go, that he may serve me and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill^* your son, your firstborn.

^4:24 And it happened on the way at the lodging-place, that Jehovah met him and sought to kill him.^4:25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at his feet. And she said, Surely a bridegroom of blood you are to me. ^4:26So he let him alone. Then she said, A bridegroom of blood you are, because of the circumcision.

^4:27 And Jehovah said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went and met him on the mountain of God and kissed him. ^4:28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of Jehovah with which he had sent him and all the signs with which he had ordered him.

^4:29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the sons of Israel. ^4:30 And Aaron spoke all the words which Jehovah had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. ^4:31 And the people believed. And when they heard that Jehovah had visited the sons of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

[Exodus 5] TOC

^5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.

^5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is Jehovah, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I do not know Jehovah and moreover I will not let Israel go.^5:3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go, three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to Jehovah our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

^5:4 And the King of Egypt said to them, Therefore do you^*, Moses and Aaron, loose the people from their works? You^* get to your^* burdens.^5:5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land are now many and you^* make them rest from their burdens.

^5:6 And the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying,^5:7 You^* will no more give the people straw to make brick as formerly. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. ^5:8 And the number of the bricks, which they made formerly, you^* will lay upon them. You^* will not diminish any of it. Because they are idle, therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. ^5:9 Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may labor in it and do not let them regard lying words.

^5:10 And the taskmasters of the people went out and their officers and they spoke to the people, saying, Pharaoh says thus: I will not give you^* straw. ^5:11 Go yourselves, get straw where you^* can find it, because none of your^* work will be diminished. ^5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

^5:13 And the taskmasters were urgent saying, Fulfill your^* works, your^* daily deeds, as when there was straw. ^5:14 And the officers of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and demanded, Why have you^* not fulfilled your^* task both yesterday and today, in making brick as formerly?

^5:15 Then the officers of the sons of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why do you deal thus with your servants? ^5:16 No straw is given to your servants and they say to us, Make brick. And behold, your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people.

^5:17 But he said, You^* are idle, very idle. Therefore you^* say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah. ^5:18 Go therefore now and work, and no straw will be given to you^*, yet you^* will deliver the number of bricks. ^5:19 And the officers of the sons of Israel saw that they were in affliction, when it was said, You^* will not diminish anything from your^* bricks, your^* daily tasks.

^5:20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came out from Pharaoh, ^5:21 and they said to them, Jehovah look upon you^* and judge, because you^* have made our fragrance to be stink in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill^* us.

^5:22 And Moses returned to Jehovah and said, Lord, why have you dealt ill with this people? Why is it that you have sent me? ^5:23 Because of this, I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has dealt ill with this people, neither have you delivered your people at all.

[Exodus 6] TOC

^6:1 And Jehovah said to Moses, Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. Because by a strong hand he will let them go and by a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.

^6:2 And God spoke to Moses and said to him, I am Jehovah. ^6:3 And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but I was not known by them by my name Jehovah.

^6:4 And I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they traveled. ^6:5 And moreover I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage and I have remembered my covenant.

^6:6 Therefore say to the sons of Israel, I am Jehovah. And I will bring you^* out from under the burdens of the Egyptians and I will bring you^* out of their bondage and I will delivery you^* with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.

^6:7 And I will take you^* to me for a people and I will be to you^* a God and you^* will know that I am Jehovah your^* God, who brings you^* out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ^6:8 And I will bring you^* in to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob and I will give it to you^* for a heritage. I am Jehovah.

^6:9 And Moses spoke so to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses for anguish of spirit and for cruel bondage.

^6:10 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^6:11 Go in, speak to Pharaoh King of Egypt, that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. ^6:12 And Moses spoke before Jehovah, saying, Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me, how then will Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

^6:13 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron and gave them an order to the sons of Israel and to Pharaoh King of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

^6:14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were: Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi, these are the families of Reuben.

^6:15 And the sons of Simeon were: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman, these are the families of Simeon.

^6:16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their genealogy: Gershon and Kohath and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were a hundred thirty-seven years.

^6:17 The sons of Gershon were: Libni and Shimei, according to their families. ^6:18 And the sons of Kohath were: Amram and Izhar and Hebron and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were a hundred thirty-three years. ^6:19 And the sons of Merari were: Mahli and Mushi. These are the Levite families according to their genealogy.

^6:20 And Amram took to him Jochebed his father's sister as a wife and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty-seven years. ^6:21 And the sons of Izhar were: Korah and Nepheg and Zichri. ^6:22 And the sons of Uzziel were: Mishael and Elzaphan and Sithri.

^6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as a wife and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.^6:24 And the sons of Korah were: Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph. These are the Korahite families.

^6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took to him one of the daughters of Putiel as a wife and she bore to him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.

^6:26 These are the Aaron and Moses, to whom Jehovah said, Bring out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies. ^6:27 These are those who spoke to Pharaoh King of Egypt, to bring out the sons of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.

^6:28 And it happened on the day when Jehovah spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, ^6:29 that Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, I am Jehovah. Speak to Pharaoh King of Egypt all that I speak to you. ^6:30And Moses said before Jehovah, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips and how will Pharaoh listen to me?

[Exodus 7] TOC

^7:1 And Jehovah said to Moses, See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh and Aaron your brother will be your prophet. ^7:2 You will speak all that I command you and Aaron your brother will speak to Pharaoh, that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

^7:3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. ^7:4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you^*. And I will lay my hand upon Egypt and bring forth my armies, my people the sons of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. ^7:5 And the Egyptians will know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from among them.

^7:6 And Moses and Aaron did so, as Jehovah commanded them, so they did. ^7:7 And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.

^7:8 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^7:9 When Pharaoh will speak to you^*, saying, Show a wonder for you^*, then you will say to Aaron, Take your rod and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent. ^7:10 And Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh. And they did so, as Jehovah had commanded and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants and it became a serpent.

^7:11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. And they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.^7:12 They cast down every man his rod and they became serpents, but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. ^7:13 And Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had spoken.

^7:14 And Jehovah said to Moses, Pharaoh's heart is stubborn; he refuses to let the people go. ^7:15 You get to Pharaoh in the morning behold, he goes out to the water and you will stand by the river's edge to meet him and the rod which was turned to a serpent you will take in your hand. ^7:16 And you will say to him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. And behold, until now you have not listened.

^7:17 Jehovah says thus, In this you will know that I am Jehovah. Behold, I will kill^* with the rod that is in my hand upon the waters which are in the river and they will be turned to blood. ^7:18 And the fish that are in the river will die and the river will become foul and the Egyptians will loathe to drink water from the river.

^7:19 And Jehovah said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams and over their pools and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood and blood will be throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.

^7:20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as Jehovah commanded. And he lifted up the rod and killed^* the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. ^7:21 And the fish that were in the river died and the river became foul and the Egyptians could not drink water from the river. And the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.

^7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had spoken. ^7:23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to his heart.

^7:24 And all the Egyptians dug all around the river for water to drink, because they could not drink of the water of the river. ^7:25 And seven days were fulfilled, after Jehovah had struck the river.

[Exodus 8] TOC

^8:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, Jehovah says thus, Let my people go, that they may serve me. ^8:2 And if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will kill^* all your borders with frogs. ^8:3 And the river will swarm with frogs, which will go up and come into your house and into your bedroom and upon your bed and into the house of your servants and upon your people and into your ovens and into your kneading-troughs. ^8:4And the frogs will come up both upon you and upon your people and upon all your servants.

^8:5 And Jehovah said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch forth your hand with your rod over the rivers, over the streams and over the pools and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. ^8:6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.

^8:7 And the magicians did in like manner with their enchantments and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

^8:8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, Entreat Jehovah, that he take away the frogs from me and from my people and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to Jehovah.

^8:9 And Moses said to Pharaoh, Have this honor over me: When shall I entreat for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses and remain in the river only?

^8:10 And he said, Tomorrow. And he said, Be it according to your word, that you may know that Jehovah our God is like none other. ^8:11 And the frogs will depart from you and from your houses and from your servants and from your people, they will remain in the river only.

^8:12 And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cried to Jehovah concerning the frogs which he had brought upon Pharaoh. ^8:13And Jehovah did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts and out of the fields. ^8:14 And they gathered them together in heaps and the land stunk.

^8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as Jehovah had spoken.

^8:16 And Jehovah said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out your rod and kill^* the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. ^8:17 And they did so. And Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and killed^* the dust of the earth. And lice were upon man and upon beast; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

^8:18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. And lice were upon man and upon beast. ^8:19Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, This is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had spoken.

^8:20 And Jehovah said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh. Behold, he comes forth to the water. And say to him, Jehovah says thus: Let my people go, that they may serve me.^8:21 Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon you and upon they servants and upon your people and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of flies and also the ground on which they are.

^8:22 And I will set apart the land of Goshen in that day, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies will be there, to the end you may know that I am Jehovah in the midst of the earth. ^8:23 And I will put a division between my people and your people. This sign will be by tomorrow.

^8:24 And Jehovah did so and grievous swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants' houses. And in all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.

^8:25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron and said, Go, sacrifice to your^* God in the land.

^8:26 And Moses said, It is not right to do so, because we will sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Jehovah our God. Behold, we will sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes and will they not stone us? ^8:27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to Jehovah our God, as he will command us.

^8:28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you^* go, that you^* may sacrifice to Jehovah your^* God in the wilderness, only you^* will not go very far away. Entreat for me.

^8:29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from you and I will entreat Jehovah that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people, tomorrow. Only do not let Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to Jehovah.

^8:30 And Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated Jehovah. ^8:31 And Jehovah did according to the word of Moses and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people; not one remained. ^8:32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also and he did not let the people go.

[Exodus 9] TOC

^9:1 Then Jehovah said to Moses, Go to Pharaoh and tell him, Jehovah says thus: the God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. ^9:2 If you refuse to let them go and will still hold them, ^9:3 behold, the hand of Jehovah is upon your cattle which are in the field, upon the horses, upon the donkeys, upon the camels, upon the herds and upon the flocks– a very grievous pestilence. ^9:4And Jehovah will make a distinction between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt and nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.

^9:5 And Jehovah appointed a set time, saying, Tomorrow Jehovah will do this thing in the land. ^9:6And Jehovah did that thing on the next-day and all the cattle of Egypt died, but of the cattle of the sons of Israel not one died.

^9:7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, there was not so much as one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was stubborn and he did not let the people go.

^9:8 And Jehovah said to Moses and to Aaron, Take for you^* handfuls of ashes of the furnace and let Moses sprinkle it toward heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. ^9:9 And it will become small dust over all the land of Egypt and will be a boil breaking forth with sores upon man and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. ^9:10 And they took ashes of the furnace and stood before Pharaoh and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven and it became a boil breaking forth with sores upon man and upon beast.

^9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, because the boils were upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. ^9:12 And Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had spoken to Moses.

^9:13 And Jehovah said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, Jehovah says thus, the God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. ^9:14 Because this time I will send all my plagues upon your heart and upon your servants and upon your people, that you may know that none is like me in all the earth. ^9:15 Because now I have put forth my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you have been cut off from the earth.

^9:16 But indeed because of this I have raised you up, to display in you my power and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

^9:17 As yet you exalt yourself against my people, that you will not let them go? ^9:18 Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Egypt since the day it was founded even until now. ^9:19 Now therefore send, hasten in your cattle and all that you have in the field, and every man and beast that will be found in the field and will not be brought home, the hail will come down upon them and they will die.

^9:20 He who feared the word of Jehovah among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses. ^9:21 And he who did not regard the word of Jehovah left his servants and his cattle in the field.

^9:22 And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch forth your hand toward heaven, that hail may be in all the land of Egypt, upon man and upon beast and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

^9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven and Jehovah sent thunder and hail and fire ran down to the earth and Jehovah rained hail upon the land of Egypt. ^9:24 So there was hail and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

^9:25 And throughout all the land of Egypt the hail killed^* all that was in the field, both man and beast and the hail killed^* every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. ^9:26 There was no hail, only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were.

^9:27 And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron and said to them, I have sinned this time. Jehovah is righteous and I and my people are wicked. ^9:28 Entreat Jehovah, let it be enough of these mighty thunderings and hail and I will let you^* go and you^* will stay no longer.

^9:29 And Moses said to him, As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands to Jehovah. The thunders will cease, neither will there be any more hail, that you may know that the earth is Jehovah's. ^9:30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you^* will not yet fear Jehovah God.

^9:31 And the flax and the barley were struck, because the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bloom.^9:32 But the wheat and the rye were not struck, because they were not grown up.

^9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread abroad his hands to Jehovah and the thunders and hail ceased and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

^9:34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more and hardened his heart, he and his servants. ^9:35And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened and he did not let the sons of Israel go, as Jehovah had spoken by Moses.

[Exodus 10] TOC

^10:1 And Jehovah said to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh, because I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs in the midst of them, ^10:2 and that you may tell in the ears of your son and of your son's son, what things I have worked upon Egypt and my signs which I have done among them, that you^* may know that I am Jehovah.

^10:3 And Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, says thus: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. ^10:4 Else, if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your border.

^10:5 And they will cover the face of the earth, so that no man is able to see the ground. And they will eat the residue of what has escaped, which remains to you^* from the hail and will eat every tree which grows for you^* out of the field.

^10:6 And your houses will be filled and the houses of all your servants and the houses of all the Egyptians, as neither your fathers nor your fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth to this day. And he turned and went out from Pharaoh.

^10:7 And Pharaoh's servants said to him, How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve Jehovah their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?

^10:8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh. And he said to them, Go, serve Jehovah your^* God, but who are those who will go?

^10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, we will go with our flocks and with our herds, because we must hold a feast to Jehovah.

^10:10 And he said to them, So be Jehovah with you^*, as I will let you^* go and your^* little ones– Look, evil is before you^*. ^10:11 Not so. Go now who are men and serve Jehovah, because that is what you^* desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.

^10:12 And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.^10:13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt and Jehovah brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all the night and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

^10:14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested in all the borders of Egypt, they were very grievous, no such locusts as they were before them, neither will be such after them. ^10:15 They covered the face of the whole ground, so that the land was darkened and they ate every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. And not any green thing remained, either tree nor herb of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

^10:16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste and he said, I have sinned against Jehovah your^* God and against you^*. ^10:17 Now therefore I beseech you, forgive my sin only this once and entreat Jehovah your^* God, that he may only take away from me this death.

^10:18 And he went out from Pharaoh and entreated Jehovah. ^10:19 And Jehovah turned an exceedingly strong west wind, which took up the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea. Not one locust in all the border of Egypt remained.^10:20 But Jehovah hardened Pharaoh's heart and he did not let the sons of Israel go.

^10:21 And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that darkness may be over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. ^10:22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven and a thick darkness was in all the land of Egypt three days, ^10:23 they did not see each other, neither did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.

^10:24 And Pharaoh called to Moses and said, Go, serve Jehovah, only let your^* flocks and your^* herds stay. Let your^* little ones also go with you^*.^10:25 And Moses said, You must also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt-offerings, that we may sacrifice to Jehovah our God. ^10:26 Our cattle will also go with us, a hoof will not be left behind, because we must take of it to serve Jehovah our God and we do not know with what we must serve Jehovah, until we come there.

^10:27 But Jehovah hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not let them go. ^10:28 And Pharaoh said to him, You get from me. Take heed to yourself, see my face no more, because in the day you see my face you will die. ^10:29 And Moses said, You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more.

[Exodus 11] TOC

^11:1 And Jehovah said to Moses, Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt, afterwards he will let you^* go from here. When he will let you^* go, he will surely thrust you^* out from here altogether.

^11:2 Speak now in the ears of the people and let them ask every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and jewels of gold. ^11:3 And Jehovah gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.

^11:4 And Moses said, Jehovah says thus, About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt, ^11:5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits upon his throne, even to the firstborn of the maid-servant that is behind the mill and all the firstborn of cattle.

^11:6 And a great cry will be throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more. ^11:7 But against any of the sons of Israel will not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast, that you^* may know how that Jehovah makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.

^11:8 And all these your servants will come down to me and bow themselves down to me, saying, You get out and all the people who follow you. And after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in fierce anger.

^11:9 And Jehovah said to Moses, Pharaoh will not listen to you^*, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. ^11:10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh. And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh's heart and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

[Exodus 12] TOC

^12:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, ^12:2 This month will be to you^* the beginning of months; it will be the first month of the year to you^*.

^12:3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they will take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household. ^12:4 And if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house will take one according to the number of the souls, according to every man's eating you^* will make your^* count for the lamb.

^12:5 Your^* lamb will be without blemish, a male a year old. You^* will take it from the sheep, or from the goats. ^12:6 And you^* will keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will kill it at evening.

^12:7 And they will take of the blood and put it on the two side-posts and on the lintel upon the houses in which they will eat it. ^12:8 And they will eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire and unleavened bread, with bitter herbs they will eat it. ^12:9 Do not eat of it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire, its head with its legs and with the inwards of it. ^12:10 And you^* will let nothing of it remain until the morning, but what remains of it until the morning you^* will burn with fire.

^12:11 And you^* will eat it in this way: with your^* loins girded, your^* shoes on your^* feet and your^* staff in your^* hand. And you^* will eat it in haste. It is Jehovah's Passover.

^12:12 I will go through the land of Egypt in that night and will kill^* all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. I am Jehovah. ^12:13And the blood will be to you^* for a sign upon the houses where you^* are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you^* and no plague will be upon you^* to destroy you^*, when I kill^* the land of Egypt.

^12:14 And this day will be to you^* for a memorial and you^* will keep it a feast to Jehovah; throughout your^* genealogy you^* will keep it a feast by an everlasting ordinance.

^12:15 Seven days you^* will eat unleavened bread, even the first day you^* will put away leaven out of your^* houses, because whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul will be cut off from Israel.

^12:16 And a holy assembly will be to you^* in the first day and a holy assembly in the seventh day, not any work will be done in them, except what every man must eat, that only may be done by you^*.

^12:17 And you^* will observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because in this same day I have brought your^* armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you^* will observe this day throughout your^* genealogy by an everlasting ordinance.

^12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you^* will eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. ^12:19 No leaven will be found in your^* houses for seven days, because whoever eats what is leavened, that soul will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a traveler, or one who is born in the land. ^12:20 You^* will eat nothing leavened, you^* will eat unleavened bread in all your^* dwellings.

^12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, Draw out and take to you^* lambs according to your^* families and kill the Passover. ^12:22And you^* will take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin and daub the lintel and the two side-posts with the blood that is in the basin and none of you^* will go out of the door of his house until the morning. ^12:23 Jehovah will pass through to kill^* the Egyptians and when he sees the blood upon the lintel and on the two side-posts, Jehovah will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your^* houses to kill^* you^*.

^12:24 And you^* will observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons everlasting. ^12:25 And it will happen, when you^* have come to the land which Jehovah will give you^*, just-as he has promised, that you^* will keep this service. ^12:26 And it will happen, when your^* sons will say to you^*, What do you^* mean by this service? ^12:27 that you^* will say, It is the sacrifice of Jehovah's Passover, who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt, when he killed^* the Egyptians and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshiped.

^12:28 And the sons of Israel went and did so, as Jehovah had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. ^12:29 And it happened at midnight, that Jehovah killed^* all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the house in the pit and all the firstborn of cattle.

^12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians and a great cry was in Egypt, because there was not a house where there was not one dead. ^12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night and said, Rise up, you^* get forth from among my people, both you^* and the sons of Israel and go, serve Jehovah, as you^* have said. ^12:32Take both your^* flocks and your^* herds, as you^* have said and be gone. And bless me also. ^12:33 And the Egyptians were strong upon the people, to send them out of the land in haste, because they said, We are all dead men.

^12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. ^12:35 And the sons of Israel did according to the word of Moses and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold and garments. ^12:36 And Jehovah gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. And they plundered the Egyptians.

^12:37 And the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, besides children. ^12:38 And a mixed multitude also went up with them and flocks and herds, even very much cattle. ^12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, because it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not abide, neither had they prepared for themselves any provisions.

^12:40 Now the time that the sons of Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan was four hundred and thirty years. ^12:41 And it happened at the end of four hundred and thirty years, even the same day it happened, that all the armies of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt.

^12:42 It is a night to be much observed to Jehovah for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of Jehovah, to be much observed of all the sons of Israel throughout their genealogy.

^12:43 And Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner will eat of it, ^12:44 but every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he will eat of it. ^12:45 A traveler and a hired servant will not eat of it. ^12:46 In one house it will be eaten. You will not carry forth any of the flesh abroad out of the house, neither will you^* break a bone of it. ^12:47 All the congregation of Israel will keep it.

^12:48 And when a stranger will journey with you and will keep the Passover to Jehovah, let all his males be circumcised and then let him come near and keep it and he will be as one who is born in the land, but no uncircumcised man will eat of it. ^12:49One law will be to him who is home-born and to the stranger who travels among you^*.

^12:50 All the sons of Israel did, as Jehovah commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. ^12:51 And it happened the same day, that Jehovah brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

[Exodus 13] TOC

^13:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^13:2Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the sons of Israel. Both of man and of beast, it is mine.

^13:3 And Moses said to the people, Remember this day, in which you^* came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage, because Jehovah brought you^* out from this place by strength of hand. No leavened bread will be eaten.

^13:4 This day you^* go forth in the month Abib. ^13:5And it will be, when Jehovah will bring you into the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you will keep this service in this month.

^13:6 Seven days you will eat unleavened bread and in the seventh day will be a feast to Jehovah. ^13:7Unleavened bread will be eaten throughout the seven days and no leavened bread will be seen with you, neither will leaven be seen with you in all your borders.

^13:8 And you will tell your son in that day, saying, It is because of what Jehovah did for me when I came forth out of Egypt. ^13:9 And it will be for a sign to you upon your hand and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of Jehovah may be in your mouth, because Jehovah has brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand. ^13:10 You will therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

^13:11 And it will be, when Jehovah will bring you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers and will give it to you, ^13:12 that you will set apart to Jehovah all that opens the womb. And every first-offspring which you have that comes of a beast, the males will be Jehovah's.^13:13 And every first-offspring of a donkey you will redeem with a lamb and if you will not redeem it, then you will break its neck. And you will redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons.

^13:14 And it will be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, What is this?

That you will say to him, Jehovah brought us out from Egypt by strength of hand, from the house of bondage.

^13:15 And it happened, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Jehovah killed^* all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to Jehovah all that opens the womb, being males, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.

^13:16 And it will be for a sign upon your hand and for bands between your eyes, because Jehovah brought us forth out of Egypt by strength of hand.

^13:17 And it happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. Because God said, Lest perhaps the people regret when they see war and they return to Egypt. ^13:18 But God led the people about, by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea. And the sons of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.

^13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because he had strictly sworn to the sons of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you^* and you^* will carry up my bones away from here with you^*.

^13:20 And they took their journey from Succoth and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. ^13:21 And Jehovah went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them the way and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night. ^13:22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

[Exodus 14] TOC

^14:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^14:2Speak to the sons of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal-zephon. You^* will encamp opposite it by the sea.

^14:3 And Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, They are entangled in the land; the wilderness has shut them in. ^14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and he will follow after them and I will be honored through Pharaoh and upon all his army and the Egyptians will know that I am Jehovah. And they did so.

^14:5 And it was told to the King of Egypt that the people had fled. And the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? ^14:6 And he made his chariot ready and took his people with him. ^14:7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots and all the chariots of Egypt and captains over all of them.

^14:8 And Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh King of Egypt and he pursued after the sons of Israel, and the sons of Israel went out with a high hand. ^14:9 And the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh and his horsemen and his army and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.

^14:10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them and they were very afraid. And the sons of Israel cried out to Jehovah.

^14:11 And they said to Moses, Because no graves were in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us this way, to bring us forth out of Egypt? ^14:12 Is not this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? Because it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

^14:13 And Moses said to the people, Do not fear. Stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will work for you^* today, because the Egyptians whom you^* have seen today, you^* will see them again everlasting. ^14:14 Jehovah will fight for you^* and you^* will keep silent.

^14:15 And Jehovah said to Moses, Why do you cry to me? Speak to the sons of Israel, that they go forward. ^14:16 And lift you up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it and the sons of Israel will go into the midst of the sea on dry ground.

^14:17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians and they will go in after them and I will be honored through Pharaoh and through all his army, through his chariots and through his horsemen. ^14:18And the Egyptians will know that I am Jehovah, when I have been honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and through his horsemen.

^14:19 And the messenger of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. ^14:20 And it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. And the cloud and the darkness was there, yet it gave light by night. And the one did not come near the other all the night.

^14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and Jehovah caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided. ^14:22 And the sons of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. ^14:23 And the Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and his horsemen.

^14:24 And it happened in the morning watch, that Jehovah looked forth upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of cloud and troubled the army of the Egyptians. ^14:25 And he took off their chariot wheels and they drove them with difficulty, so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel, because Jehovah fights for them against the Egyptians.

^14:26 And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and upon their horsemen. ^14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared and the Egyptians fled against it and Jehovah overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

^14:28 And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all the army of Pharaoh who went in after them into the sea, not so much as one of them remained. ^14:29 But the sons of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

^14:30 And Jehovah saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore. ^14:31 And Israel saw the great work which Jehovah did upon the Egyptians. And the people feared Jehovah and they believed in Jehovah and in his servant Moses.

[Exodus 15] TOC

^15:1 Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to Jehovah and spoke, saying, I will sing to Jehovah, because he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

^15:2 Jehovah is my strength and song and he has become my salvation. This is my God and I will praise him, my father's God and I will exalt him. ^15:3Jehovah is a man of war. Jehovah is his name.

^15:4 Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has cast into the sea and his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea. ^15:5 The depths cover them. They went down into the depths like a stone.

^15:6 Your right hand, O Jehovah, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O Jehovah, dashes the enemy in pieces. ^15:7 And in the greatness of your excellency you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send forth your wrath, it consumes them as stubble. ^15:8 And with the blast of your nostrils the waters were piled up. The flowing waters stood up as a heap. The depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

^15:9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire will be satisfied upon them. I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them. ^15:10 You did blow with your wind, the sea covered them. They sank as lead in the mighty waters.

^15:11 Who is like you, O Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? ^15:12 You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. ^15:13 You in your loving kindness have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy dwelling.

^15:14 The peoples have heard, they tremble. Pains have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.^15:15Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed, the mighty men of Moab. Trembling takes hold upon them. All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.^15:16Terror and dread falls upon them. By the greatness of your arm they are as still as a stone, till your people pass over, O Jehovah, till the people pass over whom you have purchased.

^15:17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance, the place, O Jehovah, which you have made for you to dwell in, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. ^15:18 Jehovah will reign everlasting and forever.

^15:19 Because the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea and Jehovah brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the sons of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.

^15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ^15:21And Miriam answered them, Sing to Jehovah, because he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

^15:22 And Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea and they went out into the wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. ^15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, because they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.

^15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What will we drink? ^15:25 And he cried to Jehovah. And Jehovah showed him a tree and he cast it into the waters and the waters were made sweet. He made for them a statute and an ordinance there and he proved them there.

^15:26 And he said, If you will diligently listen to the voice of Jehovah your God and will do what is right in his eyes and will listen to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you, which I have put upon the Egyptians, because I am Jehovah who heals you.

^15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees and they encamped there by the waters.

[Exodus 16] TOC

^16:1 And they took their journey from Elim. And all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

^16:2 And the whole congregation of the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness. ^16:3 And the sons of Israel said to them, If only we had died by the hand of Jehovah in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, because you^* have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

^16:4 Then Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you^* and the people will go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. ^16:5 And it will happen on the sixth day, that they will prepare what they bring in and it will be twice as much as they gather daily.

^16:6 And Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, At evening, then you^* will know that Jehovah has brought you^* out from the land of Egypt, ^16:7 and in the morning, then you^* will see the glory of Jehovah, because he hears your^* murmurings against Jehovah. And what are we, that you^* murmur against us?

^16:8 And Moses said, This will be when Jehovah will give you^* flesh to eat in the evening and bread to the full in the morning, when Jehovah hears your^* murmurings which you^* murmur against him. And what are we? Your^* murmurings are not against us, because they are against Jehovah. ^16:9 And Moses said to Aaron, Say to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, Come near before Jehovah, because he has heard your^* murmurings. ^16:10 And it happened, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of Jehovah appeared in the cloud.

^16:11 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^16:12 I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel. Speak to them, saying, At evening you^* will eat flesh and in the morning you^* will be filled with bread. And you^* will know that I am Jehovah your^* God.

^16:13 And it happened at evening, that the quails came up and covered the camp. And in the morning the dew lay all around the camp, ^16:14 and when the dew that lay had gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness a small round thing, small like the frost on the ground.

^16:15 And when the sons of Israel saw it, they said one to another, What is it? Because they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, It is the bread which Jehovah has given you^* to eat. ^16:16 This is the thing which Jehovah has commanded, Gather it, every man according to his mouth of eating {i.e. appetite}, an 1-gallon container a head. According to the number of your^* persons, you^* will take it, every man for those who are in his tent.

^16:17 And the sons of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. ^16:18 And when they measured it with an 1-gallon container, he who gathered much had nothing over and he who gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his mouth of eating.

^16:19 And Moses said to them, Let no man leave of it till the morning. ^16:20 They did not listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning and it bred worms and became foul and Moses was angry with them. ^16:21 And they gathered it morning by morning, every man according to his mouth of eating. And when the sun grew hot, it melted.

^16:22 And it happened, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. ^16:23 And he said to them, This is what Jehovah has spoken, Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Jehovah. Bake what you^* will bake and boil what you^* will boil and all that remains over lay up for you^* to be kept until the morning. ^16:24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses commanded and it did not become foul, neither was any worm in it.

^16:25 And Moses said, Eat that today, because today is a Sabbath to Jehovah. You^* will not find it in the field today. ^16:26 Six days you^* will gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath, none will be in it.

^16:27 And it happened on the seventh day, that some of the people went out to gather and they found none. ^16:28 And Jehovah said to Moses, How long do you^* refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? ^16:29 See, because Jehovah has given you^* the Sabbath, therefore he gives you^* on the sixth day the bread of two days. Abide every man in his place. Let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. ^16:30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

^16:31 And the house of Israel called the name of it Manna. And it was like coriander seed, white and the taste of it was like wafers with honey.

^16:32 And Moses said, This is the thing which Jehovah has commanded. Let an omerful of it be kept throughout your^* genealogy, that they may see the bread with which I fed you^* in the wilderness, when I brought you^* forth from the land of Egypt.^16:33 And Moses said to Aaron, Take a pot and put an omerful of manna in it and lay it up before Jehovah, to be kept throughout your^* genealogy. ^16:34 As Jehovah commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

^16:35 And the sons of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited. They ate the manna until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan. ^16:36 Now an 1-gallon container is the tenth part of a 10-gallon container.

[Exodus 17] TOC

^17:1 And all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to the commandment of Jehovah and encamped in Rephidim. And there was no water for the people to drink. ^17:2 Therefore the people contended with Moses and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why do you^* contend with me? Why do you^* challenge Jehovah? ^17:3 And the people thirsted there for water. And the people murmured against Moses and said, Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our sons and our cattle with thirst?

^17:4 And Moses cried to Jehovah, saying, What shall I do to this people? They are almost ready to stone me.

^17:5 And Jehovah said to Moses, Pass on before the people and take with you from the elders of Israel and your rod, with which you killed^* the river, take in your hand and go. ^17:6 Behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb and you will kill^* the rock and water will come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

^17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contending of the sons of Israel and because they challenged Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah among us, or not?

^17:8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. ^17:9 And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. ^17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

^17:11 And it happened, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. ^17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy. And they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side. And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. ^17:13 And Joshua weakened Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

^17:14 And Jehovah said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. ^17:15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi {the Lord my banner}. ^17:16And he said, Jehovah has sworn, Jehovah will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

[Exodus 18] TOC

^18:1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt.

^18:2 And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her away,^18:3 and her two sons, of whom the name of the one was Gershom, because he said, I have been a traveler in a foreign land. ^18:4 And the name of the other was Eliezer, because he said, The God of my father was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.

^18:5 And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the mountain of God. ^18:6And he said to Moses, I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you and your wife and her two sons with her.

^18:7 And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed-down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and they came into the tent. ^18:8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that Jehovah had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the travail that had come upon them by the way and how Jehovah delivered them.

^18:9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Jehovah had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. ^18:10And Jethro said, Praise Jehovah, who has delivered you^* out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. ^18:11 Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods, yes, in the thing in which they dealt proudly against them.

^18:12 And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God. And Aaron came and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

^18:13 And it happened on the next-day, that Moses sat to judge the people and the people stood about Moses from the morning to the evening. ^18:14 And when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that you do to the people? Why do you sit by yourself and all the people stand about you from morning to evening?

^18:15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to inquire of God.^18:16 When they have a matter, they come to me and I judge between a man and his neighbor. And I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.

^18:17 And Moses' father-in-law said to him, The thing that you do is not good. ^18:18 You will surely wear away, both you and this people that is with you, because the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone.

^18:19 Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel and God be with you. You be a leader for the people toward God and bring the cases to God. ^18:20 And you will teach them the statutes and the laws and will show them the way in which they must walk and the work that they must do.

^18:21 Moreover you will provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens, ^18:22 and let them judge the people at all seasons. And it will be, that every great matter they will bring to you, but every small matter they will judge themselves. So it will be easier for yourself and they will bear the burden with you.

^18:23 If you will do this thing and God command you so, then you will be able to endure and all this people also will go to their place in peace.

^18:24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. ^18:25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens, ^18:26 and they judged the people at all seasons. The hard cases they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

^18:27 And Moses let his father-in-law depart and he went his way into his own land.

[Exodus 19] TOC

^19:1 In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. ^19:2 And when they were departed from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness and Israel encamped there before the mountain.

^19:3 And Moses went up to God. And Jehovah called to him out of the mountain, saying, You will say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel thus: ^19:4 You^* have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you^* on eagles' wings and brought you^* to myself.

^19:5 Now therefore, if you^* will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then you^* will be my own possession from among all peoples, because all the earth is mine, ^19:6 and you^* will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you will speak to the sons of Israel.

^19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people and set before them all these words which Jehovah commanded him. ^19:8 And all the people answered together and said, All that Jehovah has spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people to Jehovah.

^19:9 And Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you everlasting. And Moses told the words of the people to Jehovah.

^19:10 And Jehovah said to Moses, Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow and let them wash their garments, ^19:11 and be ready for the third day, because the third day Jehovah will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai.

^19:12 And you will set bounds to the people all around, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that you^* do not go up onto the mountain, or touch the border of it. Whoever touches the mountain will be surely put to death; ^19:13 no hand will touch him, but he will surely be stoned, or shot through, whether it is beast or man, he will not live. When the ram’s horn is prolonged, they will come up to the mountain.

^19:14 And Moses went down from the mountain to the people and made the people holy and they washed their garments. ^19:15 And he said to the people, Be ready for the third day. Do not come near a woman. ^19:16 And it happened on the third day, when it was morning, that thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud were upon the mountain and the voice of an exceedingly loud trumpet. And all the people who were in the camp trembled.

^19:17 And Moses brought out the people out of the camp to meet God and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. ^19:18 And Mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Jehovah descended upon it in fire and the smoke of it ascended as the smoke of a furnace. And the whole mountain quaked greatly.

^19:19 And when the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him by a voice. ^19:20 And Jehovah came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And Jehovah called Moses to the top of the mountain and Moses went up.

^19:21 And Jehovah said to Moses, Go down, testify to the people, lest they break through to Jehovah to gaze and many of them perish. ^19:22 And let the priests also, who come near to Jehovah, sanctify themselves, lest Jehovah break forth upon them.

^19:23 And Moses said to Jehovah, The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, because you testified to us, saying, Set bounds about the mountain and sanctify it. ^19:24 And Jehovah said to him, Go, get down. And you will come up, you and Aaron with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to Jehovah, lest he break forth upon them. ^19:25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

[Exodus 20] TOC

^20:1 And God spoke all these words, saying,

^20:2 I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ^20:3 You will have no other gods before me.

^20:4 You will not make to you a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ^20:5 You will not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them, because I, Jehovah your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of those who hate me, ^20:6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

^20:7 You will not take the name of Jehovah your God in vain, because Jehovah will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

^20:8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.^20:9 Six days you will labor and do all your work, ^20:10but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Jehovah your God. You will not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates, ^20:11 because in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them and rested the seventh day. Therefore Jehovah blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

^20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Jehovah your God gives you.

^20:13 You will not murder.

^20:14 You will not commit adultery.

^20:15 You will not steal.

^20:16 You will not bear false witness against your neighbor.

^20:17 You will not desire your neighbor's house. You will not desire your neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.

^20:18 And all the people perceived the thunderings and the lightnings and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking. And when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.

^20:19 And they said to Moses, Speak with us and we will hear, but do not let God speak with us, lest we die. ^20:20 And Moses said to the people, Do not fear, because God has come to prove you^* and that his fear may be before you^*, that you^* do not sin. ^20:21 And the people stood afar off and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

^20:22 And Jehovah said to Moses, You will say to the sons of Israel thus: You^* yourselves have seen that I have talked with you^* from heaven. ^20:23 You^* will not make other gods with me; gods of silver, or gods of gold, you^* will not make to you^*.

^20:24 An altar of earth you will make to me and will sacrifice on it your burnt-offerings and your peace-offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you.

^20:25 And if you make to me an altar of stone, you will not build it of hewn stones, because if you lift up your tool upon it, you have polluted it.

^20:26 Neither will you go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness is not uncovered on it.

[Exodus 21] TOC

^21:1 Now these are the ordinances which you will set before them.

^21:2 If you buy a Hebrew servant, six years he will serve and in the seventh he will go out a free man, freely. ^21:3 If he comes in by himself, he will go out by himself. If he is married, then his wife will go out with him.

^21:4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her sons will be her master's and he will go out by himself. ^21:5 But if the servant will plainly say, I love my master, my wife and my sons, I will not go out free, ^21:6 then his master will bring him to God and will bring him to the door, or to the door-post and his master will bore his ear through with an awl and he will serve him everlasting.

^21:7 And if a man sells his daughter to be a maid-servant, she will not go out as the men-servants do.^21:8 If she does not please her master, who has espoused her to himself, then he will let her be redeemed. He will have no power to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. ^21:9 And if he espouses her to his son, he will deal with her according to the manner of daughters.^21:10 If he takes him another wife, her food, her garments and her duty of marriage, he will not diminish. ^21:11 And if he does not do these three things to her, then she will go out freely, without paying money.

^21:12 He who slays a man, so that he dies, will surely be put to death.

^21:13 And if a man does not lie in wait, but God delivers him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he will flee.

^21:14 And if a man comes presumptuously upon his neighbor, to kill him with guile, you will take him from my altar, that he may die.

^21:15 And he who slays his father or his mother, will surely be put to death.

^21:16 And he who steals a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he will surely be put to death.

^21:17 And he who curses his father or his mother, will surely be put to death.

^21:18 And if men contend and one slays the other with a stone, or with his fist and he does not die, but keeps his bed, ^21:19 if he rises again and walks abroad upon his staff, then he who killed^* him will be acquitted. Only he will pay for the loss of his time and will cause him to be thoroughly healed.

^21:20 And if a man slays his servant, or his maid, with a rod and he dies under his hand, he will surely be punished. ^21:21 But if he continues a day or two, he will not be punished, because he is his money.

^21:22 And if men struggle together and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart and yet no harm follow, he will be surely fined, just-as the woman's husband will lay upon him and he will pay as the judges determine. ^21:23 But if any harm follows, then you will give life in exchange for life, ^21:24 eye in exchange for eye, tooth in exchange for tooth, hand in exchange for hand, foot in exchange for foot, ^21:25burning for burning, wound in exchange for wound, stripe in exchange for stripe.

^21:26 And if a man slays the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid and destroys it, he will let him go free for his eye's sake. ^21:27 And if he knocks out his man-servant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth, he will let him go free for his tooth's sake.

^21:28 And if an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox will surely be stoned and its flesh will not be eaten, but the owner of the ox will be acquitted.

^21:29 But if the ox was accustomed to gore in time past and it has been testified to its owner and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the ox will be stoned and its owner will also be put to death.

^21:30 If a ransom is laid on him, then he will give for the redemption of his life whatever is laid upon him. ^21:31 Whether it has gored a son, or has gored a daughter, according to this judgment it will be done to him.

^21:32 If the ox gores a man-servant or a maidservant, thirty shekels of silver will be given to their master and the ox will be stoned.

^21:33 And if a man will open a pit, or if a man will dig a pit and not cover it and an ox or a donkey falls in it, ^21:34 the owner of the pit will make it good; he will give money to the owner of it and the dead beast will be his.

^21:35 And if one man's ox hurts another's, so that it dies, then they will sell the live ox and divide the price of it and the dead they will also divide. ^21:36 Or if it is known that the ox was accustomed to gore in time past and its owner has not kept it in, he will surely pay ox in exchange for ox and the dead beast will be his own.

[Exodus 22] TOC

^22:1 If a man will steal an ox, or a sheep and kill it, or sell it, he will pay five oxen in exchange for an ox and four sheep in exchange for a sheep.

^22:2 If the thief is found breaking in and be struck so that he dies, no blood-guilt will be for him.^22:3 If the sun has risen upon him, blood-guilt will be for him. A thief will make restitution. If he has nothing, then he will be sold for his theft. ^22:4 If the theft is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, or donkey, or sheep, he will pay double.

^22:5 If a man will cause a field or vineyard to be eaten and will let his beast loose and it feeds in another man's field, he will make restitution of the best of his own field and of the best of his own vineyard. ^22:6 If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed, he who kindled the fire will surely make restitution.

^22:7 If a man will deliver to his neighbor money or stuff to keep and it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief be found, he will pay double. ^22:8 If the thief is not found, then the master of the house will come near to God, to see whether he has not put his hand to his neighbor's goods.

^22:9 Upon every matter of trespass, whether it is because of ox, because of donkey, because of sheep, because of garments, or because of any manner of lost thing, of which a man says, This is it, the case of both parties will come before God. He whom God will condemn will pay double to his neighbor.

^22:10 If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep and it dies, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it, ^22:11 the oath of Jehovah will be between them both, whether he has not put his hand to his neighbor's goods. And the owner of it will accept it and he will not make restitution.

^22:12 But if it is stolen from him, he will make restitution to the owner of it. ^22:13 If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He will not make good what was torn.

^22:14 And if a man borrows anything of his neighbor and it is hurt, or die, the owner of it not being with it, he will surely make restitution. ^22:15 If the owner of it is with it, he will not make it good. If it is a hired thing, it came for its hire.

^22:16 And if a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he will surely pay wedding-money for her to be his wife. ^22:17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he will pay money according to the wedding-money of virgins.

^22:18 You will not allow a sorceress to live.

^22:19 Whoever lies with a beast will surely be put to death.

^22:20 He who sacrifices to any god, except to Jehovah only, will be utterly destroyed.

^22:21 And you will not wrong a traveler, neither will you oppress him, because you^* were travelers in the land of Egypt.

^22:22 You^* will not mistreat any widow, or fatherless child. ^22:23 If mistreating, you mistreat him and if he cries to me, in my hearing, I will hear their cry, ^22:24 and my wrath will grow hot and I will kill you^* with the sword and your^* wives will be widows and your^* sons fatherless.

^22:25 If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you will not be to him as a creditor, neither will you^* lay upon him interest.

^22:26 If you at all take your neighbor's garment to pledge, you will restore it to him before the sun goes down, ^22:27 because that is his only covering. It is his garment for his skin. How will he sleep? And it will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, because I am gracious.

^22:28 You will not revile God, nor speak ill of a ruler of your people.

^22:29 You will not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you will give to me. ^22:30Likewise you will do with your oxen and with your sheep. Seven days it will be with its dam. On the eighth day you will give it me.

^22:31 And you^* will be holy men to me. Therefore you^* will not eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field. You^* will cast it to the dogs.

[Exodus 23] TOC

^23:1 You will not take up a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked man to be an unrighteous witness.

^23:2 You will not follow a multitude to do evil, neither will you speak in a case to turn aside after a multitude to distort justice, ^23:3 neither will you favor a poor man in his case.

^23:4 If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey wandering, you will surely bring it back to him again. ^23:5 If you see the donkey of him who hates you lying under his burden, you will refrain leaving him. You will surely release it with him.

^23:6 You will not distort the justice due to your poor in his case.

^23:7 Keep far from a false matter. And do not kill an innocent and righteous man, because I will not justify a wicked man.

^23:8 And you will take no bribe, because a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.

^23:9 And you will not oppress a traveler, because you^* know the heart of a traveler, because you^* were travelers in the land of Egypt.

^23:10 And six years you will sow your land and will gather in the increase of it, ^23:11 but the seventh year you will let it rest and lie tillable, that the poor of your people may eat and what they leave the beast of the field will eat. In like manner you will deal with your vineyard and with your olive-grove.

^23:12 Six days you will do your work and on the seventh day you will rest, that your ox and your donkey may have rest and the son of your handmaid and the traveler, may be refreshed.

^23:13 And in all things that I have said to you^* take heed and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth.

^23:14 Three times you will keep a feast to me in the year. ^23:15 You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib, because in it you came out from Egypt and none will appear before me empty), ^23:16 and the Feast of Harvest, the first-fruits of your labors, which you sow in the field and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your labors out of the field. ^23:17 Three times in the year all your males will appear before the Lord Jehovah.

^23:18 You will not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread, neither will the fat of my feast remain all night until the morning.

^23:19 The first of the first-fruits of your ground you will bring into the house of Jehovah thy God. You will not boil a kid in its mother's milk.

^23:20 Behold, I send a messenger before you, to keep you by the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. ^23:21 You^* take heed before him and listen to his voice, provoke him not. Because he will not pardon your^* transgression, because my name is in him.

^23:22 But if you will indeed listen to his voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. ^23:23 Because my messenger will go before you and bring you in to the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Canaanite, the Hivite and the Jebusite and I will cut them off.

^23:24 You will not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works, but you will utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces.

^23:25 And you^* will serve Jehovah your^* God and he will bless your bread and your water and I will take sickness away from the midst of you. ^23:26 None will cast her young, nor be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

^23:27 I will send my terror before you and will destroy all the people to whom you will come and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.^23:28 And I will send the hornet before you, which will drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite and the Hittite, from before you.

^23:29 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field multiply against you. ^23:30 Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you are increased and inherit the land.

^23:31 And I will set your border from the Red Sea even to the sea of the Philistines and from the wilderness to the River. Because I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your^* hand and you will drive them out before you.

^23:32 You will make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. ^23:33 They will not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me, because if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.

[Exodus 24] TOC

^24:1 And he said to Moses, Come up to Jehovah, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel and worship afar off. ^24:2 And Moses alone will come near to Jehovah, but they will not come near, neither will the people go up with him.

^24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of Jehovah and all the ordinances. And all the people answered with one voice and said, We will do all the words which Jehovah has spoken

^24:4 And Moses wrote all the words of Jehovah and rose up early in the morning and built an altar below the mountain and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. ^24:5 And he sent young men of the sons of Israel, who offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed peace-offerings of bulls to Jehovah. ^24:6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.

^24:7 And he took the book of the covenant and read in the audience of the people. And they said, We will do and be obedient to all that Jehovah has spoken. ^24:8 And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, Behold the blood of the covenant that Jehovah has made with you^* concerning all these words.

^24:9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel went up. ^24:10 And they saw the God of Israel. And there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone and as it were the very heaven for clearness. ^24:11 And he laid not his hand upon the nobles of the sons of Israel. And they beheld God and ate and drank.

^24:12 And Jehovah said to Moses, Come up to me onto the mountain and be there and I will give you the tablets of stone and the law and the commandment, which I have written, that you may teach them. ^24:13 And Moses rose up and Joshua his minister and Moses went up onto the mountain of God.

^24:14 And he said to the elders, Abide here for us, until we come again to you^*. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you^*; whoever has a case, let him come near to them.

^24:15 And Moses went up onto the mountain and the cloud covered the mountain. ^24:16 And the glory of Jehovah abode upon Mount Sinai and the cloud covered it six days. And the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. ^24:17 And the appearance of the glory of Jehovah was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the sons of Israel. ^24:18 And Moses entered into the midst of the cloud and went up onto the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

[Exodus 25] TOC

^25:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^25:2Speak to the sons of Israel, that they take for me a heave-offering; of every man whose heart makes him willing you^* will take my offering.

{God speaks to Moses to Exo 25:2-31:18, what Moses will speak to the people at Exo 35:3-40:33.}

^25:3 And this is the heave-offering which you^* will take of them: gold and silver and brass, ^25:4 and blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goats' hair, ^25:5and rams' skins dyed red and certain skins and acacia wood, ^25:6 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, ^25:7 onyx stones and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

^25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. ^25:9 According to all that I show you: the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all the furniture of it, even so will you^* make it.

^25:10 And they will make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half will be the length of it and a cubit and a half the breadth of it and a cubit and a half the height of it. ^25:11 And you will overlay it with pure gold. Inside and outside you will overlay it and will make upon it a crown of gold all around. ^25:12And you will cast four rings of gold for it and put them in the four feet of it. And two rings will be on the one side of it and two rings on the other side of it. ^25:13 And you will make staves of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. ^25:14 And you will put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark, with which to carry the ark. ^25:15 The staves will be in the rings of the ark; they will not be taken from it. ^25:16And you will put into the ark the testimony which I will give you.

^25:17 And you will make a mercy-seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half the length of it and a cubit and a half the breadth of it. ^25:18 And you will make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work will you make them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat. ^25:19And make one cherub at the one end and one cherub at the other end; of one piece with the mercy-seat you^* will make the cherubim on the two ends of it.^25:20 And the cherubim will spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; the faces of the cherubim will be toward the mercy-seat.

^25:21 And you will put the mercy-seat upon the ark from above. And you will put the testimony that I will give you in the ark. ^25:22 And I will meet with you there. And I will speak with you from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give you in commandment to the sons of Israel.

^25:23 And you will make a table of acacia wood, two cubits the length of it and a cubit the breadth of it and a cubit and a half the height of it. ^25:24 And you will overlay it with pure gold and make for it a crown of gold all around. ^25:25 And you will make to it a border of a handbreadth all around and you will make a golden crown to the border of it all around.^25:26 And you will make for it four rings of gold and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet of it. ^25:27 The rings will be close by the border, for places for the staves to carry the table. ^25:28 And you will make the staves of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. ^25:29 And you will make the dishes of it and the spoons of it and the pitchers of it and the bowls of it, with which to pour out, of pure gold you will make them. ^25:30 And you will set upon the table showbread before me always.

^25:31 And you will make a lamp-stand of pure gold. The lamp-stand will be made of beaten work, even its base and its shaft, its cups, its knobs and its flowers, will be of one piece with it. ^25:32 And six branches will be going out of the sides of it, three branches of the lamp-stand out of the one side of it and three branches of the lamp-stand out of the other side of it: ^25:33 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knob and a flower and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knob and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lamp-stand, ^25:34 and in the lamp-stand four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knobs of it and the flowers of it. ^25:35 And a knob under two branches of one piece with it and a knob under two branches of one piece with it and a knob under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the lamp-stand. ^25:36 Their knobs and their branches will be of one piece with it, the whole of it, one beaten work of pure gold. ^25:37 And you will make the lamps of it, seven. And they will light the lamps of it, to give light in front of it. ^25:38 And the snuffers of it and the snuff dishes of it, will be of pure gold. ^25:39 It will be made from a talant of pure gold, with all these vessels. ^25:40 And see that you make them according to their pattern that has been shown you on the mountain.

[Exodus 26] TOC

^26:1 Moreover you will make the tabernacle with ten curtains, of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skillful workman will you make them. ^26:2 The length of each curtain will be twenty-eight cubits and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains will have one measure. ^26:3 Five curtains will be joined together one to another and the other five curtains will be joined one to another. ^26:4 And you will make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain at the end of the juncture and likewise you will make at the edge of the curtain at the second juncture. ^26:5 You will make fifty loops in the one curtain and you will make fifty loops in the edge of the curtain at the second juncture; the loops will correspond to another. ^26:6 And you will make fifty hooks of gold and join the curtains one to another with the hooks. And the tabernacle will be one whole.

^26:7 And you will make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. Eleven curtains you will make them. ^26:8 The length of each curtain will be thirty cubits and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains will have one measure.^26:9 And you will join five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves and will double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent. ^26:10 And you will make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain, the last at the juncture and fifty loops upon the edge of the second curtain that joins. ^26:11 And you will make fifty hooks of brass and put the hooks into the loops and join the tent together, that it may be one. ^26:12 And the overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, will hang over the back of the tabernacle. ^26:13 And the cubit on the one side and the cubit on the other side, of what remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, will hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.

^26:14 And you will make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red and a covering of certain skins above.

^26:15 And you will make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. ^26:16 Ten cubits will be the length of a board and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. ^26:17 Two pins will be in each board, joined one to another. You will make for all the boards of the tabernacle so.^26:18 And you will make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward.

^26:19 And you will make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under one board for its two pins and two sockets under another board for its two pins. ^26:20 And for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards, ^26:21 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board.

^26:22 And you will make six boards for the sides of the tabernacle westward. ^26:23 And you will make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the sides. ^26:24 And they will be double beneath and in like manner they will be joined on the top to the one ring. It will be so for them both, they will be for the two corners. ^26:25 And there will be eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets: two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board.

^26:26 And you will make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,^26:27 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the sides westward. ^26:28And the middle bar in the midst of the boards will pass through from end to end.

^26:29 And you will overlay the boards with gold and make their rings of gold for places for the bars. And you will overlay the bars with gold. ^26:30 And you will raise up the tabernacle according to the fashion of it which has been shown you on the mountain.

^26:31 And you will make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen. It will be made the work of the skillful workman with cherubim. ^26:32And you will hang it upon four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, their hooks will be of gold, upon four sockets of silver. ^26:33 And you will hang up the veil under the hooks and will bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil will divide for you^* between the holy place and the most holy.

^26:34 And you will put the mercy-seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. ^26:35 And you will set the table outside the veil and the lamp-stand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south. And you will put the table on the north side.

^26:36 And you will make a screen for the door of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer. ^26:37 And you will make for the screen five pillars of acacia and overlay them with gold. Their hooks will be of gold and you will cast five sockets of brass for them.

[Exodus 27] TOC

^27:1 And you will make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad (the altar will be square) and the height of it will be three cubits. ^27:2And you will make the horns of it upon the four corners of it. The horns of it will be of one piece with it and you will overlay it with brass. ^27:3 And you will make its pots to take away its ashes and its shovels and its basins and its forks and its censors; you will make all the vessels of it of brass. ^27:4 And you will make for it a grating of lattice-work of brass and upon the lattice-work you will make four brazen rings in the four corners of it. ^27:5 And you will put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the lattice-work may reach halfway up the altar. ^27:6 And you will make staves for the altar, staves of acacia wood and overlay them with brass. ^27:7 And the staves of it will be put into the rings and the staves will be upon the two sides of the altar, in bearing it.^27:8 You will make it hollow with planks. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so will they make it.

^27:9 And you will make the court of the tabernacle. There will be hangings for the south side southward, for the court of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. ^27:10 And the pillars of it will be of brass, twenty and their sockets twenty. The hooks of the pillars and their bands will be of silver. ^27:11 And likewise for the north side in length there will be hangings a hundred cubits long and the pillars of it twenty and their sockets twenty, of brass, the hooks of the pillars and their bands, of silver. ^27:12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side will be hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten and their sockets ten. ^27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward will be fifty cubits. ^27:14 The hangings for the one side of the gate will be fifteen cubits, their pillars three and their sockets three. ^27:15 And for the other side will be hangings of fifteen cubits, their pillars three and their sockets three.

^27:16 And for the gate of the court will be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer, their pillars four and their sockets four.

^27:17 All the pillars of the court all around will be banded with silver, their hooks of silver and their sockets of brass. ^27:18 The length of the court will be a hundred cubits and the breadth fifty everywhere and the height five cubits, of fine twined linen and their sockets of brass.

^27:19 All the instruments of the tabernacle in all the service of it and all the pegs of it and all the pegs of the court, will be of brass.

^27:20 And you will command the sons of Israel, that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually ^27:21 in the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony. Aaron and his sons will keep it in order from evening to morning before Jehovah. It will be an everlasting statute throughout their genealogy from the sons of Israel.

[Exodus 28] TOC

^28:1 And bring Aaron your brother near to you and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. ^28:2 And you will make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. ^28:3 And you will speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.

^28:4 And these are the garments which they will make: a breastplate and an ephod and a robe and a tunic of checker work, a headdress and a sash. And they will make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.

^28:5 And they will take the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet and the fine linen. ^28:6 And they will make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple, scarlet and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman. ^28:7 It will have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together.^28:8 And the skillfully woven band, which is upon it, with which to gird it on, will be like the work of it and of the same piece, of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen.

^28:9 And you will take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel: ^28:10six of their names on the one stone and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, according to their birth. ^28:11 You will engrave the two stones with the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel. You will make them to be enclosed in settings of gold. ^28:12 And you will put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the sons of Israel. And Aaron will bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders for a memorial. ^28:13 And you will make settings of gold, ^28:14 and two chains of pure gold, like cords you will make them, of corded work. And you will put the corded chains on the settings.

^28:15 And you will make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman. You will make it like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen, you will make it. ^28:16 It will be square and double, a span will be the length of it and a span the breadth of it. ^28:17 And you will set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz and carbuncle will be the first row, ^28:18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire and a diamond, ^28:19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst, ^28:20 and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper. They will be enclosed in gold in their settings.

^28:21 And the stones will be according to the names of the sons of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one according to his name; they will be for the twelve tribes.

^28:22 And you will make upon the breastplate chains like cords, of corded work of pure gold. ^28:23And you will make upon the breastplate two rings of gold and will put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. ^28:24 And you will put the two corded chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. ^28:25 And the other two ends of the two corded chains you will put on the two settings and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod in the forepart of it. ^28:26 And you will make two rings of gold and you will put them upon the two ends of the breastplate, upon the edge of it, which is toward the side of the ephod inward.

^28:27 And you will make two rings of gold and will put them on the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod underneath, in the forepart of it, close by the its joining, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. ^28:28 And they will bind the breastplate by the rings of it to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be upon the skillfully woven band of the ephod and that the breastplate is not loosed from the ephod.

^28:29 And Aaron will bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before Jehovah continually.

^28:30 And you will put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate of judgment and they will be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before Jehovah. And Aaron will bear the judgment of the sons of Israel upon his heart before Jehovah continually.

^28:31 And you will make the robe of the ephod all of blue. ^28:32 And it will have a mouth for the head in the midst of it. It will have a binding of woven work all around the mouth of it, as it were the mouth of a coat of chain-mail, that it is not torn. ^28:33 And upon the skirts of it you will make pomegranates of blue and of purple and of scarlet, all around the skirts of it and bells of gold between them all around: ^28:34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe all around.

^28:35 And it will be upon Aaron to minister. And the sound of it will be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Jehovah and when he comes out, that he does not die.

^28:36 And you will make a plate of pure gold and engrave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLY TO JEHOVAH. ^28:37 And you will put it on a lace of blue and it will be upon the headdress. It will be upon the forefront of the headdress. ^28:38 And it will be upon Aaron’s forehead. And Aaron will bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the sons of Israel will sanctify in all their holy gifts. And it will always be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before Jehovah.

^28:39 And you will weave the tunic in checker work of fine linen. And you will make a headdress of fine linen. And you will make a sash, the work of the embroiderer.

^28:40 And you will make tunics for Aaron's sons. And you will make for them sashes and you will make for them head-coverings for glory and for beauty. ^28:41 And you will put them upon Aaron your brother and upon his sons with him and will anoint them and consecrate them and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.

^28:42 And you will make for them linen underwear to cover the flesh of their nakedness, from the loins even to the thighs they will reach. ^28:43 And they will be upon Aaron and upon his sons, when they go in to the tent of meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not bear iniquity and die. It will be an everlasting statute to him and to his seed after him.

[Exodus 29] TOC

^29:1 And this is the thing that you will do to them to sanctify them, to minister to me in the priest's office: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, ^29:2 and unleavened bread and cakes unleavened mingled with oil and wafers unleavened anointed with oil, of fine wheaten flour will you make them, ^29:3 and you will put them into one basket and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams.

^29:4 And Aaron and his sons you will bring to the door of the tent of meeting and will wash them with water. ^29:5 And you will take the garments and put upon Aaron the tunic and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breastplate and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod. ^29:6 And you will set the headdress upon his head and put the holy crown upon the headdress. ^29:7 Then you will take the anointing oil and pour it upon his head and anoint him. ^29:8 And you will bring his sons and put tunics upon them. ^29:9And you will gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons and bind head-coverings on them. And they will have the priesthood by a everlasting statute. And you will consecrate Aaron and his sons.

^29:10 And you will bring the bull before the tent of meeting. And Aaron and his sons will lay their hands upon the head of the bull, ^29:11 and you will kill the bull before Jehovah, at the door of the tent of meeting. ^29:12 And you will take of the blood of the bull and put it upon the horns of the altar with your finger and you will pour out all the blood at the base of the altar. ^29:13 And you will take all the fat that covers the inwards and the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and burn them upon the altar. ^29:14 But the flesh of the bull and its skin and it manure, you will burn with fire outside the camp. It is a sin-offering.

^29:15 You will also take the one ram and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands upon the head of the ram. ^29:16 And you will kill^* the ram and you will take its blood and sprinkle it all around upon the altar. ^29:17And you will cut the ram into its pieces and wash its inwards and its legs and put them with its pieces and with its head, ^29:18 and you will burn the whole ram upon the altar. It is a burnt-offering to Jehovah. It is a sweet aroma, a fire-offering to Jehovah.

^29:19 And you will take the other ram and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands upon the head of the ram. ^29:20 Then you will kill the ram and take of its blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the big toe of their right foot and sprinkle the blood upon the altar all around. ^29:21 And you will take of the blood that is upon the altar and of the anointing oil and sprinkle it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon the garments of his sons with him. And he will be made holy and his garments and his sons and his sons' garments with him.

^29:22 Also you will take from the ram the fat and the fat tail and the fat that covers the inwards and the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and the right thigh (because it is a ram of consecration), ^29:23 and one loaf of bread and one cake of oiled bread and one wafer, out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Jehovah, ^29:24 and you will put the whole upon the hands of Aaron and upon the hands of his sons and will wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah. ^29:25 And you will take them from their hands and burn them on the altar upon the burnt-offering, for a sweet aroma before Jehovah. It is a fire-offering to Jehovah.

^29:26 And you will take the breast of Aaron's ram of consecration and wave it for a wave-offering before Jehovah and it will be your portion. ^29:27 And you will sanctify the breast of the wave-offering and the thigh of the heave-offering, which is waved and which is lifted up from the ram of consecration, even of what is for Aaron and of what is for his sons, ^29:28 and it will be for Aaron and his sons as their everlasting portion from the sons of Israel, because it is a heave-offering. And it will be a heave-offering from the sons of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, even their heave-offering to Jehovah.

^29:29 And the holy garments of Aaron will be for his sons after him, to be anointed in them and to be consecrated in them. ^29:30 Seven days will the son that is priest instead of him put them on, when he comes into the tent of meeting to minister in the holy place.

^29:31 And you will take the ram of consecration and boil its flesh in a holy place. ^29:32 And Aaron and his sons will eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the tent of meeting. ^29:33 And they will eat those things with which atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them, but a stranger will not eat of it, because they are holy. ^29:34 And if any of the flesh of the consecration, or of the bread, remains to the morning, then you will burn the remainder with fire. It will not be eaten, because it is holy.

^29:35 And you will do to Aaron and to his sons this way, according to all that I have commanded you. Seven days you will consecrate them. ^29:36 And every day you will offer the bull of sin-offering for atonement. And you will cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it and you will anoint it, to sanctify it. ^29:37 Seven days you will make atonement for the altar and sanctify it. And the altar will be most holy. Whatever touches the altar will be holy.

^29:38 Now this is what you will offer upon the altar: two lambs a year old, day by day continually.^29:39 You will offer the one lamb in the morning and the other lamb you will offer at evening. ^29:40 And a tenth part of a 10-gallon container of fine flour mingled with the fourth part of a 5-quart container of beaten oil with the one lamb and the fourth part of a 5-quart container of wine for a drink-offering. ^29:41 And the other lamb you will offer at evening and will do to it according to the food-offering of the morning and according to the drink-offering of it, for a sweet aroma, a fire-offering to Jehovah. ^29:42 It will be a continual burnt-offering throughout your^* genealogy at the door of the tent of meeting before Jehovah, where I will meet with you^*, to speak to you there.

^29:43 And I will meet with the sons of Israel there and the tent will be made holy by my glory. ^29:44 And I will sanctify the tent of meeting and the altar. I will also sanctify Aaron and his sons to minister to me in the priest's office. ^29:45 And I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God. ^29:46 And they will know that I am Jehovah their God, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them. I am Jehovah their God.

[Exodus 30] TOC

^30:1 And you will make an altar to burn incense upon. You will make it of acacia wood. ^30:2 A cubit will be the length of it and a cubit the breadth of it (it will be square) and two cubits will be the height of it. The horns of it will be of one piece with it. ^30:3 And you will overlay it with pure gold, the top of it and the sides of it all around and the horns of it. And you will make to it a crown of gold all around. ^30:4And two golden rings you will make for it under the crown of it, upon the two ribs of it, upon the two sides of it you will make them. And they will be for places for staves with which to carry it. ^30:5 And you will make the staves of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. ^30:6 And you will put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.

^30:7 And Aaron will burn in it incense of sweet spices. Every morning, when he dresses the lamps, he will burn it. ^30:8 And when Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he will burn it, a perpetual incense before Jehovah throughout your^* genealogy. ^30:9 You^* will offer no strange incense on it, nor burnt-offering, nor food-offering. And you^* will pour no drink-offering on it. ^30:10 And Aaron will make atonement upon the horns of it once in the year, with the blood of the sin-offering of atonement. Once in the year he will make atonement for it throughout your^* genealogy. It is most holy to Jehovah.

^30:11 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^30:12When you take the total of the sons of Israel, according to those who are numbered of them, then they will give every man a ransom for his soul to Jehovah when you number them, that no plague is among them when you number them. ^30:13 They will give this, everyone who passes over to those who are numbered: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary, (the shekel is twenty gerahs,) half a shekel for a heave-offering to Jehovah. ^30:14Everyone who passes over to those who are numbered, from twenty years old and upward, will give the heave-offering of Jehovah. ^30:15 The rich will not give more and the poor will not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the heave-offering of Jehovah, to make atonement for your^* souls. ^30:16 And you will take the atonement money from the sons of Israel and will appoint it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the sons of Israel before Jehovah, to make atonement for your^* souls.

^30:17 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^30:18 You will also make a large-basin of brass and the base of it from brass for washing. And you will put it between the tent of meeting and the altar and you will put water in it. ^30:19 And Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and their feet there. ^30:20 When they go into the tent of meeting, they will wash with water, that they do not die, or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn a fire-offering to Jehovah. ^30:21 So they will wash their hands and their feet, that they do not die. And it will be an everlasting statute to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their genealogy.

^30:22 Moreover Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,^30:23 You take also to you the chief spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels and of sweet cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty and of sweet cane two hundred and fifty, ^30:24 and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary and a 5-quart container of olive oil. ^30:25 And you will make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer. It will be a holy anointing oil. ^30:26 And you will anoint with it the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, ^30:27 and the table and all the vessels of it and the lamp-stand and the vessels of it and the altar of incense, ^30:28 and the altar of burnt-offering with all the vessels of it and the large-basin and the base of it. ^30:29 And you will sanctify them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will be holy. ^30:30 And you will anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.

^30:31 And you will speak to the sons of Israel, saying, This will be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your^* genealogy. ^30:32 Upon the flesh of man it will not be poured, neither will you^* make any like it, according to the composition of it. It is holy and it will be holy to you^*. ^30:33 Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it upon a stranger, he will be cut off from his people.

^30:34 And Jehovah said to Moses, Take to you sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense, of each there will be a like weight. ^30:35 And you will make of it incense, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. ^30:36 And you will beat some of it very small and put some of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It will be to you^* most holy. ^30:37 And the incense which you will make, you^* will not make for yourselves according to the composition of it. It will be to you holy for Jehovah. ^30:38 Whoever will make like that, to smell of it, he will be cut off from his people.

[Exodus 31] TOC

^31:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^31:2 See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ^31:3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship, ^31:4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold and in silver and in brass, ^31:5 and in cutting of stones for setting and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.

^31:6 And I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

^31:7 the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony and the mercy-seat that is on it and all the furniture of the tent, ^31:8 and the table and its vessels and the pure lamp-stand with all its vessels and the altar of incense, ^31:9 and the altar of burnt-offering with all its vessels and the large-basin and its base,^31:10 and the finely worked garments and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, ^31:11 and the anointing oil and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place.

They will do according to all that I have commanded you.

^31:12 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^31:13Speak also to the sons of Israel, saying, Truly you^* will keep my Sabbaths, because it is a sign between me and you^* throughout your^* genealogy, that you^* may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifies you^*. ^31:14 You^* will keep the Sabbath therefore, because it is holy to you^*. Everyone who profanes it will surely be put to death, because whoever does any work on it, that soul will be cut off from among his people. ^31:15 Six days will work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he will surely be put to death. ^31:16 Therefore the sons of Israel will keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their genealogy, for a everlasting covenant.^31:17 It is a sign between me and the sons of Israel everlasting. Because in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.

^31:18 And he gave to Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

[Exodus 32] TOC

^32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, Up, make gods for us, which will go before us. Because as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.

^32:2 And Aaron said to them, Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your^* wives, of your^* sons and of your^* daughters and bring them to me. ^32:3 And all the people broke off the golden rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.

^32:4 And he received it at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it a molten calf. And they said, These are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt. ^32:5And when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, Tomorrow will be a feast to Jehovah.

^32:6 And they rose up early on the next-day and offered burnt-offerings and brought peace-offerings. And the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play.

^32:7 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, Go, get down, because your people, that you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. ^32:8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made for them a molten calf and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, These are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

^32:9 And Jehovah said to Moses, I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. ^32:10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may grow hot against them and that I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.

^32:11 And Moses besought Jehovah his God and said, Jehovah, why does your wrath grow hot against your people, whom you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? ^32:12 Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, He brought them forth for evil, to kill them on the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from your fierce wrath and relent of this evil against your people.

^32:13 Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self and said to them, I will multiply your^* seed as the stars of heaven. And all this land that I have spoken of I will give to your^* seed and they will inherit it everlasting.

^32:14 And Jehovah relented of the evil which he said he would do to his people.

^32:15 And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both their sides; they were written on the one side and on the other. ^32:16And the tablets were the work of God and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets.

^32:17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, A noise of war is in the camp. ^32:18 And he said, It is not the voice of those who sing for might, neither is it the voice of those who sing of defeat, but I hear just the voice of those who sing.

^32:19 And it happened, as soon as he came near to the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. And Moses' anger grew hot and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them beneath the mountain. ^32:20And he took the calf which they had made and burnt it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it upon the water and made the sons of Israel drink of it.

^32:21 And Moses said to Aaron, What did this people do to you, that you have brought a great sin upon them?

^32:22 And Aaron said, Do not let the anger of my lord grow hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.

^32:23 They said to me, Make gods for us, which will go before us. Because as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.

^32:24And I said to them, Whoever has any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it to me and I cast it into the fire and out came this calf.

^32:25 And when Moses saw that the people were broken loose, (because Aaron had let them loose for a whisper among their enemies,) ^32:26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, Whoever is on Jehovah's side, come to me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. ^32:27 And he said to them, Jehovah, the God of Israel, says thus, Put every man his sword upon his thigh and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp and kill^* every man his brother and every man his companion and every man his neighbor.

^32:28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men fell of the people that day. ^32:29 And Moses said, Consecrate yourselves today to Jehovah, yes, every man against his son and against his brother, that he may bestow upon you^* a blessing this day.

^32:30 And it happened on the next-day, that Moses said to the people, You^* have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to Jehovah, perhaps I will make atonement for your^* sin.

^32:31 And Moses returned to Jehovah and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin and have made gods of gold for them. ^32:32 Yet now, if you will forgive their sin– and if not, I beseech you, blot me out of your book which you have written.

^32:33 And Jehovah said to Moses, Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book.

^32:34 And now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, my messenger will go before you. Nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them. ^32:35 And Jehovah killed^* the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

[Exodus 33] TOC

^33:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, Depart, go up from here, you and the people that you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, saying, I will give it to your seed. ^33:2 And I will send a messenger before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite– ^33:3 to a land flowing with milk and honey. Because I will not go up in the midst of you, because you are a stubborn people, lest I consume you on the way.

^33:4 And when the people heard these evil speech about them, they mourned and no man put his ornaments on him. ^33:5 And Jehovah said to Moses, Say to the sons of Israel, You^* are a stiff-necked people. If I go up into the midst of you for one moment, I will consume you. Therefore now put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what to do to you. ^33:6 And the sons of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments from Mount Horeb onward.

^33:7 Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it outside the camp, afar off from the camp and he called it, The tent of meeting. And it happened, that everyone who sought Jehovah went out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.

^33:8 And it happened, when Moses went out to the tent, that all the people rose up and stood, every man at his tent door and looked after Moses, until he had gone into the tent.

^33:9 And it happened, when Moses entered into the tent, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tent and Jehovah spoke with Moses.^33:10 And all the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the door of the tent. And all the people rose up and worshiped, every man at his tent door.

^33:11 And Jehovah spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend and he turned again into the camp. But his minister Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart out of the tent.

^33:12 And Moses said to Jehovah, See, say to me, Bring up this people and you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, I know you by name and you have also found favor in my sight.

^33:13 Now therefore, I beseech you, if I have found favor in your sight, show me now your ways, that I may know you, to the end that I may find favor in your sight. And consider that this nation is your people.

^33:14 And he said, My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.

^33:15 And Moses said to him, If your presence does not go, do not carry us up from here. ^33:16 How will it be known now that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in that you go with us, so that we are separated, I and your people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth?

^33:17 And Jehovah said to Moses, I will do this thing also that you have spoken, because you have found favor in my sight and I know you by name.

^33:18 And he said, I beseech you, show me your glory. ^33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before you. I will be merciful to whom I may be merciful and I will be compassionate to whomever I may be compassionate. ^33:20 And he said, You cannot see my face, because man will not see me and live.

^33:21 And Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me and you will stand upon the rock. ^33:22 And it will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ^33:23 And I will take away my hand and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen.

[Exodus 34] TOC

^34:1 And Jehovah said to Moses, Hew two tablets of stone like the first and I will write upon the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. ^34:2 And be ready by the morning and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.

^34:3 And no man will come up with you, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mountain, neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mountain.

^34:4 And he hewed two tablets of stone like the first. And Moses rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as Jehovah had commanded him and took in his hand two tablets of stone. ^34:5 And Jehovah descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of Jehovah.

^34:6 And Jehovah passed by before him and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth, ^34:7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons and upon the sons' sons, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.

^34:8 And Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. ^34:9 And he said, If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, I beseech you, let the Lord go in the midst of us, because it is a stiff-necked people and pardon our iniquity and our sin and take us for your inheritance.

^34:10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been worked in all the earth, nor in any nation and all the people among which you are will see the work of Jehovah, because it is an awesome thing that I do with you.

^34:11 Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I drive out before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. ^34:12 Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you go, lest it is for a snare in the midst of you.

^34:13 Because you^* will break down their altars and smash their pillars and you^* will cut down their Asherim {pole-images}, ^34:14 because you will worship no other god. Because Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. ^34:15 Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they play the prostitute after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and a man calls you and you eat of his sacrifice, ^34:16and you take of their daughters to your sons and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods. ^34:17 You will make you no molten gods.

^34:18 You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib, because you came out from Egypt in the month Abib.

^34:19 All that opens the womb is mine and all your cattle that is male, the first-offspring of cow and sheep. ^34:20 And the first-offspring of a donkey you will redeem with a lamb and if you will not redeem it, then you will break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you will redeem. And none will appear before me empty.

^34:21 Six days you will work, but on the seventh day you will rest; in plowing time and in harvest you will rest.

^34:22 And you will observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, even of the first-fruits of wheat harvest and the Feast of Ingathering in the middle of the year. ^34:23 Three times in the year all your males will appear before the Lord Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^34:24 Because I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders. Neither will any man desire your land, when you go up to appear before Jehovah your God three times in the year.

^34:25 You will not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread, nor will the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover be left to the morning.

^34:26 The first of the first-fruits of your ground you will bring to the house of Jehovah your God.

You will not boil a kid in its mother's milk.

^34:27 And Jehovah said to Moses, Write these words, because on the mouth of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.

^34:28 And he was there with Jehovah forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread, nor drank water and he wrote upon the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

^34:29 And it happened, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mountain, that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone by reason of his speaking with him.

^34:30 And when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone and they were afraid to come near him. ^34:31 And Moses called to them. And Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him and Moses spoke to them. ^34:32 And afterward all the sons of Israel came near and he gave them in commandment all that Jehovah had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.

^34:33 And when Moses was done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. ^34:34 But when Moses went in before Jehovah to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out. And he came out and spoke to the sons of Israel what he was commanded.^34:35 And the sons of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone. And Moses put the veil upon his face again until he went in to speak with him.

[Exodus 35] TOC

^35:1 And Moses assembled all the congregation of the sons of Israel and said to them, These are the words which Jehovah has commanded, that you^* should do them.

{Moses speaks to the people from 35:2-40:33 what God spoke to him at Exo 25:3-31:18}

^35:2 Six days work will be done, but on the seventh day a holy day, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Jehovah will be to you^*. Whoever does any work in it will be put to death. ^35:3 You^* will kindle no fire throughout your^* dwellings upon the Sabbath day.

^35:4 And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Jehovah commanded, saying, ^35:5 You^* take from among you^* a heave-offering to Jehovah. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it– Jehovah's offering: gold and silver and brass, ^35:6 and blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goats' hair, ^35:7 and rams' skins dyed red and certain skins and acacia wood, ^35:8and oil for the light and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, ^35:9 and onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastplate.

^35:10 And let every wise-hearted man among you^* come and make all that Jehovah has commanded:

^35:11 the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its boards, its bars, its pillars and its sockets, ^35:12 the ark and the staves of it, the mercy-seat and the veil of the screen, ^35:13 the table and its staves and all its vessels and the showbread, ^35:14 the lamp-stand also for the light and its vessels and its lamps and the oil for the light, ^35:15 and the altar of incense and its staves and the anointing oil and the sweet incense and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle, ^35:16 the altar of burnt-offering, with its grating of brass, its staves and all its vessels, the large-basin and its base, ^35:17 the hangings of the court, the pillars of it and their sockets and the screen for the gate of the court, ^35:18 the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court and their cords,^35:19 the finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office.

^35:20 And all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. ^35:21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him up and everyone whom his spirit made willing and brought Jehovah's heave-offering, for the work of the tent of meeting and for all the service of it and for the holy garments.

^35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted and brought brooches and earrings and signet-rings and armlets, all jewels of gold, even every man who offered a wave-offering of gold to Jehovah. ^35:23 And every man, with whom was found blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goats' hair and rams' skins dyed red and certain skins, brought them. ^35:24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver and brass brought Jehovah's offering and every man, with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.

^35:25 And all the women who were wise hearted spun with their hands and brought what they had spun: the blue and the purple, the scarlet and the fine linen. ^35:26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats' hair.

^35:27 And the rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastplate, ^35:28 and the spice and the oil, for the light and for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense. ^35:29 The sons of Israel brought a free-will offering to Jehovah, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Jehovah had commanded to be made by Moses.

^35:30 And Moses said to the sons of Israel, See, Jehovah has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ^35:31 And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship, ^35:32 and to devise skillful works, to work in gold and in silver and in brass, ^35:33 and in cutting of stones for setting and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of skillful workmanship.

^35:34 And he has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. ^35:35 He has filled them with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of workmanship, of the engraver and of the skillful workman and of the embroiderer, in blue and in purple, in scarlet and in fine linen and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship and of those who devise skillful works.

[Exodus 36] TOC

^36:1 And Bezalel and Oholiab will work and every wise-hearted man, in whom Jehovah has put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Jehovah has commanded.

^36:2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Jehovah had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it, ^36:3 and they received from Moses all the heave-offering which the sons of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. And they brought yet to him free-will offerings every morning. ^36:4 And all the wise men, who worked all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they worked.

^36:5 And they spoke to Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which Jehovah commanded to make. ^36:6And Moses commanded and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the heave-offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. ^36:7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it and too much.

^36:8 And all the wise-hearted men among them who worked the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains, of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet, with cherubim; the work of the skillful workman made them. ^36:9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains had one measure.^36:10 And he joined five curtains one to another and the other five curtains he joined one to another. ^36:11And he made loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the end to the juncture. Likewise he made at the edge of the last curtain at the second juncture. ^36:12 He made fifty loops on the one curtain and he made fifty loops at the end of the curtain that was at the second juncture; the loops corresponded one to another. ^36:13 And he made fifty loops of gold and joined the curtains one to another with the hooks, so the tabernacle was one.

^36:14 And he made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains. ^36:15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits and four cubits the breadth of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one measure. ^36:16 And he joined five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves. ^36:17 And he made fifty loops on the edge of the last curtain at the junction and fifty loops he made upon the edge of the last curtain at the second junction. ^36:18 And he made fifty hooks of brass to join the tent together, that it might be one.

^36:19 And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red and a covering of certain skins above.

^36:20 And he made the boards for the tabernacle, of acacia wood, standing up. ^36:21 Ten cubits was the length of a board and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. ^36:22 Each board had two pins, joined one to another. He made for all the boards of the tabernacle thus. ^36:23 And he made the boards for the tabernacle. Twenty boards for the south side southward.

^36:24 And he made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards, two sockets under one board for its two pins and two sockets under another board for its two pins. ^36:25 And for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards,^36:26 and their forty sockets of silver, two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board.

^36:27 And he made six boards for the sides of the tabernacle westward. ^36:28 And he made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the sides. ^36:29 And they were double beneath and in like manner they were entire to the top of it to one ring. He did thus to both of them in the two corners. ^36:30And there were eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets, under every board two sockets.

^36:31 And he made bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, ^36:32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward. ^36:33 And he made the middle bar to pass through in the midst of the boards from the one end to the other. ^36:34 And he overlaid the boards with gold. And made their rings of gold for places for the bars and overlaid the bars with gold.

^36:35 And he made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen. He made it with cherubim, the work of the skillful workman. ^36:36 And he made for it four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold and he cast for them four sockets of silver. ^36:37 And he made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer, ^36:38 and the five pillars of it with their hooks. And he overlaid their tops and their bands with gold and their five sockets were of brass.

[Exodus 37] TOC

^37:1 And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; two cubits and a half was the length of it and a cubit and a half the breadth of it and a cubit and a half the height of it. ^37:2 And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside and made a crown of gold to it all around. ^37:3 And he cast four rings of gold for it, in the four feet of it, even two rings on the one side of it and two rings on the other side of it. ^37:4 And he made staves of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. ^37:5 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark.

^37:6 And he made a mercy-seat of pure gold, two cubits and a half the length of it and a cubit and a half the breadth of it. ^37:7 And he made two cherubim of gold, of beaten work he made them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat, ^37:8 one cherub at the one end and one cherub at the other end, of one piece with the mercy-seat. He made the cherubim at the two ends of it. ^37:9 And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy-seat.

^37:10 And he made the table of acacia wood, two cubits the length of it and a cubit the breadth of it and a cubit and a half the height of it. ^37:11 And he overlaid it with pure gold and made for it a crown of gold all around. ^37:12 And he made to it a border of a handbreadth all around and made a golden crown to the border of it all around. ^37:13 And he cast four rings of gold for it and put the rings in the four corners that were on the four feet of it, ^37:14 close by the border were the rings, the places for the staves to carry the table. ^37:15 And he made the staves of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table.^37:16 And he made the vessels which were upon the table, the dishes of it and the spoons of it and the bowls of it and the flagons of it, with which to pour out, of pure gold.

^37:17 And he made the lamp-stand of pure gold. He made the lamp-stand of beaten work, even its base and its shaft, its cups, its knobs and its flowers, were of one piece with it. ^37:18 And six branches going out were of the sides of it, three branches of the lamp-stand out of the one side of it and three branches of the lamp-stand out of the other side of it,^37:19 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knob and a flower and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knob and a flower, so for the six branches going out of the lamp-stand. ^37:20 And in the lamp-stand were four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knobs of it and the flowers of it, ^37:21 and a knob under two branches of one piece with it and a knob under two branches of one piece with it and a knob under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it. ^37:22 Their knobs and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was one beaten work of pure gold. ^37:23 And he made the lamps of it, seven and the snuffers of it and the snuff dishes of it of pure gold. ^37:24 He made it of a talant of pure gold and all the vessels of it.

^37:25 And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit was the length of it and a cubit the breadth of it, square and two cubits was the height of it. The horns of it were of one piece with it. ^37:26 And he overlaid it with pure gold, the top of it and the sides of it all around and the horns of it. And he made to it a crown of gold all around. ^37:27 And he made for it two golden rings under the crown of it, upon the two ribs of it, upon the two sides of it, for places for staves with which to carry it. ^37:28 And he made the staves of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

^37:29 And he made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.

[Exodus 38] TOC

^38:1 And he made the altar of burnt-offering of acacia wood: five cubits was the length of it and five cubits the breadth of it, square and three cubits the height of it. ^38:2 And he made the horns of it upon the four corners of it. The horns of it were of one piece with it and he overlaid it with brass. ^38:3 And he made all the vessels of the altar: the pots and the shovels and the basins, the forks and the censors. All the vessels of it he made of brass. ^38:4 And he made for the altar a grating of lattice-work of brass, under the ledge around it beneath, reaching halfway up. ^38:5And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grating of brass, to be places for the staves. ^38:6 And he made the staves of acacia wood and overlaid them with brass. ^38:7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it; he made it hollow with planks.

^38:8 And he made the large-basin of brass and the base of it from brass, from the mirrors of the women who fasted, who fasted by the doors of the tabernacle of witness, in the day in which he set it up.

^38:9 And he made the court. For the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits, ^38:10 their pillars were twenty and their sockets twenty, of brass. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver. ^38:11 And for the north side a hundred cubits, their pillars twenty and their sockets twenty, of brass, the hooks of the pillars and their bands, of silver. ^38:12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten and their sockets ten, the hooks of the pillars and their bands, of silver. ^38:13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. ^38:14 The hangings for the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits, their pillars three and their sockets three, ^38:15 and so for the other side. On this hand and that hand by the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits, their pillars three and their sockets three. ^38:16 All the hangings of the court all around were of fine twined linen. ^38:17And the sockets for the pillars were of brass, the hooks of the pillars and their bands, of silver and the overlaying of their tops, of silver. And all the pillars of the court were banded with silver.

^38:18 And the screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen. And twenty cubits was the length and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court. ^38:19And their pillars were four and their sockets four, of brass, their hooks of silver and the overlaying of their tops and their bands, of silver. ^38:20 And all the pegs of the tabernacle and of the court all around, were of brass.

^38:21 This is the sum of the tabernacle, even the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest. ^38:22 And Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Jehovah commanded Moses. ^38:23 And Oholiab was with him, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and a skillful workman and an embroiderer in blue and in purple and in scarlet and in fine linen.

^38:24 All the gold that was used for the work in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the wave-offering, was twenty-nine talants and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

^38:25 And the silver from those who were numbered of the congregation was a hundred talants and a thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, ^38:26a beka per head, that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. ^38:27 And the hundred talants of silver were for casting the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil, a hundred sockets for the hundred talants, a talant for a socket. ^38:28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their tops and made bands for them.

^38:29 And the brass of the wave-offering was seventy talants and two thousand and four hundred shekels.^38:30 And with it he made the sockets to the door of the tent of meeting and the brazen altar and the brazen grating for it and all the vessels of the altar,^38:31 and the sockets of the court all around and the sockets of the gate of the court and all the pegs of the tabernacle and all the pegs of the court all around.

[Exodus 39] TOC

^39:1 And of the blue and purple and scarlet, they made finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place and made the holy garments for Aaron, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^39:2 And he made the ephod of gold, blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen. ^39:3 And they beat the gold into thin plates and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue and in the purple and in the scarlet and in the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.

^39:4 They made shoulder-pieces for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends. ^39:5And the skillfully woven band, that was upon it with which to gird it on, was of the same piece and like the work of it, of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen, as Jehovah commanded Moses. ^39:6 And they worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel. ^39:7 And he put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the sons of Israel, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^39:8 And he made the breastplate, the work of the skillful workman, like the work of the ephod, of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen. ^39:9 It was square. They made the breastplate double; a span was the length of it and a span the breadth of it, being double. ^39:10 And they set four rows of stones in it. A row of ruby, topaz and carbuncle was the first row, ^39:11 and the second row, an emerald, a sapphire and a diamond, ^39:12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst, ^39:13and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx and a jasper. They were set in enclosures of gold in their settings.

^39:14 And the stones were according to the names of the sons of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one according to his name, for the twelve tribes.

^39:15 And they made upon the breastplate chains like cords, of corded work of pure gold. ^39:16 And they made two settings of gold and two gold rings and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. ^39:17 And they put the two corded chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.^39:18 And the other two ends of the two corded chains they put on the two settings and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, in the forepart of it.

^39:19 And they made two rings of gold and put them upon the two ends of the breastplate, upon the edge of it, which was toward the side of the inward ephod. ^39:20 And they made two rings of gold and put them underneath on the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod, in the forepart of it, close by the joining of it, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. ^39:21 And they bound the breastplate by the rings of it to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be upon the skillfully woven band of the ephod and that the breastplate might not be loosed from the ephod, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^39:22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. ^39:23 And the mouth of the robe in the midst of it, as the mouth of a coat of chain-mail, with a binding all around the mouth of it, that it should not be torn. ^39:24 And they made upon the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet, twined. ^39:25 And they made bells of pure gold and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the skirts of the robe all around, between the pomegranates, ^39:26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe all around, to minister in, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^39:27 And they made the tunics of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons, ^39:28 and the headdress of fine linen and the head-coverings of fine linen and the linen underwear of fine twined linen, ^39:29and the sash of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^39:30 And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold and wrote upon it a writing, like the engravings of a signet, HOLY TO JEHOVAH. ^39:31And they tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten it upon the headdress above, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^39:32 And all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the sons of Israel did according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so they did.

^39:33 And they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its furniture: its hooks, its boards, it bars and its pillars and it sockets, ^39:34 and the covering of rams' skins dyed red and the covering of certain skins and the veil of the screen, ^39:35 the ark of the testimony and the staves of it and the mercy-seat,^39:36 the table, all the vessels of it and the showbread,^39:37 the pure lamp-stand, the lamps of it, even the lamps to be set in order and all the vessels of it and the oil for the light, ^39:38 and the golden altar and the anointing oil and the sweet incense and the screen for the door of the tent, ^39:39 the brazen altar and its grating of brass, its staves and all its vessels, the large-basin and its base, ^39:40 the hangings of the court, its pillars and its sockets and the screen for the gate of the court, the cords of it and the pegs of it and all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting, ^39:41 the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.

^39:42 According to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did all the work. ^39:43 And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it, as Jehovah had commanded, even so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.

[Exodus 40] TOC

^40:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^40:2 On the first day of the first month you will raise up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. ^40:3 And you will put the ark of the testimony in it and you will screen the ark with the veil. ^40:4 And you will bring in the table and set in order the things that are upon it and you will bring in the lamp-stand and light the lamps of it. ^40:5 And you will set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

^40:6 And you will set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. ^40:7 And you will set the large-basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and will put water in it. ^40:8 And you will set up the court all around and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

^40:9 And you will take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it and will sanctify it and all the furniture of it. And it will be holy. ^40:10 And you will anoint the altar of burnt-offering and all its vessels and sanctify the altar. And the altar will be most holy. ^40:11 And you will anoint the large-basin and its base and sanctify it.

^40:12 And you will bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tent of meeting and will wash them with water. ^40:13 And you will put upon Aaron the holy garments and you will anoint him and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.^40:14 And you will bring his sons and put tunics upon them, ^40:15 and you will anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest's office. And their anointing will be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their genealogy.

^40:16 And Moses did according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so he did

^40:17 And it happened in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was raised up. ^40:18 And Moses raised up the tabernacle and laid its sockets and set up the boards of it and put in the bars of it and raised up its pillars. ^40:19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent above upon it, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark and set the staves on the ark and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark. ^40:21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen and screened the ark of the testimony, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^40:22 And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, outside the veil. ^40:23 And he set the bread in order upon it before Jehovah, as Jehovah commanded Moses. ^40:24And he put the lamp-stand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. ^40:25 And he lit the lamps before Jehovah, as Jehovah commanded Moses. ^40:26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil,^40:27 and he burnt incense of sweet spices on it, as Jehovah commanded Moses. ^40:28 And he put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

^40:29 And he set the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the food-offering, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^40:30 And he set the large-basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it, with which to wash. ^40:31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet there. ^40:32They washed when they went into the tent of meeting and when they came near to the altar, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^40:33 And he raised up the court all around the tabernacle and the altar and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

^40:34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle. ^40:35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode upon it and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

^40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys, ^40:37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. ^40:38 Because the cloud of Jehovah was upon the tabernacle by day and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

[Leviticus 1] TOC

^1:1 And Jehovah called to Moses and spoke to him out of the tent of meeting, saying, ^1:2 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When any man of you^* offers an offering to Jehovah, you^* will offer your^* offering of the cattle, even of the herd and of the flock.

^1:3 If his offering be a burnt-offering of the herd, he will offer it a male without blemish. He will offer it at the door of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before Jehovah. ^1:4 And he will lay his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering and it will be accepted for him to make atonement for him. ^1:5 And he will kill the bull before Jehovah and Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the blood and sprinkle the blood all around upon the altar that is at the door of the tent of meeting. ^1:6 And he will skin the burnt-offering and cut it into its pieces. ^1:7 And the sons of Aaron the priest will put fire upon the altar and lay wood in order upon the fire. ^1:8 And Aaron's sons, the priests, will lay the pieces, the head and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar, ^1:9 but its inward-parts and its legs he will wash with water. And the priest will burn the whole on the altar, for a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

^1:10 And if his offering be of the flock, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt-offering, he will offer it a male without blemish. ^1:11 And he will kill it on the side of the altar northward before Jehovah and Aaron's sons, the priests, will sprinkle its blood upon the altar all around. ^1:12 And he will cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat and the priest will lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar, ^1:13 but the inward-parts and the legs he will wash with water. And the priest will offer the whole and burn it upon the altar. It is a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

^1:14 And if his offering to Jehovah be a burnt-offering of birds, then he will offer his offering of turtle-doves, or of young pigeons. ^1:15 And the priest will bring it to the altar and wring off its head and burn it on the altar. And the blood of it will be drained out on the side of the altar. ^1:16 And he will take away its crop with the filth of it and cast it beside the altar on the east part, in the place of the ashes. ^1:17 And he will tear it by the wings of it, but will not divide it apart and the priest will burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire. It is a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

[Leviticus 2] TOC

^2:1 And when anyone offers an offering of a food-offering to Jehovah, his offering will be of fine flour and he will pour oil upon it and put frankincense on it. ^2:2 And he will bring it to Aaron's sons the priests and he will take out of it his handful of the fine flour of it and of the oil of it, with all the frankincense of it. And the priest will burn the memorial of it upon the altar, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah. ^2:3 And what is left of the food-offering will be Aaron's and his sons'. It is a thing most holy of the fire-offerings of Jehovah.

^2:4 And when you offer an offering of a food-offering baked in the oven, it will be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. ^2:5 And if your offering be a food-offering of the baking-pan, it will be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil. ^2:6 You will part it in pieces and pour oil in it. It is a food-offering.

^2:7 And if your offering be a food-offering of the frying-pan, it will be made of fine flour with oil. ^2:8And you will bring the food-offering that is made of these things to Jehovah and it will be presented to the priest and he will bring it to the altar. ^2:9 And the priest will take up from the food-offering the memorial of it and will burn it upon the altar, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.^2:10 And what is left of the food-offering will be Aaron's and his sons'. It is a thing most holy of the fire-offerings of Jehovah.

^2:11 No food-offering, which you^* will offer to Jehovah, will be made with leaven, because you^* will burn no leaven, nor any honey, as a fire-offering to Jehovah. ^2:12 As an offering of first-fruits you^* will offer them to Jehovah, but they will not come up for a sweet aroma on the altar. ^2:13 And every offering of your food-offering you will season with salt, nor will you allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your food-offering. You will offer salt with all your offerings.

^2:14 And if you offer a food-offering of first-fruits to Jehovah, you will offer for the food-offering of your first-fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, crushed grain of the fresh ear. ^2:15 And you will put oil upon it and lay frankincense on it. It is a food-offering. ^2:16 And the priest will burn the memorial of it, part of the crushed grain of it and part of the oil of it, with all the frankincense of it. It is a fire-offering to Jehovah.

[Leviticus 3] TOC

^3:1 And if his offering is a sacrifice of peace-offerings, if he offer of the herd, whether male or female, he will offer it without blemish before Jehovah. ^3:2 And he will lay his hand upon the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the tent of meeting. And Aaron's sons the priests will sprinkle the blood upon the altar all around. ^3:3 And he will offer of the sacrifice of peace-offerings a fire-offering to Jehovah, he will take away the fat that covers the inward-parts and all the fat that is upon the inward-parts, ^3:4 and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys. ^3:5 And Aaron's sons will burn it on the altar upon the burnt-offering, which is upon the wood that is on the fire. It is a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

^3:6 And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-offerings to Jehovah is from the flock, male or female, he will offer it without blemish. ^3:7 If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he will offer it before Jehovah. ^3:8 And he will lay his hand upon the head of his offering and kill it before the tent of meeting. And Aaron's sons will sprinkle the blood of it upon the altar all around. ^3:9 And he will offer of the sacrifice of peace-offerings a fire-offering to Jehovah. The fat of it, the entire fat tail, he will take away close by the backbone. And he will take away the fat that covers the inward-parts and all the fat that is upon the inward-parts, ^3:10 and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys. ^3:11 And the priest will burn it upon the altar. It is the food of the fire-offering to Jehovah.

^3:12 And if his offering be a goat, then he will offer it before Jehovah. ^3:13 And he will lay his hand upon the head of it and kill it before the tent of meeting. And the sons of Aaron will sprinkle the blood of it upon the altar all around. ^3:14 And he will offer his offering from it, even a fire-offering to Jehovah. He will take away the fat that covers the inward-parts and all the fat that is upon the inward-parts, ^3:15and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys. ^3:16 And the priest will burn them upon the altar. It is the food of the fire-offering, for a sweet aroma. All the fat is Jehovah's. ^3:17 It will be a everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy in all your^* dwellings, that you^* will eat neither fat nor blood.

[Leviticus 4] TOC

^4:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^4:2Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, If a soul will sin unintentionally, in any of the things which Jehovah has commanded not to be done and will do any one of them, ^4:3 if the anointed priest will sin so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin, which he has sinned, a young bull without blemish to Jehovah for a sin-offering. ^4:4 And he will bring the bull to the door of the tent of meeting before Jehovah. And he will lay his hand upon the head of the bull and kill the bull before Jehovah. ^4:5 And the anointed priest will take of the blood of the bull and bring it to the tent of meeting. ^4:6 And the priest will dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle of the blood seven times before Jehovah, before the veil of the sanctuary. ^4:7 And the priest will put of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Jehovah, which is in the tent of meeting and all the blood of the bull he will pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting.^4:8 And all the fat of the bull of the sin-offering he will take off from it. The fat that covers the inward-parts and all the fat that is upon the inward-parts, ^4:9 and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys, he will take away, ^4:10 as it is taken off from the ox of the sacrifice of peace-offerings. And the priest will burn them upon the altar of burnt-offering. ^4:11 And the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head and with its legs and its inward-parts and its manure, ^4:12 even the whole bull he will carry forth outside the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out and burn it on wood with fire. It will be burnt where the ashes are poured out.

^4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel error and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly and they have done any of the things which Jehovah has commanded not to be done and are guilty, ^4:14when the sin by which they have sinned is known, then the assembly will offer a young bull for a sin-offering and bring it before the tent of meeting.^4:15 And the elders of the congregation will lay their hands upon the head of the bull before Jehovah and the bull will be killed before Jehovah. ^4:16And the anointed priest will bring of the blood of the bull to the tent of meeting. ^4:17 And the priest will dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before Jehovah, before the veil. ^4:18 And he will put of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before Jehovah, that is in the tent of meeting and all the blood he will pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting. ^4:19 And all the fat of it he will take off from it and burn it upon the altar. ^4:20 And he will do with the bull, as he did with the bull of the sin-offering, so he will do with this. And the priest will make atonement for them and they will be forgiven.^4:21 And he will carry forth the bull outside the camp and burn it as he burned the first bull. It is the sin-offering for the assembly.

^4:22 When a ruler sins and does unintentionally any one of all the things which Jehovah his God has commanded not to be done and is guilty, ^4:23 if his sin, by which he has sinned, is made known to him, he will bring for his offering a goat, a male without blemish. ^4:24 And he will lay his hand upon the head of the goat and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt-offering before Jehovah. It is a sin-offering. ^4:25And the priest will take of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering and the blood of it he will pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering. ^4:26And all the fat of it he will burn upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace-offerings. And the priest will make atonement for him as concerning his sin and he will be forgiven.

^4:27 And if any soul of the common people sin unintentionally, in doing any of the things which Jehovah has commanded not to be done and be guilty, ^4:28 if his sin, which he has sinned, is made known to him, then he will bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has sinned. ^4:29 And he will lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering and kill the sin-offering in the place of burnt-offering. ^4:30 And the priest will take of the blood of it with his finger and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering and all the blood of it he will pour out at the base of the altar. ^4:31And all the fat of it he will take away, as the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace-offerings and the priest will burn it upon the altar for a sweet aroma to Jehovah. And the priest will make atonement for him and he will be forgiven.

^4:32 And if he brings a lamb as his offering for a sin-offering, he will bring it a female without blemish. ^4:33 And he will lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering and kill it for a sin-offering in the place where they kill the burnt-offering. ^4:34 And the priest will take of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering and all the blood of it he will pour out at the base of the altar. ^4:35 And all the fat of it he will take away, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of peace-offerings and the priest will burn them on the altar, upon the fire-offerings of Jehovah. And the priest will make atonement for him concerning his sin that he has sinned and he will be forgiven.

[Leviticus 5] TOC

^5:1 And if a soul sins, in that he hears the voice of an oath, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he does not testify, then he will bear his iniquity. ^5:2 Or if a soul touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean beast, or the carcass of unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean creeping things and it is hidden from him and he is unclean, then he will be guilty. ^5:3 Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness be with which he is unclean and it is hid from him, when he knows of it, then he will be guilty. ^5:4 Or if a soul swears rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever it is that a man will utter rashly with an oath and it is hid from him, when he realizes it, then he will be guilty in one of these.

^5:5 And it will be, when he will be guilty in one of these, that he will confess that by which he has sinned. ^5:6 And he will bring his guilt-offering to Jehovah for his sin which he has sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin-offering. And the priest will make atonement for him as concerning his sin.

^5:7 And if his means is not sufficient for a lamb, then he will bring his guilt-offering for that by which he has sinned, two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, to Jehovah, one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering. ^5:8 And he will bring them to the priest, who will offer what is for the sin-offering first and wring off its head from its neck, but will not divide it apart. ^5:9 And he will sprinkle of the blood of the sin-offering upon the side of the altar and the rest of the blood will be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin-offering. ^5:10 And he will offer the second for a burnt-offering, according to the ordinance. And the priest will make atonement for him as concerning his sin which he has sinned and he will be forgiven.

^5:11 But if his means is not sufficient for two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, then he will bring his offering for that by which he has sinned, the tenth part of a 10-gallon container of fine flour for a sin-offering. He will put no oil upon it, nor will he put any frankincense on it, because it is a sin-offering. ^5:12 And he will bring it to the priest and the priest will take his handful of it as the memorial of it and burn it on the altar, upon the fire-offerings of Jehovah. It is a sin-offering. ^5:13 And the priest will make atonement for him concerning his sin that he has sinned in any of these things and he will be forgiven. And the remnant will be the priest's, as the food-offering.

^5:14 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^5:15 If a soul commits a trespass and sins unintentionally in the holy things of Jehovah, then he will bring his guilt-offering to Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to your evaluation in silver by shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt-offering. ^5:16 And he will make restitution for what he has sinned in the holy thing and will add the fifth part to it and give it to the priest. And the priest will make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt-offering and he will be forgiven.

^5:17 And if a soul sins and does any of the things which Jehovah has commanded not to be done, though he did not know it, yet he is guilty and will bear his iniquity. ^5:18 And he will bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to your evaluation, for a guilt-offering, to the priest. And the priest will make atonement for him concerning the thing by which he erred unintentionally and did not know and he will be forgiven. ^5:19 It is a guilt-offering. He is certainly guilty before Jehovah.

[Leviticus 6] TOC

^6:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^6:2 If a soul sins and commits a trespass against Jehovah and deals falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or handed over security, or robbery, or has oppressed his neighbor, ^6:3 or has found what was lost and deals falsely by it and swears to a lie, in any of all these things that a man does, sinning by it, ^6:4 then it will be, if he has sinned and is guilty, that he will restore what he took by robbery, or the thing which he has gotten by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found,^6:5 or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he will even restore it in full and will add the fifth part more to it. He will give it to him to whom it pertains, in the day of his being found guilty. ^6:6 And he will bring his guilt-offering to Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to your evaluation, for a guilt-offering, to the priest. ^6:7And the priest will make atonement for him before Jehovah and he will be forgiven concerning whatever he does so as to be guilty by it.

^6:8 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^6:9Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt-offering: The burnt-offering will be on the hearth upon the altar all night to the morning and the fire of the altar will be kept burning on it. ^6:10And the priest will put on his linen garment and he will put his linen underwear upon his flesh and he will take up the ashes of the fire which has consumed the burnt-offering on the altar and he will put them beside the altar. ^6:11 And he will put off his garments and put on other garments and carry forth the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. ^6:12 And the fire upon the altar will be kept burning on it; it will not go out. And the priest will burn wood on it every morning and he will lay the burnt-offering in order upon it and will burn the fat of the peace-offerings on it. ^6:13 Fire will be kept burning upon the altar continually; it will not go out.

^6:14 And this is the law of the food-offering: The sons of Aaron will offer it before Jehovah, before the altar. ^6:15 And he will take up his handful from it, of the fine flour of the food-offering and of the oil of it and all the frankincense which is upon the food-offering and will burn it upon the altar for a sweet aroma, as the memorial of it, to Jehovah. ^6:16 And what is left of it Aaron and his sons will eat. It will be eaten without leaven in a holy place. They will eat it in the court of the tent of meeting. ^6:17 It will not be baked with leaven. I have given it as their portion of my fire-offerings, it is most holy, as the sin-offering and as the guilt-offering. ^6:18 Every male among the sons of Aaron will eat of it, as an everlasting portion throughout your^* genealogy, from the fire-offerings of Jehovah. Whoever touches them will be holy.

^6:19 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^6:20This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they will offer to Jehovah in the day when he is anointed: the tenth part of a 10-gallon container of fine flour for a food-offering perpetually, half of it in the morning and half of it in the evening. ^6:21 It will be made with oil on a baking-pan. You will bring it in when it is soaked. You will offer the food-offering in baked pieces for a sweet aroma to Jehovah. ^6:22 And the anointed priest who will be instead of him from among his sons will offer it. It will be entirely burnt to Jehovah by an everlasting statute. ^6:23 And every food-offering of the priest will be entirely burnt; it will not be eaten.

^6:24 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^6:25Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin-offering: In the place where the burnt-offering is killed the sin-offering will be killed before Jehovah. It is most holy. ^6:26 The priest who offers it for sin will eat it. It will be eaten in a holy place, in the court of the tent of meeting. ^6:27Whatever will touch the flesh of it will be holy. And when any of its blood is sprinkled on the garment, that on which it is sprinkled will be washed in the holy place. ^6:28 But the earthen vessel in which it is boiled will be broken and if it is boiled in a brazen vessel, it will be scoured and rinsed in water. ^6:29 Every male among the priests will eat of it. It is most holy. ^6:30 And no sin-offering, from which any of the blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place, will be eaten; it will be burnt with fire.

[Leviticus 7] TOC

^7:1 And this is the law of the guilt-offering. It is most holy. ^7:2 In the place where they kill the burnt-offering they will kill the guilt-offering and the blood of it he will sprinkle upon the altar all around.^7:3 And he will offer from it all the fat of it. He will take away the fat tail and the fat that covers the inward-parts, ^7:4 and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys. ^7:5 And the priest will burn them upon the altar for a fire-offering to Jehovah. It is a guilt-offering. ^7:6 Every male among the priests will eat of it. It will be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy.

^7:7 As is the sin-offering, so is the guilt-offering, there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with it, he will have it. ^7:8 And the priest who offers any man's burnt-offering, even the priest will have to himself the skin of the burnt-offering which he has offered. ^7:9 And every food-offering that is baked in the oven and all that is dressed in the frying-pan and on the baking-pan, will be the priest's who offers it. ^7:10 And every food-offering, mingled with oil, or dry, all the sons of Aaron will have, one as well as another.

^7:11 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he will offer to Jehovah. ^7:12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he will offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil and unleavened wafers anointed with oil and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour soaked. ^7:13 He will offer his offering with the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving with cakes of leavened bread. ^7:14 And he will offer from it one out of each offering for an heave-offering to Jehovah. It will be the priest's who sprinkles the blood of the peace-offerings.

^7:15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving will be eaten on the day of his offering; he will not leave any of it until the morning. ^7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a free-will offering, it will be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice and on the next-day what remains of it will be eaten, ^7:17 but what remains of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day will be burnt with fire. ^7:18 And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, nor will it be imputed to him who offers it. It will be an abomination and the soul that eats of it will bear his iniquity.

^7:19 And the flesh that touches any unclean thing will not be eaten; it will be burnt with fire. And as for the flesh, every clean man will eat of it, ^7:20 but the soul that eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, that pertain to Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul will be cut off from his people. ^7:21 And when a soul will touch any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean beast, or any unclean abomination and eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which pertain to Jehovah, that soul will be cut off from his people.

^7:22 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^7:23Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, You^* will eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat. ^7:24 And the fat of what dies of itself and the fat of what is torn of beasts, may be used for any other service, but you^* will certainly not eat of it. ^7:25 Because whoever eats the fat of the beast, of which men offer a fire-offering to Jehovah, even the soul that eats it will be cut off from his people. ^7:26 And you^* will eat no manner of blood, whether it is of bird or of beast, in any of your^* dwellings. ^7:27 Whoever it is who eats any blood, that soul will be cut off from his people.

^7:28 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^7:29Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, He who offers the sacrifice of his peace-offerings to Jehovah will bring his offering to Jehovah out of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings. ^7:30 His own hands will bring the fire-offerings of Jehovah. He will bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved for a wave-offering before Jehovah.

^7:31 And the priest will burn the fat upon the altar, but the breast will be Aaron's and his sons'. ^7:32And the right thigh you^* will give to the priest for a heave-offering out of the sacrifices of your^* peace-offerings. ^7:33 He among the sons of Aaron who offers the blood of the peace-offerings and the fat, will have the right thigh for a portion. ^7:34 Because I have taken the breast of the wave-offering and the thigh of the heave-offering from the sons of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as an everlasting portion from the sons of Israel. ^7:35 This is the anointing-portion of Aaron and the anointing-portion of his sons, out of the fire-offerings, in the day when he presented them to minister to Jehovah in the priest's office, ^7:36 which Jehovah commanded to be given them from the sons of Israel, in the day that he anointed them. It is an everlasting portion throughout their genealogy.

^7:37 This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the food-offering and of the sin-offering and of the guilt-offering and of the consecration and of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, ^7:38 which Jehovah commanded Moses at Mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the sons of Israel to offer their offerings to Jehovah, in the wilderness of Sinai.

[Leviticus 8] TOC

^8:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^8:2 Take Aaron and his sons with him and the garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin-offering and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread, ^8:3 and assemble all the congregation at the door of the tent of meeting. ^8:4 And Moses did as Jehovah commanded him and the congregation was assembled at the door of the tent of meeting.

^8:5 And Moses said to the congregation, This is the thing which Jehovah has commanded to be done.^8:6 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. ^8:7 And he put upon him the tunic and girded him with the sash and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod upon him and he girded him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod and bound it to him with it. ^8:8 And he placed the breastplate upon him and he put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate. ^8:9 And he set the headdress upon his head. And upon the headdress, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^8:10 And Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it and made them holy. ^8:11 And he sprinkled of it upon the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all its vessels and the large-basin and its base, to sanctify them. ^8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head and anointed him, to sanctify him.

^8:13 And Moses brought Aaron's sons and clothed them with tunics and girded them with sashes and bound head-coverings upon them, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^8:14 And he brought the bull of the sin-offering. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bull of the sin-offering, ^8:15and he killed it. And Moses took the blood and put it upon the horns of the altar all around with his finger and purified the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar and made it holy, to make atonement for it. ^8:16 And he took all the fat that was upon the inward-parts and the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys and their fat and Moses burned it upon the altar. ^8:17 But the bull and its skin and its flesh and its manure, he burnt with fire outside the camp, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^8:18 And he presented the ram of the burnt-offering. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram, ^8:19 and he killed it. And Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar all around.^8:20 And he cut the ram into its pieces and Moses burnt the head and the pieces and the fat. ^8:21 And he washed the inward-parts and the legs with water. And Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar. It was a burnt-offering for a sweet aroma. It was a fire-offering to Jehovah, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^8:22 And he presented the other ram, the ram of consecration. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram, ^8:23 and he killed it. And Moses took of the blood of it and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the big toe of his right foot. ^8:24And he brought Aaron's sons and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the big toe of their right foot. And Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar all around. ^8:25 And he took the fat and the fat tail and all the fat that was upon the inward-parts and the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys and their fat and the right thigh, ^8:26 and out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before Jehovah, he took one unleavened cake and one cake of oiled bread and one wafer and placed them on the fat and upon the right thigh. ^8:27 And he put the whole upon the hands of Aaron and upon the hands of his sons and waved them for a wave-offering before Jehovah. ^8:28 And Moses took them from their hands and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt-offering. They were a consecration for a sweet aroma. It was a fire-offering to Jehovah.

^8:29 And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave-offering before Jehovah. It was Moses' portion of the ram of consecration, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^8:30 And Moses took of the anointing oil and of the blood which was upon the altar and sprinkled it upon Aaron, upon his garments and upon his sons and upon his sons' garments with him and made Aaron holy, his garments and his sons and his sons' garments with him.

^8:31 And Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tent of meeting and eat it there and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons will eat it. ^8:32 And what remains of the flesh and of the bread you^* will burn with fire.

^8:33 And you^* will not go out from the door of the tent of meeting seven days, until the days of your^* consecration be fulfilled, because he will fill your hands seven days. ^8:34 As has been done this day, so Jehovah has commanded to do, to make atonement for you^*. ^8:35 And you^* will remain at the door of the tent of meeting day and night seven days and keep the charge of Jehovah, that you^* do not die, because so I am commanded. ^8:36 And Aaron and his sons did all the things which Jehovah commanded by Moses.

[Leviticus 9] TOC

^9:1 And it happened on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel, ^9:2 and he said to Aaron, You take a calf of the herd for a sin-offering and a ram for a burnt-offering, without blemish and offer them before Jehovah. ^9:3And you will speak to the sons of Israel, saying, You^* take a male-goat for a sin-offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without blemish, for a burnt-offering, ^9:4 and an ox and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before Jehovah and a food-offering mingled with oil. Because today Jehovah appears to you^*. ^9:5 And they brought what Moses commanded before the tent of meeting and all the congregation drew near and stood before Jehovah.

^9:6 And Moses said, This is the thing which Jehovah commanded that you^* should do and the glory of Jehovah will appear to you^*. ^9:7 And Moses said to Aaron, Draw near to the altar and offer your sin-offering and your burnt-offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people. And offer the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as Jehovah commanded.

^9:8 So Aaron drew near to the altar and killed the calf of the sin-offering, which was for himself. ^9:9And the sons of Aaron presented the blood to him and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it upon the horns of the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar, ^9:10 but he burnt the fat and the kidneys and the lobe of the liver of the sin-offering, upon the altar, as Jehovah commanded Moses. ^9:11And he burnt the flesh and the skin with fire outside the camp.

^9:12 And he killed the burnt-offering. And Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood and he sprinkled it upon the altar all around. ^9:13 And they delivered the burnt-offering to him, piece by piece and the head and he burnt them upon the altar. ^9:14And he washed the inward-parts and the legs and burnt them upon the burnt-offering on the altar.

^9:15 And he presented the people's offering. And took the goat of the sin-offering which was for the people and killed it and offered it for sin, as the first.^9:16 And he presented the burnt-offering and offered it according to the ordinance. ^9:17 And he presented the food-offering and filled his hand from it and burnt it upon the altar, besides the burnt-offering of the morning.

^9:18 He also killed the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which was for the people. And Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar all around, ^9:19 and the fat of the ox and of the ram, the fat tail and what covers the inward-parts and the kidneys and the lobe of the liver. ^9:20 And they put the fat upon the breasts and he burnt the fat upon the altar. ^9:21 And the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave-offering before Jehovah, as Moses commanded.

^9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And he came down from offering the sin-offering and the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings. ^9:23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting and came out and blessed the people. And the glory of Jehovah appeared to all the people. ^9:24 And fire came out from before Jehovah and consumed the burnt-offering and the fat upon the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

[Leviticus 10] TOC

^10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each of them took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. ^10:2 And fire came out from before Jehovah and devoured them and they died before Jehovah.

^10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, This is it that Jehovah spoke, saying, I will be made holy by those who come near me. And I will be glorified before all the people. And Aaron remained silent.

^10:4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron and said to them, Draw near. Carry your^* brothers from before the sanctuary out of the camp. ^10:5 So they drew near and carried them in their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.

^10:6 And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, Do not let the hair of your^* heads go loose, neither tear your^* clothes, that you^* do not die and that he not be angry with all the congregation, but let your^* brothers, the whole house of Israel, weep at the burning which Jehovah has kindled. ^10:7And you^* will not go out from the door of the tent of meeting, lest you^* die, because the anointing oil of Jehovah is upon you^*. And they did according to the word of Moses.

^10:8 And Jehovah spoke to Aaron, saying, ^10:9Drink no wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you^* go into the tent of meeting, that you^* do not die– it will be an everlasting statute throughout your^* generations– ^10:10 and that you^* may make a distinction between the holy and the common and between the unclean and the clean, ^10:11 and that you^* may teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which Jehovah has spoken to them by Moses.

^10:12 And Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons who were left, Take the food-offering that remains of the fire-offerings of Jehovah and eat it without leaven beside the altar, because it is most holy. ^10:13 And you^* will eat it in a holy place, because it is your portion and your sons' portion, of the fire-offerings of Jehovah. For so I am commanded. ^10:14 And you^* will eat the wave-offering and the thigh of the heave-offering in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you. For they are given as your portion and your sons' portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace-offerings of the sons of Israel. ^10:15 They will bring the heave-offering and the wave-offering with the fire-offerings of the fat, to wave it for a wave-offering before Jehovah and it will be your and your sons' with you, as an everlasting portion, as Jehovah has commanded. ^10:16And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin-offering, and behold, it was burnt. And he was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying, ^10:17 Why have you^* not eaten the sin-offering in the place of the sanctuary, because it is most holy and he has given it to you^* to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Jehovah? ^10:18 Behold, the blood of it was not brought inside into the sanctuary. You^* should certainly have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.

^10:19 And Aaron spoke to Moses, Behold, this day they have offered their sin-offering and their burnt-offering before Jehovah and such things as these have befallen me. And if I had eaten the sin-offering today, would it have been well pleasing in the sight of Jehovah? ^10:20 And when Moses heard, it was well-pleasing in his sight.

[Leviticus 11] TOC

^11:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, ^11:2 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, These are the living things which you^* may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. ^11:3Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven footed and chews the cud, among the beasts, that may you^* eat.

^11:4 Nevertheless these will you^* not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those that part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but does not part the hoof, he is unclean to you^*. ^11:5 And the shaphan, because he chews the cud but does not part the hoof, he is unclean to you^*. ^11:6 And the hare, because she chews the cud but does not part the hoof, she is unclean to you^*. ^11:7 And the swine, because he parts the hoof and is cloven footed, but does not chew the cud, he is unclean to you^*. ^11:8 Of their flesh you^* will not eat and their carcasses you^* will not touch, they are unclean to you^*.

^11:9 These may you^* eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas and in the rivers, that may you^* eat.

^11:10 And all that have no fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination to you^*, ^11:11 and they will be an abomination to you^*. You^* will not eat of their flesh and their carcasses you^* will have in abomination. ^11:12 Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination to you^*.

^11:13 And these you^* will have in abomination among the birds, they will not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle and the vulture and the osprey, ^11:14 and the kite and the falcon after its kind,^11:15 every raven after its kind, ^11:16 and the ostrich and the night-hawk and the sea-gull and the hawk after its kind, ^11:17 and the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl, ^11:18 and the horned owl and the pelican and the carrion vulture, ^11:19 and the stork, the heron after its kind and the hoopoe and the bat. ^11:20 All winged creeping things that go upon all fours are an abomination to you^*.

^11:21 Yet these you^* may eat of all winged creeping things that go upon all fours, which have legs above their feet, with which to leap upon the earth, ^11:22 even these of them you^* may eat: the locust after its kind and the bald locust after its kind and the cricket after its kind and the grasshopper after its kind.

^11:23 But all winged creeping things, which have four feet, are an abomination to you^*, ^11:24 and by these you^* will become unclean. Whoever touches the carcass of them will be unclean until the evening.^11:25 And whoever bears any of the carcass of them will wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.

^11:26 Every beast which parts the hoof and is not cloven footed, nor chews the cud, is unclean to you^*. Everyone who touches them will be unclean. ^11:27And whatever goes upon its paws, among all beasts that go on all fours, they are unclean to you^*. Whoever touches their carcass will be unclean until the evening. ^11:28 And he who bears the carcass of them will wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening; they are unclean to you^*.

^11:29 And these are those which are unclean to you^* among the creeping things that creep upon the earth: the weasel and the mouse and the great lizard after its kind, ^11:30 and the gecko and the land-crocodile and the lizard and the sand-lizard and the chameleon. ^11:31 These are those which are unclean to you^* among all that creep. Whoever touches them, when they are dead, will be unclean until the evening.

^11:32 And upon whatever any of them falls when they are dead, it will be unclean, whether it is any vessel of wood, or garments, or skin, or sack. Whatever vessel it be, with which any work is done, it must be put into water and it will be unclean until the evening, then it will be clean. ^11:33 And every earthen vessel, into which any of them falls, whatever is in it will be unclean and you^* will break it. ^11:34 All food in it which may be eaten, that on which water comes, will be unclean and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel will be unclean. ^11:35 And everything upon which any part of their carcass falls will be unclean, whether oven, or range for pots, it will be broken in pieces; they are unclean and will be unclean to you^*. ^11:36 Nevertheless a fountain or a pit in which is a gathering of water will be clean, but what touches their carcass will be unclean. ^11:37 And if any of their carcass falls upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean. ^11:38 But if water is put upon the seed and any of their carcass falls in it, it is unclean to you^*. ^11:39 And if any beast, of which you^* may eat, dies, he who touches the carcass of it will be unclean until the evening. ^11:40 And he who eats of the carcass of it will wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. He also who bears the carcass of it will wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.

^11:41 And every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth is an abomination; it will not be eaten. ^11:42Whatever goes upon the belly and whatever goes upon all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them you^* will not eat, because they are an abomination. ^11:43 You^* will not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps, nor will you^* make yourselves unclean with them, that you^* should be defiled by it.

^11:44 For I am Jehovah your^* God. Sanctify yourselves therefore and become holy, because I am holy. Neither will you^* defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that moves upon the earth. ^11:45 For I am Jehovah who brought you^* up out of the land of Egypt, to be your^* God. You^* will therefore be holy, because I am holy.

^11:46 This is the law of the beast and of the bird and of every living creature that moves in the waters and of every creature that creeps upon the earth, ^11:47to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.

[Leviticus 12] TOC

^12:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^12:2Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives seed and bears a male-child, then she will be unclean seven days, as in the days of the impurity of her sickness she will be unclean. ^12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin will be circumcised. ^12:4 And she will continue in the blood of her purifying thirty-three days. She will touch no holy thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. ^12:5 But if she bears a female-child, then she will be unclean two weeks, as in her impurity and she will continue in the blood of her purifying sixty-six days.

^12:6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she will bring a year old lamb for a burnt-offering and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin-offering, to the door of the tent of meeting, to the priest. ^12:7 And he will offer it before Jehovah and make atonement for her and she will be cleansed from the fountain of her blood. This is the law for her who bears, whether a male or a female.

^12:8 And if her means are not sufficient for a lamb, then she will take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt-offering and the other for a sin-offering. And the priest will make atonement for her and she will be clean.

[Leviticus 13] TOC

^13:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^13:2 When a man will have in the skin of his flesh a rising, or a scab, or a bright spot and it becomes in the skin of his flesh a leprous disease, then he will be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the priests. ^13:3 And the priest will look on the disease in the skin of the flesh and if the hair in the disease has turned white and the appearance of the disease is deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a leprous disease. And the priest will look on him and pronounce him unclean. ^13:4 And if the bright spot is white in the skin of his flesh and the appearance of it is not deeper than the skin and the hair of it has not turned white, then the priest will shut up the disease seven days.

^13:5 And the priest will look on him the seventh day, and behold, if in his eyes the disease is arrested and the disease is not spread in the skin, then the priest will shut him up seven days more.

^13:6 And the priest will look on him again the seventh day, and behold, if the disease is dim and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest will pronounce him clean. It is a scab and he will wash his clothes and be clean. ^13:7 But if the scab spreads abroad in the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he will show himself to the priest again. ^13:8 And the priest will look, and behold, if the scab is spread in the skin, then the priest will pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous disease.

^13:9 When the leprous disease is in a man, then he will be brought to the priest. ^13:10 And the priest will look, and behold, if a white rising is in the skin and it has turned the hair white and living flesh is in the rising, ^13:11 it is an old leprous disease in the skin of his flesh and the priest will pronounce him unclean. He will not shut him up, because he is unclean.

^13:12 And if the leprous disease breaks out abroad in the skin and the leprous disease covers all the skin of the disease from his head even to his feet, as far as appears to the priest, ^13:13 then the priest will look. And behold, if the leprous disease has covered all his flesh, he will pronounce him clean of the disease. It is all turned white; he is clean. ^13:14 But whenever raw flesh appears in him, he will be unclean. ^13:15 And the priest will look on the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean. The raw flesh is unclean; it is a leprous disease. ^13:16 Or if the raw flesh turns again and is changed to white, then he will come to the priest. ^13:17And the priest will look on him, and behold, if the disease is turned into white, then the priest will pronounce him clean of the disease; he is clean.

^13:18 And when the flesh has a boil in the skin of it and it is healed, ^13:19 and has white rising is in the place of the boil or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it will be shown to the priest. ^13:20 And the priest will look, and behold, if the appearance of it is deeper than the skin and the hair of it has turned white, then the priest will pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous disease; it has broken out in the boil. ^13:21But if the priest looks on it, and behold, no white hairs are in it and it is not deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest will shut him up seven days.^13:22 And if it spreads abroad in the skin, then the priest will pronounce him unclean; it is a disease. ^13:23But if the bright spot stays in its place and has not spread, it is the scar of the boil and the priest will pronounce him clean.

^13:24 Or when the flesh has a burning by fire in the skin of it and the raw flesh of the burning become a bright spot, reddish-white, or white, ^13:25 then the priest will look upon it. And behold, if the hair in the bright spot has turned white and the appearance of it is deeper than the skin, it is a leprous disease. It has broken out in the burning and the priest will pronounce him unclean; it is a leprous disease. ^13:26But if the priest looks on it, and behold, no white hair is in the bright spot and it is no deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest will shut him up seven days.

^13:27 And the priest will look upon him the seventh day. If it spread abroad in the skin, then the priest will pronounce him unclean; it is a leprous disease. ^13:28 And if the bright spot stays in its place and has not spread in the skin, but is dim, it is the rising of the burning and the priest will pronounce him clean, because it is the scar of the burning.

^13:29 And when a man or woman has a disease upon the head or upon the beard, ^13:30 then the priest will look on the disease. And behold, if the appearance of it is deeper than the skin and yellow thin hair is in it, then the priest will pronounce him unclean; it is a scale. It is a leprous disease of the head or of the beard. ^13:31 And if the priest looks on the disease of the scale, and behold, the appearance of it is not deeper than the skin and no black hair is in it, then the priest will shut up the disease of the scale seven days.

^13:32 And in the seventh day the priest will look on the disease, and behold, if the scale has not spread and no yellow hair is in it and the appearance of the scale is not deeper than the skin,^13:33 then he will be shaven, but he will not shave the scale and the priest will shut up he who has the scale seven more days.

^13:34 And in the seventh day the priest will look on the scale, and behold, if the scale has not spread in the skin and the appearance of it is not deeper than the skin, then the priest will pronounce him clean. And he will wash his clothes and be clean. ^13:35 But if the scale spreads abroad in the skin after his cleansing, ^13:36 then the priest will look on him. And behold, if the scale has spread in the skin, the priest will not seek for the yellow hair, he is unclean. ^13:37But if in his eyes the scale is arrested and black hair is grown up in it, the scale is healed. He is clean and the priest will pronounce him clean.

^13:38 And when a man or a woman has bright spots in the skin of the flesh, even white bright spots,^13:39 then the priest will look. And behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh are of a dull white, it is a eczema. It has broken out in the skin; he is clean.

^13:40 And if a man's hair has fallen off his head, he is bald; he is clean. ^13:41 And if his hair has fallen off from the front part of his head, he is forehead bald; he is clean.

^13:42 But if a reddish-white disease is in the bald head, or the bald forehead, it is a leprous disease breaking out in his bald head, or his bald forehead. ^13:43 Then the priest will look upon him, and behold, if the rising of the disease is reddish-white in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the appearance of a leprous disease in the skin of the flesh, ^13:44 he is a leprous man; he is unclean. The priest will surely pronounce him unclean; his disease is on his head.

^13:45 And the man with a leprous disease in whom the disease is, his clothes will be torn and the hair of his head will go loose and he will cover his upper lip and will cry, Unclean, unclean. ^13:46 All the days in which the disease is in him he will be unclean; he is unclean. He will dwell alone; his dwelling will be outside the camp.

^13:47 The garment also that a leprous disease is in, whether it is a woolen garment, or a linen garment, ^13:48 whether it is in woven-material, or mixed-material, of linen, or of woolen, whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin, ^13:49 if the disease is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, or in the woven-material, or in the mixed-material, or in anything of skin, it is a leprous disease and will be shown to the priest. ^13:50 And the priest will look upon the disease and shut up the disease seven days.

^13:51 And he will look on the disease on the seventh day. If the disease has spread in the garment, either in the woven-material, or in the mixed-material, or in the skin, whatever service skin is used for, the disease is a prickling leprosy, it is unclean. ^13:52 And he will burn the garment, whether the woven-material or the mixed-material, in woolen or in linen, or anything of skin, in which the disease is, because it is a prickling leprosy. It will be burnt in the fire.

^13:53 And if the priest will look, and behold, the disease has not spread in the garment, either in the woven-material, or in the mixed-material, or in anything of skin, ^13:54 then the priest will command that they wash the thing in which the disease is and he will shut it up seven more days.

^13:55 And the priest will look, after the disease is washed, and behold, if the disease has not changed its color and the disease has not spread, it is unclean. You will burn it in the fire. It is a fret, whether the bareness be inside or outside. ^13:56 And if the priest looks, and behold, the disease is dim after the washing of it, then he will tear it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the woven-material, or out of the mixed-material. ^13:57 And if it still appears in the garment, either in the woven-material, or in the mixed-material, or in anything of skin, it is breaking out. You will burn that in which the disease is with fire.

^13:58 And the garment, either the woven-material, or the mixed-material, or whatever thing of skin it be, which you will wash, if the disease has departed from them, then it will be washed the second time and will be clean.^13:59 This is the law of a leprous disease in a garment of woolen or linen, either in the woven-material, or the mixed-material, or anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.

[Leviticus 14] TOC

^14:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^14:2This will be the law of the man with a leprous disease in the day of his cleansing: He will be brought to the priest, ^14:3 and the priest will go forth out of the camp. And the priest will look, and behold, if a leprous disease be healed in the man with a leprous disease, ^14:4 then the priest will command to take two living clean birds and cedar wood and scarlet and hyssop for him who is to be cleansed.

^14:5 And the priest will command to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. ^14:6As for the living bird, he will take it and the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop and will dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. ^14:7 And he will sprinkle seven times upon he who is to be cleansed from the leprous disease and will pronounce him clean and will let the living bird go into the open field. ^14:8 And he who is to be cleansed will wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water and he will be clean. And after that he will come into the camp, but will dwell outside his tent seven days.

^14:9 And it will be on the seventh day, that he will shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he will shave off. And he will wash his clothes and he will bathe his flesh in water and he will be clean.

^14:10 And on the eighth day he will take two male-lambs without blemish and one ewe-lamb a year old without blemish and three tenth parts of a 10-gallon container of fine flour for a food-offering, mingled with oil and one log of oil. ^14:11 And the priest who cleanses him will set the man who is to be cleansed and those things, before Jehovah, at the door of the tent of meeting. ^14:12 And the priest will take one of the male-lambs and offer him for a guilt-offering and the log of oil and wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah. ^14:13 And he will kill the male-lamb in the place where they kill the sin-offering and the burnt-offering, in the place of the sanctuary. Because as the sin-offering is the priest's, so is the guilt-offering; it is most holy. ^14:14 And the priest will take of the blood of the guilt-offering and the priest will put it upon the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the big toe of his right foot.

^14:15 And the priest will take of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. ^14:16 And the priest will dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand and will sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before Jehovah. ^14:17 And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand the priest will put upon the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the big toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the guilt-offering. ^14:18 And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he will put upon the head of him who is to be cleansed and the priest will make atonement for him before Jehovah.

^14:19 And the priest will offer the sin-offering and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness and afterward he will kill the burnt-offering. ^14:20 And the priest will offer the burnt-offering and the food-offering upon the altar and the priest will make atonement for him and he will be clean.

^14:21 And if he is poor and cannot get so much, then he will take one male-lamb for a guilt-offering to be waved, to make atonement for him and one tenth part of a 10-gallon container of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering and a log {i.e. 1 pint} of oil, ^14:22 and two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get and the one will be a sin-offering and the other a burnt-offering.

^14:23 And on the eighth day he will bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the door of the tent of meeting, before Jehovah. ^14:24 And the priest will take the lamb of the guilt-offering and the log of oil and the priest will wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah. ^14:25 And he will kill the lamb of the guilt-offering. And the priest will take of the blood of the guilt-offering and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the big toe of his right foot.

^14:26 And the priest will pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand. ^14:27 And the priest will sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before Jehovah. ^14:28 And the priest will put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the big toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the guilt-offering. ^14:29 And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he will put upon the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before Jehovah.

^14:30 And he will offer one of the turtle-doves, or of the young pigeons, such as he is able to get, ^14:31even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering, with the food-offering and the priest will make atonement for him who is to be cleansed before Jehovah. ^14:32 This is the law of him in whom is a leprous disease, who is not able to get what pertains to his cleansing.

^14:33 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^14:34 When you^* have come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you^* for a possession and I put a leprous disease in a house of the land of your^* possession, ^14:35 then he who owns the house will come and tell the priest, saying, There seems to me to be as it were a disease in the house. ^14:36 And the priest will command that they empty the house before the priest goes in to see the disease, that all that is in the house not be made unclean. And afterward the priest will go in to see the house, ^14:37and he will look on the disease. And behold, if the disease is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish and the appearance of it is deeper than the wall surface, ^14:38 then the priest will go out of the house to the door of the house and shut up the house seven days.

^14:39 And the priest will come again the seventh day and will look. And behold, if the disease has spread in the walls of the house, ^14:40 then the priest will command that they take out the stones in which the disease is and cast them into an unclean place outside the city. ^14:41 And he will cause the house to be scraped inside all around and they will pour out the mortar, that they scrape off, outside the city into an unclean place. ^14:42 And they will take other stones and put them in the place of those stones. And he will take other mortar and will plaster the house.

^14:43 And if the disease comes again and breaks out in the house, after he has taken out the stones and after he has scraped the house and after it is plastered, ^14:44 then the priest will come in and look. And behold, if the disease has spread in the house, it is a prickling leprosy in the house; it is unclean. ^14:45And he will break down the house, the stones of it and the timber of it and all the mortar of the house and he will carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place. ^14:46 Moreover he who goes into the house all the while that it is shut up will be unclean until the evening. ^14:47 And he who lies in the house will wash his clothes. And he who eats in the house will wash his clothes.

^14:48 And if the priest will come in and look, and behold, the disease has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest will pronounce the house clean, because the disease is healed. ^14:49 And he will take two birds and cedar wood and scarlet and hyssop to cleanse the house.^14:50 And he will kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. ^14:51 And he will take the cedar wood and the hyssop and the scarlet and the living bird and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water and sprinkle the house seven times. ^14:52 And he will cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the running water and with the living bird and with the cedar wood and with the hyssop and with the scarlet, ^14:53 but he will let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So he will make atonement for the house and it will be clean.

^14:54 This is the law for all manner of a leprous disease and for a scale, ^14:55 and for a leprous disease of a garment and for a house, ^14:56 and for a rising and for a scab and for a bright spot, ^14:57 to teach when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law of a leprous disease.

[Leviticus 15] TOC

^15:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^15:2 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When any man has a discharge out of his flesh, he is unclean because of his discharge. ^15:3 And this will be his uncleanness in his discharge, whether his flesh runs with his discharge, or his flesh has stopped from his discharge, it is his uncleanness.

^15:4 Every bed on which he who has the discharge lies will be unclean and everything on which he sits will be unclean. ^15:5 And whoever touches his bed will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:6 And he who sits on anything on which he who has the discharge sat will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:7 And he who touches the flesh of him who has the discharge will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:8 And if he who has the discharge spits upon him who is clean, then he will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:9 And whatever saddle he who has the discharge rides upon will be unclean. ^15:10 And whoever touches anything that was under him will be unclean until the evening. And he who bears those things will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:11 And whomever he who has the discharge touches, without having rinsed his hands in water, he will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:12 And the earthen vessel, which he who has the discharge touches, will be broken and every vessel of wood will be rinsed in water.

^15:13 And when he who has an discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he will number to himself seven days for his cleansing and wash his clothes and he will bathe his flesh in running water and will be clean. ^15:14 And on the eighth day he will take to him two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons and come before Jehovah to the door of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest. ^15:15 And the priest will offer them, the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and the priest will make atonement for him before Jehovah for his discharge.

^15:16 And if any man's seed of copulation {i.e. semen} go out from him, then he will bathe all his flesh in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:17 And every garment and every skin, on which is the seed of copulation {i.e. semen}, will be washed with water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:18 The woman also with whom a man will lie with seed of copulation {i.e. semen}, they will both bathe themselves in water and be unclean until the evening.

^15:19 And if a woman has a discharge and her discharge in her flesh is blood, she will be seven days in her impurity and whoever touches her will be unclean until the evening. ^15:20 And everything that she lies upon in her impurity will be unclean. Also everything that she sits upon will be unclean. ^15:21And whoever touches her bed will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:22 And whoever touches anything that she sits upon will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. ^15:23 And if it is on the bed, or on anything on which she sits, when he touches it, he will be unclean until the evening.^15:24 And if any man lies with her and her impurity be upon him, he will be unclean seven days and every bed on which he lies will be unclean.

^15:25 And if a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her impurity, or if she has an discharge beyond the time of her impurity, she will be all the days of the discharge of her uncleanness as in the days of her impurity; she is unclean. ^15:26 Every bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge will be to her as the bed of her impurity and everything on which she sits will be unclean, as the uncleanness of her impurity. ^15:27 And whoever touches those things will be unclean and will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening.

^15:28 But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she will number to herself seven days and after that she will be clean. ^15:29 And on the eighth day she will take to her two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest, to the door of the tent of meeting. ^15:30 And the priest will offer the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and the priest will make atonement for her before Jehovah for the discharge of her uncleanness.

^15:31 And you^* will separate the sons of Israel from their uncleanness, that they do not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is in the midst of them. ^15:32 This is the law of him who has an discharge and of him whose seed of copulation {i.e. semen} goes from him, so that he is unclean by it, ^15:33 and of her who is sick with her impurity and of him who has an discharge, of the man and of the woman and of him who lies with her who is unclean.

[Leviticus 16] TOC

^16:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before Jehovah and died, ^16:2 and Jehovah said to Moses, Speak to Aaron your brother, that he not come at all times into the holy place within the veil, before the mercy-seat which is upon the ark, that he does not die, because I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat.

^16:3 Aaron will come into the holy place this way: with a young bull for a sin-offering and a ram for a burnt-offering. ^16:4 He will put on the holy linen tunic and he will have the linen underwear upon his flesh and will be girded with the linen sash and he will be attired with the linen headdress. They are the holy garments and he will bathe his flesh in water and put them on. ^16:5 And he will take from the congregation of the sons of Israel two male-goats for a sin-offering and one ram for a burnt-offering.

^16:6 And Aaron will present the bull of the sin-offering, which is for himself and make atonement for himself and for his house. ^16:7 And he will take the two goats and set them before Jehovah at the door of the tent of meeting. ^16:8 And Aaron will cast lots upon the two goats, one lot for Jehovah and the other lot for the scapegoat. ^16:9 And Aaron will present the goat upon which the lot fell for Jehovah and offer him for a sin-offering.

^16:10 But the goat, on which the lot fell for the scapegoat, will be set alive before Jehovah, to make atonement for him, to send him away for the scapegoat into the wilderness.

^16:11 And Aaron will present the bull of the sin-offering, which is for himself and will make atonement for himself and for his house and will kill the bull of the sin-offering which is for himself.^16:12 And he will take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before Jehovah and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small and bring it within the veil. ^16:13 And he will put the incense upon the fire before Jehovah, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat that is upon the testimony, that he does not die. ^16:14 And he will take of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy-seat on the east. And he will sprinkle with his finger of the blood seven times before the mercy-seat.

^16:15 Then he will kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people and bring his blood within the veil and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat. ^16:16 And he will make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleannesses of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions, even all their sins. And so he will do for the tent of meeting that dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

^16:17 And no man will be in the tent of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the holy place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his household and for all the assembly of Israel. ^16:18 And he will go out to the altar that is before Jehovah and make atonement for it. And will take of the blood of the bull and of the blood of the goat and put it upon the horns of the altar all around. ^16:19 And he will sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times and cleanse it and sanctify it from the uncleannesses of the sons of Israel.

^16:20 And when he has made an end of atoning for the holy place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he will present the live goat. ^16:21 And Aaron will lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions, even all their sins. And he will put them upon the head of the goat and will send him away by the hand of a man who is in readiness into the wilderness. ^16:22 And the goat will bear upon him all their iniquities to a solitary land. And he will let the goat go in the wilderness. ^16:23And Aaron will come into the tent of meeting and will put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place and will leave them there. ^16:24 And he will bathe his flesh in water in a holy place and put on his garments and come out and offer his burnt-offering and the burnt-offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people. ^16:25 And he will burn upon the altar the fat of the sin-offering. ^16:26 And he who lets the goat go for the scapegoat will wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward he will come into the camp.

^16:27 And the bull of the sin-offering and the goat of the sin-offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, will be carried forth outside the camp and they will burn in the fire their skins and their flesh and their manure. ^16:28 And he who burns them will wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward he will come into the camp.

^16:29 And it will be an everlasting statute to you^*. In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you^* will humble your^* souls and will not do any work, the home-born, or the stranger who travels among you^*. ^16:30 Because on this day atonement will be made for you^*, to cleanse you^*. You^* will be clean from all your^* sins before Jehovah. ^16:31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you^* and you^* will humble your^* souls. It is an everlasting statute.

^16:32 And the priest, who will be anointed and who will be consecrated to be priest in his father's stead, will make the atonement. And he will put on the linen garments, even the holy garments, ^16:33 and will make atonement for the holy sanctuary and he will make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar and he will make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. ^16:34 And this will be an everlasting statute to you^*, to make atonement for the sons of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

[Leviticus 17] TOC

^17:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^17:2Speak to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel and say to them, This is the thing which Jehovah has commanded, saying, ^17:3 Whatever man there is from the house of Israel, who kills an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, ^17:4 and has not brought it to the door of the tent of meeting, to offer it as an offering to Jehovah before the tabernacle of Jehovah, blood will be reckoned to that man. He has shed blood and that man will be cut off from among his people, ^17:5 to the end that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, even that they may bring them to Jehovah, to the door of the tent of meeting, to the priest and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace-offerings to Jehovah. ^17:6 And the priest will sprinkle the blood upon the altar of Jehovah at the door of the tent of meeting and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to Jehovah. ^17:7 And they will no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the male-goats, after which they play the prostitute. This will be an everlasting statute to them throughout their genealogy.

^17:8 And you will say to them, Whatever man there is of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that journey among them, who offers a burnt-offering or sacrifice, ^17:9 and does not bring it to the door of the tent of meeting, to sacrifice it to Jehovah, that man will be cut off from his people.

^17:10 And whatever man there is of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that journey among them, who eats any manner of blood, I will set my face against that soul who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. ^17:11 Because the life of the flesh is in the blood and I have given it to you^* upon the altar to make atonement for your^* souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. ^17:12Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, No soul of you^* will eat blood, nor will any stranger that travels among you^* eat blood. ^17:13 And whatever man there is of the sons of Israel, or of the strangers that journey among them, who takes any beast or bird in hunting that may be eaten, he will pour out the blood of it and cover it with dust. ^17:14 Because as to the life of all flesh, the blood of it is with the life of it. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, You^* will eat the blood of no manner of flesh, because the life of all flesh is the blood of it. Whoever eats it will be cut off.

^17:15 And every soul who eats what dies of itself, or what is torn of beasts, whether he is home-born or a traveler, he will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening, then he will be clean. ^17:16 But if he does not wash them, nor bathe his flesh, then he will bear his iniquity.

[Leviticus 18] TOC

^18:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^18:2Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, I am Jehovah your^* God. ^18:3 You^* will not do after the practices of the land of Egypt, in which you^* dwelt and you^* will not do after the practices of the land of Canaan, where I bring you^*, nor will you^* walk in their statutes. ^18:4 You^* will do my ordinances and you^* will keep my statutes, to walk in it. I am Jehovah your^* God. ^18:5 You^* will therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he will live in them. I am Jehovah.

^18:6 None of you^* will approach to any who are near of kin to him, to uncover nakedness. I am Jehovah.

^18:7 You will not uncover the nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother. You will not uncover her nakedness,^18:8 the nakedness of your father's wife. It is your father's nakedness.

^18:9 The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness you will not uncover.

^18:10 The nakedness of your son's daughter, or of your daughter's daughter, even their nakedness you will not uncover, because theirs is your own nakedness.

^18:11 The nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, born from your father, she is your sister, you will not uncover her nakedness.

^18:12 You will not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister. She is your father's near kinswoman.^18:13 You will not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, because she is your mother's near kinswoman.

^18:14 You will not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother. You will not approach to his wife. She is your aunt.

^18:15 You will not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife. You will not uncover her nakedness.

^18:16 You will not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife. It is your brother's nakedness.

^18:17 You will not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You will not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near kinswomen. It is perversion.

^18:18 And you will not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival to her, to uncover her nakedness, besides the other in her life-time.

^18:19 And you will not approach to a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is in menstruation.

^18:20 And you will not give your seed of copulation {i.e. semen} with your neighbor's wife, to defile yourself with her.

^18:21 And you will not give any of your seed to make them pass through the fire to Molech, neither will you profane the name of your God. I am Jehovah.

^18:22 You will not lie with males, as with females. It is abomination.

^18:23 And you will not lie with any beast to defile yourself with it, nor will any woman stand before a beast to lie down with it. It is a perversion.

^18:24 Do not defile you^* yourselves in any of these things. Because in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you^*, ^18:25 and the land is defiled. Therefore I visit the iniquity of it upon it and the land vomits out its inhabitants.

^18:26 You^* therefore will keep my statutes and my ordinances and will not do any of these abominations, neither the home-born, nor the stranger that travels among you^*, ^18:27 (because the men of the land have done all these abominations, who were before you^* and the land is defiled), ^18:28 that the land not vomit you^* out also, when you^* defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you^*. ^18:29Because whoever will do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them will be cut off from among their people. ^18:30 Therefore you^* will keep my charge, that you^* do not practice any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you^* and that you^* not defile yourselves in it. I am Jehovah your^* God.

[Leviticus 19] TOC

^19:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^19:2Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, You^* will be holy, because I Jehovah your^* God am holy.

^19:3 Every man will fear his mother and his father. And you^* will keep my Sabbaths. I am Jehovah your^* God.

^19:4 Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molten gods. I am Jehovah your^* God.

^19:5 And when you^* offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings to Jehovah, you^* will offer it that you^* may be accepted. ^19:6 It will be eaten the same day you^* offer it and on the next-day. And if any remain until the third day, it will be burnt with fire. ^19:7 And if it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted. ^19:8 But he who eats it will bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy thing of Jehovah and that soul will be cut off from his people.

^19:9 And when you^* reap the harvest of your^* land, you will not entirely reap the corners of your field, nor will you gather the gleaning of your harvest. ^19:10 And you will not glean your vineyard, nor will you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard. You will leave them for the poor man and for the traveler. I am Jehovah your^* God.

^19:11 You^* will not steal, nor will you^* deal falsely, nor lie one to another.

^19:12 And you^* will not swear by my name falsely and profane the name of your God. I am Jehovah.

^19:13 You will not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired servant will not abide with you all night until the morning.

^19:14 You will not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but you will fear your God. I am Jehovah.

^19:15 You^* will do no unrighteousness in judgment. You will not respect the person of the poor man, nor honor the person of the mighty man, but you will judge your neighbor in righteousness.

^19:16 You will not go up and down as a gossiper among your people, neither will you stand against the blood of your neighbor. I am Jehovah.

^19:17 You will not hate your brother in your heart. You will surely rebuke your neighbor and not bear sin because of him.

^19:18 You will not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you will love your neighbor as yourself. I am Jehovah.

^19:19 You^* will keep my statutes. You will not let your cattle lie {i.e. breed} with a diverse kind. You will not sow your field with two kinds of seed, neither will a garment of two kinds of material mingled together come upon you.

^19:20 And whoever lies carnally with a woman, who is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her, they will be punished. They will not be put to death, because she was not free. ^19:21 And he will bring his guilt-offering to Jehovah, to the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a guilt-offering. ^19:22 And the priest will make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt-offering before Jehovah for his sin which he has sinned. And the sin which he has sinned will be forgiven him.

^19:23 And when you^* will come into the land and will have planted all manner of trees for food, then you^* will count the fruit of it as their uncircumcision. Three years they will be as uncircumcised to you^*; it will not be eaten. ^19:24 But in the fourth year all the fruit of it will be holy, for giving praise to Jehovah.^19:25 And in the fifth year you^* will eat of the fruit of it, that it may yield to you^* the increase of it. I am Jehovah your^* God.

^19:26 You^* will not eat anything with the blood. Neither will you^* use enchantments, nor practice witchcraft.

^19:27 You^* will not round off the edges of your^* heads {i.e. sideburns}, nor will you corrupt the edges of your beard.

^19:28 You^* will not make any cuttings in your^* flesh for the dead, nor tattoo impressions on you^*. I am Jehovah.

^19:29 Do not profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute, lest the land fall to prostitution and the land become full of wickedness.

^19:30 You^* will keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary. I am Jehovah.

^19:31 Do not turn to those who have familiar spirits, nor to the wizards. Do not seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Jehovah your^* God.

^19:32 You will rise up before the gray-haired and honor the face of the old man and you will fear your God. I am Jehovah.

^19:33 And if a stranger travels with you in your^* land, you^* will not do him wrong. ^19:34 The stranger that travels with you^* will be to you^* as the home-born among you^* and you will love him as yourself, because you^* were travelers in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your^* God.

^19:35 You^* will do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity. ^19:36 You^* will have just balances, just weights, a just 10-gallon container and a just 5-quart container. I am Jehovah your^* God, who brought you^* out of the land of Egypt.

^19:37 And you^* will observe all my statutes and all my ordinances and do them. I am Jehovah.

[Leviticus 20] TOC

^20:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^20:2Moreover, you will say to the sons of Israel, Any man, a man of the sons of Israel, or of the strangers that journey in Israel, who gives of his seed to Molech, he will surely be put to death. The people of the land will stone him with stones. ^20:3 I also will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given of his seed to Molech, to defile my sanctuary and to profane my holy name. ^20:4 And if the people at the land do at all hide their eyes from that man, when he gives of his seed to Molech and do not put him to death, ^20:5 then I will set my face against that man and against his family and will cut him off and all who play the prostitute after him, to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people.

^20:6 And the soul that turns to those who have familiar spirits and to the wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that soul and will cut him off from among his people.

^20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore and become holy, because I am Jehovah your^* God. ^20:8 And you^* will keep my statutes and do them. I am Jehovah who sanctifies you^*.

^20:9 Because he who curses his father or his mother will surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother; his blood will be upon him.

^20:10 And the man who commits adultery with another man's wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress will surely be put to death.

^20:11 And the man who lies with his father's wife has uncovered his father's nakedness. Both of them will surely be put to death, their blood will be upon them.

^20:12 And if a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them will surely be put to death. They have worked perversion. Their blood will be upon them.

^20:13 And if a man lies with a man, as with a woman, both of them have committed abomination. They will surely be put to death; their blood will be upon them.

^20:14 And if a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness. They will be burnt with fire, both he and they, that no wickedness is among you^*.

^20:15 And if a man lies with a beast, he will surely be put to death and you^* will kill the beast. ^20:16 And if a woman approaches to any beast and lies down with it, you will kill the woman and the beast. They will surely be put to death; their blood will be upon them.

^20:17 And if a man will take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter and see her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing and they will be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness; he will bear his iniquity.

^20:18 And if a man will lie with a woman having her sickness and will uncover her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. And both of them will be cut off from among their people.

^20:19 And you will not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, nor of your father's sister, because he has made naked his near kin. They will bear their iniquity.

^20:20 And if a man will lie with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness. They will bear their sin; they will die childless.

^20:21 And if a man will take his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they will be childless.

^20:22 You^* will therefore keep all my statutes and all my ordinances and do them, that the land, where I bring you^* to dwell in it, does not vomit you^* out. ^20:23And you^* will not walk in the customs of the nation which I cast out before you^*, because they did all these things and therefore I was disgusted with them.

^20:24 But I have said to you^*, You^* will inherit their land and I will give it to you^* to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am Jehovah your^* God, who has separated you^* from the peoples.^20:25 You^* will therefore make a distinction between the clean beast and the unclean and between the unclean fowl and the clean. And you^* will not make your^* souls abominable by beast, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you^* as unclean.

^20:26 And you^* will be holy to me, because I, Jehovah, am holy and have set you^* apart from the peoples, that you^* should be mine.

^20:27 A man or also a woman who has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, will surely be put to death. They will stone them with stones; their blood will be upon them.

[Leviticus 21] TOC

^21:1 And Jehovah said to Moses, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron and say to them, None will defile himself for the dead among his people, ^21:2 except for his kin, who is near to him: for his mother and for his father and for his son and for his daughter and for his brother. ^21:3 And for his sister a virgin, who is near to him, who has had no husband, for her he may defile himself. ^21:4 He will not defile himself, who is a chief man among his people, to profane himself. ^21:5 They will not make baldness upon their head, neither will they shave off the edge of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

^21:6 They will be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they offer the fire-offerings of Jehovah, the bread of their God. Therefore they will be holy.

^21:7 They will not take a woman who is a prostitute, or profane, neither will they take a woman put away from her husband, because he is holy to his God.

^21:8 You will sanctify him therefore, because he offers the bread of your God. He will be holy to you, for I Jehovah am holy, who sanctify you^*.

^21:9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father. She will be burnt with fire.

^21:10 And he who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured and whose hand is consecrated to put on the garments, will not let the hair of his head go loose, nor tear his clothes, ^21:11 neither will he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother, ^21:12 neither will he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God, because the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am Jehovah.

^21:13 And he will take a wife in her virginity. ^21:14A widow, or one divorced, or a profane woman, a prostitute, these he will not take, but he will take as a wife, a virgin of his own people. ^21:15 And he will not profane his seed among his people, because I am Jehovah who sanctifies him.

^21:16 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^21:17Speak to Aaron, saying, A man of your seed throughout their genealogy who has a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. ^21:18Because a man who has a blemish, he will not approach: not a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a flat nose, or anything superfluous, ^21:19 or a man who is broken-footed, or broken-handed, ^21:20or hunchback, or a dwarf, or who has a blemish in his eye, or is eczema, or scabbed, or has his testicles broken. ^21:21 No man of the seed of Aaron the priest, who has a blemish, will come near to offer the fire-offerings of Jehovah; if he has a blemish, he will not come near to offer the bread of his God.^21:22 He will eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy, ^21:23 only he will not go in to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish, that he not profane my sanctuaries, because I am Jehovah who sanctifies them. ^21:24 So Moses spoke to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel.

[Leviticus 22] TOC

^22:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^22:2Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the sons of Israel, which they sanctify to me and that they do not profane my holy name. I am Jehovah.

^22:3 Say to them, Any man out of all your^* seed throughout your^* genealogy, that approaches to the holy things, which the sons of Israel sanctify to Jehovah, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul will be cut off from before me. I am Jehovah. ^22:4Whatever man of the seed of Aaron being a man with a leprous disease, or has a discharge, he will not eat of the holy things until he is clean. And whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him, ^22:5 or whoever touches any creeping thing, by which he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he has, ^22:6 the soul that touches any such will be unclean until the evening. And will not eat of the holy things unless he bathe his flesh in water. ^22:7 And when the sun is down, he will be clean and afterward he will eat of the holy things, because it is his bread. ^22:8 What dies of itself, or is torn by beasts, he will not eat to defile himself with it. I am Jehovah. ^22:9 They will therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it and die in it if they profane it. I am Jehovah who sanctifies them.

^22:10 No stranger will eat of the holy thing. A traveler of the priest's, or a hired servant, will not eat of the holy thing. ^22:11 But if a priest buys any soul, the purchase of his money, he will eat of it and such as are born in his house, they will eat of his bread. ^22:12 And if a priest's daughter be married to a stranger, she will not eat of the heaving-offering of the holy things. ^22:13 But if a priest's daughter be a widow, or divorced and have no child and is returned to her father's house, as in her youth, she will eat of her father's bread, but no stranger will eat of it.

^22:14 And if a man eats of the holy thing unintentionally, then he will put the fifth part of it to it and will give the holy thing to the priest. ^22:15 And they will not profane the holy things of the sons of Israel, which they offer to Jehovah, ^22:16 and so cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt when they eat their holy things, because I am Jehovah who sanctifies them.

^22:17 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^22:18Speak to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel and say to them, Any man, a man of the house of Israel, or of the travelers in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it is any of their vows, or any of their free-will offerings, which they offer to Jehovah for a burnt-offering, ^22:19 that you^* may be accepted, you^* will offer a male without blemish, of the bullocks, of the sheep, or of the goats.

^22:20 But whatever has a blemish, that you^* will not offer, because it will not be acceptable for you^*. ^22:21And whoever offers a sacrifice of peace-offerings to Jehovah to accomplish a vow, or for a free-will offering, of the herd or of the flock, it will be perfect to be accepted; there will be no blemish in it. ^22:22Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a skin tumor, or eczema, or scabbed, you^* will not offer these to Jehovah, nor make a fire-offering of them upon the altar to Jehovah. ^22:23 Either a bull or a lamb that has anything superfluous or lacking in his parts, that you may offer for a free-will offering, but it will not be accepted for a vow. ^22:24 What has its testicles bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut, you^* will not offer to Jehovah, neither will you^* do in your^* land. ^22:25 Neither from the hand of a foreigner will you^* offer the bread of your^* God of any of these, because their corruption is in them; a blemish is in them. They will not be accepted for you^*.

^22:26 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^22:27When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it will be seven days under the dam and from the eighth day and after that it will be accepted for the offering of a fire-offering to Jehovah. ^22:28 And whether it is cow or ewe, you^* will not kill it and its young both in one day. ^22:29 And when you^* sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Jehovah, you^* will sacrifice it that you^* may be accepted. ^22:30 It will be eaten on the same day. You^* will leave none of it until the morning. I am Jehovah.

^22:31 Therefore you^* will keep my commandments and do them. I am Jehovah. ^22:32 And you^* will not profane my holy name, but I will be made holy among the sons of Israel. I am Jehovah who sanctifies you^*, ^22:33 who brought you^* out of the land of Egypt, to be your^* God. I am Jehovah.

[Leviticus 23] TOC

^23:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^23:2Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, The appointed feasts of Jehovah, which you^* will proclaim to be holy assemblies, even these are my appointed feasts. ^23:3Six days will work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy assembly. You^* will not do any work. It is a Sabbath to Jehovah in all your^* dwellings.

^23:4 These are the set feasts of Jehovah, even holy assemblies, which you^* will proclaim in their appointed season.

^23:5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, is Jehovah's Passover. ^23:6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to Jehovah. You^* will eat unleavened bread seven days. ^23:7 In the first day you^* will have a holy assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work. ^23:8 But you^* will offer a fire-offering to Jehovah seven days. In the seventh day is a holy assembly, you^* will not do any laborious work.

^23:9 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^23:10Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you^* have come into the land which I give to you^* and will reap the harvest of it, then you^* will bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your^* harvest to the priest. ^23:11 And he will wave the sheaf before Jehovah, to be accepted for you^*. On the next-day after the Sabbath the priest will wave it. ^23:12 And in the day when you^* wave the sheaf, you^* will offer a male-lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt-offering to Jehovah. ^23:13 And the food-offering of it will be two tenth parts of a 10-gallon container of fine flour mingled with oil, a fire-offering to Jehovah for a sweet aroma. And the drink-offering of it will be of wine, the fourth part of a 5-quart container. ^23:14 And you^* will eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor fresh ears, until this same day, until you^* have brought the offering of your^* God. It is an everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy in all your^* dwellings.

^23:15 And you^* will count to you^* from the next-day after the Sabbath, from the day that you^* brought the sheaf of the wave-offering, they will be seven complete Sabbaths. ^23:16 You^* will number fifty days, even to the next-day after the seventh Sabbath and you^* will offer a new food-offering to Jehovah.^23:17 You^* will bring out of your^* dwellings two wave-offerings of two tenth parts of a 10-gallon container. They will be of fine flour. They will be baked with leaven, for first-fruits to Jehovah. ^23:18 And you^* will present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old and one young bull and two rams. They will be a burnt-offering to Jehovah, with their food-offering and their drink-offerings, even a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah. ^23:19 And you^* will offer one male-goat for a sin-offering and two male-lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace-offerings. ^23:20 And the priest will wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before Jehovah, with the two lambs. They will be holy to Jehovah for the priest. ^23:21 And you^* will make proclamation on the same day, a holy assembly will be to you^*. You^* will not do any laborious work. It is an everlasting statute in all your^* dwellings throughout your^* genealogy.

^23:22 And when you^* reap the harvest of your^* land, you will not entirely reap the edges of your field, neither will you gather the gleaning of your harvest. You will leave them for the poor man and for the traveler. I am Jehovah your^* God.

^23:23 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^23:24Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, will be a solemn rest to you^*, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy assembly. ^23:25 You^* will not do any laborious work and you^* will offer a fire-offering to Jehovah.

^23:26 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^23:27However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement. It will be a holy assembly to you^* and you^* will humble your^* souls and you^* will offer a fire-offering to Jehovah. ^23:28 And you^* will not do any work in that same day, because it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you^* before Jehovah your^* God. ^23:29 Because whatever soul it is who will not be humbled in that same day, he will be cut off from his people. ^23:30 And whatever soul it is who does any work in that same day, that soul I will destroy from among his people. ^23:31 You^* will not do any work. It is an everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy in all your^* dwellings. ^23:32 It will be to you^* a Sabbath of solemn rest and you^* will humble your^* souls. In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you^* will keep your^* Sabbath.

^23:33 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^23:34Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to Jehovah. ^23:35 On the first day will be a holy assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work. ^23:36Seven days you^* will offer a fire-offering to Jehovah. On the eighth day will be a holy assembly to you^* and you^* will offer a fire-offering to Jehovah. It is a solemn assembly; you^* will not do any laborious work.

^23:37 These are the set feasts of Jehovah, which you^* will proclaim to be holy assemblies, to offer a fire-offering to Jehovah, a burnt-offering and a food-offering, a sacrifice and drink-offerings, each on its own day. ^23:38 Besides the Sabbaths of Jehovah and besides your^* gifts and besides all your^* vows and besides all your^* free-will offerings, which you^* give to Jehovah.

^23:39 However on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you^* have gathered in the fruits of the land, you^* will keep the feast of Jehovah seven days. On the first day will be a solemn rest and on the eighth day will be a solemn rest. ^23:40 And you^* will take to you^* on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees and branches of thick trees and willows of the brook and you^* will rejoice before Jehovah your^* God seven days. ^23:41 And you^* will keep it a feast to Jehovah seven days in the year. It is an everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy. You^* will keep it in the seventh month. ^23:42 You^* will dwell in booths seven days. All who are home-born in Israel will dwell in booths, ^23:43 that your^* genealogy may know that I made the sons of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your^* God. ^23:44 And Moses declared to the sons of Israel the set feasts of Jehovah.

[Leviticus 24] TOC

^24:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^24:2Command the sons of Israel, that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. ^24:3 Aaron will keep it outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, in order from evening to morning before Jehovah continually. It will be an everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy. ^24:4 He will keep the lamps upon the pure lamp-stand in order before Jehovah continually.

^24:5 And you will take fine flour and bake twelve cakes of it. Two tenth parts of 10-gallon container will be in one cake. ^24:6 And you will set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah. ^24:7And you will put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even a fire-offering to Jehovah. ^24:8 Every Sabbath day he will set it in order before Jehovah continually. It is an everlasting covenant from the sons of Israel. ^24:9 And it will be for Aaron and his sons. And they will eat it in a holy place, for it is most holy to him of the fire-offerings of Jehovah by an everlasting statute.

^24:10 And the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the sons of Israel. And the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel struggled together in the camp, ^24:11 and the son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name and cursed. And they brought him to Moses. And his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. ^24:12 And they put him in confinement, that it might be declared to them at the mouth of Jehovah. ^24:13 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^24:14 Bring forth he who has cursed outside the camp and let all who heard him lay their hands upon his head and let all the congregation stone him.

^24:15 And you will speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God will bear his sin. ^24:16And he who blasphemes the name of Jehovah, he will surely be put to death. All the congregation will certainly stone him. As well the traveler, as the home-born, when he blasphemes the Name, will be put to death.

^24:17 And he who slays any man mortally will surely be put to death.

^24:18 And he who slays a beast mortally will make it good, life in exchange for life.

^24:19 And if a man causes a blemish in his neighbor, as he has done, so will it be done to him:^24:20 injury for injury, eye in exchange for eye, tooth in exchange for tooth, as he has caused a blemish in a man, so will it be rendered to him.

^24:21 And he who kills a beast will make it good. And he who kills a man will be put to death.

^24:22 You^* will have one manner of law, as for the traveler, as for the home-born, because I am Jehovah your^* God.

^24:23 And Moses spoke to the sons of Israel and they brought out him who had cursed out of the camp and stoned him with stones. And the sons of Israel did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

[Leviticus 25] TOC

^25:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai, saying, ^25:2 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you^* come into the land which I give you^*, then the land will keep a Sabbath to Jehovah.^25:3 Six years you will sow your field and six years you will prune your vineyard and gather in the fruits of it, ^25:4 but in the seventh year will be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to Jehovah. You will neither sow your field, nor prune your vineyard.^25:5 What grows of itself of your harvest you will not reap and the grapes of your undressed vine you will not gather. It will be a year of solemn rest for the land. ^25:6 And the Sabbath of the land will be for food for you^*: for you and for your servant and for your maid and for your hired servant and for your stranger, who travels with you. ^25:7 And for your cattle and for the beasts that are in your land, all the increase of it will be for food.

^25:8 And you will number seven Sabbaths of years to you, seven times seven years and there will be to you the days of seven Sabbaths of years, even forty-nine years. ^25:9 Then you will send abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. In the day of atonement you^* will send abroad the trumpet throughout all your^* land. ^25:10 And you^* will sanctify the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants of it. It will be a jubilee to you^* and you^* will return every man to his possession and you^* will return every man to his family.

^25:11 That fiftieth year will be a jubilee to you^*. You^* will not sow, neither reap what grows of itself in it, nor gather in it of the undressed vines.

^25:12 Because it is a jubilee; it will be holy to you^*. You^* will eat the increase of it out of the field.

^25:13 In this year of jubilee you^* will return every man to his possession. ^25:14 And if you sell anything to your neighbor, or buy of your neighbor's hand, you^* will not wrong each other. ^25:15 According to the number of years after the jubilee you will buy of your neighbor and according to the number of years of the crops he will sell to you. ^25:16 According to the multitude of the years you will increase the price of it and according to the fewness of the years you will diminish the price of it, because the number of the crops he sells to you.

^25:17 And you^* will not wrong each other, but you will fear your God, because I am Jehovah your^* God.^25:18Therefore you^* will do my statutes and keep my ordinances and do them and you^* will dwell in the land in safety. ^25:19 And the land will yield its fruit and you^* will eat your^* fill and dwell in safety in it.

^25:20 And if you^* will say, What will we eat the seventh year? Behold, we will not sow, nor gather in our increase, ^25:21 then I will command my blessing upon you^* in the sixth year and it will bring forth fruit for the three years. ^25:22 And you^* will sow the eighth year and eat of the fruits, the old storage, until the ninth year. Until its fruits come in, you^* will eat the old storage.

^25:23 And the land will not be sold in perpetuity, because the land is mine. Because you^* are strangers and travelers with me. ^25:24 And you^* will grant a redemption for the land in all the land of your^* possession.^25:25 If your brother becomes poor and sells some of his possession, then his kinsman who is next to him will come and will redeem what his brother has sold.^25:26 And if a man has no one to redeem it and he becomes rich and finds sufficient to redeem it, ^25:27then let him reckon the years of the sale of it and restore the excess to the man to whom he sold it and he will return to his possession. ^25:28 But if he is not able to get it back for himself, then what he has sold will remain in the hand of him who has bought it until the year of jubilee. And in the jubilee it will go out and he will return to his possession.

^25:29 And if a man sells a dwelling-house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold. For a full year he will have the right of redemption. ^25:30 And if it is not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city will be made sure in perpetuity to him who bought it, throughout his genealogy. It will not go out in the jubilee. ^25:31 But the houses of the villages which have no wall all around them will be reckoned with the fields of the country. They may be redeemed and they will go out in the jubilee.

^25:32 Nevertheless the cities of the Levites, the houses of the cities of their possession, the Levites may have an everlasting redemption rights. ^25:33 And if a man purchases from the Levites, then the house that was sold and the city of his possession, will go out in the jubilee. Because the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the sons of Israel. ^25:34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold, because it is their perpetual possession.

^25:35 And if your brother becomes poor and his hand shakes toward you {i.e. lost his strength}, then you will help him; he will live with you as a stranger and a traveler. ^25:36 You take no interest from him or increase, but fear your God, that your brother may live with you. ^25:37 You will not give him your money upon interest, nor give him your food for profit. ^25:38 I am Jehovah your^* God, who brought you^* forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you^* the land of Canaan and to be your^* God.

^25:39 And if your brother becomes poor with you and sells himself to you, you will not impose upon him servile labor. ^25:40 He will be with you as a hired servant and as a traveler. He will serve with you to the year of jubilee. ^25:41 Then he will go out from you, he and his sons with him and will return to his own family. And he will return to the possession of his fathers. ^25:42 Because they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt. They will not be sold as bondmen. ^25:43 You will not rule over him with rigor, but will fear your God.

^25:44 And as for your bondmen and your bondmaids, whom you will have, from the nations that are all around you^*, you^* will buy bondmen and bondmaids from them. ^25:45 Moreover of the sons of the strangers who journey among you^*, you^* will buy from them and from their families that are with you^*, which they have fathered in your^* land and they will be your^* possession. ^25:46 And you^* will make them an inheritance for your^* sons after you^*, to hold for a possession. You^* will take your^* everlasting bondmen from them, but over your^* brothers the sons of Israel you^* will not rule, one over another, with rigor.

^25:47 And if a stranger or traveler with you becomes rich and your brother becomes poor beside him and sells himself to the stranger or traveler with you, or to the stock of the stranger's family, ^25:48 he may be redeemed after he is sold. One of his brothers may redeem him. ^25:49 Or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him. Or any who is near of kin to him of his family may redeem him. Or if he becomes rich, he may redeem himself.

^25:50 And he will reckon with him who bought him from the year that he sold himself to him to the year of jubilee. And the price of his sale will be according to the number of years. He will be with him according to the time of a hired servant. ^25:51 If many years is yet, according to them he will give back the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. ^25:52 And if there remain but few years to the year of jubilee, then he will reckon with him. He will give back the price of his redemption according to his years. ^25:53 He will be with him as a servant hired year by year. He will not rule with rigor over him in your sight. ^25:54 And if he is not redeemed by these means, then he will go out in the year of jubilee, he and his sons with him. ^25:55Because the sons of Israel are servants to me. They are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your^* God.

[Leviticus 26] TOC

^26:1 You^* will make no idols to you^*. Neither will you^* rear up a graven image, or a pillar to you^*. Neither will you^* place any figured stone in your^* land, to bow down to it. Because I am Jehovah your^* God.

^26:2 You^* will keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary. I am Jehovah.

^26:3 If you^* walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them, ^26:4 then I will give your^* rains in their season and the land will yield its increase and the trees of the field will yield their fruit. ^26:5 And your^* threshing will reach to the vintage and the vintage will reach to the sowing time and you^* will eat your^* bread to the full and dwell in your^* land safely.

^26:6 And I will give peace in the land and you^* will lie down and none will make you^* afraid. And I will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land, nor will the sword go through your^* land. ^26:7 And you^* will chase your^* enemies and they will fall before you^* by the sword. ^26:8 And five of you^* will chase a hundred and a hundred of you^* will chase ten thousand and your^* enemies will fall before you^* by the sword.

^26:9 And I will have respect for you^* and make you^* fruitful and multiply you^* and will establish my covenant with you^*. ^26:10 And you^* will eat old storage long kept and you^* will bring forth the old because of the new.

^26:11 And I will set my tabernacle among you^* and my soul will not abhor you^*. ^26:12 And I will walk among you^* and will be your^* God and you^* will be my people. ^26:13 I am Jehovah your^* God, who brought you^* forth out of the land of Egypt, that you^* should not be their bondmen. And I have broken the bars of your^* yoke and made you^* go upright.

^26:14 But if you^* will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, ^26:15 and if you^* will reject my statutes and if your^* soul abhors my ordinances, so that you^* will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, ^26:16 I also will do this to you^*: I will appoint terror over you^*, even consumption and fever, that will consume the eyes and make the soul to pine away. And you^* will sow your^* seed in vain, for your^* enemies will eat it.^26:17 And I will set my face against you^* and you^* will be struck before your^* enemies. Those who hate you^* will rule over you^* and you^* will flee when no man pursues you^*.

^26:18 And if for these things you^* will not yet listen to me, then I will discipline you^* seven times more for your^* sins. ^26:19 And I will break the pride of your^* power. And I will make your^* sky as iron and your^* earth as brass, ^26:20 and your^* strength will be spent in vain, for your^* land will not yield its increase, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit.

^26:21 And if you^* walk contrary to me and will not listen to me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you^* according to your^* sins. ^26:22 And I will send the beast of the field among you^*, which will rob you^* of your^* sons and destroy your^* cattle and make you^* few in number and your^* ways will become desolate.

^26:23 And if by these things you^* will not be reformed to me, but will walk contrary to me, ^26:24then I also will walk contrary to you^* and I will kill^* you^*, even I, seven times for your^* sins. ^26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you^* that will execute the vengeance of the covenant and you^* will be gathered together within your^* cities. And I will send the pestilence among you^* and you^* will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. ^26:26 When I break your^* staff of bread, ten women will bake your^* bread in one oven and they will deliver your^* bread again by weight and you^* will eat and not be satisfied.

^26:27 And if you^* will not listen to me for all this, but walk contrary to me, ^26:28 then I will walk contrary to you^* in wrath and I also will discipline you^* seven times for your^* sins. ^26:29 And you^* will eat the flesh of your^* sons and you^* will eat the flesh of your^* daughters. ^26:30 And I will destroy your^* high places and cut down your^* sun-images and cast your^* dead bodies upon the bodies of your^* idols and my soul will abhor you^*. ^26:31 And I will make your^* cities a waste and will bring your^* sanctuaries to desolation and I will not smell the savor of your^* sweet odors. ^26:32 And I will bring the land into desolation and your^* enemies who dwell in it will be astonished at it.

^26:33 And I will scatter you^* among the nations and I will draw out the sword after you^* and your^* land will be a desolation and your^* cities will be a waste. ^26:34 Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths, as long as it lies desolate and you^* are in your^* enemies' land, even then will the land rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. ^26:35 As long as it lies desolate it will have rest, even the rest which it had not in your^* Sabbaths, when you^* dwelt upon it.

^26:36 And as for those who are left of you^*, I will send a faintness into their heart in the lands of their enemies. And the sound of a driven leaf will chase them and they will flee as a man flees from the sword and they will fall when no man pursues. ^26:37And they will stumble one upon another, as it were before the sword, when no man pursues. And you^* will have no power to stand before your^* enemies.^26:38 And you^* will perish among the nations and the land of your^* enemies will eat you^* up. ^26:39 And those who are left of you^* will rot-away in their iniquity in your^* enemies' lands and also in the iniquities of their fathers they will rot-away with them.

^26:40 And they will confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against me and also that, because they walked contrary to me, ^26:41 I also walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies. If then their uncircumcised heart be humbled and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity, ^26:42 then I will remember my covenant with Jacob and also my covenant with Isaac and I will also remember my covenant with Abraham and I will remember the land. ^26:43 The land also will be left by them and will enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. And they will accept of the punishment of their iniquity, because, even because they rejected my ordinances and their soul loathed my statutes.

^26:44 And yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly and to break my covenant with them, because I am Jehovah their God, ^26:45 but I will remember the covenant of their ancestors for them, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am Jehovah.

^26:46 These are the statutes and ordinances and laws, which Jehovah made between him and the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai by Moses.

[Leviticus 27] TOC

^27:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^27:2Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When a man will accomplish a vow, the persons will be for Jehovah by your evaluation. ^27:3 And your evaluation will be of the male from twenty years old even to sixty years old, even your evaluation will be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. ^27:4 And if it is a female, then your evaluation will be thirty shekels. ^27:5 And if it is from five years old even to twenty years old, then your evaluation will be of the male twenty shekels and for the female ten shekels. ^27:6 And if it is from a month old even to five years old, then your evaluation will be of the male five shekels of silver and for the female your evaluation will be three shekels of silver. ^27:7 And if it is from sixty years old and upward, if it is a male, then your evaluation will be fifteen shekels and for the female ten shekels. ^27:8 But if he is poorer than your evaluation, then he will be set before the priest and the priest will value him; according to the ability of him who vowed will the priest value him.

^27:9 And if it is a beast, of which men offer an offering to Jehovah, all that any man gives of such to Jehovah will be holy. ^27:10 He will not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good. And if he will at all change beast for beast, then both it and that for which it is changed will be holy. ^27:11 And if it is any unclean beast, of which they do not offer an offering to Jehovah, then he will set the beast before the priest, ^27:12 and the priest will value it, whether it is good or bad. As you the priest values it, so will it be. ^27:13 But if he will indeed redeem it, then he will add the fifth part of it to your evaluation.

^27:14 And when a man will sanctify his house to be holy to Jehovah, then the priest will estimate it, whether it is good or bad. As the priest will estimate it, so will it stand. ^27:15 And if he who made it holy will redeem his house, then he will add the fifth part of the money of your evaluation to it and it will be his.

^27:16 And if a man will sanctify to Jehovah part of the field of his possession, then your evaluation will be according to the sowing of it, the sowing of a homer of barley at fifty shekels of silver. ^27:17 If he sanctifies his field from the year of jubilee, according to your evaluation it will stand. ^27:18 But if he sanctifies his field after the jubilee, then the priest will reckon to him the money according to the years that remain to the year of jubilee and it will diminish from your evaluation.

^27:19 And if he who made the field holy will indeed redeem it, then he will add the fifth part of the money of your evaluation to it and it will be assured to him. ^27:20 And if he will not redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it will not be redeemed any more, ^27:21 but the field, when it goes out in the jubilee, will be holy to Jehovah, as a field set apart; the possession of it will be the priest's.

^27:22 And if he sanctifies to Jehovah a field which he has bought, which is not of the field of his possession, ^27:23 then the priest will reckon to him the worth of your evaluation to the year of jubilee and he will give your evaluation in that day, as a holy thing to Jehovah. ^27:24 In the year of jubilee the field will return to him of whom it was bought, even to him to whom the possession of the land belongs.

^27:25 And all your evaluations will be according to the shekel of the sanctuary; twenty gerahs will be the shekel.

^27:26 Only the first-offspring among beasts, which is made a first-offspring to Jehovah, no man will sanctify it, whether it is ox or sheep, it is Jehovah's. ^27:27 And if it is of an unclean beast, then he will ransom it according to your evaluation and will add to it the fifth part of it, or if it is not redeemed, then it will be sold according to your evaluation.

^27:28 But all that a man devotes to the Jehovah of all that he has whether of man or beast, or of the field of his possession, will be sold or redeemed; everything set apart is most holy to Jehovah. ^27:29 No one set apart, who will be set apart from among men, will be ransomed; he will surely be put to death.

^27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Jehovah's; it is holy to Jehovah. ^27:31 And if a man will redeem any of his tithe, he will add to it the fifth part of it. ^27:32 And all the tithe of the herd or the flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth will be holy to Jehovah. ^27:33 He will not search whether it is good or bad, neither will he change it. And if he changes it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed will be holy; it will not be redeemed.

^27:34 These are the commandments, which Jehovah commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.

[Numbers 1] TOC

^1:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they came out of the land of Egypt, saying, ^1:2You^* take the total of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, every male, by their polls, ^1:3 from twenty years old and upward, all who are able to go forth to war in Israel. You and Aaron will number them by their armies. ^1:4 And a man of every tribe will be with you^*, each one head of his fathers' house.

^1:5 And these are the names of the men who will stand with you^*. Of Reuben: Elizur the son of Shedeur. ^1:6 Of Simeon: Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. ^1:7 Of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab. ^1:8 Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar. ^1:9 Of Zebulun: Eliab the son of Helon. ^1:10 Of the sons of Joseph, of Ephraim: Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. ^1:11 Of Benjamin: Abidan the son of Gideoni. ^1:12 Of Dan: Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. ^1:13 Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran Ocran. ^1:14 Of Gad: Eliasaph the son of Deuel. ^1:15 Of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan.

^1:16 These are those who were called from the congregation, the rulers of the tribes of their fathers. They were the heads of the thousands of Israel.

^1:17 And Moses and Aaron took these men who are mentioned by name, ^1:18 and they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month. And they declared their ancestry after their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. ^1:19 As Jehovah commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

^1:20 And the sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war, ^1:21those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty-six thousand and five hundred.

^1:22 Of the sons of Simeon, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, those who were numbered of it, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war,^1:23 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty-nine thousand and three hundred.

^1:24 Of the sons of Gad, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:25those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty.

^1:26 Of the sons of Judah, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:27those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were seventy-four thousand and six hundred.

^1:28 Of the sons of Issachar, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:29those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand and four hundred.

^1:30 Of the sons of Zebulun, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:31those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty-seven thousand and four hundred.

^1:32 Of the sons of Joseph, namely, of the sons of Ephraim, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:33 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred; ^1:34 of the sons of Manasseh, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:35 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty-two thousand and two hundred.

^1:36 Of the sons of Benjamin, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:37those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty-five thousand and four hundred.

^1:38 Of the sons of Dan, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:39those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Dan, were sixty-two thousand and seven hundred.

^1:40 Of the sons of Asher, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:41those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty-one thousand and five hundred.

^1:42 Of the sons of Naphtali, their genealogy, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war, ^1:43those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty-three thousand and four hundred.

^1:44 These are those who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered and the rulers of Israel, being twelve men. They were each one for his fathers' house. ^1:45 So all those who were numbered of the sons of Israel by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war in Israel, ^1:46 even all those who were numbered were six hundred three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

^1:47 But the Levites according to the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. ^1:48 For Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^1:49 Only the tribe of Levi you will not number, neither will you take the total of them among the sons of Israel, ^1:50 but appoint you the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony and over all the furniture of it and over all that belongs to it. They will bear the tabernacle and all the furniture of it and they will minister to it and will encamp all around the tabernacle. ^1:51 And when the tabernacle sets forward, the Levites will take it down and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites will pull it up. And the stranger who comes near will be put to death.

^1:52 And the sons of Israel will pitch their tents, every man by his own camp and every man by his own banner, according to their armies. ^1:53 But the Levites will encamp all around the tabernacle of the testimony, that no wrath is upon the congregation of the sons of Israel. And the Levites will keep the charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.

^1:54 And the sons of Israel did according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so they did.

[Numbers 2] TOC

^2:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^2:2 The sons of Israel will encamp every man by his own banner, with the ensigns of their fathers' houses. They will encamp all around opposite the tent of meeting.

^2:3 And those who encamp on the east side toward the sunrise will be those of the banner of the camp of Judah, according to their armies. And the ruler of the sons of Judah will be Nahshon the son of Amminadab. ^2:4 And his army and those who were numbered of them, were seventy-four thousand and six hundred. ^2:5 And those who encamp next to him will be the tribe of Issachar. And the ruler of the sons of Issachar will be Nethanel the son of Zuar. ^2:6And his army and those who were numbered of it, were fifty-four thousand and four hundred. ^2:7 Then the tribe of Zebulun. And the ruler of the sons of Zebulun will be Eliab the son of Helon. ^2:8 And his army and those who were numbered of it, were fifty-seven thousand and four hundred.

^2:9 All who were numbered of the camp of Judah were a hundred eighty-six thousand and four hundred, according to their armies. They will pull out first.

^2:10 On the south side will be the banner of the camp of Reuben according to their armies. And the ruler of the sons of Reuben will be Elizur the son of Shedeur. ^2:11 And his army and those who were numbered of it, were forty-six thousand and five hundred. ^2:12 And those who encamp next to him will be the tribe of Simeon. And the ruler of the sons of Simeon will be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. ^2:13And his army and those who were numbered of them, were fifty-nine thousand and three hundred. ^2:14Then the tribe of Gad. And the ruler of the sons of Gad will be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. ^2:15 And his army and those who were numbered of them, were forty-five thousand and six hundred and fifty.

^2:16 All who were numbered of the camp of Reuben were a hundred fifty-one thousand and four hundred and fifty, according to their armies. And they will pull out second.

^2:17 Then the tent of meeting will pull out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps. As they encamp, so will they pull out, every man in his place, by their banners.

^2:18 On the west side will be the banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies. And the ruler of the sons of Ephraim will be Elishama the son of Ammihud. ^2:19 And his army and those who were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. ^2:20 And next to him will be the tribe of Manasseh. And the ruler of the sons of Manasseh will be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. ^2:21 And his army and those who were numbered of them, were thirty-two thousand and two hundred. ^2:22 Then the tribe of Benjamin. And the ruler of the sons of Benjamin will be Abidan the son of Gideoni. ^2:23 And his army and those who were numbered of them, were thirty-five thousand and four hundred.

^2:24 All who were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were a hundred eight thousand and a hundred, according to their armies. And they will pull out third.

^2:25 On the north side will be the banner of the camp of Dan according to their armies. And the ruler of the sons of Dan will be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. ^2:26 And his army and those who were numbered of them, were sixty-two thousand and seven hundred. ^2:27 And those who encamp next to him will be the tribe of Asher. And the ruler of the sons of Asher will be Pagiel the son of Ochran. ^2:28And his army and those who were numbered of them, were forty-one thousand and five hundred. ^2:29Then the tribe of Naphtali. And the ruler of the sons of Naphtali will be Ahira the son of Enan. ^2:30 And his army and those who were numbered of them, were fifty-three thousand and four hundred.

^2:31 All that were numbered of the camp of Dan were a hundred fifty-seven thousand and six hundred. They will pull out last by their banners.

^2:32 These are those who were numbered of the sons of Israel by their fathers' houses. All who were numbered of the camps according to their armies were six hundred three thousand and five hundred and fifty. ^2:33 But the Levites were not numbered among the sons of Israel, as Jehovah commanded Moses. ^2:34 And the sons of Israel did according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so they encamped by their banners and so they pull out, everyone by their families, according to their fathers' houses.

[Numbers 3] TOC

^3:1 Now these are the genealogies of Aaron and Moses in the day that Jehovah spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai: ^3:2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. ^3:3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office. ^3:4 And Nadab and Abihu died before Jehovah when they offered strange fire before Jehovah in the wilderness of Sinai and they had no sons. And Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the presence of Aaron their father.

^3:5 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^3:6 Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. ^3:7And they will keep his charge and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. ^3:8 And they will keep all the furniture of the tent of meeting and the charge of the sons of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. ^3:9 And you will give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are entirely given to him from the sons of Israel. ^3:10 And you will appoint Aaron and his sons and they will keep their priesthood. And the stranger who comes near will be put to death.

^3:11 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^3:12 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of all the firstborn who opens the womb among the sons of Israel. And the Levites will be mine, ^3:13 because all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I killed^* all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy all the firstborn in Israel to me, both man and beast. They will be mine. I am Jehovah.

^3:14 And Jehovah spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, ^3:15 Number the sons of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families. You will number them, every male from a month old and upward. ^3:16 And Moses numbered them according to the word of Jehovah, as he was commanded.

^3:17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari. ^3:18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei. ^3:19 And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram and Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. ^3:20 And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the Levite families according to their fathers' houses.

^3:21 Of Gershon was the Libnite family and the Shimeite family. These are the Gershonite families.^3:22 Those who were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those who were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred. ^3:23 The Gershonite family will encamp behind the tabernacle westward. ^3:24 And the ruler of the fathers' house of the Gershonites will be Eliasaph the son of Lael. ^3:25And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting will be the tabernacle and the tent, the covering of it and the screen for the door of the tent of meeting, ^3:26 and the hangings of the court and the screen for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar all around and the cords of it for all the service of it.

^3:27 And of Kohath was the Amramite family and the Izharite family and the Hebronite family and the Uzzielite family. These are the Kohathite families.^3:28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, eight thousand and six hundred were keeping the charge of the sanctuary. ^3:29 The families of the sons of Kohath will encamp on the side of the tabernacle southward. ^3:30And the ruler of the fathers' house of the Kohathite families will be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. ^3:31 And their charge will be the ark and the table and the lamp-stand and the altars and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister and the screen and all the service of it. ^3:32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest will be ruler of the rulers of the Levites, with the oversight of those who keep the charge of the sanctuary.

^3:33 Of Merari was the Mahlite family and the Mushite family. These are the families of Merari. ^3:34And those who were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred. ^3:35 And the ruler of the fathers' house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They will encamp on the side of the tabernacle northward. ^3:36And the appointed charge of the sons of Merari will be the boards of the tabernacle and the bars of it and the pillars of it and the sockets of it and all the instruments of it and all the service of it, ^3:37 and the pillars of the court all around and their sockets and their pegs and their cords.

^3:38 And those who encamp before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, will be Moses and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the sons of Israel. And the stranger that comes near will be put to death.

^3:39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of Jehovah, by their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty-two thousand.

^3:40 And Jehovah said to Moses, Number all the firstborn males of the sons of Israel from a month old and upward and take the number of their names.^3:41 And you will take the Levites for me (I am Jehovah) instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the first-offspring among the cattle of the sons of Israel. ^3:42 And Moses numbered, as Jehovah commanded him, all the firstborn among the sons of Israel. ^3:43 And all the firstborn males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.

^3:44 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^3:45Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. And the Levites will be mine. I am Jehovah. ^3:46 And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy-three of the firstborn of the sons of Israel, who are over and above the number of the Levites, ^3:47 you will take five shekels apiece by the poll. According to the shekel of the sanctuary you will take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs), ^3:48and you will give the money, with which the odd number of them is redeemed, to Aaron and to his sons.

^3:49 And Moses took the redemption-money from those who were over and above those who were redeemed by the Levites. ^3:50 He took the money from the firstborn of the sons of Israel, a thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. ^3:51 And Moses gave the redemption-money to Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of Jehovah, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

[Numbers 4] TOC

^4:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^4:2 Take the total of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses, ^4:3 from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.

^4:4 This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, about the most holy things:

^4:5 When the camp sets forward, Aaron will go in and his sons and they will take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it.^4:6 And will put on it a covering of certain skin and will spread over it a cloth all of blue and will put in the staves of it.

^4:7 And upon the table of showbread they will spread a cloth of blue and put on it the dishes and the spoons and the bowls and the cups with which to pour out. And the continual bread will be on it. ^4:8And they will spread upon them a cloth of scarlet and cover the same with a covering of certain skin and will put in the staves of it.

^4:9 And they will take a cloth of blue and cover the lamp-stand of the light and its lamps and its snuffers and its snuff dishes and all the oil vessels of it, with which they minister to it. ^4:10 And they will put it and all the vessels of it within a covering of certain skin and will put it upon the frame.

^4:11 And upon the golden altar they will spread a cloth of blue and cover it with a covering of certain skin and will put in the staves of it.

^4:12 And they will take all the vessels of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary and put them in a cloth of blue and cover them with a covering of certain skin and will put them on the frame.

^4:13 And they will take away the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth on it. ^4:14 And they will put upon it all the vessels of it, with which they minister about it: the censors, the forks and the shovels and the basins, all the vessels of the altar. And they will spread upon it a covering of certain skin and put in the staves of it.

^4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is pulled up, after that, the sons of Kohath will come to carry it, but they will not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting.

^4:16 And the charge of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest will be the oil for the light and the sweet incense and the continual food-offering and the anointing oil, the charge of all the tabernacle and of all that is in it: the sanctuary and the furniture of it.

^4:17 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^4:18 You^* do not cut off the tribe of the Kohathite families from among the Levites, ^4:19 but do this to them, that they may live and not die, when they approach to the most holy things. Aaron and his sons will go in and appoint for them each one to his service and to his burden, ^4:20 but they will not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die.

^4:21 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^4:22Take the total of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their families, ^4:23 from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old you will number them, all who enter in to wait upon the service, to do the work in the tent of meeting.

^4:24 This is the service of the Gershonite families, in serving and in bearing burdens: ^4:25 They will bear the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting, its covering and the covering of certain skin that is above upon it and the screen for the door of the tent of meeting, ^4:26 and the hangings of the court and the screen for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar all around and their cords and all the instruments of their service and whatever will be done with them; they will serve in it.

^4:27 At the commandment of Aaron and his sons will be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burden and in all their service. And you^* will appoint to those in charge all their burden. ^4:28This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting. And their charge will be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

^4:29 As for the sons of Merari, you will number them by their families, by their fathers' houses. ^4:30From thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old you will number them, each man who enters upon the service, to do the work of the tent of meeting.

^4:31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tent of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle and the bars of it and the pillars of it and the sockets of it, ^4:32 and the pillars of the court all around and their sockets and their pegs and their cords, with all their instruments and with all their service. And you^* will appoint the instruments of the charge of their burden by name.^4:33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tent of meeting, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

^4:34 And Moses and Aaron and the rulers of the congregation numbered by the sons of the Kohathite families and by their fathers' houses, ^4:35 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, each man who entered upon the service, for work in the tent of meeting. ^4:36 And those who were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty. ^4:37 These are those who were numbered of the Kohathite families, all who served in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

^4:38 And those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, their families and by their fathers' houses, ^4:39 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, each man who entered upon the service, for work in the tent of meeting, ^4:40 even those who were numbered of them, by their families, by their fathers' houses, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty. ^4:41 These are those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the tent of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah.

^4:42 And those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers' houses, ^4:43 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, each man who entered upon the service, for work in the tent of meeting, ^4:44 even those who were numbered of them by their families, were three thousand and two hundred. ^4:45 These are those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

^4:46 All those who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the rulers of Israel numbered, by their families and by their fathers' houses, ^4:47 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, each man who entered in to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the tent of meeting, ^4:48 even those who were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and eighty. ^4:49 According to the commandment of Jehovah they were numbered by Moses, each man according to his service and according to his burden. And they were numbered by him, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

[Numbers 5] TOC

^5:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^5:2Command the sons of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper and every man who has a discharge and whoever is unclean by the dead. ^5:3 You^* will put out both male and female. You^* will put them outside the camp, that they do not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell. ^5:4 And the sons of Israel did so and put them outside the camp. As Jehovah spoke to Moses, so the sons of Israel did.

^5:5 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^5:6Speak to the sons of Israel, When a man or woman will commit any sin that men commit, so as to trespass against Jehovah and that soul will be guilty,^5:7 then he will confess his sin which he has done. And he will make restitution for his guilt in full and add to it the fifth part of it and give it to him in respect of whom he has been guilty.

^5:8 But if the man has no kinsman to whom restitution may be made for the guilt, the restitution for guilt which is made to Jehovah will be the priest's, besides the ram of the atonement, by which atonement will be made for him. ^5:9 And every heave-offering of all the holy things of the sons of Israel, which they present to the priest, will be his. ^5:10 And every man's holy things will be his. Whatever any man gives the priest, it will be his.

^5:11 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^5:12Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, If any man's wife goes aside and commits a trespass against him, ^5:13 and a man lies with her carnally and it is hid from the eyes of her husband and is kept close and she is defiled and there is no witness against her and she is not taken in the act, ^5:14 and the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he is jealous of his wife and she is defiled, or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he is jealous of his wife and she is not defiled, ^5:15 then the man will bring his wife to the priest and will bring her offering for her, the tenth part of a 10-gallon container of barley meal. He will pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense on it, because it is a food-offering of jealousy, a food-offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

^5:16 And the priest will bring her near and set her before Jehovah. ^5:17 And the priest will take holy water in an earthen vessel. And the priest will take of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. ^5:18 And the priest will set the woman before Jehovah and let the hair of the woman's head go loose and put the food-offering of memorial in her hands, which is the food-offering of jealousy. And the priest will have in his hand the water of bitterness that causes the curse.

^5:19 And the priest will cause her to swear and will say to the woman, If no man has lain with you and if you have not gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband, you are free from this water of bitterness that causes the curse. ^5:20 But if you have gone aside, being under your husband and if you are defiled and some man has lain with you besides your husband, ^5:21 then the priest will cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing and the priest will say to the woman, Jehovah make you a curse and an oath among your people when Jehovah makes your thigh to fall away and your body to swell. ^5:22 And this water that causes the curse will go into your guts and make your body to swell and your thigh to fall away. And the woman will say, Truly, Truly.

^5:23 And the priest will write these curses in a book and he will blot them out into the water of bitterness. ^5:24 And he will make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causes the curse. And the water that causes the curse will enter into her bitter.^5:25 And the priest will take the food-offering of jealousy out of the woman's hand and will wave the food-offering before Jehovah and bring it to the altar. ^5:26 And the priest will take a handful of the food-offering, as the memorial of it and burn it upon the altar and afterward he will make the woman drink the water. ^5:27 And when he has made her drink the water, then it will happen, if she is defiled and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her bitter and her body will swell and her thigh will fall away. And the woman will be a curse among her people. ^5:28And if the woman is not defiled, but is clean, then she will be free and will conceive seed.

^5:29 This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, being under her husband, goes aside and is defiled,^5:30 or when the spirit of jealousy comes upon a man and he is jealous of his wife. Then he will set the woman before Jehovah and the priest will execute upon her all this law. ^5:31 And the man will be free from iniquity and that woman will bear her iniquity.

[Numbers 6] TOC

^6:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^6:2Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When either man or woman will make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to Jehovah, ^6:3 he will separate himself from wine and strong drink. He will drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither will he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried. ^6:4 All the days of his separation he will eat nothing that is made of the grapevine, from the kernels even to the husk. ^6:5All the days of his vow of separation no razor will come upon his head. Until the days be fulfilled, in which he separates himself to Jehovah, he will be holy. He will let the locks of the hair of his head grow long. ^6:6 He will not come near to a dead body all the days that he separates himself to Jehovah. ^6:7 He will not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is upon his head. ^6:8 All the days of his separation he is holy to Jehovah.

^6:9 And if any man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles the head of his separation, then he will shave his head in the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he will shave it. ^6:10 And on the eighth day he will bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons to the priest, to the door of the tent of meeting. ^6:11 And the priest will offer one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and make atonement for him, because he sinned by reason of the dead and will sanctify his head that same day. ^6:12And he will separate to Jehovah the days of his separation and will bring a male-lamb a year old for a guilt-offering. But the former days will be void, because his separation was defiled.

^6:13 And this is the law of the Nazirite when the days of his separation are fulfilled: He will be brought to the door of the tent of meeting, ^6:14 and he will offer his offering to Jehovah: one male-lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt-offering and one ewe-lamb a year old without blemish for a sin-offering and one ram without blemish for peace-offerings, ^6:15 and a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil and unleavened wafers anointed with oil and their food-offering and their drink-offerings. ^6:16 And the priest will present them before Jehovah and will offer his sin-offering and his burnt-offering. ^6:17 And he will offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace-offerings to Jehovah, with the basket of unleavened bread. The priest will also offer the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it.

^6:18 And the Nazirite will shave the head of his separation at the door of the tent of meeting and will take the hair of the head of his separation and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of peace-offerings. ^6:19 And the priest will take the boiled shoulder of the ram and one unleavened cake out of the basket and one unleavened wafer and will put them upon the hands of the Nazirite, after he has shaven his separation, ^6:20 and the priest will wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah. This is holy for the priest, together with the wave-offering and heave-offering. And after that the Nazirite may drink wine.

^6:21 This is the law of the Nazirite who vows, and of his offering to Jehovah for his separation, besides what he is able to get. According to his vow which he vows, so he must do after the law of his separation.

^6:22 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^6:23Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, This way you^* will bless the sons of Israel: You^* will say to them, ^6:24 Jehovah bless you and keep you. ^6:25Jehovah make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. ^6:26 Jehovah lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. ^6:27 So will they put my name upon the sons of Israel and I will bless them.

[Numbers 7] TOC

^7:1 And it happened on the day that Moses made an end of setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and made it holy and all the furniture of it and the altar and all the vessels of it and anointed them and made them holy. ^7:2 Then the rulers of Israel, the heads of their fathers' houses, offered. These were the rulers of the tribes. These are those who were over those who were numbered. ^7:3 And they brought their offering before Jehovah: six covered wagons and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the rulers and an ox for each one. And they presented them before the tabernacle.

^7:4 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^7:5 Take it from them, that they may be used in doing the service of the tent of meeting. And you will give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service. ^7:6 And Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. ^7:7 Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. ^7:8 And he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. ^7:9 But he gave none to the sons of Kohath, because the service of the sanctuary belonged to them. They bore it upon their shoulders.

^7:10 And the rulers offered for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the rulers offered their offering before the altar. ^7:11 And Jehovah said to Moses, They will offer their offering, each ruler on his day, for the dedication of the altar.

^7:12 And he who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah. ^7:13 And his offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:14 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:15 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:16 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; ^7:17 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

^7:18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, ruler of Issachar, offered. ^7:19 He offered for his offering one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:20 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:21 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:22 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:23 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.

^7:24 On the third day was Eliab the son of Helon, ruler of the sons of Zebulun. ^7:25 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:26 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:27 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:28 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; ^7:29 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

^7:30 On the fourth day was Elizur the son of Shedeur, ruler of the sons of Reuben. ^7:31 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:32 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:33 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:34 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:35 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

^7:36 On the fifth day was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, ruler of the sons of Simeon. ^7:37 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:38 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:39 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:40 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:41 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

^7:42 On the sixth day was Eliasaph the son of Deuel, ruler of the sons of Gad. ^7:43 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:44 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:45 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:46 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; ^7:47 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

^7:48 On the seventh day was Elishama the son of Ammihud, ruler of the sons of Ephraim. ^7:49 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:50 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:51 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:52 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:53 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

^7:54 On the eighth day was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, ruler of the sons of Manasseh. ^7:55 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:56 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:57 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:58 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:59 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

^7:60 On the ninth day was Abidan the son of Gideoni, ruler of the sons of Benjamin. ^7:61 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:62 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:63 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:64 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:65 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

^7:66 On the tenth day was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, ruler of the sons of Dan. ^7:67 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:68 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:69 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:70 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:71 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

^7:72 On the eleventh day was Pagiel the son of Ochran, ruler of the sons of Asher. ^7:73 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:74 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:75 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:76 one male of the goats for a sin-offering;^7:77 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.

^7:78 On the twelfth day was Ahira the son of Enan, ruler of the sons of Naphtali. ^7:79 His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred a thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering; ^7:80 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense; ^7:81 one young bull, one ram, one male-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering; ^7:82 one male of the goats for a sin-offering; ^7:83 and for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male-goats, five male-lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

^7:84 This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the rulers of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden spoons, ^7:85 each silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and each bowl seventy. All the silver of the vessels was two thousand and four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. ^7:86 The twelve golden spoons, full of incense, weighed ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. All the gold of the spoons was a hundred and twenty shekels. ^7:87 All the oxen for the burnt-offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the male-lambs a year old twelve and their food-offering and the males of the goats for a sin-offering twelve. ^7:88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace-offerings was twenty-four bullocks, the rams sixty, the male-goats sixty, the male-lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.

^7:89 And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with him, then he heard the Voice speaking to him from above the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim and he spoke to him.

[Numbers 8] TOC

^8:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^8:2Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you light the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in front of the lamp-stand. ^8:3 And Aaron did so. He lit the lamps of it in front of the lamp-stand, as Jehovah commanded Moses. ^8:4 And this was the work of the lamp-stand, beaten work of gold. To the base of it, and it was beaten work to the flowers of it. According to the pattern which Jehovah had shown Moses, so he made the lamp-stand.

^8:5 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^8:6 Take the Levites from among the sons of Israel and cleanse them. ^8:7 And you will do thus to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of sin offering upon them and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh and let them wash their clothes and cleanse themselves. ^8:8 Then let them take a young bull and its food-offering– fine flour mingled with oil. And you will take another young bull for a sin-offering. ^8:9 And you will present the Levites before the tent of meeting. And you will assemble the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, ^8:10 and you will present the Levites before Jehovah. And the sons of Israel will lay their hands upon the Levites.

^8:11 And Aaron will offer the Levites before Jehovah for a wave-offering from the sons of Israel, that it may be theirs to do the service of Jehovah. ^8:12 And the Levites will lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks and offer you the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering, to Jehovah, to make atonement for the Levites. ^8:13And you will set the Levites before Aaron and before his sons and offer them for a wave-offering to Jehovah. ^8:14 And you will separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel and the Levites will be mine. ^8:15 And after that the Levites will go in to do the service of the tent of meeting. And you will cleanse them and offer them for a wave-offering.

^8:16 Because they are entirely given to me from among the sons of Israel; instead of all who open the womb, even the firstborn of all the sons of Israel, I have taken them to me. ^8:17 Because all the firstborn among the sons of Israel are mine, both man and beast. On the day that I killed^* all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made them holy for myself. ^8:18 And I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel. ^8:19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the sons of Israel, to do the service of the sons of Israel in the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the sons of Israel, that no plague is among the sons of Israel, when the sons of Israel come near to the sanctuary.

^8:20 And Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the sons of Israel did to the Levites. According to all that Jehovah commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the sons of Israel did to them. ^8:21 And the Levites purified themselves from sin and they washed their clothes. And Aaron offered them for a wave-offering before Jehovah and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. ^8:22And after that the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and before his sons. As Jehovah had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.

^8:23 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^8:24This is what belongs to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and upward they will go in to wait upon the service in the work of the tent of meeting.^8:25 And from the age of fifty years they will cease waiting upon the work and will serve no more, ^8:26 but will minister with their brothers in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge and will do no service. You will do to the Levites this way concerning their charges.

[Numbers 9] TOC

^9:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they came out of the land of Egypt, saying,^9:2 Moreover let the sons of Israel keep the Passover in its appointed season. ^9:3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you^* will keep it in its appointed season. According to all the statutes of it and according to all the ordinances of it, you^* will keep it. ^9:4 And Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, that they should keep the Passover. ^9:5 And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. According to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did.

^9:6 And there were certain men who were unclean by reason of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day, ^9:7 and those men said to him, We are unclean by reason of the dead body of a man. Why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Jehovah in its appointed season among the sons of Israel? ^9:8And Moses said to them, Stay, that I may hear what Jehovah will command concerning you^*.

^9:9 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^9:10Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, If any man of you^* or of your^* genealogy will be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be on a journey afar off, yet he will keep the Passover to Jehovah. ^9:11 They will keep it in the second month on the fourteenth day at evening. They will eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. ^9:12 They will leave none of it to the morning, nor break a bone of it. They will keep it according to all the statute of the Passover. ^9:13 But the man who is clean and is not on a journey and he ceases from the commandment to keep the Passover, that soul will be cut off from his people, because he did not offer the offering of Jehovah in its appointed season; that man will bear his sin. ^9:14 And if a stranger will journey among you^* and will keep the Passover to Jehovah, according to the statute of the Passover and according to the ordinance of it, so he will do. You^* will have one statute, both for the traveler and for him who is born in the land.

^9:15 And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the tent of the testimony and at evening it was upon the tabernacle, as it were the appearance of fire, until morning. ^9:16 So it was always: the cloud covered it and the appearance of fire by night. ^9:17 And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tent, then after that the sons of Israel journeyed. And in the place where the cloud abode, the sons of Israel encamped there. ^9:18 At the commandment of Jehovah the sons of Israel journeyed and they encamped at the commandment of Jehovah. They remained encamped as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle. ^9:19 And when the cloud stayed upon the tabernacle many days, then the sons of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah and did not journey. ^9:20 And sometimes the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle, then they remained encamped according to the commandment of Jehovah and they journeyed according to the commandment of Jehovah. ^9:21 And sometimes the cloud was from evening until morning and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they journeyed, or if by day and by night, when the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.

^9:22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud stayed upon the tabernacle, abiding on it, the sons of Israel remained encamped and did not journey, but when it was taken up, they journeyed. ^9:23 They encamped at the commandment of Jehovah and they journeyed at the commandment of Jehovah. They kept the charge of Jehovah, at the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

[Numbers 10] TOC

^10:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^10:2 You make two trumpets of silver, you will make them of beaten work. And you will use them for the assembly of the congregation and for the journeying of the camps. ^10:3 And when they will blow them, all the congregation will gather themselves to you at the door of the tent of meeting. ^10:4 And if they blow but one, then the rulers, the heads of the thousands of Israel, will gather themselves to you. ^10:5 And when you^* blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side will take their journey. ^10:6 And when you^* blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side will take their journey. They will blow an alarm for their journeys. ^10:7 But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you^* will blow, but you^* will not shout out an alarm.

^10:8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, will blow the trumpets and they will be to you^* for an everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy. ^10:9 And when you^* go to war in your^* land against the adversary that oppresses you^*, then you^* will shout out an alarm with the trumpets. And you^* will be remembered before Jehovah your^* God and you^* will be saved from your^* enemies. ^10:10 Also in the day of your^* gladness and in your^* set feasts and in the beginnings of your^* months, you^* will blow the trumpets over your^* burnt-offerings and over the sacrifices of your^* peace-offerings. And they will be to you^* for a memorial before your^* God: I am Jehovah your^* God.

^10:11 And it happened in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony. ^10:12 And the sons of Israel journeyed according to their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai and the cloud abode in the wilderness of Paran. ^10:13 And they first took their journey according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

^10:14 And in the first place the banner of the camp of the sons of Judah journeyed according to their armies and Nahshon the son of Amminadab was over his army. ^10:15 And Nethanel the son of Zuar was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Issachar.^10:16 And Eliab the son of Helon was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun.

^10:17 And the tabernacle was taken down and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bore the tabernacle, journeyed onward.

^10:18 And the banner of the camp of Reuben journeyed according to their armies and Elizur the son of Shedeur was over his army. ^10:19 And Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Simeon. ^10:20 And Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Gad.

^10:21 And the Kohathites journeyed, bearing the sanctuary and the others set up the tabernacle until their coming.

^10:22 And the banner of the camp of the sons of Ephraim journeyed according to their armies and Elishama the son of Ammihud was over his army.^10:23 And Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh. ^10:24And Abidan the son of Gideoni was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin.

^10:25 And the banner of the camp of the sons of Dan, which was the rear of all the camps, journeyed according to their armies and Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai was over his army. ^10:26 And Pagiel the son of Ochran was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Asher ^10:27 And Ahira the son of Enan was over the army of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali.

^10:28 This was the journeys of the sons of Israel were according to their armies and they journeyed.

^10:29 And Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, We are journeying to the place of which Jehovah said, I will give it to you^*. You come with us and we will do good for you, because Jehovah has spoken good concerning Israel. ^10:30 And he said to him, I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my kindred. ^10:31And he said, I beseech you, do not leave us, inasmuch as you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness and you will be to us instead of eyes. ^10:32And it will be, if you go with us, yes, it will be, that whatever good Jehovah will do to us, the same we will do to you.

^10:33 And they journeyed from the mountain of Jehovah three days' journey. And the ark of the covenant of Jehovah went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting-place for them. ^10:34 And the cloud of Jehovah was over them by day when they journeyed from the camp.

^10:35 And it happened, when the ark journeyed, that Moses said, Rise up, O Jehovah and let your enemies be scattered and let those who hate you flee before you. ^10:36 And when it rested, he said, Return, O Jehovah, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.

[Numbers 11] TOC

^11:1 And the people were as complainers, speaking evil in the ears of Jehovah. And when Jehovah heard it, his anger was kindled and the fire of Jehovah burnt among them and devoured in the outermost part of the camp. ^11:2 And the people cried to Moses. And Moses prayed to Jehovah and the fire sunk away. ^11:3 And the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of Jehovah burnt among them.

^11:4 And the mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly. And the sons of Israel also wept again and said, Who will give us flesh to eat?^11:5 We remember the fish, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic which we ate in Egypt freely, ^11:6 but now our soul is dried away. There is nothing at all to look upon except this manna.

^11:7 And the manna was like coriander seed and the appearance of it as the appearance of bdellium {sweat smelling gum resin or its plant}. ^11:8 The people went about and gathered it and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. ^11:9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

^11:10 And Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent. And the anger of Jehovah was kindled greatly and Moses was displeased. ^11:11 And Moses said to Jehovah, Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people upon me? ^11:12 Did I conceive all this people? Did I bring them forth, that you should say to me, Carry them in your bosom, as a nurturing father carries the nursing child, to the land which you swore to their fathers? ^11:13 From where should I have flesh to give to all this people? Because they weep to me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

^11:14 I am not able to carry all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. ^11:15 And if you deal this way with me, I beseech you, kill me– just kill me, if I have found favor in your sight and do not let me see my evil.

^11:16 And Jehovah said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them. And bring them to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. ^11:17 And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take of the spirit which is upon you and will put it upon them and they will bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone.

^11:18 And you say to the people, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow and you^* will eat flesh, because you^* have wept in the ears of Jehovah, saying, Who will give us flesh to eat? Because it was well with us in Egypt. Therefore Jehovah will give you^* flesh and you^* will eat. ^11:19 You^* will not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days, ^11:20 but a whole month, until it comes out at your^* nostrils and it is nausea to you^*, because you^* have rejected Jehovah who is among you^* and have wept before him, saying, Why did we come forth out of Egypt?

^11:21 And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand on foot and you have said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. ^11:22 Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, to suffice them? Or will all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

^11:23 And Jehovah said to Moses, Has Jehovah's hand shortened? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not. ^11:24 And Moses went out and told the people the words of Jehovah. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and set them all around the tent.

^11:25 And Jehovah came down in the cloud and spoke to him and took of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders. And it happened, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.

^11:26 But two men remained in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the spirit rested upon them. And they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the tent. And they prophesied in the camp. ^11:27 And a young man ran and told Moses and said, Eldad and Medad prophesy in the camp. ^11:28And Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

^11:29 And Moses said to him, Are you jealous for my sake? If only all of Jehovah's people were prophets, that Jehovah would put his spirit upon them! ^11:30 And Moses went into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

^11:31 And a wind went forth from Jehovah and brought quails from the sea and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits above the face of the earth. ^11:32And the people rose up all that day and all the night and all the next day and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers. And they spread them all abroad for themselves all around the camp.

^11:33 While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Jehovah was kindled against the people and Jehovah killed^* the people with a very great plague. ^11:34 And the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah {The Graves of Lust}, because they buried the people who lusted there. ^11:35 From Kibroth-hattaavah {The Graves of Lust} the people journeyed to Hazeroth and they abode at Hazeroth.

[Numbers 12] TOC

^12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, because he had married a Cushite woman. ^12:2And they said, Has Jehovah indeed spoken only with Moses? Has he not spoken also with us? And Jehovah heard it.

^12:3 Now Moses, the man, was very meek, above all the men who were upon the face of the earth.

^12:4 And Jehovah spoke suddenly to Moses and to Aaron and to Miriam, Come out the three of you^* to the tent of meeting. And the three came out. ^12:5 And Jehovah came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the door of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both came forth.

^12:6 And he said, Hear now my words. If a prophet is among you^*, I Jehovah will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream. ^12:7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house. ^12:8 With him I will speak mouth to mouth, even manifestly and not in dark speeches and he has beheld the form of Jehovah. Why then were you^* not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses? ^12:9 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against them and he departed.

^12:10 And the cloud removed from over the tent. And behold, Miriam was leprous, as snow. And Aaron looked upon Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. ^12:11 And Aaron said to Moses, Oh, my lord, I beseech you, do not lay sin upon us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.^12:12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb. ^12:13 And Moses cried to Jehovah, saying, Heal her, O God, I beseech you.

^12:14 And Jehovah said to Moses, If her father had but spit on her face, she should not be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside the camp seven days and she will be brought in again after that. ^12:15 And Miriam was shut up outside the camp seven days. And the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.

^12:16 And afterward the people journeyed from Hazeroth and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.

[Numbers 13] TOC

^13:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^13:2Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the sons of Israel. From every tribe of their fathers you^* will send a man, each one a ruler among them. ^13:3 And Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Jehovah. All of them men who were heads of the sons of Israel.

^13:4 And these were their names: Shammua the son of Zaccur of the tribe of Reuben; ^13:5 Shaphat the son of Hori of the tribe of Simeon; ^13:6 Caleb the son of Jephunneh of the tribe of Judah; ^13:7 Igal the son of Joseph of the tribe of Issachar; ^13:8 Hoshea the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim; ^13:9 Palti the son of Raphu of the tribe of Benjamin; ^13:10 Gaddiel the son of Sodi of the tribe of Zebulun; ^13:11 Gaddi the son of Susi of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh; ^13:12 Ammiel the son of Gemalli of the tribe of Dan; ^13:13 Sethur the son of Michael of the tribe of Asher; ^13:14 Nahbi the son of Vophsi of the tribe of Naphtali; ^13:15 Geuel the son of Machi of the tribe of Gad. ^13:16 These are the names of the men that Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun: Joshua.

^13:17 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, Send them this way by the South and go up into the hill-country. ^13:18 And see the land, what it is and the people who dwell in it, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, ^13:19 and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad and what are the cities in which they dwell, whether in camps, or in strongholds, ^13:20 and what the land is, whether it is fat or lean, whether wood is in it, or not. And you^* be of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.

^13:21 So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. ^13:22 And they went up by the South and came to Hebron. And Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the sons of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) ^13:23 And they came to the valley of Eshcol and cut down a branch from there with one cluster of grapes and they bore it upon a staff between two, also of the pomegranates and of the figs. ^13:24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut down from there. ^13:25And they returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days.

^13:26 And they went and came to Moses and to Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh and brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.^13:27 And they told him and said, We came to the land where you sent us. And surely it flows with milk and honey and this is the fruit of it.

^13:28 However the people who dwell in the land are strong and the cities are fortified, very great and moreover we saw the sons of Anak there. ^13:29Amalek dwells in the land of the South. And the Hittite and the Jebusite and the Amorite, dwell in the hill-country. And the Canaanite dwells by the sea and beside the Jordan.

^13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses and said, Let us go up at once and possess it, because we are well able to overcome it.

^13:31 But the men who went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people, because they are stronger than we. ^13:32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the sons of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up the inhabitants of it. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. ^13:33 And we saw the giants there, the sons of Anak, who come from the giants. And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers and so we were in their sight.

[Numbers 14] TOC

^14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried and the people wept that night. ^14:2 And all the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron. And the whole congregation said to them, If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! ^14:3 And why does Jehovah bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be a prey. Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

^14:4 And they said one to another, Let us give ourselves a chief and let us return into Egypt. ^14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel.

^14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes. ^14:7 And they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. ^14:8 If Jehovah delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. ^14:9 Only do not rebel against Jehovah, neither fear the people of the land, because they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them and Jehovah is with us. Do not fear them. ^14:10 But all the congregation commanded, stone them with stones. And the glory of Jehovah appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.

^14:11 And Jehovah said to Moses, How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them? ^14:12 I will kill^* them with the pestilence and disinherit them and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.

^14:13 And Moses said to Jehovah, Then the Egyptians will hear it, because you brought up this people in your might from among them, ^14:14 and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you Jehovah are in the midst of this people, for you Jehovah have seen face to face and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. ^14:15Now if you will kill this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying, ^14:16 Because Jehovah was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.

^14:17 And now, I beseech you, let the power of the Lord be great, just-as you have spoken, saying, ^14:18 Jehovah is slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. ^14:19 I beseech you, pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness and just-as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

^14:20 And Jehovah said, I have pardoned according to your word, ^14:21 but in very deed, as I live and as all the earth will be filled with the glory of Jehovah, ^14:22 because all those men who have seen my glory and my signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have challenged me these ten times and have not listened to my voice,^14:23 surely they will not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither will any of them who despised me see it. ^14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him and has followed me fully, I will bring him into the land into which he went and his seed will possess it.

^14:25 Now the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley. Tomorrow turn and get into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.

^14:26 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel, which they murmur against me. ^14:28 Say to them, As I live, says Jehovah, surely as you^* have spoken in my ears, so I will do to you^*. ^14:29 Your^* dead bodies will fall in this wilderness. And all who were numbered of you^*, according to your^* whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against me, ^14:30surely you^* will not come into the land, concerning which I swore that I would make you^* dwell in it, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

^14:31 But your^* little ones, that you^* said would be a prey, them I will bring in and they will know the land which you^* have rejected. ^14:32 But as for you^*, your^* dead bodies will fall in this wilderness.^14:33And your^* sons will be wanderers in the wilderness forty years and will bear your^* prostitutions, until your^* dead bodies be consumed in the wilderness.

^14:34 After the number of the days in which you^* spied out the land, even forty days, for every day a year, you^* will bear your^* iniquities, even forty years and you^* will know my alienation. ^14:35 I, Jehovah, have spoken, surely I will do this to all this evil congregation that are gathered together against me. In this wilderness they will be consumed and they will die there.

^14:36 And the men, whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation to murmur against him by bringing up an evil report against the land, ^14:37 even those men who brought up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before Jehovah. ^14:38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.

^14:39 And Moses told these words to all the sons of Israel and the people mourned greatly. ^14:40 And they rose up early in the morning and got up to the top of the mountain, saying, Behold, we are here and will go up to the place which Jehovah has promised, because we have sinned.

^14:41 And Moses said, Why do you^* now transgress the commandment of Jehovah, seeing it will not prosper you^*? ^14:42 Do not go up, because Jehovah is not among you^*, that you^* are not struck down before your^* enemies. ^14:43 Because there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you^* and you^* will fall by the sword. Because you^* have turned back from following Jehovah, therefore Jehovah will not be with you^*.

^14:44 But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain, nevertheless the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and Moses, did not depart out of the camp.^14:45 Then the Amalekites came down and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain and killed^* them and beat them down, even to Hormah.

[Numbers 15] TOC

^15:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^15:2Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you^* come into the land of your^* dwelling, which I give to you^*, ^15:3 and will make a fire-offering to Jehovah, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free-will offering, or in your^* set feasts, to make a sweet aroma to Jehovah, of the herd, or of the flock, ^15:4 then he who offers his offering will offer to Jehovah a food-offering of a tenth part of a 10-gallon container of fine flour mingled with the fourth part of a 5-quart container of oil. ^15:5 And wine for the drink-offering, the fourth part of a 5-quart container, you will prepare with the burnt-offering, or for the sacrifice, for each lamb. ^15:6 Or for a ram, you will prepare for a food-offering two tenth parts of a 10-gallon container of fine flour mingled with the third part of a 5-quart container of oil. ^15:7 And for the drink-offering you will offer the third part of a 5-quart container of wine, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

^15:8 And when you prepare a bull for a burnt-offering, or for a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or for peace-offerings to Jehovah; ^15:9 then he will offer with the bull a food-offering of three tenth parts of a 10-gallon container of fine flour mingled with half a 5-quart container of oil. ^15:10 And you will offer for the drink-offering half a 5-quart container of wine, for a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

^15:11 It will be done this way for each bull, or for each ram, or for each of the male-lambs, or of the kids. ^15:12 According to the number that you^* will prepare, so will you^* do to every one according to their number. ^15:13 All who are home-born will do these things after this manner, in offering a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

^15:14 And if a stranger travels with you^*, or whoever may be among you^* throughout your^* genealogy and will offer a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah; as you^* do, so he will do.^15:15 For the assembly, there will be one statute for you^* and for the stranger who travels with you^*, an everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy. As you^* are, so will the traveler be before Jehovah. ^15:16 One law and one ordinance will be for you^* and for the stranger who travels with you^*.

^15:17 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^15:18Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you^* come into the land where I bring you^*, ^15:19 then it will be, that, when you^* eat of the bread of the land, you^* will offer up a heave-offering to Jehovah.^15:20 Of the first of your^* dough you^* will offer up a cake for a heave-offering, as the heave-offering of the threshing-floor, so will you^* heave it. ^15:21 Of the first of your^* dough you^* will give to Jehovah a heave-offering throughout your^* genealogy.

^15:22 And when you^* will error and not observe all these commandments, which Jehovah has spoken to Moses, ^15:23 even all that Jehovah has commanded you^* by Moses, from the day that Jehovah commanded and onward throughout your^* generations, ^15:24 then it will be, if it is done unintentionally, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation will offer one young bull for a burnt-offering, for a sweet aroma to Jehovah, with the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it, according to the ordinance and one male-goat for a sin-offering. ^15:25 And the priest will make atonement for all the congregation of the sons of Israel and they will be forgiven, because it was an error and they have brought their offering, a fire-offering to Jehovah and their sin-offering before Jehovah, for their error. ^15:26 And all the congregation of the sons of Israel will be forgiven and the stranger who travels among them, because as to all the people, it was in error.

^15:27 And if one soul sins unintentionally, then he will offer a female-goat a year old for a sin-offering.^15:28 And the priest will make atonement for the soul that errs, when he sins unintentionally, before Jehovah, to make atonement for him and he will be forgiven.^15:29 You^* will have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the stranger who travels among them.

^15:30 But the soul that does anything with a high hand, whether he is home-born or a traveler, the same blasphemes Jehovah and that soul will be cut off from among his people. ^15:31 Because he has despised the word of Jehovah and has broken his commandment, that soul will utterly be cut off; his iniquity will be upon him.

^15:32 And while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks upon the Sabbath day. ^15:33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. ^15:34 And they put him in confinement, because it had not been declared what should be done to him. ^15:35 And Jehovah said to Moses, The man will surely be put to death. All the congregation will stone him with stones outside the camp. ^15:36 And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^15:37 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^15:38Speak to the sons of Israel and bid them that they make for them hems in the borders of their garments throughout their genealogy and that they put upon the hem of each border a cord of blue. ^15:39 And it will be to you^* for a hem, that you^* may look upon it and remember all the commandments of Jehovah and do them and that you^* do not follow after your^* own heart and your^* own eyes, after which you^* use to play the prostitute, ^15:40 that you^* may remember and do all my commandments and be holy to your^* God.^15:41 I am Jehovah your^* God, who brought you^* out of the land of Egypt, to be your^* God. I am Jehovah your^* God.

[Numbers 16] TOC

^16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took, ^16:2 and they rose up before Moses, with other men from the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty rulers of the congregation, called to the assembly, men of renown, ^16:3 and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, You^* take too much upon you^*, since all the congregation are holy, every one of them and Jehovah is among them. Why then do you^* lift up yourselves above the assembly of Jehovah?

^16:4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face. ^16:5 And he spoke to Korah and to all his company, saying, In the morning Jehovah will show who are his and who is holy and will cause him to come near to him, even him whom he will choose he will cause to come near to him.

^16:6 This do: You^* take censers, Korah and all his company, ^16:7 and put fire in them and put incense upon them before Jehovah tomorrow. And it will be that the man whom Jehovah chooses, he is holy. You^* take too much upon you^*, you^* sons of Levi.

^16:8 And Moses said to Korah, Hear now, you^* sons of Levi. ^16:9 Is it a small thing to you^*, that the God of Israel has separated you^* from the congregation of Israel, to bring you^* near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah and to stand before the congregation to minister to them,^16:10 and that he has brought you near and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And you^* seek the priesthood also? ^16:11 Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against Jehovah. And what is Aaron that you^* murmur against him?

^16:12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. And they said, We will not come up. ^16:13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, but you must make yourself also a ruler over us? ^16:14 Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up.

^16:15 And Moses was very angry and said to Jehovah, Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

^16:16 And Moses said to Korah, You and all your company will be before Jehovah, you and they and Aaron, tomorrow. ^16:17 And you^* take every man his censer and put incense upon them and bring yourselves before Jehovah every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers, you also and Aaron, each his censer. ^16:18 And they took every man his censer and put fire in them and laid incense on it and stood at the door of the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron. ^16:19 And Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the door of the tent of meeting. And the glory of Jehovah appeared to all the congregation.

^16:20 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.^16:22 And they fell upon their faces and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh; will one man sin and will you be angry with all the congregation?

^16:23 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^16:24Speak to the congregation, saying, You^* get up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

^16:25 And Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram and the elders of Israel followed him. ^16:26And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I beseech you^*, from the tents of these wicked men and touch nothing of theirs, lest you^* are consumed in all their sins. ^16:27 So they got up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, on every side. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents and their wives and their sons and their little ones.

^16:28 And Moses said, Hereby you^* will know that Jehovah has sent me to do all these works, because it is not of my own mind. ^16:29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they are visited after the visitation of all men, then Jehovah has not sent me. ^16:30 But if Jehovah makes a new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up, with all that pertains to them and they go down alive into Sheol, then you^* will understand that these men have despised Jehovah.

^16:31 And it happened, as he made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground split apart that was under them, ^16:32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up and their households and all the men that pertained to Korah and all their goods. ^16:33 So they and all that pertained to them, went down alive into Sheol. And the earth closed upon them and they perished from among the assembly.

^16:34 And all Israel who were all around them fled at the cry of them, because they said, Lest the earth swallow us up. ^16:35 And fire came out from Jehovah and devoured the two hundred and fifty men who offered the incense.

^16:36 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^16:37Speak to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning and scatter the fire yonder, because they are holy, ^16:38 even the censers of these sinners against their own lives and let them be made beaten plates for a covering of the altar, because they offered them before Jehovah, therefore they are holy and they will be a sign to the sons of Israel.

^16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, which those who were burnt had offered and they beat them out for a covering of the altar, ^16:40 to be a memorial to the sons of Israel, to the end that no stranger, who is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to burn incense before Jehovah, that he not be as Korah and as his company, as Jehovah spoke to him by Moses.

^16:41 But on the next-day all the congregation of the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, You^* have killed the people of Jehovah.

^16:42 And it happened, when the congregation was assembled against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tent of meeting, and behold, the cloud covered it and the glory of Jehovah appeared. ^16:43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting.

^16:44 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^16:45 Get up from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. ^16:46 And Moses said to Aaron, Take your censer and put fire in it from the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath goes out from Jehovah. The plague has begun.

^16:47 And Aaron took as Moses spoke and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. ^16:48And he stood between the dead and the living and the plague was stopped.

^16:49 Now those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those who died about the matter of Korah. ^16:50 And Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the tent of meeting and the plague was stopped.

[Numbers 17] TOC

^17:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^17:2Speak to the sons of Israel and take rods from them, one for each father's house, from all their rulers according to their fathers' houses, twelve rods. Write every man's name upon his rod. ^17:3 And you will write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi, because one rod will be for each head of their fathers' houses.^17:4 And you will lay them up in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you^*. ^17:5And it will happen, that the rod of the man whom I will choose will bud. And I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the sons of Israel, which they murmur against you^*.

^17:6 And Moses spoke to the sons of Israel. And all their rulers gave him rods, for each ruler one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. ^17:7 And Moses laid up the rods before Jehovah in the tent of the testimony.

^17:8 And it happened on the next-day, that Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded and put forth buds and produced blossoms and bore ripe almonds. ^17:9 And Moses brought out all the rods from before Jehovah to all the sons of Israel. And they looked and took every man his rod. ^17:10 And Jehovah said to Moses, Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept for a sign against the sons of rebellion, that you may make an end of their murmurings against me, that they do not die. ^17:11 And Moses did. As Jehovah commanded him, so he did.

^17:12 And the sons of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, Behold, we perish, we are dying, we are all dying. ^17:13 Every man who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of Jehovah, dies. Shall we, all of us, perish?

[Numbers 18] TOC

^18:1 And Jehovah said to Aaron, You and your sons and your fathers' house with you will bear the iniquity of the sanctuary and you and your sons with you will bear the iniquity of your^* priesthood.

^18:2 And your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, bring them near with you, that they may be joined to you and minister to you, but you and your sons with you will be before the tent of the testimony. ^18:3 And they will keep your charge and the charge of all the tent. Only they will not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary and to the altar, that they do not die, neither they, nor you^*. ^18:4 And they will be joined to you and keep the charge of the tent of meeting, for all the service of the tent and a stranger will not come near to you^*. ^18:5 And you^* will keep the charge of the sanctuary and the charge of the altar, that no more wrath is upon the sons of Israel.

^18:6 And I, behold, I have taken your^* brothers the Levites from among the sons of Israel. They are a gift to you^*, given to Jehovah, to do the service of the tent of meeting. ^18:7 And you and your sons with you will keep your^* priesthood for everything of the altar and for that within the veil and you^* will serve. I give you^* the priesthood as a service of gift. And the stranger who comes near will be put to death.

^18:8 And Jehovah spoke to Aaron, And I, behold, I have given you the charge of my heave-offerings, even all the holy things of the sons of Israel. I have given them to you by reason of the anointing and to your sons, as a everlasting portion. ^18:9 This will be yours of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, even every food-offering of theirs and every sin-offering of theirs and every guilt-offering of theirs, which they will render to me, will be most holy for you and for your sons. ^18:10 As the most holy things you will eat of it; every male will eat of it. It will be holy to you.

^18:11 And this is yours: the heave-offering of their gift, even all the wave-offerings of the sons of Israel. I have given them to you and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as an everlasting portion. Everyone who is clean in your house will eat of it.^18:12 All the best of the oil and all the best of the new wine and of the grain, the first-fruits of them which they give to Jehovah, I have given them to you. ^18:13 The first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to Jehovah, will be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house will eat of it.^18:14 Everything devoted in Israel will be yours.

^18:15 Everything that opens the womb, of all flesh which they offer to Jehovah, both of man and beast will be yours. Nevertheless the firstborn of man you will surely redeem and the first-offspring of unclean beasts you will redeem. ^18:16 And those that are to be redeemed of them from a month old you will redeem, according to your evaluation, for the money of five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary (what is twenty gerahs). ^18:17 But the first-offspring of an ox, or the first-offspring of a sheep, or the first-offspring of a goat, you will not redeem. They are holy. You will sprinkle their blood upon the altar and will burn their fat for a fire-offering, for a sweet aroma to Jehovah. ^18:18 And the flesh of them will be yours. As the wave-offering and as the right thigh, it will be yours.

^18:19 All the heave-offerings of the holy things, which the sons of Israel offer to Jehovah, I have given you and your sons and your daughters with you, as an everlasting portion. It is a covenant of salt forever before Jehovah to you and to your seed with you.

^18:20 And Jehovah said to Aaron, You will have no inheritance in their land, neither will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. ^18:21 And to the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the tent of meeting.

^18:22 And hereafter the sons of Israel will not come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. ^18:23 But the Levites will do the service of the tent of meeting and they will bear their iniquity. It will be an everlasting statute throughout your^* genealogy. And among the sons of Israel they will have no inheritance.

^18:24 Because the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as a heave-offering to Jehovah, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said to them, Among the sons of Israel they will have no inheritance.

^18:25 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^18:26Moreover you will speak to the Levites and say to them, When you^* take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you^* from them for your^* inheritance, then you^* will offer up a heave-offering of it for Jehovah, a tithe of the tithe. ^18:27 And your^* heave-offering will be reckoned to you^*, as though it were the grain of the threshing-floor and as the fullness of the winepress. ^18:28 Therefore you^* also will offer a heave-offering to Jehovah of all your^* tithes, which you^* receive of the sons of Israel. And from it you^* will give Jehovah's heave-offering to Aaron the priest. ^18:29 Out of all your^* gifts you^* will offer every heave-offering of Jehovah, of all the best of it, even the holy part of it out of it.

^18:30 Therefore you will say to them, When you^* heave the best of it from it, then it will be reckoned to the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor and as the increase of the wine-press. ^18:31 And you^* will eat it in every place, you^* and your^* households, because it is your^* reward in return for your^* service in the tent of meeting. ^18:32 And you^* will bear no sin by reason of it, when you^* have heaved from it the best of it. And you^* will not profane the holy things of the sons of Israel, that you^* do not die.

[Numbers 19] TOC

^19:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, ^19:2 This is the statute of the law which Jehovah has commanded, saying, Speak to the sons of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without spot, in which is no blemish, and upon which a yoke never came. ^19:3 And you^* will give her to Eleazar the priest and he will bring her forth outside the camp and she will be killed before his face. ^19:4 And Eleazar the priest will take of her blood with his finger and sprinkle her blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. ^19:5 And the heifer will be burned in his sight: her skin and her flesh and her blood, with her manure, he will burn. ^19:6 And the priest will take cedar-wood and hyssop and scarlet and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. ^19:7 Then the priest will wash his clothes and he will bathe his flesh in water. And afterward he will come into the camp and the priest will be unclean until the evening. ^19:8 And he who burned her will wash his clothes in water and bathe his flesh in water and will be unclean until the evening.

^19:9 And a man who is clean will gather up the ashes of the heifer and lay them up outside the camp in a clean place. And it will be kept for the congregation of the sons of Israel for a water for impurity. It is a sin-offering. ^19:10 And he who gathers the ashes of the heifer will wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. And it will be to the sons of Israel and to the stranger who travels among them, for an everlasting statute. ^19:11 He who touches the dead body of any man will be unclean seven days. ^19:12 The same will purify himself with it on the third day and on the seventh day he will be clean, but if he does not purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he will not be clean.

^19:13 Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of Jehovah. And that soul will be cut off from Israel, because the water for impurity was not sprinkled upon him. He will be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.

^19:14 This is the law when a man dies in a tent: everyone who comes into the tent and everyone who is in the tent, will be unclean seven days. ^19:15 And every open vessel, which has no covering bound upon it, is unclean. ^19:16 And whoever in the open field touches a man who is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, will be unclean seven days. ^19:17 And for the unclean they will take of the ashes of the burning of the sin-offering and running water will be put with that in a vessel. ^19:18 And a clean man will take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it upon the tent and upon all the vessels and upon the souls who were there and upon him who touched the bone, or the slain, or the dead, or the grave. ^19:19 And the clean man will sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day. And on the seventh day he will purify him. And he will wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and will be clean at evening.

^19:20 But the man who will be unclean and will not purify himself, that soul will be cut off from the midst of the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of Jehovah. The water for impurity has not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. ^19:21 And it will be an everlasting statute to them. And he who sprinkles the water for impurity will wash his clothes and he who touches the water for impurity will be unclean until evening. ^19:22 And whatever the unclean man touches will be unclean and the soul who touches it will be unclean until evening.

[Numbers 20] TOC

^20:1 And the sons of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month and the people abode in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there.

^20:2 And there was no water for the congregation and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. ^20:3 And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying, If only we had died when our brothers died before Jehovah! ^20:4 And why have you^* brought the assembly of Jehovah into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our beasts? ^20:5 And why have you^* made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in to this evil place? It is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates, neither is there any water to drink. ^20:6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tent of meeting and fell upon their faces. And the glory of Jehovah appeared to them.

^20:7 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^20:8Take the rod and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water and you will bring forth water to them out of the rock. So you will give the congregation and their cattle a drink. ^20:9 And Moses took the rod from before Jehovah, as he commanded him.

^20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock and he said to them, Hear now, you^* rebels. Shall we bring forth water to you^* out of this rock? ^20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand and killed^* the rock with his rod twice and water came out abundantly. And the congregation drank and their cattle.

^20:12 And Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron, Because you^* did not believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the sons of Israel, therefore you^* will not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. ^20:13 These are the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contend with Jehovah and he was made holy in them.

^20:14 And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the King of Edom, Your brother Israel says thus: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, ^20:15 how our fathers went down into Egypt and we dwelt in Egypt a long time. And the Egyptians dealt ill with us and our fathers. ^20:16 And when we cried to Jehovah, he heard our voice and sent a messenger and brought us forth out of Egypt. And behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the outermost part of your border.^20:17 I beseech you, let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink of the water of the wells. We will go along the king's highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed your border.

^20:18 And Edom said to him, You will not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you. ^20:19 And the sons of Israel said to him, We will go up by the highway. And if we drink of your water, I and my cattle, then I will give the price of it. Only let me, without doing anything, pass through on my feet. ^20:20 And he said, You will not pass through. And Edom came out against him with many people and with a strong hand.

^20:21 And Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border. Therefore Israel turned away from him. ^20:22 And they journeyed from Kadesh and the sons of Israel, even the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor.

^20:23 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, saying, ^20:24 Aaron will be gathered to his people, because he will not enter into the land which I have given to the sons of Israel, because you^* rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah. ^20:25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up to Mount Hor, ^20:26and strip Aaron of his garments and put them upon Eleazar his son. And Aaron will be gathered to his people and he will die there.

^20:27 And Moses did as Jehovah commanded. And they went up into Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. ^20:28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them upon Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.^20:29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they wept for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

[Numbers 21] TOC

^21:1 And the Canaanite, the King of Arad, who dwelt in the South, heard tell that Israel came by the way of Atharim and he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. ^21:2 And Israel vowed a vow to Jehovah and said, If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. ^21:3 And Jehovah listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites. And they utterly destroyed them and their cities. And the name of the place was called Hormah. ^21:4 And they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to encompass the land of Edom. And the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. ^21:5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, Why have you^* brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? Because there is no bread and there is no water and our soul loathes this light bread. ^21:6 And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people and many people of Israel died.

^21:7 And the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah and against you. Pray to Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. ^21:8 And Jehovah said to Moses, You make a fiery serpent and set it upon a banner. And it will happen, that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, will live. ^21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass and set it upon the banner. And it happened, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the serpent of brass, he lived.

^21:10 And the sons of Israel journeyed and encamped in Oboth. ^21:11 And they journeyed from Oboth and encamped at Iye-abarim {Ruins of Abarim}, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrise. ^21:12 They journeyed from there and encamped in the valley of Zered. ^21:13 They journeyed from there and encamped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the border of the Amorites, because the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.^21:14 Therefore it is said in the book of the Wars of Jehovah, Waheb in Suphah and the valleys of the Arnon, ^21:15 and the slope of the valleys that inclines toward the dwelling of Ar and leans upon the border of Moab.

^21:16 And they journeyed from there to Beer. That is the well of which Jehovah said to Moses, Gather the people together and I will give them water. ^21:17Then Israel sang this song: Spring up, O well. Sing to it, ^21:18 the well, which the rulers dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their staves. And from the wilderness they journeyed to Mattanah, ^21:19 and from Mattanah to Nahaliel and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,^21:20 and from Bamoth to the valley which is in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looks down upon the desert.

^21:21 And Israel sent messengers to Sihon King of the Amorites, saying, ^21:22 Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into the field, or into the vineyard. We will not drink of the water of the wells. We will go by the king's highway, until we have passed your border. ^21:23 And Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border, but Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into the wilderness and came to Jahaz and he fought against Israel.

^21:24 And Israel killed^* him with the edge of the sword and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, even to the sons of Ammon, because the border of the sons of Ammon was strong. ^21:25 And Israel took all these cities. And Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all the towns of it. ^21:26 Because Heshbon was the city of Sihon the King of the Amorites, who had fought against the former King of Moab and had taken all his land out of his hand, even to the Arnon.

^21:27 Therefore those who speak in proverbs say, Come you^* to Heshbon. Let the city of Sihon be built and established. ^21:28 Because a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has devoured Ar of Moab, the lords of the high places of the Arnon. ^21:29 Woe to you, Moab! You are undone, O people of Chemosh. He has given his sons as fugitives and his daughters into captivity, to Sihon King of the Amorites. ^21:30 We have shot at them. Heshbon has perished even to Dibon and we have laid waste even to Nophah, which reaches to Medeba.

^21:31 And Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites. ^21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jazer. And they took the towns of it and drove out the Amorites that were there.

^21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan. And Og the King of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.^21:34 And Jehovah said to Moses, Do not fear him, because I have delivered him into your hand and all his people and his land. And you will do to him as you did to Sihon King of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.^21:35 So they killed^* him and his sons and all his people, until there was no remnant left, and they possessed his land.

[Numbers 22] TOC

^22:1 And the sons of Israel journeyed and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. ^22:2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. ^22:3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people, because they were many. And Moab was distressed because of the sons of Israel.

^22:4 And Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is all around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was King of Moab at that time.

^22:5 And he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, a people came out from Egypt. Behold, they cover the face of the earth and they abide opposite me. ^22:6Therefore, I beseech you, come now, curse this people for me, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I will prevail, that we may kill^* them and that I may drive them out of the land. Because I know that he whom you bless is blessed and he whom you curse is cursed.

^22:7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. ^22:8 And he said to them, Lodge here this night and I will bring you^* word again, as Jehovah will speak to me. And the rulers of Moab abode with Balaam.

^22:9 And God came to Balaam and said, What men are these with you? ^22:10 And Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, King of Moab, has sent to me, saying, ^22:11 Behold, the people came out of Egypt, it covers the face of the earth. Now, come curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to fight against them and will drive them out. ^22:12 And God said to Balaam, You will not go with them. You will not curse the people, because they are blessed.

^22:13 And Balaam rose up in the morning and said to the rulers of Balak, Get into your^* land, because Jehovah refuses to give me permission to walk with you^*. ^22:14And the rulers of Moab rose up and they went to Balak and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.

^22:15 And Balak sent yet again rulers, more and more honorable than they. ^22:16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, Balak the son of Zippor says thus: I beseech you, let nothing hinder you from coming to me. ^22:17 Because I will promote you to very great honor and whatever you say to me I will do. Therefore, I beseech you, come curse this people for me.

^22:18 And Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God, to do less or more. ^22:19 Now therefore, I beseech you^*, abide also here this night, that I may know what Jehovah will speak to me more.

^22:20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up, go with them, but only the word which I speak to you, that will you do. ^22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the rulers of Moab.

^22:22 And God's anger was kindled because he went and the messenger of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey and his two servants were with him. ^22:23 And the donkey saw the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam killed^* the donkey, to turn her into the way.

^22:24 Then the messenger of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side and a wall on that side. ^22:25 And the donkey saw the messenger of Jehovah and she thrust herself to the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. And he killed^* her again.

^22:26 And the messenger of Jehovah went further and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. ^22:27 And the donkey saw the messenger of Jehovah and she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled and he killed^* the donkey with his staff.

^22:28 And Jehovah opened the mouth of the donkey and she said to Balaam, What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?

^22:29And Balaam said to the donkey, Because you have mocked me. If only a sword was in my hand now, I would kill you. ^22:30 And the donkey said to Balaam, Am I not your donkey, upon which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Was I ever accustomed to do so to you?

And he said, No.

^22:31 Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the messenger of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand. And he bowed his head and fell on his face.

^22:32 And the messenger of Jehovah said to him, Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me. ^22:33 And the donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I would have even slain you and let her live.

^22:34 And Balaam said to the messenger of Jehovah, I have sinned, because I did not know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displease you, I will turn back by myself.

^22:35 And the messenger of Jehovah said to Balaam, Go with the men, but you will speak only the word that I will speak to you. So Balaam went with the rulers of Balak.

^22:36 And when Balak heard that Balaam came, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the outmost part of the border. ^22:37 And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not earnestly send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?

^22:38 And Balaam said to Balak, Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I will speak.

^22:39 And Balaam went with Balak and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. ^22:40 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and sent to Balaam and to the rulers that were with him. ^22:41 And it happened in the morning, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Baal and he saw the outmost part of the people from there.

[Numbers 23] TOC

^23:1 And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. ^23:2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken. And Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram. ^23:3 And Balaam said to Balak, Stand by your burnt-offering and I will go. Perhaps Jehovah will come to meet me and whatever he shows me I will tell you. And he went to a bare height.

^23:4 And God met Balaam and he said to him, I have prepared the seven altars and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar. ^23:5 And Jehovah put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, Return to Balak and you will speak thus. ^23:6 And he returned to him. And behold, he was standing by his burnt-offering, he and all the rulers of Moab.

^23:7 And he took up his oracle and said, From Aram, Balak has brought me, the King of Moab from the mountains of the East. Come, curse Jacob for me and come, defy Israel. ^23:8 How shall I curse, whom God has not cursed? And how shall I defy, whom Jehovah has not defied? ^23:9 Because I see him from the top of the rocks and from the hills I behold him. Behold, it is a people that dwells alone and will not be reckoned among the nations. ^23:10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his!

^23:11 And Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether. ^23:12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak what Jehovah puts in my mouth?

^23:13 And Balak said to him, I beseech you, come with me to another place, from where you may see them. You will see but the outmost part of them and will not see them all and curse them for me from there. ^23:14 And he took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah and built seven altars and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar. ^23:15And he said to Balak, Stand here by your burnt-offering, while I meet Jehovah yonder.

^23:16 And Jehovah met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, Return to Balak and you will speak thus. ^23:17 And he came to him. And behold, he was standing by his burnt-offering and the rulers of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, What has Jehovah spoken?

^23:18 And he took up his oracle and said, Rise up, Balak and hear. Listen to me, you son of Zippor. ^23:19God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent. Has he said and will he not do it? Or has he spoken and will he not make it good? ^23:20 Behold, I have received to bless. And he has blessed and I cannot reverse it. ^23:21 He has not beheld wickedness in Jacob, neither has he seen perverseness in Israel. Jehovah his God is with him and the shout of a king is among them.

^23:22 God brings them forth out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild-ox. ^23:23 Surely no is enchantment with Jacob, neither is any divination with Israel. Now it will be said of Jacob and of Israel, What has God worked! ^23:24Behold, the people rise up as a lioness and as a lion he lifts himself up. He will not lie down until he eats of the prey and drinks the blood of the slain.

^23:25 And Balak said to Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. ^23:26 But Balaam answered and said to Balak, Did I not tell you, saying, All that Jehovah speaks, that I must do?

^23:27 And Balak said to Balaam, Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there. ^23:28And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down upon the desert. ^23:29 And Balaam said to Balak, Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bullocks and seven rams. ^23:30 And Balak did as Balaam had said and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.

[Numbers 24] TOC

^24:1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to meet with omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness. ^24:2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes and the Spirit of God came upon him.

^24:3 And he took up his oracle and said, Balaam the son of Beor says and the man whose eye was closed says, ^24:4 he says who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down and having his eyes open, ^24:5 How good are your tents, O Jacob, your tabernacles, O Israel! ^24:6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by the river-side, as aloes which Jehovah has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters. ^24:7 Water will flow from his buckets and his seed will be in many waters and his king will be higher than Agag and his kingdom will be exalted.

^24:8 God brings him forth out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild-ox. He will eat up the nations of his adversaries and will break their bones in pieces and kill^* them through with his arrows. ^24:9 He couched; he lays down as a lion and as a lioness. Who will rouse him up? He who blesses you is blessed, And he who curses you is cursed.

^24:10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times. ^24:11 Therefore now flee to your place. I thought to promote you to great honor, but behold, Jehovah has kept you back from honor.

^24:12 And Balaam said to Balak, Did I not also speak to your messengers that you sent to me, saying, ^24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah, to do either good or bad of my own mind. What Jehovah speaks, that I will speak?

^24:14 And now, behold, I go to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.

^24:15 And he took up his oracle and said, Balaam the son of Beor says and the man whose eye was closed says, ^24:16 he says who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down and having his eyes open.

^24:17 I see him, but not now. I behold him, but not near. A star out of Jacob will come out, and a scepter will rise out of Israel and will kill^* through the corners of Moab and break down all the sons of Seth {tumult}. ^24:18 And Edom will be a possession, Seir also will be a possession, who were his enemies, while Israel does mightily.

^24:19 And out of Jacob will come he who will have dominion and will destroy the remnant from the city. ^24:20 And he looked on Amalek and took up his oracle and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end will come to destruction. ^24:21 And he looked on the Kenite and took up his oracle and said, Strong is your dwelling-place and your nest is set in the rock. ^24:22 Nevertheless Kain {Kenite} will be wasted, until Asshur will carry you away captive.

^24:23 And he took up his oracle and said, Alas, who will live when God does this? ^24:24 But ships will come from the coast of Kittim and they will mistreat Asshur and will mistreat Eber and he also will come to destruction.

^24:25 And Balaam rose up and went and returned to his place and Balak also went his way.

[Numbers 25] TOC

^25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim. And the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab, ^25:2 and they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods. And the people ate and bowed-down to their gods. ^25:3 And Israel joined himself to Baal-peor and the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel.

^25:4 And Jehovah said to Moses, Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them up to Jehovah before the sun, that the fierce anger of Jehovah may turn away from Israel. ^25:5 And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Kill every one his men who have joined themselves to Baal-peor.

^25:6 And behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of meeting.

^25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand. ^25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her body. So the plague was stayed from the sons of Israel. ^25:9 And those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.

^25:10 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^25:11Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the sons of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the sons of Israel in my jealousy.

^25:12 Therefore say, Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace. ^25:13 And it will be to him and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.

^25:14 Now the name of the man of Israel who was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a ruler of a fathers' house among the Simeonites. ^25:15 And the name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur. He was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian.

^25:16 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^25:17Distress the Midianites and kill^* them, ^25:18 because they distress you^* with their trickery, with which they have beguiled you^* in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the ruler of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor.

[Numbers 26] TOC

^26:1 And it happened after the plague, that Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, ^26:2 Take the total of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all who are able to go forth to war in Israel.

^26:3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho^26:4 saying from twenty years old and upward, as Jehovah commanded Moses and the sons of Israel, who came forth out of the land of Egypt.

^26:5 Reuben, the firstborn of Israel. The sons of Reuben were: of Hanoch, the Hanochite family; of Pallu, the Palluite family; ^26:6 of Hezron, the Hezronite family; of Carmi, the Carmite family. ^26:7These are the Reubenite families. And those who were numbered of them were forty-three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.

^26:8 (And the sons of Pallu: Eliab. ^26:9 And the sons of Eliab: Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were renown men of the congregation, who struggled against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah when they struggled against Jehovah, ^26:10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, that time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men and they became an example. ^26:11 But the sons of Korah did not die.)

^26:12 The sons of Simeon according to their families: of Nemuel, the Nemuelite family; of Jamin, the Jaminite family; of Jachin, the Jachinite family;^26:13 of Zerah, the Zerahite family; of Shaul, the Shaulite family. ^26:14 These are the Simeonite families, twenty-two thousand and two hundred.

^26:15 The sons of Gad according to their families: of Zephon, the Zephonite family; of Haggi, the Haggite family; of Shuni, the Shunite family; ^26:16 of Ozni, the Oznite family; of Eri, the Erite family; ^26:17of Arod, the Arodite family; of Areli, the Arelite family. ^26:18 These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.

^26:19 The sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. ^26:20 And the sons of Judah according to their families were: of Shelah, the Shelanite family; of Perez, the Perezite family; of Zerah, the Zerahite family. ^26:21 And the sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the Hezronite family; of Hamul, the Hamulite family. ^26:22 These are the families of Judah according to those who were numbered of them, seventy-six thousand and five hundred.

^26:23 The sons of Issachar according to their families were: of Tola, the Tolaite family; of Puvah, the Punite family; ^26:24 of Jashub, the Jashubite family; of Shimron, the family Shimronite. ^26:25 These are the families of Issachar according to those who were numbered of them, sixty-four thousand and three hundred.

^26:26 The sons of Zebulun according to their families: of Sered, the Seredite family; of Elon, the Elonite family; of Jahleel, the Jahleelite family. ^26:27These are the Zebulunite families according to those who were numbered of them, sixty thousand and five hundred.

^26:28 The sons of Joseph according to their families: Manasseh and Ephraim.

^26:29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the Machirite family; and Machir fathered Gilead; of Gilead, the Gileadite family. ^26:30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the Iezerite family; of Helek, the Helekite family; ^26:31 and of Asriel, the Asrielite family; and of Shechem, the Shechemite family; ^26:32and of Shemida, the Shemidaite family; and of Hepher, the Hepherite family. ^26:33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. ^26:34 These are the families of Manasseh and those who were numbered of them were fifty-two thousand and seven hundred.

^26:35 These are the sons of Ephraim according to their families: of Shuthelah, the Shuthelahite family; of Becher, the Becherite family; of Tahan, the Tahanite family. ^26:36 And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the Eranite family. ^26:37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those who were numbered of them, thirty-two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.

^26:38 The sons of Benjamin according to their families: of Bela, the Belaite family; of Ashbel, the Ashbelite family; of Ahiram, the Ahiramite family;^26:39 of Shephupham or: Shupham, the Shuphamite family; of Hupham, the Huphamite family. ^26:40 And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the Ardite family; of Naaman, the Naamite family. ^26:41These are the sons of Benjamin according to their families and those who were numbered of them were forty-five thousand and six hundred.

^26:42 These are the sons of Dan according to their families: of Shuham, the Shuhamite family. These are the families of Dan according to their families.^26:43 All the Shuhamite families, according to those who were numbered of them, were sixty-four thousand and four hundred.

^26:44 The sons of Asher according to their families: of Imnah, the Imnite family; of Ishvi, the Ishvite family; of Beriah, the Beriite family. ^26:45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the Heberite family; of Malchiel, the Malchielite family. ^26:46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. ^26:47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were numbered of them, fifty-three thousand and four hundred.

^26:48 The sons of Naphtali according to their families: of Jahzeel, the Jahzeelite family; of Guni, the Gunite family; ^26:49 of Jezer, the Jezerite family; of Shillem, the Shillemite family. ^26:50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families and those who were numbered of them were forty-five thousand and four hundred.

^26:51 These are those who were numbered of the sons of Israel, six hundred one thousand seven hundred and thirty.

^26:52 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^26:53 To these the land will be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. ^26:54 To the many you will give more inheritance and to the few you will give less inheritance: to each one according to those who were numbered of him will his inheritance be given.

^26:55 But the land will be divided by lot. They will inherit according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. ^26:56 According to the lot their inheritance will be divided between the many and the fewer.

^26:57 And these are those who were numbered of the Levites according to their families: of Gershon, the Gershonite family; of Kohath, the Kohathite family; of Merari, the Merarite family.

^26:58 These are the families of Levi: the Libnite family, the Hebronite family, the Mahlite family, the Mushite family, the Korahite family. And Kohath fathered Amram. ^26:59 And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram, Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister. ^26:60 And to Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.^26:61 And Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Jehovah.

^26:62 And those who were numbered of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward, because they were not numbered among the sons of Israel, because no inheritance was given them among the sons of Israel.

^26:63 These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

^26:64 But there was not a man among these of those who was numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. ^26:65 Because Jehovah had said of them, They will surely die in the wilderness. And there was not a man of them left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

[Numbers 27] TOC

^27:1 Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph, drew near. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah.

^27:2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the rulers and all the congregation, at the door of the tent of meeting, saying, ^27:3 Our father died in the wilderness and he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Jehovah in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin and he had no sons. ^27:4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father. ^27:5 And Moses brought their case before Jehovah.

^27:6 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^27:7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak rightly. You will surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and you will cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.

^27:8 And you will speak to the sons of Israel, saying, If a man dies and has no son, then you^* will cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. ^27:9 And if he has no daughter, then you^* will give his inheritance to his brothers. ^27:10 And if he has no brothers, then you^* will give his inheritance to his father's brothers. ^27:11 And if his father has no brothers, then you^* will give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family and he will possess it. And it will be to the sons of Israel a statute and ordinance, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^27:12 And Jehovah said to Moses, You get up onto this mountain of Abarim and behold the land which I have given to the sons of Israel. ^27:13 And when you have seen it, you also will be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered, ^27:14because you^* rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

^27:15 And Moses spoke to Jehovah, saying, ^27:16Let Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, ^27:17 who may go out before them and who may come in before them and who may lead them out and who may bring them in, that the congregation of Jehovah is not as sheep which have no shepherd.

^27:18 And Jehovah said to Moses, You take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit and lay your hand upon him, ^27:19 and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and give him a charge in their sight. ^27:20 And you will put your honor upon him, that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey. ^27:21 And he will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah. At his word will they go out and at his word they will come in, both he and all the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

^27:22 And Moses did as Jehovah commanded him. And he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. ^27:23 And he laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge, as Jehovah spoke by Moses.

[Numbers 28] TOC

^28:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^28:2Command the sons of Israel and say to them, My offering, my food for my fire-offerings, of a sweet aroma to me, you^* will observe to offer to me in their due season.

^28:3 And you will say to them, This is the burnt-offering which you^* will offer to Jehovah: male-lambs a year old without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt-offering. ^28:4The one lamb you will offer in the morning and the other lamb you will offer at evening, ^28:5 and the tenth part of a 10-gallon container of fine flour for a food-offering, mingled with the fourth part of a 5-quart container of beaten oil. ^28:6It is a continual burnt-offering, which was made on Mount Sinai for a sweet aroma, a fire-offering to Jehovah. ^28:7 And the drink-offering of it will be the fourth part of a 5-quart container for the one lamb. In the holy place you will pour out a drink-offering of strong drink to Jehovah. ^28:8 And the other lamb you will offer at evening. As the food-offering of the morning and as the drink-offering of it, you will offer it, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah.

^28:9 And on the Sabbath day two male-lambs a year old without blemish and two tenth parts of a 10-gallon container of fine flour for a food-offering, mingled with oil and the drink-offering of it. ^28:10 This is the burnt-offering of every Sabbath, besides the continual burnt-offering and the drink-offering of it.

^28:11 And in the beginnings of your^* months you^* will offer a burnt-offering to Jehovah: two young bullocks and one ram, seven male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^28:12 and three tenth parts of a 10-gallon container of fine flour for a food-offering, mingled with oil for each bull and two tenth parts of fine flour for a food-offering, mingled with oil for the one ram,^28:13 and a tenth part of fine flour mingled with oil for a food-offering to every lamb, for a burnt-offering of a sweet aroma, a fire-offering to Jehovah.^28:14 And their drink-offerings will be half a 5-quart container of wine for a bull and the third part of a 5-quart container for the ram and the fourth part of a 5-quart container for a lamb. This is the burnt-offering of every month throughout the months of the year. ^28:15 And one male-goat for a sin-offering to Jehovah, it will be offered besides the continual burnt-offering and the drink-offering of it.

^28:16 And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Jehovah's Passover. ^28:17 And on the fifteenth day of this month will be a feast; seven days unleavened bread will be eaten.

^28:18 In the first day will be a holy assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work. ^28:19 But you^* will offer a fire-offering, a burnt-offering to Jehovah: two young bullocks and one ram and seven male-lambs a year old (they will be to you^* without blemish), ^28:20 and their food-offering, fine flour mingled with oil. Three tenth parts you^* will offer for a bull and two tenth parts for the ram, ^28:21 a tenth part will you offer for every lamb of the seven lambs. ^28:22 Also one male-goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement for you^*. ^28:23 You^* will offer these besides the burnt-offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt-offering. ^28:24 After this manner you^* will offer daily, for seven days, the food of the fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah. It will be offered besides the continual burnt-offering and the drink-offering of it. ^28:25 And on the seventh day you^* will have a holy assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work.

^28:26 Also in the day of the first-fruits, when you^* offer a new food-offering to Jehovah in your^* Feast of Weeks, you^* will have a holy assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work. ^28:27 But you^* will offer a burnt-offering for a sweet aroma to Jehovah: two young bullocks, one ram, seven male-lambs a year old, ^28:28and their food-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for each bull, two tenth parts for the one ram, ^28:29 a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs, ^28:30 one male-goat, to make atonement for you^*. ^28:31 Besides the continual burnt-offering and the food-offering of it, you^* will offer them (they will be to you^* without blemish) and their drink-offerings.

[Numbers 29] TOC

^29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you^* will have a holy assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work. It is a day of alarming-joy to you^*. ^29:2 And you^* will offer a burnt-offering for a sweet aroma to Jehovah: one young bull, one ram, seven male-lambs a year old without blemish,^29:3 and their food-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bull, two tenth parts for the ram, ^29:4 and one tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs, ^29:5 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement for you^*, ^29:6 besides the burnt-offering of the new moon and the food-offering of it and the continual burnt-offering and the food-offering of it and their drink-offerings, according to their ordinance, for a sweet aroma, a fire-offering to Jehovah.

^29:7 And on the tenth day of this seventh month you^* will have a holy assembly and you^* will humble your^* souls. You^* will not do any work.^29:8 But you^* will offer a burnt-offering to Jehovah for a sweet aroma: one young bull, one ram, seven male-lambs a year old (they will be to you^* without blemish), ^29:9 and their food-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bull, two tenth parts for the one ram, ^29:10 a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs, ^29:11 one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the sin-offering of atonement and the continual burnt-offering and the food-offering of it and their drink-offerings.

^29:12 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month you^* will have a holy assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work and you^* will keep a feast to Jehovah seven days. ^29:13 And you^* will offer a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah: thirteen young bullocks, two rams, fourteen male-lambs a year old (they will be without blemish), ^29:14 and their food-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for every bull of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth parts for each ram of the two rams, ^29:15 and a tenth part for every lamb of the fourteen lambs, ^29:16 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it.

^29:17 And on the second day, twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^29:18 and their food-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, ^29:19 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering and the food-offering of it and their drink-offerings.

^29:20 And on the third day, eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^29:21 and their food-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, ^29:22 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering and the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it.

^29:23 And on the fourth day, ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^29:24 their food-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, ^29:25 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it.

^29:26 And on the fifth day, nine bullocks, two rams, fourteen male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^29:27 and their food-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, ^29:28 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering and the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it.

^29:29 And on the sixth day, eight bullocks, two rams, fourteen male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^29:30 and their food-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, ^29:31 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, the food-offering of it and the drink-offerings of it.

^29:32 And on the seventh day, seven bullocks, two rams, fourteen male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^29:33 and their food-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, ^29:34 and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it.

^29:35 On the eighth day, you^* will have a solemn assembly. You^* will not do any laborious work. ^29:36 But you^* will offer a burnt-offering, a fire-offering, of a sweet aroma to Jehovah: one bull, one ram, seven male-lambs a year old without blemish, ^29:37their food-offering and their drink-offerings for the bull, for the ram and for the lambs, will be according to their number, after the ordinance, ^29:38and one male-goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering and the food-offering of it and the drink-offering of it.

^29:39 These you^* will offer to Jehovah in your^* set feasts, besides your^* vows and your^* free-will offerings, for your^* burnt-offerings and for your^* food-offerings and for your^* drink-offerings and for your^* peace-offerings. ^29:40 And Moses told the sons of Israel according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses.

[Numbers 30] TOC

^30:1 And Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the sons of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Jehovah has commanded. ^30:2 When a man vows a vow to Jehovah, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he will not break his word. He will do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

^30:3 Also when a woman vows a vow to Jehovah and binds herself by a bond, being in her father's house, in her youth, ^30:4 and her father hears her vow and her bond with which she has bound her soul and her father remains silent to her, then all her vows will stand and every bond with which she has bound her soul will stand. ^30:5 But if her father disallows her in the day that he hears, none of her vows, or of her bonds with which she has bound her soul, will stand. And Jehovah will forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

^30:6 And if she is married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul, ^30:7 and her husband hears it and remains silent at her in the day that he hears it, then her vows will stand and her bonds with which she has bound her soul will stand.^30:8 But if her husband disallows her in the day that he hears it, then he will make void her vow which is upon her and the rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul. And Jehovah will forgive her. ^30:9 But the vow of a widow, or of her who is divorced, even everything with which she has bound her soul will stand against her.

^30:10 And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath, ^30:11 and her husband heard it and remained silent at her and did not disallow her, then all her vows will stand and every bond with which she bound her soul will stand. ^30:12 But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, will not stand. Her husband has made them void and Jehovah will forgive her.

^30:13 Every vow and every binding oath to humble the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. ^30:14 But if her husband altogether remains silent at her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her. He has established them, because he remained silent at her in the day that he heard them.^30:15 But if he will make them null and void after he has heard them, then he will bear her iniquity.

^30:16 These are the statutes, which Jehovah commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between a father and his daughter, being in her youth in her father's house.

[Numbers 31] TOC

^31:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^31:2Take vengeance for the sons of Israel against the Midianites. Afterward you will be gathered to your people.

^31:3And Moses spoke to the people, saying, Arm men from among you^* for the war, that they may go against Midian, to give them Jehovah's vengeance on Midian. ^31:4 From every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, you^* will send to the war.

^31:5 And a thousand for a tribe were given out of the thousands of Israel, twelve thousand armed of the army.

^31:6 And Moses sent them, a thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand.

^31:7 And they warred against Midian as Jehovah commanded Moses and they killed every male. ^31:8And they killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. ^31:9 And the sons of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones. And all their cattle and all their flocks and all their goods, they took for a prey. ^31:10And all their cities in the places in which they dwelt and all their encampments, they burnt with fire.

^31:11 And they took all the spoil and all the prey, both of man and of beast. ^31:12 And they brought the captives and the prey and the spoil, to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the congregation of the sons of Israel, to the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by the Jordan at Jericho.

^31:13 And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the rulers of the congregation, went forth to meet them outside the camp. ^31:14 And Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war. ^31:15 And Moses said to them, Have you^* saved all the women alive? ^31:16 Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Jehovah in the matter of Peor and so the plague was among the congregation of Jehovah.

^31:17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman that has known man by lying with him. ^31:18 But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

^31:19 And encamp yourselves outside the camp seven days. Whoever has killed any person and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day, you^* and your^* captives.^31:20 And as to every garment and all that is made of skin and all work of goats' hair and all things made of wood, you^* will purify yourselves.

^31:21 And Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who went to the battle, This is the statute of the law which Jehovah has commanded Moses: ^31:22 only the gold and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin and the lead– ^31:23 everything which may go into fire– you^* will make to go through the fire and it will be clean. Nevertheless it will be purified with the water for impurity. And all that may not go into fire you^* will make to go through the water. ^31:24 And you^* will wash your^* clothes on the seventh day and you^* will be clean and afterward you^* will come into the camp.

^31:25 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^31:26Take the total of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, you and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers of the congregation, ^31:27 and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war who went out to battle and all the congregation.

^31:28 And levy a tribute to Jehovah of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons and of the oxen and of the donkeys and of the flocks. ^31:29 Take it of their half and give it to Eleazar the priest, for Jehovah's heave-offering. ^31:30 And of the sons of Israel's half, you will take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the oxen, of the donkeys and of the flocks, even of all the cattle and give them to the Levites, who keep the charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah. ^31:31 And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^31:32 Now the prey, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred seventy-five thousand sheep, ^31:33 and seventy-two thousand oxen, ^31:34 and sixty-one thousand donkeys,^31:35 and thirty-two thousand persons in all, of the women who had not known man by lying with him.^31:36 And the half, which was the portion of those who went out to war, was in number three hundred thirty-seven thousand and five hundred sheep.

^31:37 And Jehovah's tribute of the sheep was six hundred and seventy-five. ^31:38 And the oxen were thirty-six thousand, of which Jehovah's tribute was seventy-two. ^31:39 And the donkeys were thirty thousand and five hundred, of which Jehovah's tribute was sixty-one. ^31:40 And the persons were sixteen thousand, of whom Jehovah's tribute was thirty-two persons. ^31:41 And Moses gave the tribute, which was Jehovah's heave-offering, to Eleazar the priest, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^31:42 And of the sons of Israel's half, which Moses divided off from the men who warred ^31:43(now the congregation's half was three hundred thirty-seven thousand and five hundred sheep, ^31:44and thirty-six thousand oxen, ^31:45 and thirty thousand and five hundred donkeys, ^31:46 and sixteen thousand persons), ^31:47 even of the sons of Israel's half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of beast and gave them to the Levites, who kept the charge of the tabernacle of Jehovah, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^31:48 And the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, came near to Moses. ^31:49And they said to Moses, Your servants have taken the total of the men of war that are under our charge and not one man lacks of us. ^31:50 And we have brought Jehovah's offering, what every man has gotten, of jewels of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet-rings, earrings and armlets, to make atonement for our souls before Jehovah.

^31:51 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from them, even all worked jewels. ^31:52 And all the gold of the heave-offering that they offered up to Jehovah, of the captains of thousands and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. ^31:53 (Because the men of war had taken booty, every man for himself.) ^31:54 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the tent of meeting, for a memorial for the sons of Israel before Jehovah.

[Numbers 32] TOC

^32:1 Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle. And when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle, ^32:2 the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came and spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the rulers of the congregation, saying, ^32:3 Ataroth and Dibon and Jazer and Nimrah and Heshbon and Elealeh and Sebam and Nebo and Beon, ^32:4 the land which Jehovah killed^* before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle and your servants have cattle. ^32:5And they said, If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Bring us not over the Jordan.

^32:6 And Moses said to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben, Shall your^* brothers go to the war and will you^* sit here? ^32:7 And why do you^* disallow the hearts of the sons of Israel from going over into the land which Jehovah has given them? ^32:8Your^* fathers did thus when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land. ^32:9 And when they went up to the valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they disallowed the hearts of the sons of Israel, that they should not go into the land which Jehovah had given them.

^32:10 And Jehovah's anger was kindled in that day and he swore, saying, ^32:11 Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, will see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; because they have not entirely followed me, ^32:12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, because they have entirely followed Jehovah. ^32:13 And Jehovah's anger was kindled against Israel and he made them wander to and fro in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of Jehovah was consumed.

^32:14 And behold, you^* have risen up in your^* fathers' stead, an brood of sinful men, to consume yet the fierce anger of Jehovah toward Israel. ^32:15 Because if you^* turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness and you^* will destroy all this people.

^32:16 And they came near to him and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle and cities for our little ones, ^32:17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the sons of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones will dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. ^32:18 We will not return to our houses until the sons of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. ^32:19 Because we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and forward, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.

^32:20 And Moses said to them, If you^* will do this thing, if you^* will arm yourselves to go before Jehovah to the war, ^32:21 and every armed man of you^* will pass over the Jordan before Jehovah, until he has driven out his enemies from before him, ^32:22 and the land is subdued before Jehovah, then afterward you^* will return and be guiltless towards Jehovah and towards Israel and this land will be to you^* for a possession before Jehovah. ^32:23 But if you^* will not do so, behold, you^* have sinned against Jehovah and be sure your^* sin will find you^* out. ^32:24 Build for yourselves cities for your^* little ones and folds for your^* sheep and do what has proceeded out of your^* mouth.

^32:25 And the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, Your servants will do as my lord commands. ^32:26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks and all our cattle, will be there in the cities of Gilead, ^32:27 but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before Jehovah to battle, as my lord says.

^32:28 So Moses gave charge concerning them to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel. ^32:29 And Moses said to them, If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben will pass with you^* over the Jordan, every man that is armed to battle, before Jehovah and the land will be subdued before you^*, then you^* will give them the land of Gilead for a possession, ^32:30 but if they will not pass over with you^* armed, they will have possessions among you^* in the land of Canaan.

^32:31 And the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered, saying, As Jehovah has said to your servants, so we will do. ^32:32 We will pass over armed before Jehovah into the land of Canaan and the possession of our inheritance is with us beyond the Jordan.

^32:33 And Moses gave to them, even to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon King of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og King of Bashan, the land, according to the cities of it with their borders, even the cities of the land all around.

^32:34 And the sons of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer, ^32:35 and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah, ^32:36 and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran: fortified cities and folds for sheep.

^32:37 And the sons of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim, ^32:38 and Nebo and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Sibmah. And they gave other names to the cities which they built.

^32:39 And the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it and dispossessed the Amorites that were in it. ^32:40 And Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh and he dwelt in it. ^32:41And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the towns of it and called them Havvoth-jair {Towns of Jair}. ^32:42 And Nobah went and took Kenath and the villages of it and called it Nobah, after his own name.

[Numbers 33] TOC

^33:1 These are the journeys of the sons of Israel when they went forth out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. ^33:2And Moses wrote their goings according to their journeys by the commandment of Jehovah. And these are their journeys according to their goings.

^33:3 And they journeyed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the next-day after the Passover the sons of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians, ^33:4 while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn whom Jehovah had struck among them; upon their gods also Jehovah executed judgments.

^33:5 And the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses and encamped in Succoth.

^33:6 And they journeyed from Succoth and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness.

^33:7 And they journeyed from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon and they encamped before Migdol.

^33:8 And they journeyed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness. And they went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham and encamped in Marah.

^33:9 And they journeyed from Marah and came to Elim. And in Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees and they encamped there.

^33:10 And they journeyed from Elim and encamped by the Red Sea.

^33:11 And they journeyed from the Red Sea and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.

^33:12 And they journeyed from the wilderness of Sin and encamped in Dophkah.

^33:13 And they journeyed from Dophkah and encamped in Alush.

^33:14 And they journeyed from Alush and encamped in Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink.

^33:15 And they journeyed from Rephidim and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai.

^33:16 And they journeyed from the wilderness of Sinai and encamped in Kibroth-hattaavah.

^33:17 And they journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah and encamped in Hazeroth.

^33:18 And they journeyed from Hazeroth and encamped in Rithmah.

^33:19 And they journeyed from Rithmah and encamped in Rimmon-perez.

^33:20 And they journeyed from Rimmon-perez and encamped in Libnah.

^33:21 And they journeyed from Libnah and encamped in Rissah.

^33:22 And they journeyed from Rissah and encamped in Kehelathah.

^33:23 And they journeyed from Kehelathah and encamped in Mount Shepher.

^33:24 And they journeyed from Mount Shepher and encamped in Haradah.

^33:25 And they journeyed from Haradah and encamped in Makheloth.

^33:26 And they journeyed from Makheloth and encamped in Tahath.

^33:27 And they journeyed from Tahath and encamped in Terah.

^33:28 And they journeyed from Terah and encamped in Mithkah.

^33:29 And they journeyed from Mithkah and encamped in Hashmonah.

^33:30 And they journeyed from Hashmonah and encamped in Moseroth.

^33:31 And they journeyed from Moseroth and encamped in Bene-jaakan.

^33:32 And they journeyed from Bene-jaakan and encamped in Hor-haggidgad {The Hole in the Cleft}.

^33:33 And they journeyed from Hor-haggidgad and encamped in Jotbathah.

^33:34 And they journeyed from Jotbathah and encamped in Abronah.

^33:35 And they journeyed from Abronah and encamped in Ezion-geber.

^33:36 And they journeyed from Ezion-geber and encamped in the wilderness of Zin (what is Kadesh).

^33:37 And they journeyed from Kadesh and encamped at Mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.

^33:38 (And Aaron the priest went up onto Mount Hor at the commandment of Jehovah and died there, in the fortieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. ^33:39 And Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died in Mount Hor.^33:40 And the Canaanite, the King of Arad, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the sons of Israel.)

^33:41 And they journeyed from Mount Hor and encamped in Zalmonah.

^33:42 And they journeyed from Zalmonah and encamped in Punon.

^33:43 And they journeyed from Punon and encamped in Oboth.

^33:44 And they journeyed from Oboth and encamped in Iye-abarim {Ruins of Abarim}, in the border of Moab.

^33:45 And they journeyed from Iyim and encamped in Dibon-gad.

^33:46 And they journeyed from Dibon-gad and encamped in Almon-diblathaim.

^33:47 And they journeyed from Almon-diblathaim and encamped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.

^33:48 And they journeyed from the mountains of Abarim and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. ^33:49 And they encamped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth even to Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.

^33:50 And Jehovah spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, ^33:51 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you^* pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, ^33:52 then you^* will drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you^* and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their molten images and demolish all their high places.

^33:53 And you^* will take possession of the land and dwell in it, because I have given the land to you^* to possess it. ^33:54 And you^* will inherit the land by lot according to your^* families. You^* will give more inheritance to the many and you will give less inheritance to the few. Wherever the lot falls to any man, that will be his. You^* will inherit according to the tribes of your^* fathers.

^33:55 But if you^* will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you^*, then those that you^* let remain of them will be as pricks in your^* eyes and as thorns in your^* sides and they will distress you^* in the land in which you^* dwell. ^33:56 And it will happen, that, as I thought to do to them, so I will do to you^*.

[Numbers 34] TOC

^34:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^34:2Command the sons of Israel and say to them, When you^* come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that will fall to you^* for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to the borders of it), ^34:3 then your^* south quarter will be from the wilderness of Zin along by the hand of Edom. And your^* south border will be from the end of the Salt Sea eastward.^34:4 And your^* border will turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim and pass along to Zin. And the edge of it will be southward of Kadesh-barnea. And it will go forth to Hazar-addar and pass along to Azmon. ^34:5 And the border will turn about from Azmon to the brook of Egypt and the edge of it will be at the sea.

^34:6 And you^* will have the great sea and the border of it for the western border. This will be your^* west border.

^34:7 And this will be your^* north border: From the great sea you^* will mark out for you^* Mount Hor.^34:8From Mount Hor you^* will mark out to the entrance of Hamath. And the edge of the border will be at Zedad. ^34:9 And the border will go forth to Ziphron and the edge of it will be at Hazar-enan. This will be your^* north border.

^34:10 And you^* will mark out your^* east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham. ^34:11 And the border will go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. And the border will go down and will reach to the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward.^34:12 And the border will go down to the Jordan and the edge of it will be at the Salt Sea. This will be your^* land according to the borders of it all around.

^34:13 And Moses commanded the sons of Israel, saying, This is the land which you^* will inherit by lot, which Jehovah has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half-tribe. ^34:14 Because the tribe of the sons of Reuben according to their fathers' houses and the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers' houses, have received and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received, their inheritance. ^34:15The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise.

^34:16 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^34:17These are the names of the men who will divide the land to you^* for an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. ^34:18 And you^* will take one ruler of every tribe, to divide the land for an inheritance.

^34:19 And these are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. ^34:20 And of the tribe of the sons of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. ^34:21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. ^34:22 And of the tribe of the sons of Dan a ruler, Bukki the son of Jogli. ^34:23 Of the sons of Joseph: of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh a ruler, Hanniel the son of Ephod, ^34:24 and of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim a ruler, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. ^34:25 And of the tribe of the sons of Zebulun a ruler, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. ^34:26And of the tribe of the sons of Issachar a ruler, Paltiel the son of Azzan. ^34:27 And of the tribe of the sons of Asher a ruler, Ahihud the son of Shelomi.^34:28 And of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali a ruler, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. ^34:29 These are those whom Jehovah commanded to divide the inheritance to the sons of Israel in the land of Canaan.

[Numbers 35] TOC

^35:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, ^35:2 Command the sons of Israel, that they give from the inheritance of their possession to the Levites cities to dwell in. And you^* will give suburbs for the cities all around them to the Levites. ^35:3 And they will have the cities to dwell in and their suburbs will be for their cattle and for their substance and for all their beasts. ^35:4And the suburbs of the cities, which you^* will give to the Levites, will be from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits all around. ^35:5 And you^* will measure outside the city for the east side two thousand cubits and for the south side two thousand cubits and for the west side two thousand cubits and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the midst. This will be to them the suburbs of the cities.

^35:6 And of the cities which you^* will give to the Levites, there will be the six cities of refuge, which you^* will give for the manslayer to flee to. And besides them you^* will give forty-two cities. ^35:7 All the cities which you^* will give to the Levites will be forty-eight cities, them with their suburbs. ^35:8 And concerning the cities which you^* will give of the possession of the sons of Israel, from the many you^* will take many and from the few you^* will take few. Everyone according to his inheritance which he inherits will give of his cities to the Levites.

^35:9 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ^35:10Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you^* pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan,^35:11 then you^* will appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you^*, that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally may flee there. ^35:12 And the cities will be to you^* for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer does not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment.

^35:13 And the cities which you^* will give will be for you^* six cities of refuge. ^35:14 You^* will give three cities beyond the Jordan and three cities you^* will give in the land of Canaan. They will be cities of refuge ^35:15 for the sons of Israel and for the stranger and for the traveler among them; these six cities will be for refuge, that everyone who kills any person unintentionally may flee there.

^35:16 But if he killed^* him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer will surely be put to death. ^35:17 And if he killed^* him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer will surely be put to death. ^35:18 Or if he killed^* him with a weapon of wood in the hand, by which a man may die and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer will surely be put to death.

^35:19 The avenger of blood will himself put the murderer to death. When he meets him, he will put him to death. ^35:20 And if he pushed at him from hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died, ^35:21 or killed^* him with his hand in enmity, so that he died, he who killed^* him will surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood will put the murderer to death, when he meets him.

^35:22 But if he pushed at him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him anything without lying in wait, ^35:23 or with any stone, by which a man may die, not seeing him and cast it upon him, so that he died and he was not his enemy, nor sought his harm,^35:24 then the congregation will judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances.

^35:25 And the congregation will deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood and the congregation will restore him to his city of refuge where he fled. And he will dwell in it until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

^35:26 But if the manslayer will at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge where he flees, ^35:27 and the avenger of blood find him outside the border of his city of refuge and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he will not be guilty of blood, ^35:28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer will return into the land of his possession.

^35:29 And these things will be for a statute and ordinance to you^* throughout your^* genealogy in all your^* dwellings.

^35:30 Whoever kills any person, the murderer will be slain at the mouth of witnesses, but one witness will not testify against any person so that he dies. ^35:31Moreover you^* will take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he will surely be put to death. ^35:32 And you^* will take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

^35:33 So you^* will not pollute the land in which you^* are, because blood pollutes the land. And no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it. ^35:34And you will not defile the land which you^* inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell, because I, Jehovah, dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel.

[Numbers 36] TOC

^36:1 And the heads of the fathers of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the rulers, the heads of the fathers of the sons of Israel.^36:2 And they said, Jehovah commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the sons of Israel. And my lord was commanded by Jehovah to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.

^36:3 And if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they will belong. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance. ^36:4 And when the jubilee of the sons of Israel will be, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they will belong. So their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.

^36:5 And Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of Jehovah, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph speak right. ^36:6 This is the thing which Jehovah commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them be married to whom they think best, only they will be married into the family of the tribe of their father. ^36:7 So no inheritance of the sons of Israel will remove from tribe to tribe, because the sons of Israel will cling each one to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.^36:8And every daughter, who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the sons of Israel, will be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the sons of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers. ^36:9 So no inheritance will move from one tribe to another tribe, because the tribes of the sons of Israel will cling each one to his own inheritance.

^36:10 Even as Jehovah commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did, ^36:11 for Mahlah, Tirzah and Hoglah and Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father's brothers' sons. ^36:12 They were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father.

^36:13 These are the commandments and the ordinances which Jehovah commanded by Moses to the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

[Deuteronomy 1] TOC

^1:1 These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel and Laban and Hazeroth and Di-zahab. ^1:2 It is eleven days journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea.

^1:3 And it happened in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, according to all that Jehovah had given him in commandment to them, ^1:4 after he had struck Sihon the King of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon and Og the King of Bashan, who dwelt in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.

^1:5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to declare this law, saying, ^1:6 Jehovah our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying, You^* have dwelt long enough at this mountain. ^1:7 Turn and take your^* journey and go to the hill-country of the Amorites and to all the places near to it, in the Arabah, in the hill-country and in the lowland and in the South and by the sea-shore, the land of the Canaanites and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

^1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you^*. Go in and possess the land which Jehovah swore to your^* fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, to give to them and to their seed after them.

^1:9 And I spoke to you^* at that time, saying, I am not able to carry you^* myself alone. ^1:10 Jehovah your^* God has multiplied you^*, and behold, you^* are this day as the stars of heaven for a multitude. ^1:11 Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers, make you^* a thousand times as many as you^* are and bless you^*, as he has promised you^*! ^1:12 How can I myself alone bear your^* encumbrance and your^* burden and your^* strife? ^1:13 Take for yourselves wise men and understanding and those known to your^* tribes and I will make them heads over you^*.

^1:14 And you^* answered me and said, The thing which you have spoken is good to do. ^1:15 So I took the heads of your^* tribes, wise men and those known and made them heads over you^*, captains of thousands and captains of hundreds and captains of fifties and captains of tens and officers, according to your^* tribes.

^1:16 And I charged your^* judges at that time, saying, Hear between your^* brothers and judge righteously between a man and his brother and the traveler who is with him. ^1:17 You^* will not respect persons in judgment. You^* will hear the small and the great alike. You^* will not be afraid of the face of man, because the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you^* you^* will bring to me and I will hear it. ^1:18 And I commanded you^* at that time all the things which you^* should do.

^1:19 And we journeyed from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you^* saw, by the way to the hill-country of the Amorites, as Jehovah our God commanded us and we came to Kadesh-barnea. ^1:20 And I said to you^*, You^* have come to the hill-country of the Amorites, which Jehovah our God gives to us. ^1:21 Behold, Jehovah your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as Jehovah, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear, neither be dismayed.

^1:22 And you^* came near to me, all of you^* and said, Let us send men before us, that they may search the land for us and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up and the cities to which we will come. ^1:23 And the thing pleased me well. And I took twelve men of you^*, one man for every tribe.

^1:24 And they turned and went up into the hill country and came to the valley of Eshcol and spied it out. ^1:25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us and brought us word again and said, It is a good land which Jehovah our God gives to us.

^1:26 Yet you^* would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of Jehovah your^* God. ^1:27And you^* murmured in your^* tents and said, Because Jehovah hated us, he has brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. ^1:28 Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our heart to melt, saying, The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to heaven and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.

^1:29 Then I said to you^*, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. ^1:30 Jehovah your^* God who goes before you^*, he will fight for you^*, according to all that he did for you^* in Egypt before your^* eyes, ^1:31and in the wilderness, where you have seen how that Jehovah your God bore you, as a man bears his son, in all the way that you^* went, until you^* came to this place.

^1:32 Yet in this thing you^* did not believe Jehovah your^* God, ^1:33 who went before you^* in the way, to seek out a place for you^* to pitch your^* tents in, in fire by night, to show you^* by what way you^* should go and in the cloud by day.

^1:34 And Jehovah heard the voice of your^* words and was angry and swore, saying, ^1:35 Surely not one of these men of this evil generation will see the good land, which I swore to give to your^* fathers,^1:36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He will see it and I will give to him the land that he has trodden upon and to his sons, because he has entirely followed Jehovah.

^1:37 Also Jehovah was angry with me for your^* sakes, saying, You also will not go in there. ^1:38Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he will go in there. Encourage him, because he will cause Israel to inherit it. ^1:39 Moreover your^* little ones, who you^* said would be a prey and your^* sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, they will go in there and I will give it to them and they will possess it. ^1:40 But as for you^*, turn and take your^* journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.

^1:41 Then you^* answered and said to me, We have sinned against Jehovah, we will go up and fight according to all that Jehovah our God commanded us. And you^* girded on every man his weapons of war and you thought it easy to go up into the hill-country.^1:42 And Jehovah said to me, Say to them, Do not go up, neither fight, because I am not among you^*, lest you^* are struck before your^* enemies.

^1:43 So I spoke to you^* and you^* did not listen, but you^* rebelled against the commandment of Jehovah and were presumptuous and went up into the hill-country. ^1:44 And the Amorites, who dwelt in that hill-country, came out against you^* and chased you^*, as bees do and beat you^* down in Seir, even to Hormah. ^1:45 And you^* returned and wept before Jehovah, but Jehovah did not listen to your^* voice, nor gave ear to you^*.

^1:46 So you^* abode in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you^* abode there.

[Deuteronomy 2] TOC

^2:1 Then we turned and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Jehovah spoke to me. And we encompassed Mount Seir many days.

^2:2 And Jehovah spoke to me, saying, ^2:3 You^* have encompassed this mountain long enough, turn northward. ^2:4 And command you the people, saying, You^* are to pass through the border of your^* brothers the sons of Esau, who dwell in Seir and they will be afraid of you^*. You^* take good heed to yourselves therefore.

^2:5 Do not contend with them, because I will not give you^* of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession. ^2:6 You^* will purchase food from them for money, that you^* may eat and you^* will also buy water from them for money, that you^* may drink. ^2:7 Because Jehovah your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He has known your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years Jehovah your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.

^2:8 So we passed by from our brothers the sons of Esau, who dwell in Seir, from the way of the Arabah from Elath and from Ezion-geber. And we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. ^2:9And Jehovah said to me, Do not harass Moab, neither contend with them in battle, because I will not give to you of his land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the sons of Lot for a possession.

^2:10 (The Emim dwelt in it formerly, a people great and many and tall, as the Anakim. ^2:11 These also are accounted Rephaim, as the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim. ^2:12 The Horites also dwelt in Seir formerly, but the sons of Esau succeeded them. And they destroyed them from before them and dwelt in their stead, as Israel did to the land of his possession, which Jehovah gave to them.)

^2:13 Now rise up and you^* yourselves pass over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered. ^2:14 And the days in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we came over the brook Zered, were thirty-eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the midst of the camp, as Jehovah swore to them. ^2:15 Moreover the hand of Jehovah was against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp, until they were consumed.

^2:16 So it happened, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, ^2:17that Jehovah spoke to me, saying, ^2:18 You are this day to pass over Ar, the border of Moab. ^2:19 And when you come near opposite the sons of Ammon, do not harass them, nor contend with them, because I will not give you of the land of the sons of Ammon for a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession.

^2:20 (That also is accounted a land of Rephaim. Rephaim dwelt in it formerly, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, ^2:21 a people great and many and tall, as the Anakim. But Jehovah destroyed them before them and they succeeded them and dwelt in their stead, ^2:22 as he did for the sons of Esau, who dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them. And they succeeded them and dwelt in their stead even to this day. ^2:23 And the Avvim, who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them and dwelt in their stead.)

^2:24 Rise up, take your^* journey and pass over the valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, King of Heshbon and his land. Begin to possess it and contend with him in battle. ^2:25 This day I will begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you upon the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who will hear the report of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.

^2:26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon King of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, ^2:27 Let me pass through your land. I will go along by the highway, I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left. ^2:28 You will sell me food for money, that I may eat and give me water for money, that I may drink. Only let me pass through on my feet, ^2:29 as the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir and the Moabites who dwell in Ar, did for me, until I will pass over the Jordan into the land which Jehovah our God gives us.

^2:30 But Sihon King of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, because Jehovah your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as at this day. ^2:31 And Jehovah said to me, Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before you. Begin to possess, that you may inherit his land.

^2:32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Jahaz. ^2:33 And Jehovah our God delivered him up before us. And we killed^* him and his sons and all his people. ^2:34 And we took all his cities at that time and utterly destroyed every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones; we left none remaining.

^2:35 We only took the cattle for a prey to ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we had taken. ^2:36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon and from the city that is in the valley, even to Gilead, a city was not too high for us. Jehovah our God delivered up all before us.

^2:37 Only to the land of the sons of Ammon you did not come near, all the side of the river Jabbok and the cities of the hill-country and wherever Jehovah our God had forbidden us.

[Deuteronomy 3] TOC

^3:1 Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan. And Og the King of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. ^3:2And Jehovah said to me, Do not fear him, because I have delivered him and all his people and his land, into your hand. And you will do to him as you did to Sihon King of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.

^3:3 So Jehovah our God delivered Og also into our hand, the King of Bashan and all his people and we killed^* him until none was left to him remaining.^3:4 And we took all his cities at that time. There was not a city which we did not take from them, sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. ^3:5 All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates and bars; besides the un-walled towns a great many. ^3:6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon King of Heshbon, utterly destroying every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones. ^3:7 But all the cattle and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves.

^3:8 And we took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon ^3:9 (the Sidonians call Hermon, Sirion and the Amorites call it Senir), ^3:10 all the cities of the plain and all Gilead and all Bashan, to Salecah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. ^3:11 (Because only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his couch was a couch of iron. Is it not in Rabbah of the sons of Ammon? Nine cubits was the length of it and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.)

^3:12 And we took this land in possession at that time. From Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon and half the hill-country of Gilead and the cities of it, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites.

^3:13 And the rest of Gilead and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh, all the region of Argob, even all Bashan. The same is called the land of Rephaim. ^3:14 (Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth-jair, to this day.) ^3:15 And I gave Gilead to Machir.

^3:16 And I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley and the border of it, even to the brook of Jabbok, which is the border of the sons of Ammon, ^3:17 also the Arabah and the Jordan and the border of it, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward.

^3:18 And I commanded you^* at that time, saying, Jehovah your^* God has given you^* this land to possess it. You^* will pass over armed before your^* brothers the sons of Israel, all the men of valor. ^3:19But your^* wives and your^* little ones and your^* cattle, (I know that you^* have much cattle,) will abide in your^* cities which I have given you^* ^3:20 until Jehovah gives rest to your^* brothers, as to you^* and they also possess the land which Jehovah your^* God gives them beyond the Jordan, then you^* will return every man to his possession, which I have given you^*.

^3:21 And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Your eyes have seen all that Jehovah your^* God has done to these two kings. So will Jehovah do to all the kingdoms where you go over. ^3:22 You^* will not fear them, because Jehovah your^* God, he it is who fights for you^*.

^3:23 And I besought Jehovah at that time, saying,^3:24 O Lord Jehovah, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand, for what god is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to your works and according to your mighty acts? ^3:25 Let me go over, I beseech you and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that pleasant mountain and Lebanon.

^3:26 But Jehovah was angry with me because of you^* and did not listen to me. And Jehovah said to me, It will be enough for you. Speak no more to me of this matter. ^3:27 You go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward and behold with your eyes, because you will not go over this Jordan.

^3:28 But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, because he will go over before this people and he will cause them to inherit the land which you will see. ^3:29 So we abode in the valley opposite Beth-peor.

[Deuteronomy 4] TOC

^4:1 And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances, which I teach you^*, to do them, that you^* may live and go in and possess the land which Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers, gives you^*.^4:2 You^* will not add to the word which I command you^*, neither will you^* diminish from it, that you^* may keep the commandments of Jehovah your^* God which I command you^*.

^4:3 Your^* eyes have seen what Jehovah did because of Baal-peor. Because all the men who followed Baal-peor, Jehovah your God has destroyed them from the midst of you. ^4:4 But you^* who clung to Jehovah your^* God are alive every one of you^* this day.

^4:5 Behold, I have taught you^* statutes and ordinances, even as Jehovah my God commanded me, that you^* should do so in the midst of the land where you^* go in to possess it. ^4:6 Keep therefore and do them, because this is your^* wisdom and your^* understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear all these statutes and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. ^4:7 Because what great nation is there that has a god so near to them, as Jehovah our God is whenever we call upon him? ^4:8 And what great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you^* this day?

^4:9 Only take heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes saw and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life, but make them known to your sons and your son's sons– ^4:10 the day that you stood before Jehovah your God in Horeb, when Jehovah said to me, Assemble the people to me and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth and that they may teach their sons. ^4:11 And you^* came near and stood under the mountain and the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, with darkness, cloud and thick darkness.

^4:12 And Jehovah spoke to you^* out of the midst of the fire. You^* heard the voice of words, but you^* saw no form, only a voice. ^4:13 And he declared to you^* his covenant, which he commanded you^* to perform, even the ten commandments. And he wrote them upon two tablets of stone. ^4:14 And Jehovah commanded me at that time to teach you^* statutes and ordinances, that you^* might do them in the land where you^* go over to possess it.

^4:15 You^* take therefore good heed to yourselves, for you^* saw no manner of form on the day that Jehovah spoke to you^* in Horeb out of the midst of the fire. ^4:16 Lest you^* corrupt yourselves and make for you^* a graven image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, ^4:17 the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky, ^4:18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth.

^4:19 And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, you are drawn away and worship them and serve them, which Jehovah your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. ^4:20 But Jehovah has taken you^* and brought you^* forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as at this day.

^4:21 Furthermore Jehovah was angry with me because of you^* and swore that I would not go over the Jordan and that I would not go in to that good land, which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance, ^4:22 but I must die in this land. I must not go over the Jordan, but you^* will go over and possess that good land.

^4:23 Take heed to yourselves, lest you^* forget the covenant of Jehovah your^* God, which he made with you^* and make to yourselves a graven image in the form of anything which Jehovah your God has forbidden you. ^4:24 Because Jehovah your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

^4:25 When you will beget sons and son's sons and you^* will have been long in the land and will corrupt yourselves and make a graven image in the form of anything and will do what is evil in the sight of Jehovah your God, to provoke him to anger, ^4:26 I testify heaven and earth against you^* this day, that you^* will soon utterly perish from the land to which you^* go over the Jordan to possess it. You^* will not prolong your^* days upon it, but will be utterly destroyed.

^4:27 And Jehovah will scatter you^* among the peoples and you^* will be left few in number among the nations where Jehovah will lead you^* away. ^4:28And you^* will serve gods there, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

^4:29 But you^* will seek Jehovah your God from there. And you will find him when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. ^4:30When you are in tribulation and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to Jehovah your God and listen to his voice. ^4:31 Because Jehovah your God is a merciful God. He will not fail you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them.

^4:32 Because ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man upon the earth and from the one end of heaven to the other, whether there has been anything as this great thing is, or has been heard like it? ^4:33 Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard and live? ^4:34 Or has God ever tried to go and take for him a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs and by wonders and by war and by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm and by great terrors, according to all that Jehovah your^* God did for you^* in Egypt before your^* eyes?

^4:35 It was shown to you, that you might know that Jehovah, he is God. There is none else besides him. ^4:36 Out of heaven he made you to hear his voice, that he might instruct you. And upon earth he made you to see his great fire and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.

^4:37 And because he loved your fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them and brought you out, out of Egypt with his presence and with his great power ^4:38 to drive out nations from before you greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as at this day.

^4:39 Know therefore this day and lay it to your heart, that Jehovah he is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath. There is none else. ^4:40 And you will keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you and with your sons after you and that you may prolong your days in the land, which Jehovah your God gives you, forever.

^4:41 Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, ^4:42 that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor without knowledge and did not hate him in time past and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live: ^4:43 namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

^4:44 And this is the law which Moses set before the sons of Israel. ^4:45 These are the testimonies and the statutes and the ordinances, which Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, when they came forth out of Egypt, ^4:46 beyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the sons of Israel killed^* when they came forth out of Egypt. ^4:47And they took his land in possession and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, ^4:48from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even to Mount Sion (what is Hermon), ^4:49 and all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, even to the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.

[Deuteronomy 5] TOC

^5:1 And Moses called to all Israel and said to them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your^* ears this day, that you^* may learn them and observe to do them. ^5:2 Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. ^5:3 Jehovah did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

^5:4 Jehovah spoke with you^* face to face in the mountain out of the midst of the fire ^5:5 (I stood between Jehovah and you^* at that time, to show you^* the word of Jehovah, because you^* were afraid because of the fire and did not go up onto the mountain), saying,

^5:6 I am Jehovah your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ^5:7 You will have no other gods before me.

^5:8 You will not make to you a graven image: any likeness that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.^5:9 You will not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them, because I, Jehovah your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of those who hate me, ^5:10 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

^5:11 You will not take the name of Jehovah your God in vain, because Jehovah will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

^5:12 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Jehovah your God commanded you. ^5:13 Six days you will labor and do all your work, ^5:14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Jehovah your God: you will not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maid-servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates, that your manservant and your maid-servant may rest as well as you. ^5:15 And you will remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt and Jehovah your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm, therefore Jehovah your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

^5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as Jehovah your God commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land which Jehovah your God gives you.

^5:17 You will not murder.

^5:18 Neither will you commit adultery.

^5:19 Neither will you steal.

^5:20 Neither will you bear false witness against your neighbor.

^5:21 Neither will you covet your neighbor's wife. Neither will you desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.

^5:22 These words Jehovah spoke to all your^* assembly on the mountain out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud and of the thick darkness, with a great voice and he added no more. And he wrote them upon two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

^5:23 And it happened, when you^* heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you^* came near to me, even all the heads of your^* tribes and your^* elders. ^5:24And you^* said, Behold, Jehovah our God has shown us his glory and his greatness and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man and he lives.

^5:25 Now therefore why should we die? Because this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of Jehovah our God any more, then we will die. ^5:26 Because who is there of all flesh, who has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have and lived? ^5:27 Go near and hear all that Jehovah our God will say. And speak to us all that Jehovah our God will speak to you and we will hear it and do it.

^5:28 And Jehovah heard the voice of your^* words, when you^* spoke to me. And Jehovah said to me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They have well said all that they have spoken. ^5:29 If only such a heart were in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their sons everlasting!

^5:30 Go say to them, Return to your^* tents.^5:31 But as for you, stand here by me and I will speak to you all the commandment and the statutes and the ordinances, which you will teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.

^5:32 You^* will observe to do therefore as Jehovah your^* God has commanded you^*. You^* will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. ^5:33 You^* will walk in all the way which Jehovah your^* God has commanded you^*, that you^* may live and that it may be well with you^* and that you^* may prolong your^* days in the land which you^* will possess.

[Deuteronomy 6] TOC

^6:1 Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the ordinances, which Jehovah your^* God commanded to teach you^*, that you^* might do them in the land where you^* go over to possess it, ^6:2 that you might fear Jehovah your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you and your son and your son's son, all the days of your life and that your days may be prolonged.

^6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel and observe to do it, that it may be well with you and that you^* may increase mightily, as Jehovah, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. ^6:4 Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. ^6:5 And you will love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

^6:6 And these words, which I command you this day, will be upon your heart. ^6:7 And you will teach them diligently to your sons and will talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. ^6:8 And you will bind them for a sign upon your hand and they will be for bands between your eyes.^6:9 And you will write them upon the door-posts of your house and upon your gates.

^6:10 And it will be, when Jehovah your God will bring you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, to give you, great and pleasant cities, which you did not build, ^6:11 and houses full of all good things, which you did not fill and cisterns hewn out, which you did not hew, vineyards and olive trees, which you did not plant and you will eat and be full, ^6:12 then beware lest you forget Jehovah, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

^6:13 You will fear Jehovah your God and him you will serve and will swear by his name. ^6:14 You^* will not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are all around you^*, ^6:15 because Jehovah your God in the midst of you is a jealous God, lest the anger of Jehovah your God be kindled against you and he destroy you from the face of the earth.

^6:16 You^* will not challenge Jehovah your^* God, as you^* challenged him in Massah.

^6:17 You^* will diligently keep the commandments of Jehovah your^* God and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. ^6:18 And you will do what is right and good in the sight of Jehovah, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which Jehovah swore to your fathers, ^6:19 to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as Jehovah has spoken.

^6:20 When your son asks you in time to come, saying, What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God has commanded you^*? ^6:21 Then you will say to your son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt and Jehovah brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.^6:22 And Jehovah showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh and upon all his house, before our eyes. ^6:23 And he brought us out from there that he might bring us in to give us the land which he swore to our fathers.

^6:24 And Jehovah commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Jehovah our God for our good always, that he might preserve us alive as at this day.^6:25 And it will be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all this commandment before Jehovah our God as he has commanded us.

[Deuteronomy 7] TOC

^7:1 When Jehovah your God will bring you into the land where you go to possess it and will cast out many nations before you, the Hittite and the Girgashite and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, seven nations greater and mightier than you, ^7:2 and when Jehovah your God will deliver them up before you and you will kill^* them, then you will utterly destroy them. You will make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them. ^7:3 Neither will you make marriages with them. Your daughter you will not give to his son, nor his daughter will you take to your son. ^7:4 Because he will turn away your son from following me, that they may serve other gods, so the anger of Jehovah will be kindled against you^* and he will destroy you quickly.

^7:5 But you^* will deal with them thus: You^* will break down their altars and smash their pillars and hew down their Asherim {pole-images} and burn their graven images with fire.

^7:6 Because you are a holy people to Jehovah your God. Jehovah your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. ^7:7 Jehovah did not set his love upon you^*, nor choose you^*, because you^* were more in number than any people, because you^* were the fewest of all peoples, ^7:8 but because Jehovah loves you^*. And because he would keep the oath which he swore to your^* fathers, Jehovah has brought you^* out with a mighty hand and redeemed you^* out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh King of Egypt.

^7:9 Know therefore that Jehovah your God, he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, ^7:10 and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates him. He will repay him to his face. ^7:11 You will therefore keep the commandment and the statutes and the ordinances, which I command you this day, to do them.

^7:12 And it will happen, because you^* listen to these ordinances and keep and do them, that Jehovah your God will keep with you the covenant and the loving kindness which he swore to your fathers. ^7:13And he will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock, in the land which he swore to your fathers to give you.

^7:14 You will be blessed above all peoples. Male or female will not be barren among you^*, or among your^* cattle. ^7:15 And Jehovah will take away from you all sickness. And none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, will he put upon you, but will lay them upon all those who hate you. ^7:16 And you will consume all the peoples that Jehovah your God will deliver to you. Your eye will not pity them. Neither will you serve their gods, because that will be a snare to you.

^7:17 If you will say in your heart, These nations are more than I. How can I dispossess them? ^7:18 You will not be afraid of them. You will remember well what Jehovah your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: ^7:19 the great trials which your eyes saw and the signs and the wonders and the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which Jehovah your God brought you out. So will Jehovah your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

^7:20 Moreover Jehovah your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left and hide themselves perish from before you. ^7:21 You will not be frightened at them, because Jehovah your God is in the midst of you, a great God and awesome.

^7:22 And Jehovah your God will cast out those nations before you little by little. You may not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon you. ^7:23 But Jehovah your God will deliver them up before you and will confuse them with a great confusion until they are destroyed. ^7:24And he will deliver their kings into your hand and you will make their name to perish from under heaven. No man will be able to stand before you, until you have destroyed them.

^7:25 You^* will burn the graven images of their gods with fire. You will not desire the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it to you, lest you are snared by it, because it is an abomination to Jehovah your God. ^7:26 And you will not bring an abomination into your house and become a devoted thing like it. You will make it an abomination and you will utterly abhor it, because it is a cursed thing.

[Deuteronomy 8] TOC

^8:1 All the commandment which I command you this day you^* will observe to do, that you^* may live and multiply and go in and possess the land which Jehovah swore to your^* fathers. ^8:2 And you will remember all the way which Jehovah your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not. ^8:3 And he humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, neither did your fathers know, that he might make you to know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Jehovah.

^8:4 Your garments did not grow old upon you, neither did your foot swell, these forty years. ^8:5 And you will consider in your heart, that, as a man disciplines his son, so Jehovah your God disciplines you.^8:6 And you will keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, to walk in his ways and to fear him.

^8:7 Because Jehovah your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; ^8:8 a land of wheat and barley and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, ^8:9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarceness. You will not lack anything in it, a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you may dig copper.^8:10 And you will eat and be full and you will praise Jehovah your God for the good land which he has given you.

^8:11 Beware lest you forget Jehovah your God, in not keeping his commandments and his ordinances and his statutes, which I command you this day. ^8:12Lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and dwelt in it, ^8:13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply and your silver and your gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, ^8:14 then your heart is lifted up and you forget Jehovah your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, ^8:15who led you through the great and terrible wilderness– fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where was no water– who brought you forth water out of the rock of flint, ^8:16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and that he might prove you, to do good to you at your latter end.

^8:17 And lest you say in your heart, My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.^8:18 But you will remember Jehovah your God, Because it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day.

^8:19 And it will be, if you will forget Jehovah your God and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you^* this day that you^* will surely perish. ^8:20 As the nations that Jehovah makes to perish before you^*, so will you^* perish, because you^* would not listen to the voice of Jehovah your^* God.

[Deuteronomy 9] TOC

^9:1 Hear, O Israel: You are to pass over the Jordan this day, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and fortified up to heaven, ^9:2 a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard say, Who can stand before the sons of Anak?

^9:3 Know therefore this day, that Jehovah your God is he who goes over before you as a devouring fire. He will destroy them and he will bring them down before you. So you will drive them out and make them to perish quickly, as Jehovah has spoken to you.

^9:4 Do not speak in your heart, after Jehovah your God has thrust them out from before you, saying, Jehovah has brought me for my righteousness in to possess this land. But because of the wickedness of these nations Jehovah drives them out from before you.

^9:5 Not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, do you go in to possess their land, but for the wickedness of these nations Jehovah your God drives them out from before you and that he may establish the word which Jehovah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.

^9:6 Know therefore, that Jehovah your God does not give you this good land to possess it for your righteousness, because you are a stiff-necked people.

^9:7 Remember, do not you forget how you provoked Jehovah your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you went forth out of the land of Egypt, until you^* came to this place, you^* have been rebellious against Jehovah.

^9:8 Also in Horeb you^* provoked Jehovah to wrath and Jehovah was angry with you^* to destroy you^*. ^9:9 When I had gone up onto the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, even the tablets of the covenant which Jehovah made with you^*, then I abode on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water. ^9:10 And Jehovah delivered to me the two tablets of stone written with the finger of God. And on them was according to all the words, which Jehovah spoke with you^* in the mountain out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

^9:11 And it happened, at the end of forty days and forty nights, that Jehovah gave me the two tablets of stone, even the tablets of the covenant. ^9:12 And Jehovah said to me, Arise, get down quickly from here, because your people that you have brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them. They have made them a molten image.

^9:13 Furthermore Jehovah spoke to me, saying, I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stubborn people. ^9:14 Let me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.

^9:15 So I turned and came down from the mountain and the mountain was burning with fire. And the two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands. ^9:16 And I looked, and behold, you^* had sinned against Jehovah your^* God. You^* had made you^* a molten calf. You^* had turned aside quickly out of the way which Jehovah had commanded you^*. ^9:17 And I took hold of the two tablets and cast them out of my two hands and broke them before your^* eyes.

^9:18 And I fell down before Jehovah, as at the first, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your^* sin which you^* sinned, in doing what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger. ^9:19 Because I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which Jehovah was angry against you^* to destroy you^*. But Jehovah listened to me that time also.

^9:20 And Jehovah was very angry with Aaron to destroy him. And I prayed for Aaron also at the same time. ^9:21 And I took your^* sin, the calf which you^* had made and burnt it with fire and beat it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust. And I cast the dust of it into the brook that descended out of the mountain.

^9:22 And at Taberah and at Massah and at Kibroth-hattaavah, you^* provoked Jehovah to wrath.^9:23 And when Jehovah sent you^* from Kadesh-barnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you^*, then you^* rebelled against the commandment of Jehovah your^* God and you^* did not believe him, nor listen to his voice.

^9:24 You^* have been rebellious against Jehovah from the day that I knew you^*.

^9:25 So I fell down before Jehovah the forty days and forty nights that I fell down, because Jehovah had said he would destroy you^*. ^9:26 And I prayed to Jehovah and said, O Lord Jehovah, destroy not your people and your inheritance, that you have redeemed through your greatness, that you have brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

^9:27 Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Do not look to the stubbornness of this people, nor to their profaneness, nor to their sin, ^9:28lest the land from where you brought us out say, Because Jehovah was not able to bring them into the land which he promised to them and because he hated them, he has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness. ^9:29 Yet they are your people and your inheritance, which you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm.

[Deuteronomy 10] TOC

^10:1 At that time Jehovah said to me, Hew for yourself two tablets of stone like the first and come up to me onto the mountain and you make an ark of wood. ^10:2And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke and you will put them in the ark. ^10:3 So I made an ark of acacia wood and hewed two tablets of stone like the first and went up onto the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand. ^10:4 And he wrote on the tablets according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Jehovah spoke to you^* in the mountain out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly and Jehovah gave them to me. ^10:5 And I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark which I had made. And they are there as Jehovah commanded me.

^10:6 (And the sons of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah. Aaron died there and he was buried there and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office instead of him. ^10:7 They journeyed from there to Gudgodah and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water. ^10:8At that time Jehovah set apart the tribe of Levi, to carry the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, to stand before Jehovah to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day. ^10:9 Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers. Jehovah is his inheritance, just-as Jehovah your God spoke to him.)

^10:10 And I stayed on the mountain as at the first time, forty days and forty nights and Jehovah listened to me that time also: Jehovah would not destroy you. ^10:11 And Jehovah said to me, Arise, go on your journey before the people and they will go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give to them.

^10:12 And now, Israel, what does Jehovah your God require of you, but to fear Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ^10:13 to keep the commandments of Jehovah and his statutes, which I command you this day for your good?

^10:14 Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is in it belongs to Jehovah your God. ^10:15 Only Jehovah had a delight in your fathers to love them and he chose their seed after them, even you^* above all peoples as at this day. ^10:16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your^* heart and do not be stiff-necked anymore.

^10:17 Because Jehovah your^* God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty and the awesome, who regards not persons, nor takes reward.

^10:18 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the traveler in giving him food and garments. ^10:19 Love therefore the traveler, because you^* were travelers in the land of Egypt.

^10:20 You will fear Jehovah your God. You will serve him and you will cling to him and by his name you will swear. ^10:21 He is your praise and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which your eyes have seen.

^10:22 Your fathers went down into Egypt, in souls, seventy. And now Jehovah your God has made you as the stars of heaven for a multitude.

[Deuteronomy 11] TOC

^11:1 Therefore you will love Jehovah your God and keep his charge and his statutes and his ordinances and his commandments, always.

^11:2 And you^* know this day, because it is not with your^* sons who have not known and who have not seen the chastisement of Jehovah your^* God, his greatness, his mighty hand and his outstretched arm,^11:3 and his signs and his works, which he did in the midst of Egypt to Pharaoh the King of Egypt and to all his land, ^11:4 and what he did to the army of Egypt, to their horses and to their chariots, how he made the water of the Red Sea to overflow them as they pursued after you^* and how Jehovah has destroyed them to this day, ^11:5 and what he did to you^* in the wilderness, until you^* came to this place,^11:6 and what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben, how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up and their households and their tents and every living thing that followed them, in the midst of all Israel, ^11:7 but your^* eyes have seen all the great work of Jehovah which he did.

^11:8 Therefore you^* will keep all the commandment which I command you this day, that you^* may be strong and go in and possess the land, where you^* go over to possess it, ^11:9 and that you^* may prolong your^* days in the land, which Jehovah swore to your^* fathers to give to them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey.

^11:10 Because the land, where you go in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from where you^* came out, where you sowed your seed and watered it with your foot, as a garden of herbs, ^11:11 but the land, where you^* go over to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinks water from the rain of heaven, ^11:12 a land which Jehovah your God cares for. The eyes of Jehovah your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year.

^11:13 And it will happen, if you^* will listen diligently to my commandments which I command you^* this day, to love Jehovah your^* God and to serve him with all your^* heart and with all your^* soul, ^11:14 that I will give the rain of your^* land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain and your new wine and your oil. ^11:15 And I will give grass in your fields for your cattle and you will eat and be full.

^11:16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your^* heart be deceived and you^* turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, ^11:17 and the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you^* and he shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain and the land will not yield its fruit and you^* perish quickly from the good land which Jehovah gives you^*.

^11:18 Therefore you^* will lay up these my words in your^* heart and in your^* soul. And you^* will bind them for a sign upon your^* hand and they will be for bands between your^* eyes. ^11:19 And you^* will teach them to your^* sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

^11:20 And you will write them upon the door-posts of your house and upon your gates, ^11:21 that your^* days may be multiplied and the days of your^* sons, in the land which Jehovah swore to your^* fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth.

^11:22 For if you^* will diligently keep all this commandment which I command you^*, to do it, to love Jehovah your^* God, to walk in all his ways and to cling to him, ^11:23 then Jehovah will drive out all these nations from before you^* and you^* will dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves. ^11:24 Every place on which the sole of your^* foot will tread will be yours^*, from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the furthest sea will be your^* border. ^11:25 No man will be able to stand before you^*. Jehovah your^* God will lay the fear of you^* and the dread of you^* upon all the land that you^* will tread upon, as he has spoken to you^*.

^11:26 Behold, I set before you^* this day a blessing and a curse: ^11:27 the blessing, if you^* will listen to the commandments of Jehovah your^* God, which I command you^* this day, ^11:28 and the curse, if you^* will not listen to the commandments of Jehovah your^* God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you^* this day to go after other gods, which you^* have not known.

^11:29 And it will happen, when Jehovah your God will bring you into the land where you go to possess it, that you will set the blessing upon Mount Gerizim and the curse upon Mount Ebal. ^11:30 Are they not beyond the Jordan, behind the way of the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites who dwell in the Arabah, opposite Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh?

^11:31 Because you^* are to pass over the Jordan to go in to possess the land which Jehovah your^* God gives you^* and you^* will possess it and dwell in it. ^11:32 And you^* will observe to do all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you^* this day.

[Deuteronomy 12] TOC

^12:1 These are the statutes and the ordinances which you^* will observe to do in the land which Jehovah, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess it all the days that you^* live upon the earth.^12:2 You^* will surely destroy all the places in which the nations that you^* will dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains and upon the hills and under every green tree. ^12:3 And you^* will break down their altars and smash their pillars and burn their Asherim {pole-images} with fire. And you^* will cut down the graven images of their gods and you^* will destroy their name out of that place.

^12:4 You^* will not do so to Jehovah your^* God. ^12:5But to the place which Jehovah your^* God will choose out of all your^* tribes, to put his name there, even to his dwelling you^* will seek and there you will come. ^12:6 And you^* will bring your^* burnt-offerings there and your^* sacrifices and your^* tithes and the heave-offering of your^* hand and your^* vows and your^* free-will offerings and the first-offspring of your^* herd and of your^* flock. ^12:7 And you^* will eat before Jehovah your^* God there and you^* will rejoice in all that you^* put your^* hand to, you^* and your^* households, in which Jehovah your God has blessed you.

^12:8 You^* will not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes. ^12:9 Because you^* have not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which Jehovah your God gives you.

^12:10 But when you^* go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which Jehovah your^* God causes you^* to inherit and he gives you^* rest from all your^* enemies all around, so that you^* dwell in safety, ^12:11 then it will happen that to the place which Jehovah your^* God will choose to cause his name to dwell there, you^* will bring all that I command you^*there: your^* burnt-offerings and your^* sacrifices, your^* tithes and the heave-offering of your^* hand and all your^* choice vows which you^* vow to Jehovah.

^12:12 And you^* will rejoice before Jehovah your^* God, you^* and your^* sons and your^* daughters and your^* men-servants and your^* maid-servants and the Levite who is within your^* gates– inasmuch as he has no portion nor inheritance with you^*.

^12:13 Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt-offerings in every place that you see, ^12:14but in the place which Jehovah will choose in one of your tribes. You will offer your burnt-offerings there and you will do all that I command you there.

^12:15 You may kill and eat flesh within all your gates only, after all the desire of your soul, according to the blessing of Jehovah your God which he has given you, the unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and as of the male-deer.

^12:16 Only you^* will not eat the blood. You will pour it out upon the ground as water.

^12:17 You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain, or of your new wine, or of your oil, or the first-offspring of your herd or of your flock, nor any of your vows which you vow, nor your free-will offerings, nor the heave-offering of your hand. ^12:18But you will eat them before Jehovah your God in the place which Jehovah your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter and your man-servant and your maid-servant and the Levite who is within your gates. And you will rejoice before Jehovah your God in all that you put your hand to.

^12:19 Take heed to yourself that you not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.

^12:20 When Jehovah your God will enlarge your border, as he has promised you and you will say, I will eat flesh, because your soul desires to eat flesh, you may eat flesh, after all the desire of your soul.^12:21 If the place which Jehovah your God will choose, to put his name there, is too far from you, then you will kill of your herd and of your flock, which Jehovah has given you, as I have commanded you and you may eat within your gates, according to all the desire of your soul. ^12:22 Even as the gazelle and as the male-deer is eaten, so you will eat of it. The unclean and the clean may eat of it alike.

^12:23 Only be sure that you not eat the blood. Because the blood is the life and you will not eat the life with the flesh. ^12:24 You will not eat it. You will pour it out upon the ground as water. ^12:25 You will not eat it, that it may go well with you and with your sons after you, when you will do what is right in the eyes of Jehovah.

^12:26 Only your holy things which you have and your vows, you will take and go to the place which Jehovah will choose. ^12:27 And you will offer your burnt-offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of Jehovah your God and the blood of your sacrifices will be poured out upon the altar of Jehovah your God and you will eat the flesh.

^12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your sons after you everlasting, when you do what is good and right in the eyes of Jehovah your God.

^12:29 When Jehovah your God will cut off the nations from before you, where you go in to dispossess them and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, ^12:30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? Even so I will do likewise.

^12:31 You will not do so to Jehovah your God. Because every abomination to Jehovah, which he hates, they have done to their gods, because they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.

^12:32 Whatever thing I command you^*, that will you^* observe to do. You will not add to it, nor diminish from it.

[Deuteronomy 13] TOC

^13:1 If a prophet arise in the midst of you, or a dreamer of dreams and he gives you a sign or a wonder, ^13:2 and the sign or the wonder occurs, of which he spoke to you, saying, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known and let us serve them, ^13:3 you will not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams, because Jehovah your^* God proves you^*, to know whether you^* love Jehovah your^* God with all your^* heart and with all your^* soul. ^13:4 You^* will walk after Jehovah your^* God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice and you^* will serve him and cling to him.

^13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, will be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Jehovah your^* God, who brought you^* out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which Jehovah your God commanded you to walk in. So you will put away the evil from the midst of you.

^13:6 If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, who is as your own soul, entices you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers, ^13:7 of the gods of the peoples that are all around you^*, near to you, or far off from you, from the one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth, ^13:8 you will not consent to him, nor listen to him. Neither will your eye pity him, neither will you spare, neither will you conceal him, ^13:9 but you will surely kill him. Your hand will be first upon him to put him to death and afterwards the hand of all the people. ^13:10 And you will stone him to death with stones, because he has sought to draw you away from Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

^13:11 And all Israel will hear and fear and will no more do any such wickedness as this is in the midst of you.

^13:12 If you will hear tell concerning one of your cities, which Jehovah your God gives you to dwell there, saying, ^13:13 Certain worthless men have gone out from the midst of you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you^* have not known, ^13:14 then you will inquire and make search and ask diligently. And behold, if it is true and the thing certain, that such abomination is worked in the midst of you, ^13:15 you will surely kill^* the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly and all that is in it and the cattle in it, with the edge of the sword. ^13:16 And you will gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street of it and will burn the city with fire and all the spoil of it, everything, to Jehovah your God and it will be a heap everlasting. It will not be built again.

^13:17 And nothing of the devoted thing will cling to your hand, that Jehovah may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy and have compassion upon you and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers, ^13:18 when you will listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, to keep all his commandments which I command you this day, to do what is right in the eyes of Jehovah your God.

[Deuteronomy 14] TOC

^14:1 You^* are the sons of Jehovah your^* God. You^* will not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your^* eyes for the dead. ^14:2 Because you are a holy people to Jehovah your God and Jehovah has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth.

^14:3 You will not eat any abominable thing. ^14:4These are the beasts which you^* may eat: the ox, the sheep and the goat, ^14:5 the male-deer and the gazelle and the roe-deer and the wild goat and the ibex and the antelope and the chamois. ^14:6 And every beast that parts the hoof and has the hoof cloven in two, and chews the cud, among the beasts, that may you^* eat.

^14:7 Nevertheless of those that chew the cud, or of those that have the hoof cloven, these you^* will not eat: the camel and the hare and the shaphan, because they chew the cud but do not part the hoof, they are unclean to you^*, ^14:8 and the swine, because he parts the hoof but does not chew the cud, he is unclean to you^*. Of their flesh you^* will not eat and their carcasses you^* will not touch.

^14:9 These you^* may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales you^* may eat.^14:10 And whatever does not have fins and scales you^* will not eat; it is unclean to you^*.

^14:11 Of all clean birds you^* may eat, ^14:12 but these are those of which you^* will not eat: the eagle and the vulture and the osprey, ^14:13 and the red-kite and the falcon and the kite according to its kind, ^14:14and every raven after its kind, ^14:15 and the ostrich and the night-hawk and the sea-gull and the hawk according to its kind, ^14:16 the little owl and the great owl and the horned owl, ^14:17 and the pelican and the vulture and the cormorant, ^14:18 and the stork and the heron according to its kind and the hoopoe and the bat. ^14:19 And all winged creeping things are unclean to you^*. They will not be eaten. ^14:20 Of all clean birds you^* may eat.

^14:21 You^* will not eat of anything that dies of itself. You may give it to the traveler who is within your gates, that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner, because you are a holy people to Jehovah your God. You will not boil a kid in its mother's milk.

^14:22 You will surely tithe all the increase of your seed; what comes forth from the field year by year.^14:23 And you will eat before Jehovah your God, in the place which he will choose to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine and of your oil and the first-offspring of your herd and of your flock, that you may learn to fear Jehovah your God always.

^14:24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it, because the place is too far from you, which Jehovah your God will choose to set his name there when Jehovah your God will bless you, ^14:25 then you will turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and will go to the place which Jehovah your God will choose.

^14:26 And you will bestow the money for whatever your soul desires, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul asks of you. And you will eat there before Jehovah your God and you will rejoice, you and your household.

^14:27 And the Levite who is within your gates, you will not forsake him, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you. ^14:28 At the end of every three years you will bring forth all the tithe of your increase in the same year and will lay it up within your gates.

^14:29 And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you and the traveler and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates, will come and will eat and be satisfied, that Jehovah your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

[Deuteronomy 15] TOC

^15:1 At the end of every seven years you will make a release. ^15:2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor will release what he has lent to his neighbor. He will not exact it from his neighbor and his brother, because Jehovah's release has been proclaimed. ^15:3 From a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of your is with your brother, your hand will release.

^15:4 However no poor will be with you (because Jehovah will surely bless you in the land which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it), ^15:5 if only you diligently listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you this day.

^15:6 Because Jehovah your God will bless you as he promised you and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

^15:7 If a poor man is with you, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land which Jehovah your God gives you, you will not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother, ^15:8 but you will surely open your hand to him and will surely lend him sufficient for his need which he wants.

^15:9 Beware that a worthless thought is not in your heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing and he cry to Jehovah against you and it is sin to you. ^15:10 You will surely give him and your heart will not be grieved when you give to him, because Jehovah your God will bless you for this thing in all your work and in all that you put your hand to.

^15:11 Because the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you, saying, You will surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and to your poor, in your land.

^15:12 If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you will let him go free from you. ^15:13 And when you let him go free from you, you will not let him go empty. ^15:14 You will furnish him liberally out of your flock and out of your threshing-floor and out of your winepress. As Jehovah your God has blessed you, you will give to him.

^15:15 And you will remember that you were a bondman in the land of Egypt and Jehovah your God redeemed you. Therefore I command you this thing today.

^15:16 And it will be, if he says to you, I will not go out from you, because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you, ^15:17 then you will take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door and he will be your servant everlasting. And also to your maid-servant you will do likewise.

^15:18 It will not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, because he has been worth a double hired servant to you, in serving you six years. And Jehovah your God will bless you in all that you do.

^15:19 All the first-offspring males that are born of your herd and of your flock you will sanctify to Jehovah your God. You will do no work with the first-offspring of your herd, nor shear the first-offspring of your flock.

^15:20 You will eat it before Jehovah your God year by year in the place which Jehovah will choose, you and your household. ^15:21 And if it has any blemish, as lame or blind, any ill blemish whatever, you will not sacrifice it to Jehovah your God.

^15:22 You will eat it within your gates. The unclean man and the clean man alike, as the gazelle and as the male-deer.

^15:23 Only you will not eat the blood of it. You will pour it out upon the ground as water.

[Deuteronomy 16] TOC

^16:1 Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to Jehovah your God, because in the month of Abib Jehovah your God brought you forth out of Egypt by night. ^16:2 And you will sacrifice the Passover to Jehovah your God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which Jehovah will choose to cause his name to dwell there.

^16:3 You will eat no leavened bread with it. Seven days you will eat unleavened bread with it, even the bread of affliction, because you came forth out of the land of Egypt in haste, that you may remember the day when you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. ^16:4 And no leaven will be seen with you in all your borders seven days. Neither will any of the flesh, which you sacrifice the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning.

^16:5 You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates, which Jehovah your God gives you, ^16:6 but at the place which Jehovah your God will choose to cause his name to dwell in, you will sacrifice the Passover at evening there, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came forth out of Egypt. ^16:7 And you will roast and eat it in the place which Jehovah your God will choose and you will turn in the morning and go to your tents. ^16:8 Six days you will eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day will be a solemn assembly to Jehovah your God. You will do no work.

^16:9 You will number to you seven weeks. From the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain you will begin to number seven weeks. ^16:10 And you will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread to Jehovah your God with a tribute of a free-will offering from your hand, which you will give, just-as Jehovah your God blesses you.

^16:11 And you will rejoice before Jehovah your God, you and your son and your daughter and your man-servant and your maid-servant and the Levite who is within your gates and the traveler and the fatherless and the widow, who are in the midst of you, in the place which Jehovah your God will choose to cause his name to dwell there, ^16:12 and you will remember that you were a bondman in Egypt. And you will observe and do these statutes.

^16:13 You will keep the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing-floor and from your winepress. ^16:14 And you will rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your man-servant and your maid-servant and the Levite and the traveler and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates.

^16:15 Seven days you will keep a feast to Jehovah your God in the place which Jehovah will choose, because Jehovah your God will bless you in all your increase and in all the work of your hands and you will be altogether joyful.

^16:16 Three times in a year all your males will appear before Jehovah your God in the place which he will choose: in the Feast of Unleavened Bread and in the Feast of Unleavened Bread and in the Feast of Booths. And they will not appear before Jehovah empty. ^16:17Every man will give as he is able, according to the blessing of Jehovah your God which he has given you.

^16:18 You will make judges and officers for you in all your gates, which Jehovah your God gives you, according to your tribes and they will judge the people with righteous judgment. ^16:19 You will not distort justice. You will not respect persons, neither will you take a bribe, because a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. ^16:20 You will follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which Jehovah your God gives you.

^16:21 You will not plant for you an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of Jehovah your God, which you will make for you. ^16:22 Neither will you set up a pillar for you, which Jehovah your God hates.

[Deuteronomy 17] TOC

^17:1 You will not sacrifice to Jehovah your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a blemish or anything bad, because that is an abomination to Jehovah your God.

^17:2 If there is found in the midst of you, within any of your gates which Jehovah your God gives you, man or woman, who does what is evil in the sight of Jehovah your God, in transgressing his covenant, ^17:3 and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded,^17:4and it is told you and you have heard of it, then will you inquire diligently. And behold, if it is true and the thing certain, that such abomination is worked in Israel, ^17:5 then you will bring forth that man or that woman, who has done this evil thing, to your gates, even the man or the woman and you will stone them to death with stones.

^17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, will he who is to die be put to death. He will not be put to death at the mouth of one witness.^17:7 The hand of the witnesses will be first upon him to put him to death and afterward the hand of all the people. So you will put away the evil from the midst of you.

^17:8 If a matter arise too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates, then you will arise and get you up to the place which Jehovah your God will choose. ^17:9 And you will come to the priests the Levites and to the judge who will be in those days and you will inquire. And they will show you the sentence of judgment.

^17:10 And you will do according to the tenor of the sentence which they will show you from that place which Jehovah will choose. And you will observe to do according to all that they will teach you, ^17:11 according to the tenor of the law which they will teach you and according to the judgment which they will tell you, you will do. You will not turn aside from the sentence, which they will show you, to the right hand, nor to the left.

^17:12 And the man who does presumptuously, in not listening to the priest who stands to minister there before Jehovah your God, or to the judge, even that man will die and you will put away the evil from Israel. ^17:13 And all the people will hear and fear and do no more presumptuously.

^17:14 When you have come to the land which Jehovah your God gives you and will possess it and will dwell in it and will say, I will set a king over me like all the nations that are all around me, ^17:15 you will surely set him king over you whom Jehovah your God will choose. You will set a king over you from among your brothers. You may not put a foreigner over you who is not your brother.

^17:16 Only he will not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses, inasmuch as Jehovah has said to you^*, You^* will hereafter return no more that way. ^17:17 Neither will he multiply wives to himself, that his heart do not turn away. Neither will he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

^17:18 And it will be, when he sits upon the throne of his kingdom, that he will write for him a copy of this law in a book, out of it before the priests the Levites, ^17:19 and it will be with him. And he will read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear Jehovah his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them, ^17:20 that his heart is not lifted up above his brothers and that he does not turn aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left, to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons, in the midst of Israel.

[Deuteronomy 18] TOC

^18:1 The priests the Levites, even all the tribe of Levi, will have no portion nor inheritance with Israel. They will eat the fire-offerings of Jehovah and his inheritance. ^18:2 And they will have no inheritance among their brothers. Jehovah is their inheritance as he has spoken to them.

^18:3 And this will be the priests' due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it is ox or sheep: that they will give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the maw. ^18:4 The first-fruits of your grain, of your new wine and of your oil and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you will give him. ^18:5 Because Jehovah your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in the name of Jehovah, him and his sons forever.

^18:6 And if a Levite comes from any of your gates out of all Israel, where he travels and comes with all the desire of his soul to the place which Jehovah will choose, ^18:7 then he will minister in the name of Jehovah his God, as all his brothers the Levites do who stand there before Jehovah. ^18:8 They will have like portions to eat, besides what comes of the sale of his patrimony.

^18:9 When you have come into the land, which Jehovah your God gives you, you will not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations.

^18:10 There will not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, a psychic, he who practices witchcraft, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, ^18:11 or a charmer, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer. ^18:12 Because whoever does these things is an abomination to Jehovah. And because of these abominations Jehovah your God drives them out from before you.^18:13 You will be perfect with Jehovah your God. ^18:14Because these nations, that you will dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to psychics. But as for you, Jehovah your God has not allowed you to do so.

^18:15 Jehovah your God will raise up for you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me. You^* will listen to him, ^18:16 according to all that you desired of Jehovah your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Do not let me hear again the voice of Jehovah my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I do not die. ^18:17 And Jehovah said to me, They have well said what they have spoken.

^18:18 I will raise up a prophet for them from among their brothers, like you. And I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them all that I will command him. ^18:19 And it will happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he will speak in my name, I will require it of him.

^18:20 But the prophet, who will speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who will speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet will die.

^18:21 And if you say in your heart, How will we know the word which Jehovah has not spoken? ^18:22When a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the thing does not follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Jehovah has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You will not be afraid of him.

[Deuteronomy 19] TOC

^19:1 When Jehovah your God will cut off the nations, whose land Jehovah your God gives you and you inherit them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, ^19:2 you will set apart three cities for you in the midst of your land, which Jehovah your God gives you to possess it. ^19:3 You will prepare for you the way and divide the borders of your land, which Jehovah your God causes you to inherit, into three parts, that every manslayer may flee there.

^19:4 And this is the case of the manslayer, who will flee there and live: Whoever kills his neighbor without knowledge and did not hate him in time past, ^19:5 as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to hew wood and his hand fetches a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree and the head slips from the helve and lands upon his neighbor, so that he dies, he will flee to one of these cities and live.

^19:6 Lest the avenger of blood pursue the manslayer, while his heart is hot and overtake him, because the way is long and kill^* him mortally, and he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he did not hate him in time past.

^19:7 Therefore I command you, saying, You will set apart three cities for you. ^19:8 And if Jehovah your God enlarge your border, as he has sworn to your fathers and give you all the land which he promised to give to your fathers, ^19:9 if you will keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you this day, to love Jehovah your God and to walk ever in his ways, then will you add three more cities for you, besides these three, ^19:10 that innocent blood not be shed in the midst of your land, which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance and so blood be upon you.

^19:11 But if any man hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and rises up against him and slays him mortally so that he dies and he flees into one of these cities, ^19:12 then the elders of his city will send and fetch him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

^19:13 Your eye will not pity him, but you will put away the innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.

^19:14 You will not remove your neighbor's landmark, which they of old time have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit, in the land that Jehovah your God gives you to possess it.

^19:15 One witness will not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, will a matter be established.

^19:16 If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing, ^19:17then both the men, between whom the controversy is, will stand before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges that will be in those days,

^19:18 and the judges will make diligent inquiry. And behold, if the witness is a false witness and has testified falsely against his brother, ^19:19 then you^* will do to him, as he had thought to do to his brother. So will you put away the evil from the midst of you.

^19:20 And those who remain will hear and fear and will hereafter commit no more any such evil in the midst of you. ^19:21 And your eyes will not pity: life in exchange for life, eye in exchange for eye, tooth in exchange for tooth, hand in exchange for hand, foot in exchange for foot.

[Deuteronomy 20] TOC

^20:1 When you go forth to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots, and a people more than you, you will not be afraid of them, because Jehovah your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

^20:2 And it will be, when you^* draw near to the battle, that the priest will approach and speak to the people, ^20:3 and will say to them, Hear, O Israel, you^* draw near this day to battle against your^* enemies. Do not let your^* heart faint. Do not fear, nor tremble, neither be you^* frightened at them. ^20:4 Because Jehovah your^* God is he who goes with you^*, to fight for you^* against your^* enemies, to save you^*.

^20:5 And the officers will speak to the people, saying, What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

^20:6 And what man is there who has planted a vineyard and has not used the fruit of it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man use the fruit of it.

^20:7 And what man is there who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.

^20:8 And the officers will speak further to the people and they will say, What man is there who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brother's heart melt as his heart.

^20:9 And it will be, when the officers have made an end of speaking to the people, that they will appoint captains of armies at the head of the people.

^20:10 When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it. ^20:11 And it will be, if it makes to you an answer of peace and opens to you, then it will be, that all the people that are found in it will become forced-labor to you and will serve you.

^20:12 And if it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you will besiege it.^20:13 And when Jehovah your God delivers it into your hand, you will kill^* every male of it with the edge of the sword, ^20:14 but the women and the little ones and the cattle and all that is in the city, even all the spoil of it, you will take for a prey to yourself. And you will eat the spoil of your enemies, which Jehovah your God has given you.

^20:15 You will do thus to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.

^20:16 But of the cities of these peoples, that Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance, you will save alive nothing that breathes, ^20:17 but you will utterly destroy them– the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite– as Jehovah your God has commanded you, ^20:18 that they do not teach you^* to do after all their abominations, which they have done to their gods, so you^* would sin against Jehovah your^* God.

^20:19 When you will besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you will not destroy the trees of it by wielding an axe against them, because you may eat of them. And you will not cut them down, for is the tree of the field a man, that it should be besieged by you? ^20:20 Only the trees of which you know that they are not trees for food, you will destroy and cut them down. And you will build ramparts against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

[Deuteronomy 21] TOC

^21:1 If a man is found slain in the land which Jehovah your God gives you to possess it, lying in the field and it not be known who has struck him, ^21:2then your elders and your judges will come forth. And they will measure to the cities which are all around him who is slain, ^21:3 and it will be, that the city which is nearest to the slain man, even the elders of that city will take a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked with and which has not drawn in the yoke, ^21:4 and the elders of that city will bring down the heifer to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown and will break the heifer's neck there in the valley.

^21:5 And the priests the sons of Levi will come near, for Jehovah your God has chosen them to minister to him and to bless in the name of Jehovah and according to their word will every controversy and every stroke be.

^21:6 And all the elders of that city, who are nearest to the slain man, will wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, ^21:7and they will answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. ^21:8Forgive, O Jehovah, your people Israel whom you have redeemed and allow no innocent blood to remain in the midst of your people Israel. And the blood will be forgiven them.

^21:9 So will you put away the innocent blood from the midst of you when you will do what is right in the eyes of Jehovah.

^21:10 When you go forth to battle against your enemies and Jehovah your God delivers them into your hands and you carry them away captive, ^21:11 and see among the captives a beautiful woman and you have a desire for her and would take her to you as a wife, ^21:12 then you will bring her home to your house. And she will shave her head and pare her nails, ^21:13 and she will put the garments of her captivity from her and will remain in your house and weep for her father and her mother a full month. And after that you will go in to her and be her husband and she will be your wife.

^21:14 And it will be, if you have no delight in her, then you will let her go where she will, but you will not sell her at all for money. You will not deal with her harshly, because you have humbled her.

^21:15 If a man has two wives, the one beloved and the other hated and they have borne him sons, both the beloved and the one hated and if the firstborn son be hers who was hated, ^21:16 then it will be, in the day that he causes his sons to inherit what he has, that he may not make the son of the beloved the firstborn before the son of the one hated, who is the firstborn.^21:17 But he will acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the one hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, because he is the beginning of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.

^21:18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and though they discipline him, will not listen to them, ^21:19 then his father and his mother will lay hold on him and bring him out to the elders of his city and to the gate of his place. ^21:20 And they will say to the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard. ^21:21 And all the men of his city will stone him to death with stones. So you will put away the evil from the midst of you and all Israel will hear and fear.

^21:22 And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death and you hang him on a tree, ^21:23 his body will not remain all night upon the tree, but you will surely bury him the same day, because he who is hanged is accursed of God, that you not defile your land which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance.

[Deuteronomy 22] TOC

^22:1 You will not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You will surely bring them again to your brother. ^22:2 And if your brother is not near to you, or if you do not know him, then you will bring it home to your house and it will be with you until your brother seeks after it and you will restore it to him. ^22:3 And so will you do with his donkey and so will you do with his garment and so will you do with every lost thing of your brother's, which he has lost and you have found. You may not hide yourself.

^22:4 You will not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and hide yourself from them. You will surely help him to lift them up again.

^22:5 A woman will not wear what pertains to a man, neither will a man put on a woman's garment, because whoever does these things is an abomination to Jehovah your God.

^22:6 If a bird's nest chance to be before you in the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the dam sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, you will not take the dam with the young.^22:7 You will surely let the dam go, but the young you may take to yourself, that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

^22:8 When you build a new house, then you will make a guard rail for your roof, that you not bring blood upon your house, if any man falls from there.

^22:9 You will not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest the whole fruit is forfeited: the seed which you have sown and the increase of the vineyard. ^22:10 You will not plow with an ox and a donkey together. ^22:11 You will not wear a mingled material, wool and linen together.

^22:12 You will make for yourself hems upon the four borders of your clothing, with which you cover yourself.

^22:13 If any man takes a wife and goes in to her and dislikes her, ^22:14 and charges her with shameful things and brings up an evil name upon her and says, I took this woman and when I came near to her, I did not find in her the tokens of virginity, ^22:15 then the father of the maiden and her mother, will take and bring forth the tokens of the maiden's virginity to the elders of the city in the gate.

^22:16 And the maiden's father will say to the elders, I gave my daughter to this man as a wife and he dislikes her. ^22:17 And behold, he has charged her with shameful things, saying, I did not find in your daughter the tokens of virginity and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they will spread the garment before the elders of the city.

^22:18 And the elders of that city will take the man and discipline him, ^22:19 and they will fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the father of the maiden, because he has brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel and she will be his wife. He may not put her away all his days.

^22:20 But if this thing be true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the maiden, ^22:21 then they will bring the maiden out to the door of her father's house and the men of her city will stone her to death with stones, because she has done senselessness in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father's house. So will you put away the evil from the midst of you.

^22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they will both of them die, the man that lay with the woman and the woman. So will you put away the evil from Israel.

^22:23 If there is a maiden who is a virgin betrothed to a husband and a man finds her in the city and lies with her, ^22:24 then you^* will bring them both out to the gate of that city. And you^* will stone them to death with stones, the maiden, because she did not cry out, being in the city and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor's wife. So you will put away the evil from the midst of you.

^22:25 But if the man finds the maiden who is betrothed in the field and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her will die, ^22:26 but to the maiden you will do nothing. There is in the maiden no sin worthy of death. Because as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, even so is this matter, ^22:27 because he found her in the field, the betrothed maiden cried out and none was to save her.

^22:28 If a man finds a maiden who is a virgin, who is not betrothed and lays hold on her and lies with her and they are found, ^22:29 then the man who lay with her will give to the maiden's father fifty shekels of silver and she will be his wife, because he has humbled her. He may not put her away all his days.

^22:30 A man will not take his father's wife and will not uncover his father's skirt.

[Deuteronomy 23] TOC

^23:1 He who is wounded in the testicles, or has his private part cut off, will not enter into the assembly of Jehovah. ^23:2 A bastard will not enter into the assembly of Jehovah, even to the tenth generation none of his will enter into the assembly of Jehovah.

^23:3 An Ammonite or a Moabite will not enter into the assembly of Jehovah, even to the tenth generation none belonging to them will enter into the assembly of Jehovah everlasting, ^23:4 because they met you^* not with bread and with water on the way, when you^* came forth out of Egypt and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. ^23:5 Nevertheless Jehovah your God would not listen to Balaam, but Jehovah your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Jehovah your God loved you. ^23:6 You will not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days everlasting.

^23:7 You will not abhor an Edomite, because he is your brother. You will not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a traveler in his land. ^23:8 The sons of the third generation who are born to them will enter into the assembly of Jehovah.

^23:9 When the army goes forth against your enemies, then you will keep you from every evil thing.

^23:10 If there is any man among you^*, who is not clean by reason of an accident by night, then he will go abroad out of the camp. He will not come inside the camp. ^23:11 But it will be, when evening comes on, he will bathe himself in water and when the sun is down, he will come inside the camp.

^23:12 You will have a place also outside the camp, where you will go outside. ^23:13 And you will have a paddle among your weapons and it will be, when you sit down abroad, you will dig with it and will turn back and cover what comes from you. ^23:14 Because Jehovah your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore your camp will be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in you and turn away from you.

^23:15 You will not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you. ^23:16 He will dwell with you, in the midst of you, in the place which he will choose within one of your gates, where it pleases him best. You will not oppress him.

^23:17 There will be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither will there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

^23:18 You will not bring the hire of a prostitute, or the wages of a dog, into the house of Jehovah your God for any vow, because even both these are an abomination to Jehovah your God.

^23:19 You will not lend upon interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent upon interest. ^23:20 To a foreigner you may lend upon interest, but to your brother you will not lend upon interest, that Jehovah your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.

^23:21 When you will vow a vow to Jehovah your God, you will not be slack to pay it. Because Jehovah your God will surely require it of you and it would be sin in you. ^23:22 But if you will forbear to vow, it will be no sin in you. ^23:23 What has gone out of your lips you will observe and do, just-as you have vowed to Jehovah your God, a free-will offering, which you have promised with your mouth.

^23:24 When you come into your neighbor's vineyard, then you may eat your fill of grapes at your own pleasure, but you will not put any in your vessel. ^23:25 When you come into your neighbor's standing grain, then you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you will not move a sickle to your neighbor's standing grain.

[Deuteronomy 24] TOC

^24:1 When a man takes a wife and marries her, then it will be, if she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he will write her a document of divorcement and give it in her hand and send her out of his house.

^24:2 And when she has departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's. ^24:3 And if the latter husband dislikes her and writes her a document of divorcement and gives it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies, who took her to be his wife, ^24:4 her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled. Because that is abomination before Jehovah and you will not cause the land to sin, which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance.

^24:5 When a man takes a new wife, he will not go out in the army, neither will he be charged with any business. He will be free at home one year and will cheer his wife whom he has taken.

^24:6 No man will take the mill or the upper millstone to pledge, because he takes life to pledge.

^24:7 If a man is found stealing any of his brothers of the sons of Israel and he deals with him harshly, or sells him, then that thief will die. So will you put away the evil from the midst of you.

^24:8 Take heed in the disease of leprosy, that you observe diligently and do according to all that the priests the Levites will teach you^*. As I commanded them, so you^* will observe to do. ^24:9 Remember what Jehovah your God did to Miriam by the way as you^* came forth out of Egypt.

^24:10 When you do lend your neighbor any manner of loan, you will not go into his house to fetch his pledge. ^24:11 You will stand outside and the man to whom you lend will bring forth the pledge outside to you.

^24:12 And if he is a poor man, you will not sleep with his pledge. ^24:13 You will surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. And it will be righteousness to you before Jehovah your God.

^24:14 You will not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is of your brothers, or of your travelers that are in your land within your gates.^24:15 You will give him his hire in his day, neither will the sun go down upon it, because he is poor and sets his heart upon it, lest he cry against you to Jehovah and it is sin to you.

^24:16 The fathers will not be put to death for the sons, neither will the sons be put to death for the fathers. Every man will be put to death for his own sin.

^24:17 You will not distort the justice due to the traveler, or to the fatherless, nor take the widow's garments to pledge, ^24:18 but you will remember that you were a bondman in Egypt and Jehovah your God redeemed you from there. Therefore I command you to do this thing.

^24:19 When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you will not go again to fetch it. It will be for the traveler, for the fatherless and for the widow, that Jehovah your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

^24:20 When you beat your olive tree, you will not go over the branches again. It will be for the traveler, for the fatherless and for the widow.

^24:21 When you gather of your vineyard, you will not glean it behind you. It will be for the traveler, for the fatherless and for the widow.

^24:22 And you will remember that you were a bondman in the land of Egypt. Therefore I command you to do this thing.

[Deuteronomy 25] TOC

^25:1 If there is a controversy between men and they come to judgment and they judge them, then they will justify the righteous and condemn the iniquitous. ^25:2 And it will be, if the iniquitous man is deserving to be beaten, that the judge will cause him to lie down and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number. ^25:3 He may give him forty stripes. He will not exceed, lest, if he should exceed and beat him above these with many stripes, then your brother should seem debased to you.

^25:4 You will not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.

^25:5 If brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man will not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband's brother will go in to her and take her to him as a wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.^25:6 And it will be, that the firstborn who she bears will succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name is not blotted out of Israel.

^25:7 And if the man does not want to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife will go up to the gate to the elders and say, My husband's brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel. He will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.

^25:8 Then the elders of his city will call him and speak to him. And if he stands and says, I do not want to take her, ^25:9 then his brother's wife will come to him in the presence of the elders and loose his shoe from his foot and spit in his face. And she will answer and say, So it will be done to the man who does not build up his brother's house. ^25:10 And his name will be called in Israel, The house of him who has his shoe loosed.

^25:11 When men struggle together, with one another and the wife of the one draws near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him who slays him and puts forth her hand and takes him by the genitals, ^25:12then you will cut off her hand. Your eye will have no pity.

^25:13 You will not have in your bag diverse weights, a great and a small. ^25:14 You will not have in your house diverse measures, a great and a small.^25:15 A perfect and just weight you will have, a perfect and just measure you will have, that your days may be long in the land which Jehovah your God gives you. ^25:16 Because all who do such things, even all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to Jehovah your God.

^25:17 Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you^* came forth out of Egypt, ^25:18 how he met you by the way and killed^* all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary and he did not fear God. ^25:19 Therefore it will be, when Jehovah your God has given you rest from all your enemies all around, in the land which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You will not forget.

[Deuteronomy 26] TOC

^26:1 And it will be, when you have come in to the land which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance and possess it and dwell in it, ^26:2 that you will take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you will bring in from your land that Jehovah your God gives you and you will put it in a basket and will go to the place which Jehovah your God will choose to cause his name to dwell there.

^26:3 And you will come to the priest who will be in those days and say to him, I profess this day to Jehovah your God, that I have come to the land which Jehovah swore to our fathers to give us. ^26:4And the priest will take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of Jehovah your God.

^26:5 And you will answer and say before Jehovah your God, My father was a Syrian ready to perish and he went down into Egypt and traveled there, few in number. And he became a great, mighty and populous nation there. ^26:6 And the Egyptians dealt ill with us and mistreated us and laid upon us hard bondage.

^26:7 And we cried to Jehovah, the God of our fathers and Jehovah heard our voice and saw our affliction and our toil and our oppression. ^26:8 And Jehovah brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with great terribleness and with signs and with wonders. ^26:9And he has brought us into this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

^26:10 And now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Jehovah, have given me. And you will set it down before Jehovah your God and worship before Jehovah your God.

^26:11 And you will rejoice in all the good which Jehovah your God has given to you and to your house, you and the Levite and the traveler who is in the midst of you.

^26:12 When you have made an end of tithing all the tithe of your increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, then you will give it to the Levite, to the traveler, to the fatherless and to the widow, that they may eat within your gates and be filled.

^26:13 And you will say before Jehovah your God, I have put away the holy things out of my house and also have given them to the Levite and to the traveler, to the fatherless and to the widow, according to all your commandment which you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, neither have I forgotten them. ^26:14 I have not eaten of it in my mourning, neither have I put away from it, being unclean, nor given of it for the dead. I have listened to the voice of Jehovah my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me.

^26:15 Look down from your holy dwelling, from heaven and bless your people Israel and the ground which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.

^26:16 This day Jehovah your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You will therefore keep and do them with all your heart and with all your soul.

^26:17 You have avowed Jehovah to be your God this day and that you would walk in his ways and keep his statutes and his commandments and his ordinances and listen to his voice.

^26:18 And Jehovah has avowed you this day to be a people for his own possession, as he has promised you and that you should keep all his commandments,^26:19 and to make you high above all nations that he has made, in praise and in name and in honor and that you may be a holy people to Jehovah your God, as he has spoken.

[Deuteronomy 27] TOC

^27:1 And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandment which I command you^* this day. ^27:2And it will be on the day when you^* will pass over the Jordan to the land which Jehovah your God gives you, that you will set up for you great stones and plaster them with plaster. ^27:3 And you will write upon them all the words of this law when you have passed over, that you may go in to the land which Jehovah your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Jehovah, the God of your fathers, has promised you.

^27:4 And it will be, when you^* have passed over the Jordan, that you^* will set up these stones, which I command you^* this day, in Mount Ebal and you will plaster them with plaster. ^27:5 And you will build an altar there to Jehovah your God, an altar of stones. You will lift up no iron upon them. ^27:6 You will build the altar of Jehovah your God of unhewn stones. And you will offer burnt-offerings on it to Jehovah your God. ^27:7 And you will sacrifice peace-offerings and will eat there and you will rejoice before Jehovah your God. ^27:8 And you will write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

^27:9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, Keep silence and listen, O Israel. This day you have become the people of Jehovah your God. ^27:10 You will therefore obey the voice of Jehovah your God and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day.

^27:11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, ^27:12 These will stand upon Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you^* have passed over the Jordan: Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Joseph and Benjamin. ^27:13 And these will stand upon Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad and Asher and Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.

^27:14 And the Levites will answer and say to all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

^27:15 Cursed be the man who makes a graven or molten image, an abomination to Jehovah, the work of the hands of the craftsman and sets it up in secret. And all the people will answer and say, Truly.

^27:16 Cursed be he who dishonors his father or his mother. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:17 Cursed be he who removes his neighbor's landmark. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:18 Cursed be he who makes the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:19 Cursed be he who distorts the justice to the traveler, fatherless and widow. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:20 Cursed be he who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's skirt. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:21 Cursed be he who lies with any manner of beast. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:22 Cursed be he who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:23 Cursed be he who lies with his mother-in-law. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:24 Cursed be he who slays his neighbor in secret. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:25 Cursed be he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent man. And all the people will say, Truly.

^27:26 Cursed is every man who does not continue in all things written in the book of the law, to do them. And all the people will say, Truly.

[Deuteronomy 28] TOC

^28:1 And it will happen, if you will listen diligently to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you this day, that Jehovah your God will set you on high above all the nations of the earth, ^28:2and all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will listen to the voice of Jehovah your God:

^28:3 You will be blessed in the city and you will be blessed in the field. ^28:4 The fruit of your body will be blessed and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock. ^28:5 Your basket and your kneading-trough will be blessed. ^28:6 You will be blessed when you come in and you will be blessed when you go out.

^28:7 Jehovah will cause your enemies that rise up against you to be struck before you. They will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways. ^28:8 Jehovah will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to. And he will bless you in the land which Jehovah your God gives you.

^28:9 Jehovah will establish you for a holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you will keep the commandments of Jehovah your God and walk in his ways. ^28:10 And all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of Jehovah and they will be afraid of you.

^28:11 And Jehovah will make you plentiful for good, in the fruit of your body and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers to give you.

^28:12 Jehovah will open to you his good treasure the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand. And you will lend to many nations and you will not borrow.

^28:13 And Jehovah will make you the head and not the tail. And you will only be above and you will not be beneath, if you will listen to the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do, ^28:14 and will not turn aside from any of the words which I command you^* this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

^28:15 But it will happen, if you will not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command you this day, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

^28:16 You will be cursed in the city and you will be cursed in the field. ^28:17 Your basket and your kneading-trough will be cursed. ^28:18 The fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock will be cursed. ^28:19 You will be cursed when you come in and you be will cursed when you go out. ^28:20 Jehovah will send upon you cursing, confusion and rebuke, in all that you put your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the evil of your practices, by which you have forsaken me.

^28:21 Jehovah will make the pestilence cling to you, until he has consumed you from the land, where you go in to possess it. ^28:22 Jehovah will kill^* you with consumption and with fever and with inflammation and with fiery heat and with the sword and with blight and with mildew. And they will pursue you until you perish.

^28:23 And your sky that is over your head will be brass and the earth that is under you will be iron. ^28:24Jehovah will make the rain of your land powder and dust. From the sky it will come down upon you, until you are destroyed.

^28:25 Jehovah will cause you to be struck before your enemies. You will go out one way against them and will flee seven ways before them. And you will be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth. ^28:26 And your dead body will be food to all birds of the sky and to the beasts of the earth and there will be none to frighten them away.

^28:27 Jehovah will kill^* you with the boils of Egypt and with the tumors and with the eczema and with the itch, of which you cannot be healed.

^28:28 Jehovah will kill^* you with madness and with blindness and with confusion of mind, ^28:29 and you will grope at noonday, as the blind man gropes in darkness. And you will not prosper in your ways. And you will only be oppressed and robbed always and there will be none to save you.

^28:30 You will betroth a wife and another man will lie with her. You will build a house and you will not dwell in it. You will plant a vineyard and will not use the fruit of it. ^28:31 Your ox will be slain before your eyes and you will not eat of it. Your donkey will be violently taken away from before your face and will not be restored to you. Your sheep will be given to your enemies and you will have none to save you. ^28:32 Your sons and your daughters will be given to another people. And your eyes will look and fail with longing for them all the day and there will be nothing in the power of your hand. ^28:33The fruit of your ground and all your labors, will a nation eat up which you do not know. And you will only be oppressed and crushed always, ^28:34 so that you will be mad because of the sight of your eyes which you will see.

^28:35 Jehovah will kill^* you in the knees and in the legs, with a sore boil, of which you cannot be healed, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head.

^28:36 Jehovah will bring you and your king whom you will set over you, to a nation that you have not known, you nor your fathers. And you will serve other gods there, wood and stone. ^28:37 And you will become an astonishment, a proverb and a parable, among all the peoples where Jehovah will lead you away.

^28:38 You will carry much seed out into the field and will gather little in, because the locust will consume it. ^28:39 You will plant vineyards and dress them, but you will neither drink of the wine, nor gather, because the worm will eat them. ^28:40 You will have olive trees throughout all your borders, but you will not anoint yourself with the oil, because your olive will drop off. ^28:41 You will beget sons and daughters, but they will not be your, because they will go into captivity. ^28:42 All your trees and the fruit of your ground will the locust possess.

^28:43 The traveler who is in the midst of you will mount up above you higher and higher and you will come down lower and lower. ^28:44 He will lend to you and you will not lend to him. He will be the head and you will be the tail.

^28:45 And all these curses will come upon you and will pursue you and overtake you, till you are destroyed, because you listened not to the voice of Jehovah your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded you, ^28:46 and they will be upon you for a sign and for a wonder and upon your seed everlasting. ^28:47 Because you served not Jehovah your God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things, ^28:48therefore you will serve your enemies that Jehovah will send against you, in hunger and in thirst and in nakedness and in want of all things. And he will put a yoke of iron upon your neck, until he has destroyed you.

^28:49 Jehovah will bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies, a nation whose tongue you will not understand, ^28:50 a nation of fierce countenance, that will not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young,^28:51and will eat the fruit of your cattle and the fruit of your ground, until you are destroyed, that also will not leave you grain, new wine, or oil, the increase of your cattle, or the young of your flock, until they have caused you to perish. ^28:52 And they will besiege you in all your gates, until your high and fortified walls come down, in which you trusted, throughout all your land. And they will besiege you in all your gates throughout all your land, which Jehovah your God has given you.

^28:53 And you will eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Jehovah your God has given you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies will distress you. ^28:54 The man who is tender among you^* and very delicate, his eye will be evil toward his brother and toward the wife of his bosom and toward the remnant of his sons whom he has remaining, ^28:55 so that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his sons whom he will eat, because he has nothing left to him, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in all your gates.

^28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you^*, who would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye will be evil toward the husband of her bosom and toward her son and toward her daughter, ^28:57 and toward her young one who comes out from between her feet and toward her sons whom she will bear, because she will eat them secretly for want of all things, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in your gates.

^28:58 If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and fearful name, JEHOVAH YOUR GOD, ^28:59 then Jehovah will make your calamities extraordinary and the calamities of your seed, even great calamities and of long continuance and severe sicknesses and of long continuance.

^28:60 And he will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, which you were afraid of and they will cling to you. ^28:61 Also every sickness and every calamity, which is not written in the book of this law, them Jehovah will bring upon you, until you are destroyed. ^28:62 And you^* will be left few in number, in that you^* were as the stars of heaven for a multitude, because you did not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God.

^28:63 And it will happen, that, as Jehovah rejoiced over you^* to do you^* good and to multiply you^*, so Jehovah will rejoice over you^* to cause you^* to perish and to destroy you^*. And you^* will be plucked from the land where you go in to possess it.

^28:64 And Jehovah will scatter you among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. And you will serve other gods there, which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone ones.

^28:65 And you will find no ease among these nations and the sole of your foot will have no rest, but Jehovah will give you there a trembling heart and failing of eyes and pining of soul. ^28:66 And your life will hang in doubt before you and you will fear night and day and will have no assurance of your life. ^28:67 In the morning you will say, Would it were evening! and at evening you will say, Would it were morning! for the fear of your heart which you will fear and for the sight of your eyes which you will see. ^28:68 And Jehovah will bring you into Egypt again with ships, by the way of which I said to you, You will see it no more again. And you^* will sell yourselves there to your^* enemies for bondmen and for bondwomen and no man will buy you^*.

[Deuteronomy 29] TOC

^29:1 These are the words of the covenant which Jehovah commanded Moses to make with the sons of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.

^29:2 And Moses called to all Israel and said to them, You^* have seen all that Jehovah did before your^* eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, ^29:3 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and those great wonders, ^29:4 yet Jehovah has not given you^* a heart to know and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this day.

^29:5 And I have led you^* forty years in the wilderness. Your^* clothes have not grown old upon you^* and your shoe has not grown old upon your foot. ^29:6 You^* have not eaten bread, neither have you^* drunk wine or strong drink, that you^* may know that I am Jehovah your^* God.

^29:7 And when you^* came to this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us to battle and we killed^* them. ^29:8 And we took their land and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of the Manassites.

^29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant and do them, that you^* may prosper in all that you^* do. ^29:10 You^* stand this day all of you^* before Jehovah your^* God– your^* heads, your^* tribes, your^* elders and your^* officers, even all the men of Israel,^29:11 your^* little ones, your^* wives and your traveler who is in the midst of your camps, from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water– ^29:12 that you may enter into the covenant of Jehovah your God and into his oath, which Jehovah your God makes with you this day, ^29:13 that he may establish you this day to himself for a people and that he may be to you a God, as he spoke to you and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.

^29:14 Neither with you^* only I make this covenant and this oath, ^29:15 but with him who stands here with us this day before Jehovah our God and also with him who is not here with us this day ^29:16(because you^* know how we dwelt in the land of Egypt and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you^* passed, ^29:17 and you^* have seen their abominations and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them).

^29:18 Lest there should be among you^* man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turns away this day from Jehovah our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations. Lest there should be among you^* a root that bears gall and wormwood, ^29:19 and it happens, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, I will have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart, to destroy the moist with the dry.

^29:20 Jehovah will not pardon him, but then the anger of Jehovah and his jealousy will smoke against that man and all the curse that is written in this book will lie upon him and Jehovah will blot out his name from under heaven. ^29:21 And Jehovah will set him apart to evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that is written in this book of the law.

^29:22 And the generation to come, your^* sons who will rise up after you^* and the foreigner who will come from a far land, will say, when they see the calamities of that land and the sicknesses with which Jehovah has made it sick. ^29:23 The whole land of it is brimstone and salt, a burning. It is not sown, nor bears, nor any grass grows in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Jehovah overthrew in his anger and in his wrath, ^29:24 even all the nations will say, Why has Jehovah done this to this land? What is the meaning of this great fierce anger?

^29:25 Then men will say, Because they forsook the covenant of Jehovah, the God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, ^29:26 and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they did not know and that he had not given to them. ^29:27Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curse that is written in this book. ^29:28 And Jehovah rooted them out of their land in anger and in wrath and in great indignation and cast them into another land, as at this day.

^29:29 The secret things belong to Jehovah our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our sons until everlasting, that we may do all the words of this law.

[Deuteronomy 30] TOC

^30:1 And it will happen, when all these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you and you will call them to mind among all the nations, where Jehovah your God has driven you, ^30:2 and will return to Jehovah your God and will obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your sons, with all your heart and with all your soul, ^30:3 that then Jehovah your God will turn your captivity and have compassion upon you and will return and gather you from all the peoples where Jehovah your God has scattered you.

^30:4 If any of your outcasts be in the outermost parts of heaven, from there Jehovah your God will gather you and he will fetch you from there. ^30:5 And Jehovah your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed and you will possess it and he will do you good and multiply you above your fathers. ^30:6 And Jehovah your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, to love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

^30:7 And Jehovah your God will put all these curses upon your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. ^30:8 And you will return and obey the voice of Jehovah and do all his commandments which I command you this day.

^30:9 And Jehovah your God will make you plentiful in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground, for good. Because Jehovah will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers, ^30:10 if you will obey the voice of Jehovah your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law; if you turn to Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

^30:11 Because this commandment which I command you this day, it is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. ^30:12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who will go up for us to heaven and bring it to us and make us to hear it, that we may do it? ^30:13Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us and make us to hear it, that we may do it? ^30:14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

^30:15 See, I have set before you this day life and good and death and evil, ^30:16 in that I command you this day to love Jehovah your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply and that Jehovah your God may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it.

^30:17 But if your heart turns away and you will not hear, but will be drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, ^30:18 I declare to you^* this day, that you^* will surely perish. You^* will not prolong your^* days in the land where you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess it.

^30:19 I call heaven and earth to testify against you^* this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed, ^30:20 to love Jehovah your God, to obey his voice and to cling to him, because he is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, to give them.

[Deuteronomy 31] TOC

^31:1 And Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. ^31:2 And he said to them, I am a hundred and twenty years old this day. I can no more go out and come in. And Jehovah has said to me, You will not go over this Jordan.

^31:3 Jehovah your God, he will go over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you and you will dispossess them. Joshua, he will go over before you, as Jehovah has spoken. ^31:4 And Jehovah will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites and to their land, whom he destroyed. ^31:5 And Jehovah will deliver them up before you^* and you^* will do to them according to all the commandment which I have commanded you^*.

^31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear, nor be frightened at them, because Jehovah your God, he it is who goes with you. He will not leave you, nor forsake you.

^31:7 And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of good courage. Because you will go with this people into the land which Jehovah has sworn to their fathers to give them and you will cause them to inherit it. ^31:8 And Jehovah, he it is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you. Do not fear, neither be dismayed.

^31:9 And Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and to all the elders of Israel.^31:10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the Feast of Booths, ^31:11 when all Israel has come to appear before Jehovah your God in the place which he will choose, you will read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

^31:12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones and your traveler who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn and fear Jehovah your^* God and observe to do all the words of this law, ^31:13 and that their sons who have not known may hear and learn to fear Jehovah your^* God as long as you^* live in the land where you^* go over the Jordan to possess it.

^31:14 And Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, your days approach that you must die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may give him a command. And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. ^31:15And Jehovah appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the tent.

^31:16 And Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, you will sleep with your fathers. And this people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them and will forsake me and break my covenant which I have made with them.

^31:17 Then my anger will be kindled against them in that day and I will forsake them and I will hide my face from them and they will be devoured and many evils and troubles will come upon them, so that they will say in that day, Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us? ^31:18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they will have worked, in that they have turned to other gods.

^31:19 Now therefore write this song for you^* and teach you it the sons of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the sons of Israel.

^31:20 Because when I will have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey and they will have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them and despise me and break my covenant.

^31:21 And it will happen, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify before them as a witness, because it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed. Because I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.

^31:22 So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the sons of Israel. ^31:23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a command and said, Be strong and of good courage, because you will bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them and I will be with you.

^31:24 And it happened, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, ^31:25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying, ^31:26 Take this book of the law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your^* God, that it may be there for a witness against you.

^31:27 Because I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you^* this day, you^* have been rebellious against Jehovah and how much more after my death?

^31:28 Assemble to me all the elders of your^* tribes and your^* officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to testify against them.

^31:29 Because I know that after my death you^* will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you^*. And evil will befall you^* in the latter days, because you^* will do what is evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger through the work of your^* hands.

^31:30 And Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished:

[Deuteronomy 32] TOC

^32:1 Listen, you^* heavens and I will speak and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. ^32:2 My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will flow as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender grass and as the showers upon the herb. ^32:3 Because I will proclaim the name of Jehovah. Give greatness to our God. ^32:4 The Rock, his work is perfect, because all his ways are justice, a God of faithfulness and without unrighteousness, just and right is he.

^32:5 They have dealt corruptly with him. They are not his sons, it is their blemish, a perverse and crooked generation. ^32:6 Do you^* requite this Jehovah, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he your father who has bought you? He has made you and established you.

^32:7 Remember the days of old. Consider the years of generations to generations. Ask your father and he will show you, your elders and they will tell you. ^32:8When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of men, he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

^32:9 Because Jehovah's portion is his people. Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. ^32:10 He found him in a desert land and in the waste howling wilderness. He compassed him about. He cared for him. He kept him as the apple of his eye. ^32:11 As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, he spreads abroad his wings. He took them. He bore them on his pinions.

^32:12 Jehovah alone led him and no foreign god was with him. ^32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth and he ate the increase of the field and he made him to suck honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock, ^32:14 butter of the herd and milk of the flock, with fat of lambs and rams of the breed of Bashan and goats, with the finest of the wheat and of the blood of the grape you drank wine.

^32:15 But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked. You have grown fat. You have grown thick. You have become sleek. Then he forsook God who made him and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. ^32:16 They moved him to jealousy with strange gods. With abominations they provoked him to anger.

^32:17 They sacrificed to demons, not God, to gods that they did not know, to new gods that came up of late, which your^* fathers did not dread. ^32:18 You are unmindful of the Rock that fathered you and have forgotten God who gave you birth.

^32:19 And Jehovah saw and despised, because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. ^32:20And he said, I will hide my face from them. I will see what their end will be. Because they are a very perverse generation, sons in whom is no faithfulness.^32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with what is not God. They have provoked me to anger with their vanities and I will move them to jealousy with a non-nation. I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

^32:22 Because a fire is kindled in my anger and burns to the lowest Sheol and devours the earth with its increase and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains. ^32:23 I will heap evils upon them. I will spend my arrows upon them, ^32:24 to be wasted with hunger and devoured with burning heat and bitter destruction. And I will send upon them the teeth of beasts, with the poison of crawling things of the dust. ^32:25 Outside the sword will bereave and in the chambers terror, to both young man and virgin, the nursing-baby with the man of gray hairs.

^32:26 I said, I would scatter them afar, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men, ^32:27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should recognize, lest they should say, Our hand is exalted and Jehovah has not done all this. ^32:28 Because they are a nation void of counsel and no understanding is in them.

^32:29 If only they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! ^32:30How should one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight unless their Rock had sold them and Jehovah had delivered them up?

^32:31 Because their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. ^32:32 Because their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter. ^32:33 Their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of adders. ^32:34 Is not this laid up in store with me, sealed up among my treasures?

^32:35 Vengeance is for me and recompense at the time when their foot will slip. Because the day of their calamity is at hand and the things that are to come upon them will make haste. ^32:36 Because Jehovah will judge his people and regrets for his servants, when he sees that their power has gone and there is none remaining, shut up or left at large.

^32:37 And he will say, Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge, ^32:38 which ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink-offering? Let them rise up and help you^*, let them be your^* protection.

^32:39 See now that I, even I, am he and no god is with me. I kill and I make alive. I wound and I heal. And there is none that can deliver out of my hand. ^32:40 Because I lift up my hand to heaven and say, As I live everlasting, ^32:41 if I flash my glittering sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to my adversaries and will recompense those who hate me. ^32:42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood and my sword will devour flesh, with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the head of the leaders of the enemy.

^32:43 Rejoice, O you^* Gentiles, with his people. Because he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will recompense those who hate him and will make expiation for his land, for his people.

^32:44 And Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun.

^32:45 And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel. ^32:46 And he said to them, Set your^* heart to all the words which I testify to you^* this day, which you^* will command your^* sons to observe to do, even all the words of this law. ^32:47Because it is no vain thing for you^*, because it is your^* life and through this thing you^* will prolong your^* days in the land where you^* go over the Jordan to possess it.

^32:48 And Jehovah spoke to Moses that same day, saying, ^32:49 You get up onto this mountain of Abarim, to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is opposite Jericho and behold the land of Canaan, which I give to the sons of Israel for a possession. ^32:50 And die on the mountain where you go up and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, ^32:51 because you^* trespassed against me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you^* did not sanctify me in the midst of the sons of Israel. ^32:52Because you will see the land before you, but you will not go there into the land which I give the sons of Israel.

[Deuteronomy 33] TOC

^33:1 And this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.

^33:2 And he said, Jehovah came from Sinai and rose from Seir to them. He shined forth from Mount Paran and he came from the ten thousands of holy ones. At his right hand was a fiery law for them. ^33:3Yes, he loves the people. All his holy ones are in your hand and they sat down at your feet. He will receive from your words.

^33:4 Moses commanded for us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob. ^33:5 And he was king in Jeshurun when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.

^33:6 Let Reuben live and not die, nor let his men be few.

^33:7 And this is of Judah: And he said, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of Judah and bring him into his people. With his hands he contended for himself and you will be a help against his adversaries.

^33:8 And of Levi he said, Your Thummim and your Urim are with your holy man, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you contended at the waters of Meribah, ^33:9 who said of his father and of his mother, I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge his brothers, nor knew he his own sons, because they have observed your word and keep your covenant. ^33:10 They will teach Jacob your ordinances and Israel your law. They will put incense before you and whole burnt-offering upon your altar. ^33:11Bless, Jehovah, his substance and accept the work of his hands. Strike through the loins of those who rise up against him and of those who hate him, that they do not rise again.

^33:12 Of Benjamin he said, The beloved of Jehovah will dwell in safety by him. He covers him all the day long and he dwells between his shoulders.

^33:13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of Jehovah be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew and for the deep that couches beneath, ^33:14 and for the precious things of the fruits of the sun and for the precious things of the growth of the moons, ^33:15and for the chief things of the mountains of long-ago and for the precious things of the everlasting hills, ^33:16and for the precious things of the earth and the fullness of it and the good will of him who dwelt in the bush. Let it come upon the head of Joseph and upon the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. ^33:17 The first-offspring of his herd, majesty is his. And his horns are the horns of the wild-ox. With them he will push the peoples, all of them, even the ends of the earth. And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

^33:18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and, Issachar in your tents. ^33:19 They will call the peoples to the mountain. they will offer sacrifices of righteousness there, because they will suck the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.

^33:20 And of Gad he said, He who enlarges Gad is blessed. He dwells as a lioness and tears the arm, yes, the crown of the head. ^33:21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there was the lawgiver's portion reserved. And he came with the heads of the people. He executed the righteousness of Jehovah and his ordinances with Israel.

^33:22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's cub that leaps forth from Bashan.

^33:23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favor and full with the blessing of Jehovah, possess you the west and the south.

^33:24 And of Asher he said, Asher with sons are blessed. Let him be acceptable to his brothers and let him dip his foot in oil. ^33:25 Your bars will be iron and brass and as your days, so will your strength be.

^33:26 None is like God, O Jeshurun, who rides upon the heavens for your help and in his excellency on the skies. ^33:27 The God of long-ago is your dwelling-place and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy from before you and said, Destroy. ^33:28 And Israel dwells in safety, the fountain of Jacob alone, in a land of grain and new wine. Yes, his heavens drop down dew. ^33:29 You are fortunate, O Israel. Who is like you, a people saved by Jehovah, the shield of your help and the sword of your excellency! And your enemies will submit themselves to you and you will tread upon their high places.

[Deuteronomy 34] TOC

^34:1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. And Jehovah showed him all the land of Gilead, to Dan, ^34:2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and all the land of Judah, to the farther sea, ^34:3 and the South and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, to Zoar. ^34:4And Jehovah said to him, This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, saying, I will give it to your seed. I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you will not go over there.

^34:5 So Moses the servant of Jehovah died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of Jehovah. ^34:6 And he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor, but no man knows of his sepulcher to this day.

^34:7 And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor his natural force flee. ^34:8 And the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

^34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands upon him. And the sons of Israel listened to him and did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^34:10 And a prophet has not arisen since in Israel like Moses, whom Jehovah knew face to face,^34:11 in all the signs and the wonders, which Jehovah sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, ^34:12 and in all the mighty hand and in all the great terror, which Moses worked in the sight of all Israel.

[Joshua 1] TOC

^1:1 Now it happened after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, ^1:2 Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I give to them, even to the sons of Israel.

^1:3 Every place that the sole of your^* foot will tread upon, to you^* I have given it, as I spoke to Moses. ^1:4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, will be your^* border.

^1:5 There will not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you, nor forsake you. ^1:6 Be strong and of good courage, because you will cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

^1:7 Only be strong and very courageous to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Turn not from it, neither to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

^1:8 This book of the law will not depart out of your mouth, but you will meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it, because then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.

^1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be frightened, neither be dismayed, because Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.

^1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, ^1:11 Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, Prepare food for you^*, because within three days you^* are to pass over this Jordan to go in to possess the land, which Jehovah your^* God gives you^* to possess it.

^1:12 And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua spoke, saying,^1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you^*, saying, Jehovah your^* God gives you^* rest and will give you^* this land. ^1:14Your^* wives, your^* little ones and your^* cattle, will abide in the land which Moses gave you^* beyond the Jordan, but you^* will pass over before your^* brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor and will help them ^1:15 until Jehovah has given your^* brothers rest, as you^* and they also have possessed the land which Jehovah your^* God gives them. Then you^* will return to the land of your^* possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of Jehovah gave you^* beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.

^1:16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that you have commanded us we will do and wherever you send us we will go. ^1:17 Just-as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you. Only Jehovah your God be with you, as he was with Moses. ^1:18 Whoever rebels against your mouth and will not listen to your speeches in all that you command him, he will be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.

[Joshua 2] TOC

^2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men as spies secretly, saying, Go, view the land and Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lay down there. ^2:2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, men came in here tonight of the sons of Israel to search out the land. ^2:3 And the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men who came to you, who have entered into your house, because they have come to search out all the land.

^2:4 And the woman took the two men and hid them. And she said, Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know from where they were. ^2:5 And it happened about the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know. Pursue after them quickly, because you^* will overtake them. ^2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. ^2:7And the men pursued after them the way to the Jordan to the fords and as soon as those who pursued after them had gone out, they shut the gate.

^2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up to them upon the roof. ^2:9 And she said to the men, I know that Jehovah has given you^* the land and that the fear of you^* has fallen upon us. And that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you^*.

^2:10 Because we have heard how Jehovah dried up the water of the Red Sea before you^* when you^* came out of Egypt and what you^* did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and to Og, whom you^* utterly destroyed. ^2:11 And as soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man because of you^*, because Jehovah your^* God, he is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

^2:12 Now therefore, I beseech you^*, swear to me by Jehovah, since I have dealt kindly with you^*, that you^* also will deal kindly with my father's house and give me a true token, ^2:13 and that you^* will save alive my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters and all that they have and will deliver our lives from death. ^2:14 And the men said to her, Our life for yours^* if you^* do not utter this our business. And it will be, when Jehovah gives us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.

^2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window, because her house was upon the side of the wall and she dwelt upon the wall. ^2:16 And she said to them, You^* get to the mountain lest the pursuers come upon you^*. And hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned and afterward you^* may go your^* way.

^2:17 And the men said to her, We will be guiltless of this your oath which you have made us to swear.^2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, you will bind this line of scarlet cord in the window which you let us down by. And you will gather to you into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father's household.

^2:19 And it will be, that whoever will go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be upon his head and we will be guiltless. And whoever will be with you in the house, his blood will be on our head if any hand be upon him. ^2:20 But if you utter this our business, then we will be guiltless of your oath which you have made us to swear. ^2:21And she said, According to your^* words, so be it. And she sent them away and they departed. And she bound the scarlet line in the window.

^2:22 And they went and came to the mountain and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned. And the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but did not find them. ^2:23 Then the two men returned and descended from the mountain and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun. And they told him all that had befallen them. ^2:24 And they said to Joshua, Truly Jehovah has delivered into our hands all the land and moreover all the inhabitants of the land melt away before us.

[Joshua 3] TOC

^3:1 And Joshua rose up early in the morning. And they moved from Shittim and came to the Jordan, he and all the sons of Israel and they lodged there before they passed over. ^3:2 And it happened after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp, ^3:3 and they commanded the people, saying, When you^* see the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your^* God and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you^* will move from your^* place and go after it.

^3:4 Yet there will be a space between you^* and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near to it, that you^* may know the way by which you^* must go, because you^* have not passed this way yesterday and the day before.

^3:5 And Joshua said to the people, Sanctify yourselves, because tomorrow Jehovah will do wonders among you^*. ^3:6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

^3:7 And Jehovah said to Joshua, This day I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. ^3:8 And you will command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you^* have come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you^* will stand still in the Jordan.

^3:9 And Joshua said to the sons of Israel, Come here and hear the words of Jehovah your^* God. ^3:10And Joshua said, Hereby you^* will know that the living God is among you^* and that he will without fail drive out from before you^* the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Hivite and the Perizzite and the Girgashite and the Amorite and the Jebusite.

^3:11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you^* into the Jordan. ^3:12 Now therefore take for you^* twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man. ^3:13And it will happen, when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Jehovah, the Lord of all the earth, will rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, even the waters that come down from above and they will stand in one heap.

^3:14 And it happened, when the people moved from their tents to pass over the Jordan– the priests who bore the ark of the covenant being before the people– ^3:15 and when those who bore the ark came to the Jordan and the feet of the priests who bore the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest), ^3:16 that the waters which came down from above, stood and rose up in one heap a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were entirely cut off. And the people passed over right against Jericho.

^3:17 And the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of Jehovah stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan and all Israel passed over on dry ground until all the nation were passed clean over the Jordan.

[Joshua 4] TOC

^4:1 And it happened, when all the nation was finished passing over the Jordan, that Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying, ^4:2 Take for you^* twelve men out of the people, a man out of every tribe, ^4:3 and command you^* them, saying, Take for you^* here out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones and carry them over with you^* and lay them down in the lodging-place where you^* will lodge this night.

^4:4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the sons of Israel, a man out of every tribe. ^4:5 And Joshua said to them, Pass over before the ark of Jehovah your^* God into the midst of the Jordan and take up every man of you^* a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel, ^4:6 that this may be a sign among you^*, that, when your^* children ask in time to come, saying, What do you^* mean by these stones?^4:7 Then you^* will say to them, Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones will be for a memorial to the sons of Israel everlasting.

^4:8 And the sons of Israel did so as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, as Jehovah spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel and they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there.

^4:9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood and they are there to this day. ^4:10 And the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that Jehovah commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua. And the people hastened and passed over. ^4:11 And it happened, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of Jehovah passed over and the priests, in the presence of the people.

^4:12 And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the sons of Israel, as Moses spoke to them. ^4:13About forty thousand ready armed for war passed over before Jehovah to battle, to the plains of Jericho.

^4:14 On that day Jehovah magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

^4:15 And Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying, ^4:16Command the priests who bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan. ^4:17Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come you^* up out of the Jordan.

^4:18 And it happened, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came up out of the midst of the Jordan and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and went over all its banks, as formerly. ^4:19 And the people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month and encamped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.

^4:20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. ^4:21 And he spoke to the sons of Israel, saying, When your^* sons will ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What do these stones mean?

^4:22 Then you^* will let your^* sons know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. ^4:23 Because Jehovah your^* God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you^*, until you^* were passed over, as Jehovah your^* God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were passed over,^4:24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of Jehovah, that it is mighty, that you^* may fear Jehovah your^* God forever.

[Joshua 5] TOC

^5:1 And it happened, when all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how that Jehovah had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the sons of Israel until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the sons of Israel.

^5:2 At that time Jehovah said to Joshua, Make for yourself knives of flint and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time. ^5:3 And Joshua made him knives of flint and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

^5:4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised: All the people who came forth out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way after they came forth out of Egypt. ^5:5 Because all the people who came out were circumcised, but all the people who were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, they had not circumcised.

^5:6 Because the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness till all the nation, even the men of war who came forth out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not listen to the voice of Jehovah, to whom Jehovah swore that he would not let them see the land which Jehovah swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ^5:7 And their sons, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised, because they were uncircumcised because they had not circumcised them by the way.

^5:8 And it happened, when they had done circumcising all the nation, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were recovered. ^5:9 And Jehovah said to Joshua, This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you^*. Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal, to this day.

^5:10 And the sons of Israel encamped in Gilgal. And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho. ^5:11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the next-day after the Passover, unleavened cakes and parched grain, in the same day. ^5:12 And the manna ceased on the next-day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. Neither had the sons of Israel manna any more, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

^5:13 And it happened, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there stood a man opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries?

^5:14 And he said, No, but as captain of the army of Jehovah I have now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, What does my lord say to his servant? ^5:15 And the captain of Jehovah's army said to Joshua, Put off your shoe from your foot, because the place on which you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.

[Joshua 6] TOC

^6:1 Now Jericho was shut up tight because of the sons of Israel. None went out and none came in. ^6:2And Jehovah said to Joshua, See, I have given Jericho into your hand and the king of it and the mighty men of valor. ^6:3 And you^* will encompass the city, all the men of war, going around the city once. Thus will you do six days.

^6:4 And seven priests will bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. And the seventh day you^* will encompass the city seven times and the priests will blow the trumpets. ^6:5 And it will be, that, when they make a prolonged blast with the ram's horn and when you^* hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people will shout with a great shout. And the wall of the city will fall down flat and the people will go up every man straight before him.

^6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of Jehovah. ^6:7 And they said to the people, Pass on and encompass the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of Jehovah. ^6:8And it was so, that, when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before Jehovah passed on and blew the trumpets. And the ark of the covenant of Jehovah followed them. ^6:9 And the armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets and the rear guard went behind the ark, the priests blowing the trumpets as they went.

^6:10 And Joshua commanded the people, saying, You^* will not shout, nor let your^* voice be heard, neither will any word proceed out of your^* mouth until the day I bid you^* shout. Then you^* will shout.^6:11 So he caused the ark of Jehovah to encompass the city, going around it once. And they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.

^6:12 And Joshua rose early in the morning and the priests took up the ark of Jehovah. ^6:13 And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of Jehovah went on continually and blew the trumpets. And the armed men went before them and the rear guard came behind the ark of Jehovah, the priests blowing the trumpets as they went. ^6:14 And the second day they encompassed the city once and returned into the camp. So they did six days.

^6:15 And it happened on the seventh day, that they rose early at the dawning of the day and encompassed the city according to the same manner seven times. Only on that day they encompassed the city seven times. ^6:16 And it happened at the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout, because Jehovah has given you^* the city.

^6:17 And the city will be set apart, even it and all that is in it, to Jehovah. Only Rahab the prostitute will live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

^6:18 But as for you^*, only keep yourselves from what is set apart, lest when you^* have set it apart, you^* take from what is set apart. So you^* would make the camp of Israel accursed and trouble it. ^6:19But all the silver and gold and vessels of brass and iron, are holy to Jehovah. They will come into the treasury of Jehovah.

^6:20 So the people shouted and the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him and they took the city. ^6:21And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

^6:22 And Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, Go into the prostitute's house and bring out from there the woman and all that she has, as you^* swore to her. ^6:23 And the young men, the spies, went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all that she had. They also brought out all her kindred and they set them outside the camp of Israel.

^6:24 And they burnt the city with fire and all that was in it. Only the silver and the gold and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of Jehovah.

^6:25 But Joshua saved alive Rahab the prostitute and her father's household and all that she had. And she dwelt in the midst of Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

^6:26 And Joshua charged them with an oath at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before Jehovah who rises up and builds this city Jericho. With the loss of his firstborn he will lay the foundation of it and with the loss of his youngest son he will set up the gates of it. ^6:27 So Jehovah was with Joshua and his fame was in all the land.

[Joshua 7] TOC

^7:1 And the sons of Israel committed a trespass in what was set apart. And Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took from what was set apart and the anger of Jehovah was kindled against the sons of Israel.

^7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel and spoke to them, saying, Go up and spy out the land. And the men went up and spied out Ai. ^7:3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and kill^* Ai. Do not make all the people to toil there, for they are but few.

^7:4 So there went up there of the people about three thousand men. And they fled before the men of Ai. ^7:5 And the men of Ai killed^* of them about thirty-six men. And they chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim and killed^* them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

^7:6 And Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of Jehovah until the evening, he and the elders of Israel and they put dust upon their heads.

^7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah, why have you at all brought this people over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? If only we had been content and dwelt beyond the Jordan! ^7:8 Oh, Lord, what shall I say after Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! ^7:9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will encompass us around and cut off our name from the earth and what will you do for your great name?

^7:10 And Jehovah said to Joshua, You get up. Why are you thus fallen upon your face? ^7:11 Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken from what was set apart and have also stolen and also dissembled. And they have even put it among their own stuff.

^7:12 Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies because they have become accursed. I will not be with you^* any more unless you^* destroy what was set apart from among you^*.

^7:13 Up, sanctify the people and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow. Because Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, There is what has been set apart in the midst of you, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you^* take away the devoted thing from among you^*.

^7:14 In the morning therefore you^* will be brought near by your^* tribes and it will be, that the tribe which Jehovah takes will come near by families and the family which Jehovah will take will come near by households and the household which Jehovah will take will come near man by man. ^7:15 And it will be, that he who is taken with the devoted thing will be burnt with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of Jehovah and because he has done senselessness in Israel.

^7:16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes and the tribe of Judah was taken. ^7:17 And he brought near the family of Judah and he took the Zerahite family. And he brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man and Zabdi was taken. ^7:18 And he brought near his household man by man and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

^7:19 And Joshua said to Achan, I beseech you, my son give glory to Jehovah, the God of Israel and make confession to him and tell me now what you have done. Hide it not from me. ^7:20 And Achan answered Joshua and said, Of a truth I have sinned against Jehovah, the God of Israel and thus and thus have I done: ^7:21 When I saw among the spoil a pleasant Babylonian mantle and two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I desired them and took them. And behold, they are hid in the ground in the midst of my tent and the silver under it.

^7:22 So Joshua sent messengers and they ran to the tent. And behold, it was hid in his tent and the silver under it. ^7:23 And they took them from the midst of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel and they laid them down before Jehovah.

^7:24 And Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah and the silver and the mantle and the wedge of gold and his sons and his daughters and his oxen and his donkeys and his sheep and his tent and all that he had and they brought them up to the valley of Achor.

^7:25 And Joshua said, Why have you troubled us? Jehovah will trouble you this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones and they burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. ^7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones, to this day and Jehovah turned from the fierceness of his anger. Therefore the name of that place was called the valley of Achor to this day.

[Joshua 8] TOC

^8:1 And Jehovah said to Joshua, Do not fear, neither be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai and his people and his city and his land. ^8:2 And you will do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only the spoil of it and the cattle of it, you^* will take for a prey to yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.

^8:3 So Joshua arose and all the people of war, to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valor and sent them forth by night. ^8:4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, you^* will lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but be you^* all ready, ^8:5 and I and all the people that are with me, will approach to the city. And it will happen, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them. ^8:6 And they will come out after us, till we have drawn them away from the city, because they will say, They flee before us, as at the first. So we will flee before them.

^8:7 And you^* will rise up from the ambush and take possession of the city, and Jehovah your^* God will deliver it into your^* hand. ^8:8 And it will be, when you^* have seized upon the city, that you^* will set the city on fire. According to the word of Jehovah will you^* do. See, I have commanded you^*.

^8:9 And Joshua sent them forth and they went to the ambush and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai, but Joshua lodged that night among the people. ^8:10 And Joshua arose up early in the morning and mustered the people and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.

^8:11 And all the people, even the men of war who were with him, went up and drew near and came before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a valley between him and Ai. ^8:12 And he took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. ^8:13 So they set the people, even all the army that was on the north of the city and their ambush that were on the west of the city and Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.

^8:14 And it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hastened and rose up early and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at the time appointed, before the Arabah, but he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.

^8:15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them and fled by the way of the wilderness. ^8:16 And all the people that were in the city were called together to pursue after them and they pursued after Joshua and were drawn away from the city. ^8:17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. And they left the city open and pursued after Israel.

^8:18 And Jehovah said to Joshua, Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, because I will give it into your hand. And Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city. ^8:19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand and entered into the city and took it. And they hastened and set the city on fire.

^8:20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven and they had no power to flee this way or that way. And the people who fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

^8:21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again and killed the men of Ai. ^8:22 And the others came forth out of the city against them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side and some on that side. And they killed^* them so that they let none of them remain or escape. ^8:23 And they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.

^8:24 And it happened, when Israel had made an end of killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness in which they pursued them and they were all fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, that all Israel returned to Ai and killed^* it with the edge of the sword.

^8:25 And all who fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. ^8:26 And Joshua did not draw back his hand, with which he stretched out the javelin, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. ^8:27 Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for prey to themselves, according to the word of Jehovah which he commanded Joshua. ^8:28 So Joshua burnt Ai and made it an everlasting heap, even a desolation, to this day.

^8:29 And he hanged the king of Ai on a tree until the evening. And at the going down of the sun Joshua commanded and they took his body down from the tree and cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city and raised a great heap of stones on it, to this day.

^8:30 Then Joshua built an altar to Jehovah, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal, ^8:31 as Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, upon which no man had lifted up any iron. And they offered burnt-offerings on it to Jehovah and sacrificed peace-offerings. ^8:32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote, in the presence of the sons of Israel.

^8:33 And all Israel and their elders and officers and their judges, stood on this side of the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, as well the traveler as the home born, half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of Jehovah had commanded at the first, that they should bless the people of Israel.

^8:34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law. ^8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel and the women and the little ones and the travelers who were among them.

[Joshua 9] TOC

^9:1 And it happened, when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill-country and in the lowland and on all the shore of the great sea in front of Lebanon– the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite– heard of it, ^9:2 that they gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua and with Israel with one accord.

^9:3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, ^9:4 they also worked shrewdly and went and made as if they had been ambassadors and took old sacks upon their donkeys and wine-skins, old and torn and bound up,^9:5 and old and patched shoes upon their feet and old garments upon them and all the bread of their provision was dry and became moldy.

^9:6 And they went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, We have come from a far country, now therefore make a covenant with us. ^9:7 And the men of Israel said to the Hivites, Perhaps you^* dwell among us and how will we make a covenant with you^*? ^9:8 And they said to Joshua, We are your servants. And Joshua said to them, Who are you^* and from where do you^* come?

^9:9 And they said to him, From a very far country. Your servants have come because of the name of Jehovah your God, because we have heard the fame of him and all that he did in Egypt, ^9:10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

^9:11 And our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take provision in your^* hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, We are your^* servants and now make a covenant with us.

^9:12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came out to go to you^*, but now, behold, it is dry and has become moldy. ^9:13 And these wine-skins, which we filled, were new, and behold, they are torn. And these our garments and our shoes have become old by reason of the very long journey.

^9:14 And the men took of their provision and did not ask counsel at the mouth of Jehovah. ^9:15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them to let them live and the rulers of the congregation swore to them. ^9:16 And it happened at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors and that they dwelt among them.

^9:17 And the sons of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim. ^9:18 And the sons of Israel did not kill^* them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by Jehovah, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the rulers. ^9:19 But all the rulers said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by Jehovah, the God of Israel, now therefore we may not touch them.

^9:20 This we will do to them and let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them. ^9:21 And the rulers said to them, Let them live. So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the rulers had spoken to them.

^9:22 And Joshua called for them and he spoke to them, saying, Why have you^* beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you^*, when you^* dwell among us? ^9:23 Now therefore you^* are cursed and there will never fail to be bondmen of you^*, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

^9:24 And they answered Joshua and said, Because it was certainly told your servants, how that Jehovah your God commanded his servant Moses to give you^* all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you^*. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you^* and have done this thing. ^9:25 And now, behold, we are in your hand. As it seems good and right to you to do to us, do. ^9:26And so he did to them and delivered them out of the hand of the sons of Israel, that they did not kill them.^9:27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of Jehovah to this day in the place which he should choose.

[Joshua 10] TOC

^10:1 Now it happened, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it, as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, ^10:2 that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities and because it was greater than Ai and all the men of it were mighty.

^10:3 Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron and to Piram king of Jarmuth and to Japhia king of Lachish and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, ^10:4 Come up to me and help me and let us kill^* Gibeon, because it has made peace with Joshua and with the sons of Israel.

^10:5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together and went up, they and all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it. ^10:6 And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, because all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill-country are gathered together against us.

^10:7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the mighty men of valor. ^10:8 And Jehovah said to Joshua, Fear them not, because I have delivered them into your hands. There will not a man of them stand before you.

^10:9 Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, and he went up from Gilgal all the night. ^10:10 And Jehovah confused them before Israel and he killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and killed^* them to Azekah and to Makkedah.

^10:11 And it happened, as they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, that Jehovah cast down great stones from heaven upon them to Azekah and they died. More died with the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

^10:12 Then Joshua spoke to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel. And he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand still upon Gibeon and you, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon.

^10:13 And the sun stood still and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven and hastened not to go down about a whole day. ^10:14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that Jehovah listened to the voice of a man, because Jehovah fought for Israel.

^10:15 And Joshua returned and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal. ^10:16 And these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. ^10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hidden in the cave at Makkedah. ^10:18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones to the mouth of the cave and set men by it to keep them, ^10:19 but stay you^* not. Pursue after your^* enemies and attack the rear of them. Do not allow them to enter into their cities, because Jehovah your^* God has delivered them into your^* hand.

^10:20 And it happened, when Joshua and the sons of Israel had made an end of killing them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, ^10:21 that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. No man moved his tongue against any of the sons of Israel.

^10:22 Then Joshua said, Open the mouth of the cave and bring forth those five kings to me out of the cave. ^10:23 And they did so and brought out those five kings to him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon.

^10:24 And it happened, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called because all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who went with him, Come near, put your^* feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near and put their feet upon the necks of them.

^10:25 And Joshua said to them, Do not fear, nor be dismayed. Be strong and of good courage, because thus will Jehovah do to all your^* enemies against whom you^* fight. ^10:26 And afterward Joshua killed^* them and put them to death and hanged them on five trees. And they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.

^10:27 And it happened at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded and they took them down off the trees and cast them into the cave in which they had hidden themselves and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, to this very day.

^10:28 And Joshua took Makkedah on that day and killed^* it with the edge of the sword and the king of it. He utterly destroyed them and all the souls that were in it. He left none remaining and he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.

^10:29 And Joshua passed from Makkedah and all Israel with him, to Libnah and fought against Libnah. ^10:30 And Jehovah delivered it also and the king of it, into the hand of Israel. And he killed^* it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were in it. He left none remaining in it and he did to the king of it as he had done to the king of Jericho.

^10:31 And Joshua passed from Libnah and all Israel with him, to Lachish and encamped against it and fought against it. ^10:32 And Jehovah delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel. And he took it on the second day and killed^* it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were in it, according to all that he had done to Libnah. ^10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua killed^* him and his people until he had left him none remaining.

^10:34 And Joshua passed from Lachish and all Israel with him, to Eglon. And they encamped against it and fought against it. ^10:35 And they took it on that day and killed^* it with the edge of the sword. And all the souls that were in it he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

^10:36 And Joshua went up from Eglon and all Israel with him, to Hebron. And they fought against it, ^10:37 and they took it and killed^* it with the edge of the sword and the king of it and all the cities of it and all the souls that were in it. He left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon, but he utterly destroyed it and all the souls that were in it.

^10:38 And Joshua returned and all Israel with him, to Debir and fought against it. ^10:39 And he took it and the king of it and all the cities of it. And they killed^* them with the edge of the sword and utterly destroyed all the souls that were in it. He left none remaining. As he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir and to the king of it, as he had done also to Libnah and to the king of it.

^10:40 So Joshua killed^* all the land, the hill-country and the South and the lowland and the slopes and all their kings. He left none remaining, but he utterly destroyed all that breathed, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded. ^10:41 And Joshua killed^* them from Kadesh-barnea even to Gaza and all the country of Goshen, even to Gibeon. ^10:42 And all these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because Jehovah, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. ^10:43 And Joshua returned and all Israel with him, to the camp to Gilgal.

[Joshua 11] TOC

^11:1 And it happened, when Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon and to the king of Shimron and to the king of Achshaph,^11:2 and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill-country and in the Arabah south of Chinneroth and in the lowland and in the heights of Dor on the west, ^11:3 to the Canaanite on the east and on the west and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Jebusite in the hill-country and the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpah.

^11:4 And they went out, they and all their armies with them, many people, even as the sand that is upon the sea-shore in multitude, with horses and chariots, very many. ^11:5 And all these kings met together. And they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

^11:6 And Jehovah said to Joshua, Do not be afraid because of them, because tomorrow at this time I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. You will hock their horses and burn their chariots with fire. ^11:7 So Joshua came and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly and fell upon them.

^11:8 And Jehovah delivered them into the hand of Israel and they killed^* them and chased them to great Sidon and to Misrephoth-maim and to the valley of Mizpeh eastward. And they killed^* them until they left them none remaining. ^11:9 And Joshua did to them as Jehovah commanded him. He hocked their horses and burnt their chariots with fire.

^11:10 And Joshua turned back at that time and took Hazor and killed^* the king of it with the sword, because Hazor was formerly the head of all those kingdoms. ^11:11 And they killed^* all the souls who were in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them. There was none left that breathed and he burnt Hazor with fire.

^11:12 And all the cities of those kings and all the kings of them, Joshua took and he killed^* them with the edge of the sword and utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded. ^11:13 But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except only Hazor. Joshua burned that.

^11:14 And all the spoil of these cities and the cattle, the sons of Israel took for a prey to themselves, but every man they killed^* with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, neither did they leave any who breathed.

^11:15 As Jehovah commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that Jehovah commanded Moses. ^11:16 So Joshua took all that land, the hill-country and all the South and all the land of Goshen and the lowland and the Arabah and the hill-country of Israel and the lowland of the same, ^11:17 from Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even to Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon. And he took all their kings and killed^* them and put them to death. ^11:18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

^11:19 There was not a city that made peace with the sons of Israel, except the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took all in battle. ^11:20 Because it was of Jehovah to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them as Jehovah commanded Moses.

^11:21 And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill-country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab and from all the hill-country of Judah and from all the hill-country of Israel. Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. ^11:22 There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the sons of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath and in Ashdod some remained.

^11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that Jehovah spoke to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land had rest from war.

[Joshua 12] TOC

^12:1 Now these are the kings of the land, whom the sons of Israel killed^* and possessed their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon and all the Arabah eastward:

^12:2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon and the middle of the valley and half Gilead, even to the brook of Jabbok, the border of the sons of Ammon, ^12:3 and the Arabah to the sea of Chinneroth, eastward and to the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, eastward, the way to Beth-jeshimoth and on the south, under the slopes of Pisgah, ^12:4 and the border of Og king of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, who dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, ^12:5 and ruled in Mount Hermon and in Salecah and in all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

^12:6 Moses the servant of Jehovah and the sons of Israel killed^* them. And Moses the servant of Jehovah gave it for a possession to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

^12:7 And these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the sons of Israel killed^* beyond the Jordan westward, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even to Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir and Joshua gave it to the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions, ^12:8 in the hill-country and in the lowland and in the Arabah and in the slopes and in the wilderness and in the South, the Hittite, the Amorite and the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite:

^12:9 The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; ^12:10 the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; ^12:11 the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; ^12:12 the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; ^12:13 the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; ^12:14 the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; ^12:15 the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;^12:16the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; ^12:17 the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; ^12:18 the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lassharon, one; ^12:19 the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; ^12:20 the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; ^12:21 the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; ^12:22 the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; ^12:23 the king of Dor in the height of Dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one; ^12:24 the king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty-one.

[Joshua 13] TOC

^13:1 Now Joshua was old and well stricken in years and Jehovah said to him, You are old and well stricken in years and there remains yet very much land to be possessed.

^13:2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines and all the Geshurites; ^13:3from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward, which is reckoned to the Canaanites; the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazites {of Gaza} and the Ashdodites {of Ashdod}, the Ashkelonites {of Ashkelon}, the Gittites {of Gath} and the Ekronites {of Ekron}; also the Avvim {Or: Avvite}^13:4 on the south; all the land of the Canaanites and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; ^13:5 and the land of the Gebalites and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath; ^13:6 all the inhabitants of the hill-country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel, only allot you it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you.

^13:7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh. ^13:8 With him the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of Jehovah gave them: ^13:9 from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon and the city that is in the middle of the valley and all the plain of Medeba to Dibon; ^13:10 and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the sons of Ammon; ^13:11and Gilead and the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites and all Mount Hermon and all Bashan to Salecah; ^13:12 all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (what was left of the remnant of the Rephaim), and Moses killed^* and drove them out.

^13:13 Nevertheless the sons of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites, but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day.

^13:14 Only to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance. The fire-offerings of Jehovah, the God of Israel, are his inheritance as he spoke to him.

^13:15 And Moses gave to the tribe of the sons of Reuben according to their families. ^13:16 And their border was from Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon and the city that is in the middle of the valley and all the plain by Medeba; ^13:17Heshbon and all its cities that are in the plain; Dibon and Bamoth-baal and Beth-baal-meon, ^13:18 and Jahaz and Kedemoth and Mephaath, ^13:19 and Kiriathaim and Sibmah and Zereth-shahar in the mountain of the valley, ^13:20 and Beth-peor and the slopes of Pisgah and Beth-jeshimoth, ^13:21 and all the cities of the plain and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses killed^* with the chiefs of Midian, Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba, the rulers of Sihon who dwelt in the land.

^13:22 The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the enchanter, with the sword among the rest of their slain.

^13:23 And the border of the sons of Reuben was the Jordan and the border of it. This was the inheritance of the sons of Reuben according to their families, the cities and the villages of it.

^13:24 And Moses gave to the tribe of Gad, to the sons of Gad, according to their families. ^13:25 And their border was Jazer and all the cities of Gilead and half the land of the sons of Ammon, to Aroer that is before Rabbah, ^13:26 and from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir, ^13:27 and in the valley, Beth-haram and Beth-nimrah and Succoth and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, the Jordan and the border of it, to the outermost part of the sea of Chinnereth beyond the Jordan eastward. ^13:28 This is the inheritance of the sons of Gad according to their families, the cities and the villages of it.

^13:29 And Moses gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh and it was for the half-tribe of the sons of Manasseh according to their families. ^13:30 And their border was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities. ^13:31 And half Gilead and Ashtaroth and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh, even for the half of the sons of Machir according to their families. ^13:32 These are the inheritances which Moses distributed in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho, eastward.

^13:33 But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance. Jehovah, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he spoke to them.

[Joshua 14] TOC

^14:1 And these are the inheritances which the sons of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel, distributed to them, ^14:2 by the lot of their inheritance, as Jehovah commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes and for the half-tribe.

^14:3 Because Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.^14:4 Because the sons of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And they gave no portion to the Levites in the land except cities to dwell in with the suburbs of it except for their cattle and for their substance.^14:5 As Jehovah commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did and they divided the land.

^14:6 Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, You know the thing that Jehovah spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and concerning you in Kadesh-barnea. ^14:7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of Jehovah sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.

^14:8 Nevertheless my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I entirely followed Jehovah my God. ^14:9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land in which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your sons everlasting because you have entirely followed Jehovah my God.

^14:10 And now, behold, Jehovah has kept me alive, as he spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that Jehovah spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. ^14:11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war and to go out and to come in.

^14:12 Now therefore give me this hill-country of which Jehovah spoke in that day. Because you heard in that day how the Anakim were there and cities great and fortified. It may be that Jehovah will be with me and I will drive them out, as Jehovah spoke.

^14:13 And Joshua blessed him and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. ^14:14 Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day because he entirely followed Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^14:15 Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba. Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.

And the land had rest from war.

[Joshua 15] TOC

^15:1 And the lot for the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families was to the border of Edom, even to the wilderness of Zin southward, at the outermost part of the south.

^15:2 And their south border was from the outermost part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looks southward. ^15:3 And it went out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim and passed along to Zin and went up by the south of Kadesh-barnea and passed along by Hezron and went up to Addar and turned about to Karka, ^15:4 and it passed along to Azmon and went out at the brook of Egypt. And the edge of the border were at the sea. This will be your^* south border.

^15:5 And the east border was the Salt Sea, even to the end of the Jordan. And the border of the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the end of the Jordan, ^15:6 and the border went up to Beth-hoglah and passed along by the north of Beth-arabah and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben, ^15:7 and the border went up to Debir from the valley of Achor and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the river and the border passed along to the waters of En-shemesh. And the edge of it were at En-rogel, ^15:8 and the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the side of the Jebusite southward (what is Jerusalem) and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the outermost part of the vale of Rephaim northward, ^15:9 and the border extended from the top of the mountain to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron and the border extended to Baalah (what is Kiriath-jearim), ^15:10 and the border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim on the north (what is Chesalon) and went down to Beth-shemesh and passed along by Timnah, ^15:11 and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward and the border extended to Shikkeron and passed along to Mount Baalah and went out at Jabneel. And the edge of the border were at the sea.

^15:12 And the west border was to the great sea and the border of it. This is the border of the sons of Judah all around according to their families.

^15:13 And to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the sons of Judah, according to the commandment of Jehovah to Joshua, even Kiriath-arba. Arba was the father of Anak (what is Hebron).^15:14 And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak. ^15:15 And he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir. Now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher {City of Sepher}.

^15:16 And Caleb said, He who slays Kiriath-sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as a wife. ^15:17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it and he gave him Achsah his daughter as a wife.

^15:18 And it happened, when she came, that she moved him to ask of her father a field. And she dismounted from her donkey and Caleb said, What would you? ^15:19 And she said, Give me a blessing, because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

^15:20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.

^15:21 And the outermost cities of the tribe of the sons of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South were thus: Kabzeel and Eder and Jagur, ^15:22and Kinah and Dimonah and Adadah, ^15:23 and Kedesh and Hazor and Ithnan, ^15:24 Ziph and Telem and Bealoth, ^15:25 and Hazor-hadattah, {Or: Hazor, Hadattah} and Kerioth-hezron {Or: Kerioth and Hezron} (what is Hazor), ^15:26 Amam and Shema and Moladah, ^15:27 and Hazar-gaddah and Heshmon and Beth-pelet {Beth-palet}, ^15:28 and Hazar-shual and Beer-sheba and Biziothiah {Bizjothjah}, ^15:29 Baalah and Iim and Ezem, ^15:30 and Eltolad and Chesil and Hormah, ^15:31 and Ziklag and Madmannah and Sansannah, ^15:32 and Lebaoth and Shilhim and Ain and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.

^15:33 In the lowland, Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, ^15:34 and Zanoah and En-gannim, Tappuah and Enam, ^15:35 Jarmuth and Adullam, Socoh and Azekah, ^15:36 and Shaaraim {Sharaim} and Adithaim and Gederah and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages. ^15:37 Zenan and Hadashah and Migdal-gad, ^15:38 and Dilean and Mizpeh and Joktheel, ^15:39Lachish and Bozkath and Eglon, ^15:40 and Cabbon and Lahmam {Lahmas} and Chitlish {Kithlish}, ^15:41 and Gederoth, Beth-dagon and Naamah and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages. ^15:42 Libnah and Ether and Ashan, ^15:43 and Iphtah {Jiphtah} and Ashnah and Nezib, ^15:44 and Keilah and Achzib and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages. ^15:45 Ekron, with its towns and its villages, ^15:46 from Ekron even to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages. ^15:47 Ashdod, its towns and its villages, Gaza, its towns and its villages, to the brook of Egypt and the great sea and the border of it.

^15:48 And in the hill-country, Shamir and Jattir and Socoh, ^15:49 and Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (what is Debir), ^15:50 and Anab and Eshtemoh and Anim, ^15:51 and Goshen and Holon and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages. ^15:52 Arab and Dumah and Eshan {Eshean}, ^15:53 and Janim {Janum} and Beth-tappuah and Aphekah, ^15:54 and Humtah and Kiriath-arba {City of Arba} (what is Hebron) and Zior; nine cities with their villages. ^15:55 Maon, Carmel and Ziph and Juttah, ^15:56 and Jezreel and Jokdeam and Zanoah, ^15:57 Kain, Gibeah and Timnah; ten cities with their villages. ^15:58 Halhul, Beth-zur and Gedor,^15:59 and Maarath and Beth-anoth and Eltekon; six cities with their villages. ^15:60 Kiriath-baal (what is Kiriath-jearim) and Rabbah; two cities with their villages.

^15:61 In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah, ^15:62 and Nibshan and the City of Salt and En-gedi; six cities with their villages.

^15:63 And as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out, but the Jebusites dwell with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.

[Joshua 16] TOC

^16:1 And the lot came out for the sons of Joseph from the Jordan at Jericho, at the waters of Jericho on the east, even the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill-country to Bethel. ^16:2 And it went out from Bethel to Luz and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth, ^16:3 and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth-horon the nether, even to Gezer. And the edge of it were at the sea. ^16:4 And the sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

^16:5 And the border of the sons of Ephraim according to their families was thus: the border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth-addar, to Beth-horon the upper, ^16:6 and the border went out westward at Michmethath on the north and the border turned about eastward to Taanath-shiloh and passed along it on the east of Janoah {Janohah}, ^16:7and it went down from Janoah {Janohah} to Ataroth and to Naarah and reached to Jericho and went out at the Jordan. ^16:8 From Tappuah the border went along westward to the brook of Kanah. And the edge of it were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim according to their families, ^16:9 together with the cities which were set apart for the sons of Ephraim in the midst of the inheritance of the sons of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.

^16:10 And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwell in the midst of Ephraim to this day and have become servants to do forced-labor.

[Joshua 17] TOC

^17:1 And this was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, because he was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan. ^17:2 So it was for the rest of the sons of Manasseh according to their families: for the sons of Abiezer and for the sons of Helek and for the sons of Asriel and for the sons of Shechem and for the sons of Hepher and for the sons of Shemida. These were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their families.

^17:3 But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. ^17:4 And they came near before Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun and before the rulers, saying, Jehovah commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers. Therefore according to the commandment of Jehovah he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.

^17:5 And there fell ten parts to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan, ^17:6 because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.

^17:7 And the border of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, which is before Shechem. And the border went along to the right hand, to the inhabitants of En-tappuah. ^17:8 The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the sons of Ephraim. ^17:9 And the border went down to the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook. These cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh. And the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook. And edge of it were at the sea.

^17:10 Southward it was Ephraim's and northward it was Manasseh's and the sea was his border and they reached to Asher on the north and to Issachar on the east.

^17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher, Beth-shean and its towns and Ibleam and its towns and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, even the three heights.

^17:12 Yet the sons of Manasseh could not drive out those cities, but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. ^17:13 And it happened, when the sons of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced-labor and did not utterly drive them out.

^17:14 And the sons of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one part for an inheritance, seeing I am a great people, inasmuch as until now Jehovah has blessed me? ^17:15And Joshua said to them, If you are a great people, get up to the forest and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, because the hill-country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.

^17:16 And the sons of Joseph said, The hill-country is not enough for us and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth-shean and its towns and those who are in the valley of Jezreel.

^17:17 And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, You are a great people and have great power. You will not have only one lot, ^17:18 but the hill-country will be your, for though it is a forest, you will cut it down and the edge of it will be yours. Because you will drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong.

[Joshua 18] TOC

^18:1 And the whole congregation of the sons of Israel assembled themselves together at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there and the land was subdued before them. ^18:2 And seven tribes remained among the sons of Israel, which had not yet divided their inheritance.

^18:3 And Joshua said to the sons of Israel, How long are you^* slack to go in to possess the land, which Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers, has given you^*? ^18:4 Appoint for you^* three men of each tribe. And I will send them and they will arise and walk through the land and describe it according to their inheritance and they will come to me.

^18:5 And they will divide it into seven portions: Judah will abide in his border on the south and the house of Joseph will abide in their border on the north. ^18:6 And you^* will describe the land into seven portions and bring it here to me. And I will cast lots for you^* here before Jehovah our God. ^18:7 Because the Levites have no portion among you^*, because the priesthood of Jehovah is their inheritance and Gad and Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan eastward, which Moses the servant of Jehovah gave them.

^18:8 And the men arose and went. And Joshua charged those who went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land and describe it and come again to me. And I will cast lots for you^* here before Jehovah in Shiloh. ^18:9 And the men went and passed through the land and described it by cities into seven portions in a book. And they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh.

^18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Jehovah. And there Joshua divided the land to the sons of Israel according to their divisions.

^18:11 And the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families and the border of their lot went out between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.

^18:12 And their border on the north quarter was from the Jordan and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north and went up through the hill-country westward. And the edge of it were at the wilderness of Beth-aven. ^18:13 And the border passed along from there to Luz, to the side of Luz (what is Bethel), southward and the border went down to Ataroth-addar, by the mountain that lies on the south of Beth-horon the nether.

^18:14 And the border extended and turned around on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth-horon southward. And the edge of it were at Kiriath-baal (what is Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the west quarter.

^18:15 And the south quarter was from the uttermost part of Kiriath-jearim and the border went out westward and went out to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah, ^18:16 and the border went down to the uttermost part of the mountain that lies before the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is in the vale of Rephaim northward and it went down to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of the Jebusite southward and went down to En-rogel, ^18:17 and it extended northward and went out at En-shemesh and went out to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim and it went down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben, ^18:18 and it passed along to the side opposite the Arabah northward and went down to the Arabah, ^18:19 and the border passed along to the side of Beth-hoglah northward. And the edge of the border were at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan. This was the south border.

^18:20 And the Jordan was the border of it on the east quarter. This was the inheritance of the sons of Benjamin, by the borders of it all around, according to their families.

^18:21 Now the cities of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin according to their families were: Jericho and Beth-hoglah and Emek-keziz {Or: valley of Keziz},^18:22 and Beth-arabah and Zemaraim and Bethel, ^18:23and Avvim and Parah and Ophrah, ^18:24 and Chephar-ammoni and Ophni and Geba; twelve cities with their villages. ^18:25 Gibeon and Ramah and Beeroth,^18:26 and Mizpeh and Chephirah and Mozah, ^18:27 and Rekem and Irpeel and Taralah, ^18:28 and Zelah, Eleph and the Jebusite (what is Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the sons of Benjamin according to their families.

[Joshua 19] TOC

^19:1 And the second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the sons of Simeon according to their families. And their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the sons of Judah.

^19:2 And they had for their inheritance Beer-sheba, or Sheba and Moladah, ^19:3 and Hazar-shual and Balah and Ezem, ^19:4 and Eltolad and Bethul and Hormah, ^19:5 and Ziklag and Beth-marcaboth and Hazar-susah, ^19:6 and Beth-lebaoth and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages. ^19:7 Ain, Rimmon and Ether and Ashan; four cities with their villages;^19:8 and all the villages that were all around these cities to Baalath-beer, Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Simeon according to their families.

^19:9 The inheritance of the sons of Simeon was out of the part of the sons of Judah, because the portion of the sons of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the sons of Simeon had inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.

^19:10 And the third lot came up for the sons of Zebulun according to their families. And the border of their inheritance was to Sarid, ^19:11 and their border went up westward, even to Maralah and reached to Dabbesheth and it reached to the brook that is before Jokneam, ^19:12 and it turned from Sarid eastward toward the sun-rising to the border of Chisloth-tabor {The Flames of Tabor} and it went out to Daberath and went up to Japhia. ^19:13 And from there it passed along eastward to Gath-hepher, to Eth-kazin {Ittah-Kazin} and it went out at Rimmon which stretches to Neah, ^19:14 and the border turned about it on the north to Hannathon. And the edge of it were at the valley of Iphtahel {Jipthan-el}, ^19:15 and Kattath and Nahalal and Shimron and Idalah and Bethlehem; twelve cities with their villages.

^19:16 This is the inheritance of the sons of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

^19:17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the sons of Issachar according to their families.^19:18 And their border was to Jezreel and Chesulloth and Shunem, ^19:19 and Hapharaim and Shion and Anaharath, ^19:20 and Rabbith and Kishion and Ebez,^19:21 and Remeth and En-gannim and En-haddah and Beth-pazzez, ^19:22 and the border reached to Tabor and Shahazumah and Beth-shemesh. And the edge of their border were at the Jordan; sixteen cities with their villages.

^19:23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.

^19:24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their families. ^19:25 And their border was Helkath and Hali and Beten and Achshaph, ^19:26 and Allammelech and Amad and Mishal and it reached to Carmel westward and to Shihor-libnath, ^19:27 and it turned toward the sun-rising to Beth-dagon and reached to Zebulun and to the valley of Iph-tah-el northward to Beth-emek and Neiel and it went out to Cabul on the left hand, ^19:28and Ebron and Rehob and Hammon and Kanah, even to great Sidon, ^19:29 and the border turned to Ramah and to the fortified city of Tyre and the border turned to Hosah. And the edge of it were at the sea by the region of Achzib, ^19:30 also Ummah and Aphek and Rehob; twenty-two cities with their villages.

^19:31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

^19:32 The sixth lot came out for the sons of Naphtali, even for the sons of Naphtali according to their families. ^19:33 And their border was from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim and Adami-nekeb and Jabneel, to Lakkum. And the edge of it were at the Jordan. ^19:34 And the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor and went out from there to Hukkok and it reached to Zebulun on the south and reached to Asher on the west and to Judah at the Jordan toward the sun-rising.

^19:35 And the fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer and Hammath, Rakkath and Chinnereth, ^19:36 and Adamah and Ramah and Hazor, ^19:37 and Kedesh and Edrei and En-hazor, ^19:38 and Iron and Migdal-el, Horem and Beth-anath and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.

^19:39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages.

^19:40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their families. ^19:41 And the border of their inheritance was Zorah and Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh, ^19:42 and Shaalabbin and Aijalon and Ithlah, ^19:43 and Elon and Timnah and Ekron, ^19:44 and Eltekeh and Gibbethon and Baalath, ^19:45 and Jehud and Bene-berak and Gath-rimmon, ^19:46 and Me-jarkon and Rakkon, with the border opposite Joppa.

^19:47 And the border of the sons of Dan went out beyond them, and the sons of Dan went up and fought against Leshem and took it and killed^* it with the edge of the sword and possessed it and dwelt in it and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.

^19:48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

^19:49 So they made an end of distributing the land for an inheritance by the borders of it. And the sons of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun in the midst of them. ^19:50 According to the commandment of Jehovah they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in the hill-country of Ephraim. And he built the city and dwelt in it.

^19:51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel, distributed for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before Jehovah, at the door of the tent of meeting. So they made an end of dividing the land.

[Joshua 20] TOC

^20:1 And Jehovah spoke to Joshua, saying, ^20:2Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, Assign for you^* the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you^* by Moses, ^20:3 that the manslayer who kills any soul unintentionally and without knowledge may flee there. And they will be to you^* for a refuge from the avenger of blood. ^20:4 And he will flee to one of those cities and will stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and declare his case in the ears of the elders of that city. And they will take him into the city to them and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.

^20:5 And if the avenger of blood pursues after him, then they will not deliver up the manslayer into his hand, because he killed^* his neighbor unawares and did not hate him formerly. ^20:6 And he will dwell in that city, until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest who will be in those days. Then the manslayer will return and come to his own city and to his own house, to the city from where he fled.

^20:7 And they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim and Kiriath-arba (what is Hebron) in the hill-country of Judah. ^20:8 And beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness in the plain out of the tribe of Reuben and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.

^20:9 These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who travels among them, that whoever kills any soul unintentionally might flee there and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stood before the congregation.

[Joshua 21] TOC

^21:1 Then the heads of fathers of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of fathers of the tribes of the sons of Israel. ^21:2 And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, Jehovah commanded Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs of it for our cattle. ^21:3 And the sons of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of Jehovah, these cities with their suburbs:

^21:4 And the lot came out for the Kohathite families. And the sons of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah and out of the tribe of the Simeonites and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities. ^21:5 And the rest of the sons of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim and out of the tribe of Dan and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.

^21:6 And the sons of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar and out of the tribe of Asher and out of the tribe of Naphtali and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

^21:7 The sons of Merari according to their families had out of the tribe of Reuben and out of the tribe of Gad and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.

^21:8 And the sons of Israel gave these cities by lot to the Levites with their suburbs, as Jehovah commanded by Moses.

^21:9 And they gave out of the tribe of the sons of Judah and out of the tribe of the sons of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name, ^21:10and they were for the sons of Aaron, of the Kohathite families, who were of the sons of Levi, for theirs was the first lot. ^21:11 And they gave them Kiriath-arba, Arba was the father of Anak (what is Hebron), in the hill-country of Judah, with the suburbs of it all around it.

^21:12 But the fields of the city and the villages of it, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

^21:13 And to the sons of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer and Libnah with its suburbs, ^21:14 and Jattir with its suburbs and Eshtemoa with its suburbs,^21:15 and Holon with its suburbs and Debir with its suburbs, ^21:16 and Ain with its suburbs and Juttah with its suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with its suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.

^21:17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its suburbs, Geba with its suburbs, ^21:18 Anathoth with its suburbs and Almon with its suburbs; four cities.

^21:19 All the cities of the sons of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

^21:20 And the families of the sons of Kohath, the Levites, even the rest of the sons of Kohath, they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. ^21:21And they gave them Shechem with its suburbs in the hill-country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer and Gezer with its suburbs, ^21:22 and Kibzaim with its suburbs and Beth-horon with its suburbs; four cities.

^21:23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its suburbs, Gibbethon with its suburbs, ^21:24 Aijalon with its suburbs, Gath-rimmon with its suburbs; four cities.

^21:25 And out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its suburbs and Gath-rimmon with its suburbs; two cities.

^21:26 All the cities of the families of the rest of the sons of Kohath were ten with their suburbs.

^21:27 And to the sons of Gershon, of the Levite families, out of the half-tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer and Beeshterah with its suburbs; two cities.

^21:28 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs, ^21:29Jarmuth with its suburbs, En-gannim with its suburbs; four cities.

^21:30 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its suburbs, Abdon with its suburbs, ^21:31 Helkath with its suburbs and Rehob with its suburbs; four cities.

^21:32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer and Hammoth-dor with its suburbs and Kartan with its suburbs; three cities.

^21:33 All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

^21:34 And to the families of the sons of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs and Kartah with its suburbs, ^21:35 Dimnah with its suburbs, Nahalal with its suburbs; four cities.

^21:36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its suburbs and Jahaz with its suburbs, ^21:37 Kedemoth with its suburbs and Mephaath with its suburbs; four cities.

^21:38 And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer and Mahanaim with its suburbs, ^21:39Heshbon with its suburbs, Jazer with its suburbs; four cities in all.

^21:40 All these were the cities of the sons of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the Levite families; and their lot was twelve cities.

^21:41 All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty-eight cities with their suburbs. ^21:42 These cities were every one with their suburbs all around them. Thus it was with all these cities.

^21:43 So Jehovah gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt in it. ^21:44 And Jehovah gave them rest all around, according to all that he swore to their fathers. And there stood not a man of all their enemies before them. Jehovah delivered all their enemies into their hand. ^21:45 There failed not anything of any good thing which Jehovah had spoken to the house of Israel; all happened.

[Joshua 22] TOC

^22:1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ^22:2 and said to them, You^* have kept all that Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you^* and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you^*. ^22:3 You^* have not left your^* brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of Jehovah your^* God.

^22:4 And now Jehovah your^* God has given rest to your^* brothers, as he spoke to them. Therefore now turn and you^* get to your^* tents, to the land of your^* possession, which Moses the servant of Jehovah gave you^* beyond the Jordan.

^22:5 Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you^*, to love Jehovah your^* God and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your^* heart and with all your^* soul. ^22:6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away and they went to their tents.

^22:7 Now to the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua gave among their brothers beyond the Jordan westward. Moreover when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them, ^22:8 and spoke to them, saying, Return with much wealth to your^* tents and with very much cattle, with silver and with gold and with brass and with iron and with very much garments. Divide the spoil of your^* enemies with your^* brothers.

^22:9 And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned and departed from the sons of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession, of which they were possessed, according to the commandment of Jehovah by Moses.

^22:10 And when they came to the region about the Jordan that is in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, a great altar to look upon. ^22:11 And the sons of Israel heard say, Behold, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar in the forefront of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that pertains to the sons of Israel.

^22:12 And when the sons of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the sons of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up against them to war. ^22:13 And the sons of Israel sent Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, ^22:14 and with him ten rulers, one ruler of a fathers' house for each of the tribes of Israel. And they were each man of them head of their fathers' houses among the thousands of Israel.

^22:15 And they came to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, to the land of Gilead and they spoke with them, saying,^22:16 Thus says the whole congregation of Jehovah, What trespass is this that you^* have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following Jehovah, in that you^* have built for you^* an altar, to rebel this day against Jehovah?

^22:17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day, although there came a plague upon the congregation of Jehovah, ^22:18 that you^* must turn away this day from following Jehovah? And it will be, seeing you^* rebel today against Jehovah, that tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.

^22:19 However, if the land of your^* possession is unclean, then pass over to the land of the possession of Jehovah, in which Jehovah's tabernacle dwells and take possession among us, but do not rebel against Jehovah, nor rebel against us, in building for you^* an altar besides the altar of Jehovah our God. ^22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in what was set apart and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.

^22:21 Then the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel, ^22:22 The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, the Mighty One, God, Jehovah, he knows and Israel he will know, if it is in rebellion, or if in trespass against Jehovah (do not save us this day), ^22:23 that we have built us an altar to turn away from following Jehovah, or if to offer burnt-offering or food-offering on it, or if to offer sacrifices of peace-offerings on it, let Jehovah himself require it, ^22:24 and if we have not rather out of carefulness done this, from purpose, saying, In time to come your^* sons might speak to our sons, saying, What have you^* to do with Jehovah, the God of Israel?

^22:25 And Jehovah has made the Jordan a border between us and you^*, you^* sons of Reuben and sons of Gad. You^* have no portion in Jehovah. So your^* sons might make our sons cease from fearing Jehovah.

^22:26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice, ^22:27 but it will be a witness between us and you^* and between our generations after us, that we may do the service of Jehovah before him with our burnt-offerings and with our sacrifices and with our peace-offerings, that your^* sons may not say to our sons in time to come, You^* have no portion in Jehovah.

^22:28 Therefore we said, It will be, when they so say to us or to our genealogy in time to come, that we will say, Behold the pattern of the altar of Jehovah, which our fathers made, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice, but it is a witness between us and you^*.

^22:29 Far be it from us that we should rebel against Jehovah and turn away this day from following Jehovah, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for food-offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of Jehovah our God that is before his tabernacle.

^22:30 And when Phinehas the priest and the rulers of the congregation, even the heads of the thousands of Israel that were with him, heard the words that the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the sons of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them well.

^22:31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Manasseh, This day we know that Jehovah is in the midst of us, because you^* have not committed this trespass against Jehovah. Now you^* have delivered the sons of Israel out of the hand of Jehovah.

^22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest and the rulers, returned from the sons of Reuben and from the sons of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, to the land of Canaan, to the sons of Israel and brought them word again.

^22:33 And the thing pleased the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land in which the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad dwelt. ^22:34 And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar Witness. Because, they said, it is a witness between us that Jehovah is God.

[Joshua 23] TOC

^23:1 And it happened after many days, when Jehovah had given rest to Israel from all their enemies all around and Joshua was old and well stricken in years, ^23:2 that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads and for their judges and for their officers and said to them, I am old and well stricken in years, ^23:3 and you^* have seen all that Jehovah your^* God has done to all these nations because of you^*, because Jehovah your^* God, he it is who has fought for you^*.

^23:4 Behold, I have allotted to you^* these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your^* tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the great sea toward the going down of the sun. ^23:5 And Jehovah your^* God, he will thrust them out from before you^* and drive them from out of your^* sight. And you^* will possess their land, as Jehovah your^* God spoke to you^*.

^23:6 Therefore be you^* very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you^* not turn aside from there to the right hand or to the left; ^23:7 that you^* do not come among these nations, these that remain among you^*, neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves down to them, ^23:8 but cling to Jehovah your^* God as you^* have done to this day.

^23:9 And Jehovah has driven out from before you^* great nations and strong. But as for you^*, no man has stood before you^* to this day. ^23:10 One man of you^* will chase a thousand, because Jehovah your^* God, he it is who fights for you^*, as he spoke to you^*.

^23:11 Take good heed therefore to yourselves, that you^* love Jehovah your^* God. ^23:12 Else if you^* do at all go back and cling to the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you^* and make marriages with them and go in to them and they to you^*, ^23:13 know for a certainty that Jehovah your^* God will no more drive these nations from out of your^* sight, but they will be a snare and a trap to you^* and a scourge in your^* sides and thorns in your^* eyes, until you^* perish from this good land which Jehovah your^* God has given you^*.

^23:14 And behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you^* know in all your^* hearts and in all your^* souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which Jehovah your^* God spoke concerning you^*. All have happen to you^*; not one thing has failed of it.

^23:15 And it will happen, that as all the good things have come upon you^* of which Jehovah your^* God spoke to you^*, so will Jehovah bring upon you^* all the evil things, until he has destroyed you^* from this good land which Jehovah your^* God has given you^*. ^23:16 When you^* transgress the covenant of Jehovah your^* God, which he commanded you^* and go and serve other gods and bow down yourselves to them, then the anger of Jehovah will be kindled against you^* and you^* will perish quickly from the good land which he has given to you^*.

[Joshua 24] TOC

^24:1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel and for their heads and for their judges and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

^24:2 And Joshua said to all the people, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Your^* fathers dwelt of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor and they served other gods. ^24:3 And I took your^* father Abraham from beyond the River and led him throughout all the land of Canaan and multiplied his seed and gave him Isaac. ^24:4 And I gave to Isaac, Jacob and Esau. And I gave to Esau Mount Seir to possess it. And Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt.

^24:5 And I sent Moses and Aaron and I plagued Egypt, according to what I did in the midst of it and afterward I brought you^* out. ^24:6 And I brought your^* fathers out of Egypt. And you^* came to the sea and the Egyptians pursued after your^* fathers with chariots and with horsemen to the Red Sea. ^24:7 And when they cried out to Jehovah, he put darkness between you^* and the Egyptians and brought the sea upon them and covered them. And your^* eyes saw what I did in Egypt and you^* dwelt in the wilderness many days.

^24:8 And I brought you^* into the land of the Amorites, who dwelt beyond the Jordan. And they fought with you^*. And I gave them into your^* hand and you^* possessed their land and I destroyed them from before you^*.

^24:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you^*, ^24:10 but I would not listen to Balaam. Therefore he blessed you^* greatly. So I delivered you^* out of his hand.

^24:11 And you^* went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you^*, the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Girgashite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. And I delivered them into your^* hand. ^24:12And I sent the hornet before you^*, which drove them out from before you^*, even the two kings of the Amorites, not with your sword, nor with your bow.

^24:13 And I gave you^* a land in which you had not labored and cities which you^* did not build and you^* dwell in it. You^* eat of vineyards and olive-groves which you^* did not plant.

^24:14 Now therefore fear Jehovah and serve him in sincerity and in truth. And put away the gods which your^* fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve you^* Jehovah.

^24:15 And if it seems evil to you^* to serve Jehovah, choose you^* this day whom you^* will serve: whether the gods which your^* fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you^* dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.

^24:16 And the people answered and said, Far be it from us that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods. ^24:17 Because Jehovah our God, he it is who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through the midst of whom we passed. ^24:18 And Jehovah drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve Jehovah, because he is our God.

^24:19 And Joshua said to the people, You^* cannot serve Jehovah, because he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your^* transgression nor your^* sins. ^24:20 If you^* forsake Jehovah and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you^* evil and consume you^*, after he has done you^* good. ^24:21 And the people said to Joshua, No, but we will serve Jehovah.

^24:22 And Joshua said to the people, You^* are witnesses against yourselves that you^* have chosen for you^*, Jehovah, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. ^24:23 Now therefore, he said, put away the foreign gods which are among you^* and incline your^* heart to Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^24:24 And the people said to Joshua, we will serve Jehovah our God and we will listen to his voice.

^24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

^24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God. And he took a great stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of Jehovah.

^24:27 And Joshua said to all the people, Behold, this stone will be a witness against us, because it has heard all the words of Jehovah which he spoke to us. It will be therefore a witness against you^*, lest you^* deny your^* God.

^24:28 So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.

^24:29 And it happened after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Jehovah, died, being a hundred and ten years old. ^24:30 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-Serah, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash.

^24:31 And Israel served Jehovah all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work of Jehovah that he had worked for Israel. ^24:32 And they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up out of Egypt, in Shechem, in the portion of the land which Jacob bought from the Amorites who dwelt in Shechem for a hundred ewe-lambs. And he gave it to Joseph for a portion.

^24:33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died. And they buried him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill-country of Ephraim.

[Judges 1] TOC

^1:1 And it happened after the death of Joshua, that the sons of Israel asked of Jehovah, saying, Who will go up for us first against the Canaanites, to fight against them? ^1:2 And Jehovah said, Judah will go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.

^1:3 And Judah said to Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him.

^1:4 And Judah went up and Jehovah delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand and they killed^* of them in Bezek ten thousand men. ^1:5And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek and they fought against him and they killed^* the Canaanites and the Perizzites. ^1:6 But Adoni-bezek fled and they pursued after him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and his big toes.

^1:7 And Adoni-bezek said, Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their big toes cut off, gathered scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem and he died there.

^1:8 And the sons of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it and killed^* it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire.

^1:9 And afterward the sons of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who dwelt in the hill-country and in the South and in the lowland. ^1:10 And Judah went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron (now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba) and they killed^* Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai. ^1:11 And he went from there against the inhabitants of Debir. (Now the name of Debir was formerly Kiriath-sepher.)

^1:12 And Caleb said, He who slays Kiriath-sepher and takes it, I will give to him Achsah my daughter as a wife. ^1:13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it and he gave him Achsah his daughter as a wife.

^1:14 And it happened, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field. And she dismounted from her donkey and Caleb said to her, What would you? ^1:15 And she said to him, Give me a blessing, since you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

^1:16 And the sons of the Kenite, Moses' brother-in-law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the sons of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad and they went and dwelt with the people.

^1:17 And Judah went with Simeon his brother and they killed^* the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. ^1:18 Also Judah took Gaza with the border of it and Ashkelon with the border of it and Ekron with the border of it.

^1:19 And Jehovah was with Judah and drove out those of the hill-country. But they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had chariots of iron.

^1:20 And they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had spoken and he drove out the three sons of Anak from there.

^1:21 And the sons of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem, but the Jebusites dwell with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

^1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel and Jehovah was with them. ^1:23 And the house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel. (Now the name of the city was formerly Luz.)

^1:24 And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city and they said to him, Please show us, the entrance into the city and we will deal kindly with you. ^1:25 And he showed them the entrance into the city. And they killed^* the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man go and all his family.

^1:26 And the man went into the land of the Hittites and built a city and called the name of it Luz, which is the name of it to this day.

^1:27 And Manasseh did not drive out those of Beth-shean and its towns, nor of Taanach and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. ^1:28 And it happened, when Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced-labor and did not utterly drive them out.

^1:29 And Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

^1:30 Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol, but the Canaanites dwelt among them and became subject to forced-labor.

^1:31 Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob, ^1:32 but the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out.

^1:33 Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. Nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became subject to forced-labor.

^1:34 And the Amorites forced the sons of Dan into the hill-country, because they would not allow them to come down to the valley, ^1:35 but the Amorites would dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon and in Shaalbim. Yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became subject to forced-labor. ^1:36 And the border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock and upward.

[Judges 2] TOC

^2:1 And the messenger of Jehovah came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, I made you^* go up out of Egypt and have brought you^* to the land which I swore to your^* fathers. And I said, I will not break my everlasting covenant with you^*. ^2:2 And you^* will make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You^* will break down their altars. But you^* have not listened to my voice. Why have you^* done this?

^2:3 Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you^*, but they will be as thorns in your^* sides and their gods will be a snare to you^*.

^2:4 And it happened, when the messenger of Jehovah spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice and wept. ^2:5 And they called the name of that place Bochim and they sacrificed there to Jehovah.

^2:6 Now when Joshua had sent the people away, the sons of Israel went every man to his inheritance to possess the land. ^2:7 And the people served Jehovah all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Jehovah that he had worked for Israel.

^2:8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Jehovah, died, being a hundred and ten years old. ^2:9And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill-country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash. ^2:10 And also all that generation were gathered to their fathers.

And there arose another generation after them that did not know Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had worked for Israel. ^2:11 And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and served the Baals {Baalim}.

^2:12 And they forsook Jehovah, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples that were all around them and bowed themselves down to them. And they provoked Jehovah to anger.^2:13 And they forsook Jehovah and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.

^2:14 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel and he delivered them into the hands of plunderers that plundered them. And he sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.^2:15 Wherever they went out, the hand of Jehovah was against them for evil, as Jehovah had spoken and as Jehovah had sworn to them. And they were exceedingly distressed.

^2:16 And Jehovah raised up judges who saved them out of the hand of those who despoiled them.^2:17 And yet they did not listen to their judges, because they played the prostitute after other gods and bowed themselves to them. They turned aside quickly out of the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of Jehovah. They did not do so.

^2:18 And when Jehovah raised up judges for them, then Jehovah was with the judge and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. Because Jehovah regretted because of their groaning because of those who oppressed them and distressed them.

^2:19 But it happened, when the judge was dead, that they turned back and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and to bow down to them. They did not cease from their practices, nor from their stubborn way.

^2:20 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel and he said, Because this nation has transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers and has not listened to my voice, ^2:21 I also will not hereafter drive out any from before them of the nations that Joshua left when he died, ^2:22 that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of Jehovah to walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not.

^2:23 So Jehovah left those nations, without driving them out quickly. Neither did he deliver them into the hand of Joshua.

[Judges 3] TOC

^3:1 Now these are the nations which Jehovah left to prove Israel by them, (even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan, ^3:2 only that the generations of the sons of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least to such as formerly knew nothing of that): ^3:3 namely, the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites that dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon to the entrance of Hamath.

^3:4 And they were left, to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the commandments of Jehovah, which he commanded their fathers by Moses.

^3:5 And the sons of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. ^3:6 And they took their daughters to be their wives and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods. ^3:7 And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and forgot Jehovah their God and served the Baals {Baalim} and the Asheroth {Asherahs}.

^3:8 Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia, And the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.

^3:9 And when the sons of Israel cried to Jehovah, Jehovah raised up a savior to the sons of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. ^3:10 And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him and he judged Israel. And he went out to war and Jehovah delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim.

^3:11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

^3:12 And the sons of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. And Jehovah strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel because they had done what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. ^3:13 And he gathered to him the sons of Ammon and Amalek and he went and killed^* Israel and they possessed the city of palm trees.

^3:14 And the sons of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

^3:15 But when the sons of Israel cried to Jehovah, Jehovah raised up for them a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. And the sons of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. ^3:16 And Ehud made for himself a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length. And he girded it under his garments upon his right thigh.

^3:17 And he offered the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. ^3:18 And when he had made an end of offering the tribute, he sent away the men who bore the tribute. ^3:19 But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal and said, I have a secret errand to you, O king. And he said, Keep silence. And all who stood by him went out from him.

^3:20 And Ehud came to him. And he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. And Ehud said, I have a message from God to you. And he arose out of his seat. ^3:21 And Ehud put forth his left hand and took the sword from his right thigh and thrust it into his body. ^3:22 And the handle also went in after the blade and the fat closed upon the blade, because he did not draw the sword out of his body and it came out behind.

^3:23 Then Ehud went forth into the porch and shut the doors of the upper room upon him and locked them. ^3:24 Now when he had gone out, his servants came and they saw, and behold, the doors of the upper room were locked. And they said, Surely he is covering his feet in the upper chamber.

^3:25 And they delayed till they were ashamed, and behold, he did not open the doors of the upper room. Therefore they took the key and opened, and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.^3:26 And Ehud escaped while they delayed and passed beyond the quarries and escaped to Seirah.

^3:27 And it happened, when he came, that he blew a trumpet in the hill-country of Ephraim. And the sons of Israel went down with him from the hill-country and he before them. ^3:28 And he said to them, Follow after me, because Jehovah has delivered your^* enemies the Moabites into your^* hand. And they went down after him and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites and did not allow a man to pass over. ^3:29 And they killed^* about ten thousand men of Moab at that time, every robust man and every man of valor and there escaped not a man.

^3:30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest eighty years.

^3:31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed^* six hundred men of the Philistines with an cattle-prod and he also saved Israel.

[Judges 4] TOC

^4:1 And the sons of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, when Ehud was dead. ^4:2 And Jehovah sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan who reigned in Hazor, the captain of whose army was Sisera who dwelt in Harosheth-hagoyim {Harosheth of the Nations}. ^4:3 And the sons of Israel cried to Jehovah, because he had nine hundred chariots of iron and he mightily oppressed the sons of Israel twenty years.

^4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time. ^4:5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill-country of Ephraim and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment.

^4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, Has not Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded, saying, Go and draw near to Mount Tabor and take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun? ^4:7 And I will draw Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, to you, to the river Kishon, with his chariots and his multitude and I will deliver him into your hand.

^4:8 And Barak said to her, If you will go with me, then I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go. ^4:9 And she said, I will surely go with you. Only that the journey that you take will not be for your honor, because Jehovah will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

^4:10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh. And there went up ten thousand men at his feet and Deborah went up with him.

^4:11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, from the sons of Hobab the brother-in-law of Moses and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh. ^4:12And they told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. ^4:13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim {Harosheth of the Nations}, to the river Kishon.

^4:14 And Deborah said to Barak, Up, because this is the day in which Jehovah has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not Jehovah gone out before you? So Barak went down from Mount Tabor and ten thousand men after him.

^4:15 And Jehovah confused Sisera and all his chariots and all his army, with the edge of the sword before Barak. And Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on his feet. ^4:16 But Barak pursued after the chariots and after the army, to Harosheth-hagoyim {Harosheth of the Nations}. And all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword. There was not a man left.

^4:17 However Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. ^4:18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; do not fear. And he turned in to her into the tent and she covered him with a rug.

^4:19 And he said to her, I beseech you, Give me a little water to drink, because I am thirsty. And she opened a skin-container of milk and gave him a drink and covered him. ^4:20 And he said to her, Stand in the door of the tent and it will be, when any man comes and inquires of you and says, Is there any man here? that you will say, No.

^4:21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a tent-stake and took a hammer in her hand and went softly to him and struck the pin into his temples and it pierced through into the ground, and he was in a deep sleep, so he fainted and died.

^4:22 And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, Come and I will show you the man whom you seek. And he came to her, and behold, Sisera lay dead and the tent-stake was in his temples.

^4:23 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the sons of Israel. ^4:24 And the hand of the sons of Israel prevailed more and more against Jabin the king of Canaan until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

[Judges 5] TOC

^5:1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,

^5:2 That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, praise Jehovah. ^5:3 Hear, O you^* kings. Listen, O you^* rulers. I, even I, will sing to Jehovah. I will sing praise to Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^5:4 Jehovah, when you went forth out of Seir,

when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens also dropped,

yes, the clouds dropped water. ^5:5 The mountains flowed like lava at the presence of Jehovah, even

yon Sinai at the presence of Jehovah, the God of Israel.

^5:6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied and the travelers walked through byways. ^5:7 The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, until that I, Deborah, arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. ^5:8 They chose new gods, then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

^5:9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Praise Jehovah. ^5:10 Tell, you^* who ride on white donkeys, you^* who sit on rich carpets and you^* who walk by the way. ^5:11 Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, they will rehearse the righteous acts of Jehovah there, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. Then the people of Jehovah went down to the gates.

^5:12 Awake, awake, Deborah, awake, awake, utter a song. Arise, Barak and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam. ^5:13 Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. Jehovah came down for me against the mighty. ^5:14 Out of Ephraim, those whose root is in Amalek, after you, Benjamin, among your peoples, out of Machir, came down governors and out of Zebulun those who draw out the marshal's staff. ^5:15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah, as was Issachar, so was Barak, into the valley they rushed forth at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben there were great resolves of heart.

^5:16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the piping for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben there were great searches of heart. ^5:17 Gilead abode beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea and abode by his creeks.

^5:18 Zebulun was a people who jeopardized their lives to the death and Naphtali, upon the high places of the field. ^5:19 The kings came and fought. Then the kings of Canaan fought in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no gain of money.

^5:20 From heaven the stars fought; from their courses they fought against Sisera. ^5:21 The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, march on with strength. ^5:22 Then the horse hoofs stamped by reason of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

^5:23 Curse you^* Meroz, said the messenger of Jehovah. Curse bitterly the inhabitants of it, because they did not come to the help of Jehovah, to the help of Jehovah against the mighty.

^5:24 Blessed above women will Jael be, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Blessed will she be above women in the tent. ^5:25 He asked water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish. ^5:26 She put her hand to the tent-stake and her right hand to the workmen's hammer. And with the hammer she killed^* Sisera; she struck through his head. Yes, she pierced and struck through his temples. ^5:27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay. At her feet he bowed, he fell. Where he bowed, he fell down dead there.

^5:28 Through the window she looked forth and cried– the mother of Sisera through the lattice– Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots delay? ^5:29 Her wise ladies answered her, yes, she returned answer to herself, ^5:30 Have they not found, have they not divided the spoil? A maiden, two maidens to every man, to Sisera a spoil of dyed garments, a spoil of dyed garments embroidered, of dyed garments embroidered on both sides, on the necks of the spoil?

^5:31 So let all your enemies perish, O Jehovah, but let those who love him be as the sun when he goes forth in his might.

And the land had rest forty years.

[Judges 6] TOC

^6:1 And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. ^6:2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. And because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

^6:3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up and the Amalekites and the sons of the east, they came up against them. ^6:4 And they encamped against them and destroyed the increase of the earth, till you come to Gaza and left no sustenance in Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor donkey.

^6:5 Because they came up with their cattle and their tents. They came in as locusts for a multitude. Both they and their camels were without number and they came into the land to destroy it.

^6:6 And Israel was brought very low because of Midian and the sons of Israel cried to Jehovah. ^6:7And it happened, when the sons of Israel cried to Jehovah because of Midian, ^6:8 that Jehovah sent a prophet to the sons of Israel. And he said to them, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, I brought you^* up from Egypt and brought you^* forth out of the house of bondage. ^6:9 And I delivered you^* out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all that oppressed you^* and drove them out from before you^* and gave you^* their land. ^6:10 And I said to you^*, I am Jehovah your^* God. You^* will not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you^* dwell, but you^* have not listened to my voice.

^6:11 And the messenger of Jehovah came and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah that pertained to Joash the Abiezrite. And his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. ^6:12 And the messenger of Jehovah appeared to him and said to him, Jehovah is with you, you mighty man of valor.

^6:13 And Gideon said to him, Oh, my lord, if Jehovah is with us, then why has all this befallen us? And where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not Jehovah bring us up from Egypt? But now Jehovah has cast us off and delivered us into the hand of Midian.

^6:14 And Jehovah looked upon him and said, Go in this your might and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you? ^6:15 And he said to him, Oh, Lord, with what shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh and I am the least in my father's house. ^6:16 And Jehovah said to him, Surely I will be with you and you will kill^* the Midianites as one man.

^6:17 And he said to him, If now I have found favor in your sight, then show me a sign that it is you who talk with me. ^6:18 I beseech you, do not depart from here, until I come to you and bring forth my present and lay it before you. And he said, I will abide until you come again.

^6:19 And Gideon went in and made ready a kid and unleavened cakes of a 10-gallon container of meal. He put the flesh in a basket and he put the broth in a pot and brought it out to him under the oak and presented it.

^6:20 And the messenger of God said to him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes and lay them upon this rock and pour out the broth. And he did so.^6:21 Then the messenger of Jehovah put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes. And there went up fire out of the rock and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. And the messenger of Jehovah departed out of his sight.

^6:22 And Gideon saw that he was the messenger of Jehovah. And Gideon said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah! Inasmuch as I have seen the messenger of Jehovah face to face. ^6:23 And Jehovah said to him, Peace be to you. Do not fear; you will not die. ^6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there to Jehovah and called it Jehovah-shalom. To this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

^6:25 And it happened the same night, that Jehovah said to him, Take your father's bull, even the second bull seven years old and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has and cut down the Asherah that is by it. ^6:26 And build an altar to Jehovah your God upon the top of this stronghold, in the orderly manner and take the second bull and offer a burnt-offering with the wood of the Asherah which you will cut down.

^6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as Jehovah had spoken to him. And it happened, because he feared his father's household and the men of the city, so that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

^6:28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down and the Asherah was cut down that was by it and the second bull was offered upon the altar that was built. ^6:29 And they said one to another, Who has done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.

^6:30 Then the men of the city said to Joash, Bring out your son, that he may die, because he has broken down the altar of Baal and because he has cut down the Asherah that was by it.

^6:31 And Joash said to all who stood against him, Will you^* contend for Baal? Or will you^* save him? He who will contend for him, let him be put to death while it is morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself because he has broken down his altar.

^6:32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal contend against him because he has broken down his altar.

^6:33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east assembled themselves together. And they passed over and encamped in the valley of Jezreel. ^6:34 But the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon and he blew a trumpet and Abiezer was gathered together after him. ^6:35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh and they also were gathered together after him. And he sent messengers to Asher and to Zebulun and to Naphtali and they came up to meet them.

^6:36 And Gideon said to God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken, ^6:37 behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor. If there is dew on the fleece only and it is dry upon all the ground, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand as you have spoken. ^6:38 And it was so, for he rose up early on the next-day and pressed the fleece together and wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water.

^6:39 And Gideon said to God, Do not let your anger be kindled against me and I will speak but this once. I beseech you, let me make a trial but this once with the fleece. Let it now be dry only upon the fleece and upon all the ground let there be dew. ^6:40 And God did so that night, and it was dry upon the fleece only and there was dew on all the ground.

[Judges 7] TOC

^7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon and all the people who were with him, rose up early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

^7:2 And Jehovah said to Gideon, The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, My own hand has saved me. ^7:3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty-two thousand and there remained ten thousand.

^7:4 And Jehovah said to Gideon, The people are yet too many. Bring them down to the water and I will try them for you there. And it will be, that of whom I say to you, This man will go with you, the same will go with you and of whomever I say to you, This man will not go with you, the same will not go.^7:5 So he brought down the people to the water. And Jehovah said to Gideon, Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you will set him by himself. Likewise everyone who bows down upon his knees to drink.

^7:6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men, but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

^7:7 And Jehovah said to Gideon, By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you^* and deliver the Midianites into your hand. And let all the people go every man to his place. ^7:8 So the people took provision in their hand and their trumpets. And he sent all the men of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the three hundred men. And the camp of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

^7:9 And it happened the same night, that Jehovah said to him, Arise, get you down into the camp, because I have delivered it into your hand.

^7:10 But if you fear to go down, go with Purah your servant down to the camp. ^7:11 And you will hear what they say and afterward your hands will be strengthened to go down into the camp. Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outermost part of the armed men who were in the camp.

^7:12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the sons of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for a multitude and their camels were without number, as the sand which is upon the sea-shore for a multitude.

^7:13 And when Gideon came, behold, there was a man telling a dream to his friend. And he said, Behold, I dreamed a dream. And behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and killed^* it so that it fell and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat. ^7:14 And his friend answered and said, This is nothing else except the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel. Into his hand God has delivered Midian and all the army.

^7:15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and the interpretation of it, that he worshiped. And he returned into the camp of Israel and said, Arise, because Jehovah has delivered the army of Midian into your^* hand.

^7:16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and he put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty pitchers, with torches inside the pitchers.

^7:17 And he said to them, Look on me and do likewise, and behold, when I come to the outermost part of the camp, it will be that, as I do, so you^* will do. ^7:18 When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow you^* the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and say, For Jehovah and for Gideon.

^7:19 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him, came to the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch when they had but newly set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands.^7:20 And the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers and held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow. And they cried out, The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon.

^7:21 And they stood every man in his place all around the camp. And all the army ran and they shouted and put them to flight. ^7:22 And they blew the three hundred trumpets and Jehovah set every man's sword against his friend and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah {Beth Acacia; Place of Acacia} toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.

^7:23 And the men of Israel were gathered together out of Naphtali and out of Asher and out of all Manasseh and pursued after Midian. ^7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill-country of Ephraim, saying, Come down against Midian and take before them the waters, as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan. So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together and took the waters as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan.

^7:25 And they took the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb and pursued Midian. And they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon beyond the Jordan.

[Judges 8] TOC

^8:1 And the men of Ephraim said to him, Why have you done thus to us, that you did not call us when you went to fight with Midian? And they chided with him sharply.

^8:2 And he said to them, What have I now done in comparison with you^*? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? ^8:3 God has delivered into your^* hand the rulers of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb and what was I able to do in comparison with you^*? Then their anger was relaxed toward him when he had said that.

^8:4 And Gideon came to the Jordan, and passed over, he and the three hundred men who were with him, faint, yet pursuing. ^8:5 And he said to the men of Succoth, Give, I beseech you^*, loaves of bread to the people who follow me, because they are faint and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian. ^8:6 And the rulers of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand that we should give bread to your army?

^8:7 And Gideon said, Therefore when Jehovah has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your^* flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.

^8:8 And he went up from there to Penuel and spoke to them in like manner and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.^8:9 And he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.

^8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of all the army of the sons of the east, and those who fell a hundred and twenty thousand men who drew a sword.

^8:11 And Gideon went up by the way of those who dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah and killed^* the army, and the army was confident.

^8:12 And Zebah and Zalmunna fled and he pursued after them. And he took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna and confused all the army. ^8:13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

^8:14 And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth and inquired of him. And he described for him the rulers of Succoth and the elders of it, seventy-seven men. ^8:15 And he came to the men of Succoth and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you^* taunted me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?

^8:16 And he took the elders of the city and thorns of the wilderness and briers and with them he taught the men of Succoth. ^8:17 And he broke down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

^8:18 Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you^* killed at Tabor? And they answered, As you are, so were they. Each one resembled the sons of a king. ^8:19 And he said, They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As Jehovah lives, if you^* had saved them alive, I would not kill you^*.

^8:20 And he said to Jether his firstborn, Up and kill them. But the youth did not draw his sword, because he feared because he was yet a youth. ^8:21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise and fall upon us, for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna and took the crescents that were on their camels' necks.

^8:22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, Rule over us, both you and your son and your son's son also, because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian. ^8:23 And Gideon said to them, I will not rule over you^*, neither will my son rule over you^*. Jehovah will rule over you^*.

^8:24 And Gideon said to them, I would make a request of you^*, that you^* would give me every man the earrings of his spoil. (Because they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) ^8:25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment and cast in it every man the earrings of his spoil. ^8:26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescents and the pendants and the purple garments that was on the kings of Midian and besides the chains that were about their camels' necks.

^8:27 And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, even in Ophrah. And all Israel played the prostitute after it there and it became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

^8:28 So Midian was subdued before the sons of Israel and they lifted up their heads no more. And the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.^8:29 And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house. ^8:30 And Gideon had seventy sons fathered from his body, because he had many wives.

^8:31 And his concubine who was in Shechem, she also bore him a son and he called his name Abimelech. ^8:32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age and was buried in the sepulcher of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

^8:33 And it happened, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the sons of Israel turned again and played the prostitute after the Baals {Baalim} and made Baal-berith their god. ^8:34 And the sons of Israel did not remember Jehovah their God, who had delivered them out of the hand of all their enemies on every side, ^8:35 neither did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shown to Israel.

[Judges 9] TOC

^9:1 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, ^9:2 Speak, I beseech you^*, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Which is better for you^*, that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are seventy men, rule over you^*, or that one rule over you^*? Remember also that I am your^* bone and your^* flesh.

^9:3 And his mother's brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. And their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, because they said, He is our brother. ^9:4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and unstable men who followed him.

^9:5 And he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy men, upon one stone, but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.

^9:6 And all the men of Shechem assembled themselves together and all the Beth-millo {House of Millo} and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem. ^9:7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice and cried out and said to them, Listen to me, you^* men of Shechem, that God may listen to you^*.

^9:8 The trees went forth a time to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, Reign over us. ^9:9 But the olive tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness with which by me they honor God and man and go to wave to and fro over the trees? ^9:10And the trees said to the fig tree, You come and reign over us. ^9:11 But the fig tree said to them, Should I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go to wave to and fro over the trees?

^9:12 And the trees said to the vine, You come and reign over us. ^9:13 And the vine said to them, Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man and go to wave to and fro over the trees?

^9:14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, You come and reign over us. ^9:15 And the bramble said to the trees, If in truth you^* anoint me king over you^*, then come and take refuge in my shade and if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

^9:16 Now therefore, if you^* have dealt truly and uprightly, in that you^* have made Abimelech king and if you^* have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him according to the deed of his hands ^9:17 (in which my father fought for you^* and ventured his life and delivered you^* out of the hand of Midian, ^9:18 and you^* have risen up against my father's house this day and have slain his sons, seventy men, upon one stone and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem because he is your^* brother), ^9:19if you^* then have dealt truly and uprightly with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech and let him also rejoice in you^*.

^9:20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and Beth-millo {House of Millo} and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from Beth-millo {House of Millo} and devour Abimelech. ^9:21 And Jotham ran away and fled and went to Beer and dwelt there, away from the face of Abimelech his brother.

^9:22 And Abimelech was ruler over Israel three years. ^9:23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, ^9:24 that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother who killed them and upon the men of Shechem who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.

^9:25 And the men of Shechem set ambushes for him on the tops of the mountains and they robbed all who came along that way by them and it was told Abimelech.

^9:26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem and the men of Shechem put their trust in him. ^9:27 And they went out into the field and gathered their vineyards and trod the grapes and held festival and went into the house of their god and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech.

^9:28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is not he the son of Jerubbaal and Zebul his officer? Serve you^* the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve him? ^9:29 And who will give this people into my hand? Then I would remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase your army and come out.

^9:30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. ^9:31 And he sent messengers to Abimelech privately, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem, and behold, they are fortifying the city against you.

^9:32 Now therefore, up by night, you and the people who are with you and lie in wait in the field.^9:33 And it will be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you will rise early and rush upon the city, and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, then you may do to them as you will find occasion.

^9:34 And Abimelech rose up and all the people who were with him, by night and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

^9:35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. And Abimelech rose up and the people who were with him, from the ambush.

^9:36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there comes a people down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said to him, You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. ^9:37 And Gaal spoke again and said, See, there comes a people down by the middle of the land and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim {Witchcrafter’s Oak}.

^9:38 Then Zebul said to him, Where is now your mouth, that you said, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Is not this the people that you have despised? Go out now, I pray and fight with them.

^9:39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. ^9:40 And Abimelech chased him and he fled before him and there fell many wounded, even to the entrance of the gate. ^9:41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

^9:42 And it happened on the next-day, that the people went out into the field and they told Abimelech. ^9:43 And he took the people and divided them into three companies and laid wait in the field. And he looked, and behold, the people came forth out of the city. And he rose up against them and killed^* them.

^9:44 And Abimelech and the companies who were with him, rushed forward and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city and the two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and killed^* them. ^9:45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. And he took the city and killed the people that were in it and he beat down the city and sowed it with salt.

^9:46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of El-berith. ^9:47 And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

^9:48 And Abimelech got up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the people who were with him, What you^* have seen me do, make haste and do as I have done.

^9:49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his branch and followed Abimelech and put them to the stronghold and set the stronghold on fire upon them, so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women. ^9:50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and took it.

^9:51 But there was a strong tower inside the city. And all the men and women fled and all those of the city and shut themselves in and got up to the roof of the tower. ^9:52 And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

^9:53 And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon Abimelech's head and broke his skull. ^9:54 Then he called hastily to the young man his armor bearer and said to him, Draw your sword and kill me, that men not say of me, A woman killed him. And his young man thrust him through and he died. ^9:55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man to his place.

^9:56 Thus God requited the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father, in slaying his seventy brothers. ^9:57 And God requited all the wickedness of the men of Shechem upon their heads. And the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came upon them.

[Judges 10] TOC

^10:1 And after Abimelech there arose Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, to save Israel and he dwelt in Shamir in the hill-country of Ephraim. ^10:2 And he judged Israel twenty-three years and died and was buried in Shamir.

^10:3 And after him arose Jair, the Gileadite and he judged Israel twenty-two years. ^10:4 And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts and they had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth-jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. ^10:5 And Jair died and was buried in Kamon.

^10:6 And the sons of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and served the Baals {Baalim} and the Ashtaroth and the gods of Syria and the gods of Sidon and the gods of Moab and the gods of the sons of Ammon and the gods of the Philistines. And they forsook Jehovah and did not serve him.

^10:7 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the sons of Ammon.^10:8 And they distressed and oppressed the sons of Israel that year. Eighteen years they oppressed all the sons of Israel who were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. ^10:9 And the sons of Ammon passed over the Jordan to also fight against Judah and against Benjamin and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was exceedingly distressed.

^10:10 And the sons of Israel cried to Jehovah, saying, We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals {Baalim}. ^10:11 And Jehovah said to the sons of Israel, Did not I save you^* from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the sons of Ammon and from the Philistines? ^10:12 The Sidonians also and the Amalekites and the Maonites, oppressed you^*. And you^* cried to me and I saved you^* out of their hand.

^10:13 Yet you^* have forsaken me and served other gods. Therefore I will save you^* no more. ^10:14 Go and cry to the gods which you^* have chosen. Let them save you^* in the time of your^* distress.

^10:15 And the sons of Israel said to Jehovah, We have sinned. Do to us whatever seems good to you, please only deliver us this day. ^10:16 And they put away the foreign gods from among them and served Jehovah. And his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

^10:17 Then the sons of Ammon were gathered together and encamped in Gilead. And the sons of Israel assembled themselves together and encamped in Mizpah. ^10:18 And the people, the rulers of Gilead, said one to another, What man is he who will begin to fight against the sons of Ammon? He will be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

[Judges 11] TOC

^11:1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor and he was the son of a prostitute and Gilead fathered Jephthah. ^11:2 And Gilead's wife bore sons to him. And when his wife's sons grew up, they drove out Jephthah and said to him, You will not inherit in our father's house, because you are the son of another woman. ^11:3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob. And vain fellows were gathered to Jephthah and they went out with him.

^11:4 And it happened after a while, that the sons of Ammon made war against Israel. ^11:5 And it was so, that, when the sons of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob. ^11:6 And they said to Jephthah, Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the sons of Ammon.

^11:7 And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, Did you^* not hate me and drive me out of my father's house? And why have you^* come to me now when you^* are in distress? ^11:8 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, Therefore we turned again to you now, that you may go with us and fight with the sons of Ammon. And you will be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

^11:9 And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, If you^* bring me home again to fight with the sons of Ammon and Jehovah delivers them before me, shall I be your^* head? ^11:10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, Jehovah will be witness between us. Surely according to your word so will we do. ^11:11Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead and the people made him head and chief over them. And Jephthah spoke all his words before Jehovah in Mizpah.

^11:12 And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you have come to me to fight against my land? ^11:13 And the king of the sons of Ammon answered to the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land when he came up out of Egypt, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok and to the Jordan. Now therefore restore those lands again peaceably.

^11:14 And Jephthah sent messengers again to the king of the sons of Ammon. ^11:15 And he said to him, Thus says Jephthah: Israel did not take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the sons of Ammon, ^11:16 but when they came up from Egypt and Israel went through the wilderness to the Red Sea and came to Kadesh, ^11:17 then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, I beseech you, let me pass through your land, but the king of Edom did not listen. And in like manner he sent to the king of Moab, but he would not. And Israel abode in Kadesh.

^11:18 Then they went through the wilderness and went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab and came by the east side of the land of Moab. And they encamped on the other side of the Arnon, but they did not come within the border of Moab, because the Arnon was the border of Moab.

^11:19 And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon. And Israel said to him, Please let us pass, through your land to my place. ^11:20 But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his border, but Sihon gathered all his people together and encamped in Jahaz and fought against Israel.

^11:21 And Jehovah, the God of Israel, delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel and they killed^* them. So Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country. ^11:22 And they possessed all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok and from the wilderness even to the Jordan.

^11:23 So now Jehovah, the God of Israel, has dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel and should you possess them? ^11:24 Will you not possess what Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whomever Jehovah our God has dispossessed from before us, we will possess them.

^11:25 And now are you anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend against Israel, or did he ever fight against them? ^11:26 While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and its towns and in Aroer and its towns and in all the cities that are along by the side of the Arnon, three hundred years, why did you^* not recover them within that time?

^11:27 I therefore have not sinned against you, but you do me wrong to war against me. Jehovah, the Judge, be judge this day between the sons of Israel and the sons of Ammon. ^11:28 However the king of the sons of Ammon did not listen to the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

^11:29 Then the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Jephthah and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over to the sons of Ammon.

^11:30 And Jephthah vowed a vow to Jehovah and said, If you will indeed deliver the sons of Ammon into my hand, ^11:31 then it will be, that whatever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it will be Jehovah's and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering.

^11:32 So Jephthah passed over to the sons of Ammon to fight against them and Jehovah delivered them into his hand. ^11:33 And he killed^* them from Aroer until you come to Minnith, even twenty cities and to Abel-keramim {Meadow of the Vineyards}, with a very great slaughter. So the sons of Ammon were subdued before the sons of Israel.

^11:34 And Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances. And she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.^11:35 And it happened, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes and said, Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low and you are one of those who trouble me, and I have opened my mouth to Jehovah and I cannot go back.

^11:36 And she said to him, My father, you have opened your mouth to Jehovah. Do to me according to what has proceeded out of your mouth, inasmuch as Jehovah has taken vengeance for you on your enemies, even on the sons of Ammon.

^11:37 And she said to her father, Let this thing be done for me: Let me alone two months, that I may depart and go down upon the mountains and weep for my virginity, I and my companions. ^11:38 And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months. And she departed, she and her companions and wept for her virginity upon the mountains.

^11:39 And it happened at the end of two months, that she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, ^11:40 that the daughters of Israel went yearly to celebrate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.

[Judges 12] TOC

^12:1 And the men of Ephraim were gathered together and passed northward. And they said to Jephthah, Why did you pass over to fight against the sons of Ammon and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house upon you with fire.

^12:2 And Jephthah said to them, I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon and when I called you^*, you^* did not save me out of their hand. ^12:3 And when I saw that you^* did not save me, I put my life in my hand and passed opposite the sons of Ammon and Jehovah delivered them into my hand. Why then have you^* come up to me this day, to fight against me?

^12:4 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead killed^* Ephraim, because they said, You^* are fugitives of Ephraim, you^* Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim, and in the midst of Manasseh.

^12:5 And the Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And it was so, that, when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, Let me go over, the men of Gilead said to him, Are you an Ephraimite? If he said, No, ^12:6 then they said to him, Say now Shibboleth and he said Sibboleth, and he could not frame to pronounce it right, then they laid hold on him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim forty-two thousand.

^12:7 And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

^12:8 And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. ^12:9 And he had thirty sons. And he sent abroad thirty daughters and thirty daughters he brought in from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years. ^12:10 And Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem.

^12:11 And after him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel and he judged Israel ten years. ^12:12 And Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

^12:13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. ^12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty sons' sons who rode on seventy donkey colts and he judged Israel eight years. ^12:15 And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill-country of the Amalekites.

[Judges 13] TOC

^13:1 And the sons of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

^13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah and his wife was barren and did not bear.

^13:3 And the messenger of Jehovah appeared to the woman and said to her, Behold now, you are barren and do not bear, but you will conceive and bear a son. ^13:4 Now therefore beware, I beseech you and drink no wine nor strong drink and do not eat any unclean thing, ^13:5 because behold, you will conceive and bear a son. And no razor will come upon his head, because the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb. And he will begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

^13:6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came to me and his countenance was like the countenance of the messenger of God, very awesome. And I did not ask him from where he was, neither did he tell me his name, ^13:7 but he said to me, Behold, you will conceive and bear a son. And now drink no wine nor strong drink and do not eat any unclean thing, because the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

^13:8 Then Manoah entreated Jehovah and said, Oh, Lord, I beseech you, let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we will do to the child that will be born. ^13:9 And God listened to the voice of Manoah and the messenger of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field, but Manoah her husband was not with her. ^13:10And the woman made haste and ran and told her husband and said to him, Behold, the man has appeared to me, who came to me the other day.

^13:11 And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said to him, Are you the man who spoke to the woman? And he said, I am.^13:12 And Manoah said, Now let your words happen. What will be the ordering of the child and what will we do to him?

^13:13 And the messenger of Jehovah said to Manoah, Of all that I said to the woman let her beware. ^13:14 She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing. All that I commanded her let her observe.

^13:15 And Manoah said to the messenger of Jehovah, I beseech you, let us detain you, that we may make ready a kid for you. ^13:16 And the messenger of Jehovah said to Manoah, Though you detain me, I will not eat of your bread and if you will make ready a burnt-offering, you must offer it to Jehovah. Because Manoah did not know that he was the messenger of Jehovah.

^13:17 And Manoah said to the messenger of Jehovah, What is your name, that, when your words happen, we may do you honor? ^13:18 And the messenger of Jehovah said to him, Why do you ask after my name, seeing it is wonderful?

^13:19 So Manoah took the kid with the food-offering and offered it upon the rock to Jehovah. And the messenger did wondrously and Manoah and his wife looked on, ^13:20 and it happened, when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, that the messenger of Jehovah ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on and they fell on their faces to the ground.

^13:21 But the messenger of Jehovah appeared no more to Manoah or to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the messenger of Jehovah.

^13:22 And Manoah said to his wife, We will surely die, because we have seen God. ^13:23 But his wife said to him, If Jehovah were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a food-offering at our hand, neither would he have shown us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these.

^13:24 And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the child grew and Jehovah blessed him. ^13:25 And the Spirit of Jehovah began to move him in Mahaneh-dan {Camp of Dan}, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

[Judges 14] TOC

^14:1 And Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. ^14:2 And he came up and told his father and his mother and said, I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. Now therefore get her for me as a wife. ^14:3 Then his father and his mother said to him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me, because she pleases me well.

^14:4 But his father and his mother did not know that it was of Jehovah, because he sought an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines had rule over Israel.

^14:5 Then Samson went down and his father and his mother, to Timnah and came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion roared against him. ^14:6 And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him and he tore him apart as he would have torn a kid and he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. ^14:7And he went down and talked with the woman and she pleased Samson well.

^14:8 And after a while he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion and honey. ^14:9 And he took it into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave to them and they ate, but he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the body of the lion.

^14:10 And his father went down to the woman and Samson made a feast there, because so the young men used to do. ^14:11 And it happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

^14:12 And Samson said to them, Let me now put forth a riddle to you^*. If you^* can declare it to me within the seven days of the feast and find it out, then I will give you^* thirty linen garments and thirty changes of garments, ^14:13 but if you^* cannot declare it to me, then you^* will give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of garments.

And they said to him, Put forth your riddle, that we may hear it. ^14:14 And he said to them, Out of the eater came out food and out of the strong came out sweetness. And they could not in three days declare the riddle.

^14:15 And it happened on the seventh day, that they said to Samson's wife, Entice your husband, that he may declare to us the riddle, lest we burn you and your father's house with fire. Have you^* called us to impoverish us? Is it not so?

^14:16 And Samson's wife wept before him and said, You do but hate me and not love me. You have put forth a riddle to the sons of my people and have not told it to me. And he said to her, Behold, I have not told it to my father nor my mother and shall I tell you?

^14:17 And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day, that he told her because she pressed him greatly. And she told the riddle to the sons of her people.

^14:18 And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said to them, If you^* had not plowed with my heifer, you^* would not have found out my riddle.

^14:19 And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him and he went down to Ashkelon and killed^* thirty men of them and took their spoil and gave the changes of garments to those who declared the riddle. And his anger was kindled and he went up to his father's house. ^14:20 But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.

[Judges 15] TOC

^15:1 But it happened after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid. And he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber, but her father would not allow him to go in. ^15:2 And her father said, I truly thought that you had utterly hated her, therefore I gave her to your companion. Is not her younger sister fairer than she? I beseech you, take her instead of her.

^15:3 And Samson said to them, This time I will be blameless in regard of the Philistines when I do them a mischief. ^15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes and took firebrands and turned tail to tail and put a firebrand in the midst between every two tails. ^15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines and burnt up both the shocks and the standing grain and also the olive-groves.

^15:6 Then the Philistines said, Who has done this? And they said, Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up and burnt her and her father with fire.

^15:7 And Samson said to them, If you^* do after this manner, surely I will be avenged of you^* and after that I will cease. ^15:8 And he killed^* them hip and thigh with a great slaughter. And he went down and dwelt in the cleft of the rock of Etam.

^15:9 Then the Philistines went up and encamped in Judah and spread themselves in Lehi. ^15:10 And the men of Judah said, Why have you^* come up against us? And they said, We come up to bind Samson, to do to him as he has done to us.

^15:11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam and said to Samson, Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us? And he said to them, As they did to me, so I have done to them.

^15:12 And they said to him, We have come down to bind you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said to them, Swear to me, that you^* will not fall upon me yourselves. ^15:13And they spoke to him, saying, No, but we will bind you fast and deliver you into their hand, but truly we will not kill you. And they bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock.

^15:14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him and the ropes that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire and his bands dropped from his hands.

^15:15 And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey and put forth his hand and took it and killed^* a thousand men with it. ^15:16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey I have struck a thousand men.^15:17 And it happened, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand. And that place was called Ramath-lehi.

^15:18 And he was very thirsty and called on Jehovah and said, You have given this great deliverance by the hand of your servant and now shall I die for thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? ^15:19 But God split the hollow place that is in Lehi and water came out there. And when he had drunk his spirit came again and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day. ^15:20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

[Judges 16] TOC

^16:1 And Samson went to Gaza and saw a prostitute there and went in to her. ^16:2 And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson has come here. And they encompassed him in and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city and were quiet all the night, saying, Not till morning light, then we will kill him.

^16:3 And Samson lay till midnight and arose at midnight and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts and plucked them up, bar and all and put them upon his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.

^16:4 And it happened afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. ^16:5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, Entice him and see in what his great strength lies and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to mistreat him. And we will give you every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

^16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, I beseech you, tell me in what your great strength lies and with what you might be bound to afflict you. ^16:7 And Samson said to her, If they bind me with seven green withes that were never dried, then I will become weak and be as another man.

^16:8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withes which had not been dried and she bound him with them. ^16:9 Now she had an ambush abiding in the inner chamber. And she said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. And he broke the withes, as a string of tow is broken when it touches the fire. So his strength was not known.

^16:10 And Delilah said to Samson, Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. I beseech you, now tell me with what you might be bound. ^16:11 And he said to her, If they only bind me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then I will become weak and be as another man.

^16:12 So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with it and said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. And the ambush was abiding in the inner chamber. And he broke them off his arms like a thread.

^16:13 And Delilah said to Samson, Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me with what you might be bound. And he said to her, If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web. ^16:14And she fastened it with the pin and said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep and plucked away the pin of the beam and the web.

^16:15 And she said to him, How can you say, I love you, when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times and have not told me with what your great strength lies.

^16:16 And it happened, when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, that his soul was distressed to death. ^16:17 And he told her all his heart and said to her, There has not come a razor upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will go from me and I will become weak and be like any other man.

^16:18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, because he has told me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand.^16:19 And she made him sleep upon her knees and she called for a man and shaved off the seven locks of his head. And she began to afflict him and his strength went from him.

^16:20 And she said, The Philistines are upon you, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times and shake myself free, but he did not know that Jehovah was departed from him. ^16:21 And the Philistines laid hold on him and put out his eyes. And they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with fetters of brass and he did grinding in the prison-house.

^16:22 However the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.

^16:23 And the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. ^16:24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god, because they said, Our god has delivered into our hand our enemy and the destroyer of our country who has slain many of us.

^16:25 And it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may be amusing to us. And they called for Samson out of the prison-house and he made sport before them. And they set him between the pillars.

^16:26 And Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, Allow me that I may feel the pillars upon which the house rests, that I may lean upon them. ^16:27 Now the house was full of men and women and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, who beheld while Samson was amusing them.

^16:28 And Samson called to Jehovah and said, O Lord Jehovah, remember me, I beseech you and strengthen me, I beseech you, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. ^16:29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house rested and leaned upon them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left.

^16:30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people that were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those that he killed in his life.

^16:31 Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

[Judges 17] TOC

^17:1 And there was a man of the hill-country of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. ^17:2 And he said to his mother, The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse and also spoke it in my ears, behold, the silver is with me. I took it. And his mother said, My son from Jehovah is blessed.

^17:3 And he restored the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother. And his mother said, I verily dedicate the silver to Jehovah from my hand for my son to make a graven image and a molten image. Now therefore I will restore it to you.

^17:4 And when he restored the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the founder, who made of it a graven image and a molten image. And it was in the house of Micah. ^17:5 And the man Micah had a house of gods and he made an ephod and household-idol and his hand consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. ^17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel. Every man did what was right in his own eyes.

^17:7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite and he traveled there. ^17:8 And the man departed out of the city, out of Bethlehem in Judah, to journey where he could find a place. And he came to the hill-country of Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed. ^17:9 And Micah said to him, From where do you come? And he said to him, I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah and I go to journey where I may find a place.

^17:10 And Micah said to him, Dwell with me and be to me a father and a priest and I will give you ten pieces of silver by the year and a suit of apparel and your food. So the Levite went in.

^17:11 And the Levite was content to dwell with the man and the young man was to him as one of his sons. ^17:12 And Micah consecrated the hand of the Levite and the young man became his priest and was in the house of Micah. ^17:13 Then Micah said, Now I know that Jehovah will do me good, seeing I have a Levite for my priest.

[Judges 18] TOC

^18:1 In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites sought for them an inheritance to dwell in, because to that day their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.

^18:2 And the sons of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it. And they said to them, Go, search the land. And they came to the hill-country of Ephraim to the house of Micah and lodged there.

^18:3 When they were by the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man the Levite. And they turned aside there and said to him, Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And what have you here? ^18:4 And he said to them, Thus and thus has Micah dealt with me and he has hired me and I have become his priest.

^18:5 And they said to him, Please ask counsel from God, that we may know whether our way which we go will be prosperous. ^18:6 And the priest said to them, Go in peace. Your^* way is before Jehovah in which you^* go.

^18:7 Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people that were in it, how they dwelt in security, according to the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure, and there was none in the land possessing authority, that might put them to shame in anything. And they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with any man.

^18:8 And they came to their brothers to Zorah and Eshtaol. And their brothers said to them, What do you^* say? ^18:9 And they said, Arise and let us go up against them, because we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good and are you^* idle? Do not be slothful to go and to enter in to possess the land. ^18:10 When you^* go, you^* will come to a people secure. And the land is large, because God has given it into your^* hand, a place where there is no want of anything that is on the earth.

^18:11 And there set forth from there of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girded with weapons of war. ^18:12 And they went up and encamped in Kiriath-jearim, in Judah. Therefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan {Camp of Dan}, to this day. Behold, it is behind Kiriath-jearim. ^18:13 And they passed from there to the hill-country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah.

^18:14 Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish, answered and said to their brothers, Do you^* know that there is in these houses an ephod and household-idol and a graven image and a molten image? Now therefore consider what you^* have to do. ^18:15 And they turned aside there and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even to the house of Micah and asked him of his welfare.^18:16And the six hundred men girded with their weapons of war, who were of the sons of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.

^18:17 And the five men who went to spy out the land went up and came in there and took the graven image and the ephod and the household-idol and the molten image. And the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men girded with weapons of war. ^18:18 And when these went into Micah's house and fetched the graven image, the ephod and the household-idol and the molten image, the priest said to them, What do you^* say?

^18:19 And they said to him, Hold your peace, lay your hand upon your mouth and go with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel? ^18:20 And the priest's heart was glad and he took the ephod and the household-idol and the graven image and went in the midst of the people.

^18:21 So they turned and departed and put the little ones and the cattle and the goods before them.^18:22 When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together and overtook the sons of Dan.

^18:23 And they cried out to the sons of Dan. And they turned their faces and said to Micah, What troubles you that you come with such a company?^18:24 And he said, you^* have taken away my gods which I made and the priest and have gone away and what have I more? And how do you^* then say to me, What troubles you?

^18:25 And the sons of Dan said to him, Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall upon you^* and you lose your life, with the lives of your household. ^18:26 And the sons of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.

^18:27 And they took what Micah had made and the priest whom he had and came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure and killed^* them with the edge of the sword and they burnt the city with fire.^18:28 And there was no deliverer because it was far from Sidon and they had no dealings with any man and it was in the valley that lies by Beth-rehob. And they built the city and dwelt in it. ^18:29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born to Israel. However the name of the city was Laish at first.

^18:30 And the sons of Dan set up for themselves the graven image. And Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. ^18:31 So they set up for them Micah's graven image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

[Judges 19] TOC

^19:1 And it happened in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite traveling on the farther side of the hill-country of Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehem in Judah. ^19:2 And his concubine played the prostitute against him and went away from him to her father's house to Bethlehem in Judah and was there the space of four months.

^19:3 And her husband arose and went after her, to speak kindly to her, to bring her again, having his servant with him and a couple of donkeys. And she brought him into her father's house and when the father of the maiden saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.

^19:4 And his father-in-law, the maiden's father, retained him and he abode with him three days. So they ate and drank and lodged there. ^19:5 And it happened on the fourth day, that they arose early in the morning and he rose up to depart. And the maiden's father said to his son-in-law, Strengthen your heart with a morsel of bread and afterward you^* will go your^* way.

^19:6 So they sat down and ate and drank, both of them together. And the maiden's father said to the man, I beseech you, be pleased to abide all night and let your heart be merry. ^19:7 And the man rose up to depart, but his father-in-law urged him and he lodged there again.

^19:8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart. And the maiden's father said, Strengthen your heart, I beseech you and abide until the day declines. And they ate, both of them. ^19:9 And when the man rose up to depart, he and his concubine and his servant, his father-in-law, the maiden's father, said to him, Behold, now the day draws toward evening, I beseech you^* abide all night. Behold, the day grows to an end, lodge here that your heart may be merry and tomorrow get early on your^* way that you may go home.

^19:10 But the man would not abide that night, but he rose up and departed and came opposite Jebus (what is Jerusalem). And there were with him a couple of saddled donkeys. His concubine was also with him.

^19:11 When they were by Jebus, the day was far spent and the servant said to his master, Come, I beseech you and let us turn aside into this city of the Jebusites and lodge in it. ^19:12 And his master said to him, We will not turn aside into the city of a foreigner that is not of the sons of Israel, but we will pass over to Gibeah. ^19:13 And he said to his servant, Come and let us draw near to one of these places and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

^19:14 So they passed on and went their way. And the sun went down upon them near to Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin. ^19:15 And they turned aside there, to go in to lodge in Gibeah. And he went in and sat down in the street of the city, yet there was no man that took them into his house to lodge.

^19:16 And behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at evening. Now the man was of the hill-country of Ephraim and he traveled in Gibeah, but the men of the place were Benjamites.

^19:17 And he lifted up his eyes and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city. And the old man said, Where do you go? And from where do you come?

^19:18 And he said to him, We are passing from Bethlehem in Judah to the farther side of the hill-country of Ephraim. I am from there and I went to Bethlehem in Judah. And I am now going to the house of Jehovah and there is no man that takes me into his house. ^19:19 Yet there is both straw and fodder for our donkeys and there is bread and wine also for me and for your handmaid and for the young man who is with your servants. There is no want of anything.

^19:20 And the old man said, Peace be to you. However let all your wants lie upon me, only do not lodge in the street. ^19:21 So he brought him into his house and gave the donkeys fodder. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.

^19:22 As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain worthless fellows, beset the house all around, knocking at the door. And they spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man who came into your house, that we may know him.

^19:23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, No, my brothers, I beseech you^*, do not so wickedly, seeing that this man has come into my house. Do not this senselessness. ^19:24 Behold, here is my daughter a virgin and his concubine. I will bring them out now and humble you^* them and do with them what seems good to you^*, but to this man do not do any such senselessness.

^19:25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man laid hold on his concubine and brought her forth to them. And they knew her and abused her all the night until the morning and when the day began to spring, they let her go. ^19:26 Then the woman came in the dawning of the day and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light.

^19:27 And her lord rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to go his way, and behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, with her hands upon the threshold.

^19:28 And he said to her, Up and let us be going, but there was no answering. Then he took her up upon the donkey and the man rose up and got to his place. ^19:29 And when he came into his house, he took a knife and laid hold on his concubine and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces and sent her throughout all the borders of Israel.

^19:30 And it was so, that all who saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the sons of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this day. Consider it, take counsel and speak.

[Judges 20] TOC

^20:1 Then all the sons of Israel went out. And the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, to Jehovah at Mizpah. ^20:2 And the chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand on foot who drew a sword.^20:3 (Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?

^20:4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. ^20:5 And the men of Gibeah rose against me and beset the house all around me by night. They thought to have me slain and they forced my concubine and she is dead.

^20:6 And I took my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, because they have committed lewdness and senselessness in Israel. ^20:7 Behold, you^* sons of Israel, all of you^*, give your^* advice and counsel here.

^20:8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we, any of us, turn to his house. ^20:9 But now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah: We will go up against it by lot, ^20:10 and we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel and a hundred of a thousand and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch provision for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the senselessness that they have done in Israel. ^20:11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.

^20:12 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that has happen among you^*? ^20:13 Now therefore deliver up the men, the worthless fellows, who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and put away evil from Israel. But Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brothers the sons of Israel. ^20:14 And the sons of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the sons of Israel.

^20:15 And the sons of Benjamin were numbered on that day out of the cities twenty-six thousand men who drew a sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men. ^20:16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed. Every one could sling stones at a hair and not miss.

^20:17 And the men of Israel, besides Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men who drew a sword. All these were men of war.

^20:18 And the sons of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and asked counsel of God. And they said, Who will go up for us first to battle against the sons of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah first. ^20:19 And the sons of Israel rose up in the morning and encamped against Gibeah. ^20:20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin. And the men of Israel arranged for battle against them at Gibeah. ^20:21And the sons of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites on that day twenty-two thousand men.

^20:22 And the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and set the battle again in array in the place where they set themselves in array the first day. ^20:23 And the sons of Israel went up and wept before Jehovah until evening. And they asked of Jehovah, saying, Shall I again draw near to battle against the sons of Benjamin my brother? And Jehovah said, Go up against him.

^20:24 And the sons of Israel came near against the sons of Benjamin the second day. ^20:25 And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day and destroyed down to the ground of the sons of Israel again eighteen thousand men. All these drew the sword.

^20:26 Then all the sons of Israel and all the people, went up and came to Bethel and wept and sat there before Jehovah and fasted that day until evening and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah.

^20:27 And the sons of Israel asked of Jehovah (and the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, ^20:28 and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And Jehovah said, Go up, because tomorrow I will deliver him into your hand. ^20:29 And Israel set an ambush against Gibeah all around.

^20:30 And the sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times. ^20:31 And the sons of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city. And they began to kill^* and kill of the people as at other times, in the highways, of which one goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, in the field about thirty men of Israel. ^20:32 And the sons of Benjamin said, They are struck down before us as at the first. But the sons of Israel said, Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways. ^20:33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar and the ambush of Israel broke forth out of their place, even out of Maareh-geba {Plain of Geba}. ^20:34 And there came opposite Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel and the battle was severe, but they did not know that evil was close upon them.

^20:35 And Jehovah killed^* Benjamin before Israel and the sons of Israel destroyed of Benjamin that day twenty-five thousand and a hundred men. All these drew the sword. ^20:36 So the sons of Benjamin saw that they were struck, because the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin because they trusted to the ambush whom they had set against Gibeah. ^20:37 And the ambush hastened and rushed upon Gibeah. And the ambush drew themselves along and killed^* all the city with the edge of the sword.

^20:38 Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambush was, that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city. ^20:39 And the men of Israel turned in the battle and Benjamin began to kill^* and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons, because they said, Surely they are struck down before us as in the first battle. ^20:40 But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven.

^20:41 And the men of Israel turned and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, because they saw that evil had come upon them. ^20:42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness. But the battle followed hard after them and those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the midst of it. ^20:43 They enclosed the Benjamites all around, and chased them, and trod them down at their resting-place, as far as opposite Gibeah toward the sunrise.

^20:44 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men. All these were men of valor. ^20:45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. And they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men and followed hard after them to Gidom and killed^* of them two thousand men. ^20:46 So that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword. All these were men of valor.

^20:47 But six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon and abode in the rock of Rimmon four months. ^20:48 And the men of Israel turned again upon the sons of Benjamin and killed^* them with the edge of the sword, both the entire city and the cattle and all that they found. Moreover they set on fire all the cities which they found.

[Judges 21] TOC

^21:1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, There will not any of us give his daughter to Benjamin as a wife. ^21:2 And the people came to Bethel and sat there till evening before God and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly. ^21:3 And they said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, why has this happen in Israel, that there should be today one tribe lacking in Israel? ^21:4 And it happened on the next-day, that the people rose early and built there an altar and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings.

^21:5 And the sons of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that did not come up in the assembly to Jehovah? Because they had made a great oath concerning him who did not come up to Jehovah to Mizpah, saying, He will surely be put to death. ^21:6 And the sons of Israel regretted for Benjamin their brother and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day. ^21:7 What will we do for wives for those who remain, since we have sworn by Jehovah that we will not give them of our daughters to wives? ^21:8 And they said, Which one is there of the tribes of Israel that did not come up to Jehovah to Mizpah? And behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly. ^21:9 And when the people were numbered, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.

^21:10 And the congregation sent there twelve thousand men of the most valiant and commanded them, saying, Go and kill^* the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones. ^21:11 And this is the thing that you^* will do: You^* will utterly destroy every male and every woman that has lain by man.

^21:12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins who had not known man by lying with him and they brought them to the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

^21:13 And the whole congregation sent and spoke to the sons of Benjamin who were in the rock of Rimmon and proclaimed peace to them. ^21:14 And Benjamin returned at that time and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead. And even so they were not sufficient for them. ^21:15 And the people regretted for Benjamin, because Jehovah had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

^21:16 Then the elders of the congregation said, What will we do for wives for those who remain, since the women are destroyed out of Benjamin? ^21:17And they said, There must be an inheritance for those who are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe is not blotted out from Israel. ^21:18 However we may not give them wives of our daughters, because the sons of Israel had sworn, saying, Cursed be he who gives a wife to Benjamin.

^21:19 And they said, Behold, there is a feast of Jehovah from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem and on the south of Lebonah.

^21:20 And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards, ^21:21 and watch. And behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards and catch for you^* every man his wife from the daughters of Shiloh and go to the land of Benjamin.

^21:22 And it will be, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, that we will say to them, Grant them graciously to us, because we did not take for each man of them his wife in battle, neither did you^* give them to them, else you^* would now be guilty.

^21:23 And the sons of Benjamin did so and took for them wives, according to their number, of those who danced, whom they carried off. And they went and returned to their inheritance and built the cities and dwelt in them. ^21:24 And the sons of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family and they went out from there every man to his inheritance.

^21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Every man did what was right in his own eyes.

[Ruth 1] TOC

^1:1 And it happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to journey in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. ^1:2 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 Bethlehem in Judah. And they came into the country of Moab and continued there.

^1:3 And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died and she was left and her two sons. ^1:4 And they took wives for them 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. ^1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died, both of them and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband.

^1:6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, because she had heard in the country of Moab how that Jehovah had visited his people in giving them bread. ^1:7 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 to the land of Judah.

^1:8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you^* to her mother's house. Jehovah deal kindly with you^*, as you^* have dealt with the dead and with me. ^1:9 Jehovah grant you^* that you^* may find rest, each of you^* in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them and they lifted up their voices and wept. ^1:10 And they said to her, No, but we will return with you to your people.

^1:11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters. Why will you^* go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your^* husbands? ^1:12 Turn again, my daughters. Go your^* way, because I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope. If I should even have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, ^1:13 would you^* therefore delay till they were grown? Would you^* therefore stay from having husbands? No, my daughters, because it grieves me much for your^* sakes, because the hand of Jehovah has gone forth against me.

^1:14 And they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. ^1:15 And she said, Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. Return after your sister-in-law.

^1:16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you and to return from following after you, because where you go, I will go and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ^1:17 Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Jehovah do so to me and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.

^1:18 And when she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

^1:19 So those two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they came to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them and the women said, Is this Naomi? ^1:20 And she said to them, Call me not Naomi. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. ^1:21 I went out full and Jehovah has brought me home again empty. Why do you^* call me Naomi, seeing Jehovah has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?

^1:22 So Naomi returned and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

[Ruth 2] TOC

^2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech and his name was Boaz. ^2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Let me now go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I will find favor. And she said to her, Go, my daughter. ^2:3 And she went and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And her chance was to land on the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

^2:4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, Jehovah be with you^*. And they answered him, Jehovah bless you. ^2:5 Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, Whose maiden is this?

^2:6 And the servant who was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabite maiden who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.^2:7 And she said, Let me glean, I beseech you^* and gather behind the reapers among the sheaves. So she came and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she stayed a little in the house.

^2:8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, Do you not hear, my daughter? Do not go to glean in another field, neither pass from here, but abide here close by my maidens.^2:9 Let your eyes be on the field that they reap and go after them. Have I not charged the young men that they will not touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink of what the young men have drawn.

^2:10 Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground and said to him, Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?

^2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, It has been fully shown me all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your nativity and have come to a people that you did not know formerly.

^2:12 Jehovah recompense your work and a full reward be given you of Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. ^2:13Then she said, Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me and because you have spoken kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens.

^2:14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, Come here and eat of the bread and dip your morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers and they passed her parched grain and she ate and was satisfied and left of it.

^2:15 And when she arose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves and do not reproach her. ^2:16And also pull out some for her from the bundles and leave it and let her glean and do not rebuke her. ^2:17So she gleaned in the field until evening. And she beat out what she had gleaned and it was about a 10-gallon container of barley.

^2:18 And she took it up and went into the city and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. And she brought out and gave to her what she had left after she was satisfied. ^2:19 And her mother-in-law said to her, Where have you gleaned today? And where have you worked? He who took knowledge of you is blessed. And she showed her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.

^2:20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, He of Jehovah is blessed who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said to her, The man is near of kin to us, one of our near kinsmen. ^2:21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, Yes, he said to me, You will keep close by my young men until they have ended all my harvest.

^2:22 And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens and that they do not meet you in any other field. ^2:23 So she kept close by the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest. And she dwelt with her mother-in-law.

[Ruth 3] TOC

^3:1 And Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? ^3:2 And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing-floor. ^3:3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint you and put your garments upon you and get you down to the threshing-floor. But do not make yourself known to the man until he will have done eating and drinking.

^3:4 And it will be, when he lies down, that you will notice the place where he will lie. And you will go in and uncover his feet and lie you down. And he will tell you what you will do. ^3:5 And she said to her, All that you say I will do.

^3:6 And she went down to the threshing-floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law commanded her. ^3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. And she came softly and uncovered his feet and laid down.

^3:8 And it happened at midnight, that the man was startled and turned himself, and behold, a woman lay at his feet. ^3:9 And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth your handmaid. Therefore spread your skirt over your handmaid, because you are a near kinsman.

^3:10 And he said, You are blessed of Jehovah, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as you did not follow young men, whether poor or rich. ^3:11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do to you all that you say, because all the city of my people know that you are a worthy woman.

^3:12 And now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However there is a kinsman nearer than I. ^3:13 Remain this night and it will be in the morning that if he will perform to you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part. But if he will not do the part of a kinsman to you, then I will do the part of a kinsman to you, as Jehovah lives. Lie down until the morning.

^3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning. And she rose up before one could discern another. And he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor. ^3:15 And he said, Give me the cloak that is upon you 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.

^3:16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who are you, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. ^3:17 And she said, He gave me these six measures of barley, because he said, Do not go empty to your mother-in-law. ^3:18 Then she said, Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall, because the man will not rest until he has finished the thing this day.

[Ruth 4] TOC

^4:1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by, to whom he said, Such man, stay, turn aside. Sit down here. And he turned aside and sat down. ^4:2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, Sit you^* down here. And they sat down.

^4:3 And he said to the near kinsman, Naomi, who has come again out of the country of Moab, sells the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's. ^4:4And I thought to disclose it to you, saying, Buy it before those who sit here and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it, but if you will not redeem it, then tell me that I may know, because there is none to redeem it besides you and I am after you. And he said, I will redeem it.

^4:5 Then Boaz said, That day you buy the field of the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. ^4:6 And the near kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself lest I mar my own inheritance. You take my right of redemption on you, because I cannot redeem it.

^4:7 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 neighbor. And this was the manner of attestation in Israel. ^4:8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for yourself. And he drew off his shoe.

^4:9 And Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, You^* are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi. ^4:10Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his place. You^* are witnesses this day.

^4:11 And all the people who were in the gate and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel and do you worthily in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. ^4:12 And let your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the seed which Jehovah will give you by this young woman.

^4:13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. And he went in to her and Jehovah gave her conception and she bore a son. ^4:14 And the women said to Naomi, Praise Jehovah, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman. And let his name be famous in Israel. ^4:15 And he will be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, because your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.

^4:16 And Naomi took the child and laid it in her bosom and became nurse to it. ^4:17 And the women, her neighbors, 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.

^4:18 Now these are the genealogies of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, ^4:19 and Hezron fathered Ram and Ram fathered Amminadab, ^4:20 and Amminadab fathered Nahshon and Nahshon fathered Salmon, ^4:21and Salmon fathered Boaz and Boaz fathered Obed,^4:22 and Obed fathered Jesse and Jesse fathered David.

[1 Samuel 1] TOC

^1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill-country of Ephraim. And his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. ^1:2 And he had two wives: the name of the one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

^1:3 And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Jehovah of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Jehovah, were there.

^1:4 And when the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters, portions, ^1:5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved Hannah, but Jehovah had shut up her womb.

^1:6 And her rival provoked her greatly, to make her fret, because Jehovah had shut up her womb. ^1:7And as he did so year by year when she went up to the house of Jehovah, so she provoked her. Therefore she wept and did not eat. ^1:8 And Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am not I better to you than ten sons?

^1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah. ^1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to Jehovah and wept much.

^1:11 And she vowed a vow and said, O Jehovah of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid and remember me and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a male-child, then I will give him to Jehovah all the days of his life and there will no razor come upon his head.

^1:12 And it happened, as she continued praying before Jehovah, that Eli noticed her mouth. ^1:13 Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

^1:14 And Eli said to her, How long will you be drunken? Put away your wine from you. ^1:15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Jehovah. ^1:16 Do not count your handmaid for a worthless woman, because out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation I have spoken until now.

^1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him. ^1:18 And she said, Let your handmaid find favor in your sight. So the woman went her way and ate and her countenance was no more sad.

^1:19 And they rose up in the morning early and worshiped before Jehovah and returned and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife and Jehovah remembered her. ^1:20 And it happened, when the time came about, that Hannah conceived and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah.

^1:21 And the man Elkanah and all his house, went up to offer to Jehovah the yearly sacrifice and his vow. ^1:22 But Hannah did not go up, because she said to her husband, Not until the child be weaned and then I will bring him, that he may appear before Jehovah and abide there everlasting. ^1:23 And Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems good to you. Remain until you have weaned him, only Jehovah establish his word. So the woman remained and gave her son suck, until she weaned him.

^1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks and one 10-gallon container of meal and a jug of wine and brought him to the house of Jehovah in Shiloh and the child was young.^1:25And they killed the bull and brought the child to Eli.

^1:26 And she said, Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Jehovah. ^1:27 I prayed for this child and Jehovah has given me my petition which I asked of him. ^1:28 Therefore also I have granted him to Jehovah; as long as he lives he is granted to Jehovah. And he worshiped Jehovah there.

[1 Samuel 2] TOC

^2:1 And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoices in Jehovah. My heart is exalted in Jehovah. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation. ^2:2 There is none holy as Jehovah, because there is none besides you, neither is there any rock like our God.

^2:3 Talk no more so very proudly. Do not let arrogance come out of your^* mouth, because Jehovah is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed.^2:4 The bows of the mighty men are broken and those who stumbled are girded with strength. ^2:5 Those who were full have hired out themselves for bread and those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. Yes, the barren has borne seven and she who has many sons languishes.

^2:6 Jehovah kills and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol and brings up. ^2:7 Jehovah makes poor and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up. ^2:8 He raises up the poor out of the dust, he lifts up the needy from the dunghill, to make them sit with rulers and inherit the throne of glory. Because the pillars of the earth are Jehovah's and he has set the world upon them. ^2:9 He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness, because no man will prevail by strength.

^2:10 Those who contend with Jehovah will be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in heaven. Jehovah will judge the ends of the earth and he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.

^2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house and the child ministered to Jehovah before Eli the priest.

^2:12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know Jehovah. ^2:13 And the custom of the priests with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was boiling, with a fork of three teeth in his hand, ^2:14and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest took with it. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.

^2:15 And before they burned the fat, the priest's servant came and said to the man who sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest, and he will not have boiled flesh from you, but raw. ^2:16 And if the man said to him, They will surely burn the fat first and then take as much as your soul desires, then he would say, No, but you will give it to me now and if not, I will take it by force.

^2:17 And the sin of the young men was very great before Jehovah, because the men despised the offering of Jehovah.

^2:18 But Samuel ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. ^2:19 Moreover his mother made him a little robe and brought it to him from year to year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. ^2:20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife and said, Jehovah give you seed by this woman for the petition which was asked of Jehovah. And they went to their own home.

^2:21 And Jehovah visited Hannah and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Jehovah.

^2:22 Now Eli was very old. And he heard all that his sons did to all Israel and how that they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tent of meeting.

^2:23 And he said to them, Why do you^* such things, these which I am hearing of your^* evil things from all these people? ^2:24 No, my sons, because it is no good report that I hear. You^* make Jehovah's people to transgress. ^2:25If one man sins against another, God will judge him, but if a man sins against Jehovah, who will entreat for him? But they did not listen to the voice of their father, because Jehovah intended to kill them.

^2:26 And the child Samuel grew on and increased in favor both with Jehovah and also with men.

^2:27 And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, Jehovah says thus, Did I reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh's house? ^2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? And did I give to the house of your father all the fire-offerings of the sons of Israel?

^2:29 Why do you^* kick at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my dwelling and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chief of all the offerings of Israel my people?

^2:30 Therefore Jehovah, the God of Israel, says, I said indeed that your house and the house of your father, should walk before me everlasting, but now Jehovah says, Be it far from me, because those who honor me I will honor and those who despise me will be lightly esteemed.

^2:31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father's house, that there will not be an old man in your house. ^2:32 And you will see an enemy in my dwelling, in all that I will give Israel and there will not be an old man in your house forever. ^2:33 And the man of your, whom I will not cut off from my altar, will be to consume your eyes and to grieve your heart. And all the increase of your house will die in the flower of their age.

^2:34 And this will be the sign to you, that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: In one day they will die, both of them. ^2:35 And I will raise up for me a faithful priest who will do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build for him a sure house and he will walk before my anointed forever.

^2:36 And it will happen, that everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread and will say, I beseech you, put me into one of the priests' offices that I may eat a morsel of bread.

[1 Samuel 3] TOC

^3:1 And the child Samuel served Jehovah before Eli. And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.

^3:2 And it happened at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim so that he could not see), ^3:3 and the lamp of God was not yet gone out and Samuel was laid down in the temple of Jehovah where the ark of God was, ^3:4 that Jehovah called Samuel. And he said, Here I am.

^3:5 And he ran to Eli and said, Here I am, for you called me. And he said, I did not call. Lie down again. And he went and lay down. ^3:6 And Jehovah called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, Here I am, for you called me. And he answered, I did not call, my son. Lie down again.

^3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither was the word of Jehovah yet revealed to him.^3:8 And Jehovah called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, Here I am, for you called me. And Eli perceived that Jehovah had called the child.

^3:9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down and it will be, if he calls you, that you will say, Speak, Jehovah, for your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. ^3:10 And Jehovah came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak, for your servant hears.

^3:11 And Jehovah said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. ^3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end. ^3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house everlasting, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse upon themselves and he did not restrain them. ^3:14 And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house will not be expiated with sacrifice nor offering everlasting.

^3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning and opened the doors of the house of Jehovah. And Samuel was afraid to show Eli the vision. ^3:16 Then Eli called Samuel and said, Samuel, my son. And he said, Here I am. ^3:17 And he said, What is the thing that Jehovah has spoken to you? I beseech you, do not hide it from me. God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to you. ^3:18 And Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is Jehovah. Let him do what seems him good.

^3:19 And Samuel grew and Jehovah was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. ^3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Jehovah.^3:21 And Jehovah appeared again in Shiloh, for Jehovah revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of Jehovah.

[1 Samuel 4] TOC

^4:1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle and encamped beside Ebenezer and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. ^4:2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was struck before the Philistines; and they killed of the army in the field about four thousand men.

^4:3 And when the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Why has Jehovah struck us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of Shiloh to us, that it may come among us and save us out of the hand of our enemies.

^4:4 So the people sent to Shiloh and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Jehovah of hosts, who sits above the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. ^4:5 And when the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

^4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What is the meaning of the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of Jehovah came into the camp. ^4:7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God has come into the camp. And they said, Woe to us! For there has not been such a thing yesterday and the day before. ^4:8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that killed^* the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness.

^4:9 Be strong and strengthen yourselves like men, O you^* Philistines, that you^* are not servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you^*. Conduct yourselves like men and fight. ^4:10 And the Philistines fought and Israel was struck and they fled every man to his tent. And there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand on foot.

^4:11 And the ark of God was taken and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were killed.

^4:12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt upon his head. ^4:13 And when he came behold, Eli was sitting upon his seat by the wayside watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told it, all the city cried out. ^4:14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What does the noise of this outcry mean? And the man hastened and came and told Eli.

^4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see. ^4:16 And the man said to Eli, I am he who came out of the army and I fled today out of the army. And he said, How did the matter go, my son? ^4:17 And he who brought the news answered and said, Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. And your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead and the ark of God is taken.

^4:18 And it happened, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell from his seat backward by the side of the gate. And his neck broke and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

^4:19 And his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and brought forth, for her pains came upon her. ^4:20 And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, Do not fear, for you have brought out a son. But she did not answer, neither did she regard it. ^4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory has departed from Israel, because the ark of God was taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband. ^4:22 And she said, The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God is taken.

[1 Samuel 5] TOC

^5:1 Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. ^5:2 And the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. ^5:3 And when those of Ashdod arose early on the next-day, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah. And they took Dagon and set him in his place again.

^5:4 And when they arose early on the morning of the next-day, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off upon the threshold. Only the stump of Dagon was left to him. ^5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day.

^5:6 But the hand of Jehovah was heavy upon them of Ashdod and he destroyed them and killed^* them with tumors, even Ashdod and the borders of it. ^5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel will not abide with us, for his hand is hard upon us and upon Dagon our god.

^5:8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them and said, What will we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about to Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel there. ^5:9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of Jehovah was against the city with a very great confusion. And he killed^* the men of the city, both small and great and tumors broke out upon them.

^5:10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it happened, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people.

^5:11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and they said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people. For there was a deadly confusion throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. ^5:12 And the men who did not die were struck with the tumors and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

[1 Samuel 6] TOC

^6:1 And the ark of Jehovah was in the country of the Philistines seven months.

^6:2 And the Philistines called for the priests and the psychics, saying, What will we do with the ark of Jehovah? Show us with what we will sent it to its place. ^6:3 And they said, If you^* send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return for him a guilt-offering. Then you^* will be healed and it will be known to you^* why his hand is not removed from you^*.

^6:4 Then they said, What will be the guilt-offering which we will return to him? And they said, Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for one plague was on you^* all and on your^* lords. ^6:5Therefore you^* will make images of your^* tumors and images of your^* mice that mar the land. And you^* will give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from you^* and from your^* gods and from your^* land.

^6:6 Why then do you^* harden your^* hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go and they departed? ^6:7 Now therefore take and prepare for you^* a new cart and two milk cows on which there has come no yoke. And tie the cows to the cart and bring their calves home from them. ^6:8 And take the ark of Jehovah and lay it upon the cart. And put the jewels of gold, which you^* return to him for a guilt-offering, in a coffer by the side of it and send it away, that it may go.

^6:9 And watch. If it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then he has done to us this great evil, but if not, then we will know that it is not his hand that killed^* us; it was a chance that happened to us.

^6:10 And the men did so and took two milk cows and tied them to the cart and shut up their calves at home. ^6:11 And they put the ark of Jehovah upon the cart and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors.

^6:12 And the cows took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh. They went along the highway, mooing as they went and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines went behind them to the border of Beth-shemesh.

^6:13 And those of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. And they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark and rejoiced to see it. ^6:14And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite and stood there where there was a great stone. And they split the wood of the cart and offered up the cows for a burnt-offering to Jehovah.^6:15 And the Levites took down the ark of Jehovah and the coffer that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were and put them on the great stone. And the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day to Jehovah.

^6:16 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. ^6:17And these are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a guilt-offering to Jehovah: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one. ^6:18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of un-walled towns, even to the great stone on which they set down the ark of Jehovah, which stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite.

^6:19 And he killed^* of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of Jehovah. He killed^* of the people fifty thousand and seventy men. And the people mourned, because Jehovah had struck the people with a great slaughter.

^6:20 And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before Jehovah, this holy God? And to whom will he go up from us? ^6:21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought back the ark of Jehovah. Come down and fetch it up to you^*.

[1 Samuel 7] TOC

^7:1 And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and fetched up the ark of Jehovah and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill and made Eleazar his son holy to keep the ark of Jehovah. ^7:2 And it happened, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath-jearim, that the time was long, for it was twenty years and all the house of Israel lamented after Jehovah.

^7:3 And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you^* do return to Jehovah with all your^* heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you^* and direct your^* hearts to Jehovah and serve him only. And he will deliver you^* out of the hand of the Philistines. ^7:4 Then the sons of Israel did put away the Baals {Baalim} and the Ashtaroth and served Jehovah only.

^7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray for you^* to Jehovah. ^7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before Jehovah and fasted on that day and said there, We have sinned against Jehovah. And Samuel judged the sons of Israel in Mizpah.

^7:7 And when the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the sons of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. ^7:8 And the sons of Israel said to Samuel, Do not cease to cry to Jehovah our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

^7:9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it for a whole burnt-offering to Jehovah. And Samuel cried to Jehovah for Israel and Jehovah answered him.

^7:10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel, but Jehovah thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines and confused them and they were struck down before Israel. ^7:11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and killed^* them until they came under Beth-car.

^7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Jehovah has helped us to now. ^7:13 So the Philistines were subdued and they came no more within the border of Israel and the hand of Jehovah was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. ^7:14And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath. And Israel delivered the border of it out of the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

^7:15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. ^7:16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all those places. ^7:17 And his return was to Ramah, for his house was there. And he judged Israel there and he built an altar to Jehovah there.

[1 Samuel 8] TOC

^8:1 And it happened, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. ^8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba. ^8:3And his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.

^8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramah.^8:5 And they said to him, Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make for us a king to judge us like all the nations.

^8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed to Jehovah.

^8:7 And Jehovah said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them.

^8:8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me and served other gods, so do they also to you.

^8:9 Now therefore listen to their voice. However you will testify against them and will show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.

^8:10 And Samuel told all the words of Jehovah to the people who asked of him a king. ^8:11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you^*: he will take your^* sons and appoint them to him for his chariots and to be his horsemen and they will run before his chariots. ^8:12 And he will appoint them to him for captains of thousands and captains of fifties. And he will set some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest and to make his instruments of war and the instruments of his chariots.

^8:13 And he will take your^* daughters to be perfumers and to be cooks and to be bakers. ^8:14 And he will take your^* fields and your^* vineyards and your^* olive-groves, even the best of them and give them to his servants.

^8:15 And he will take the tenth of your^* seed and of your^* vineyards and give to his officers and to his servants. ^8:16 And he will take your^* men-servants and your^* maid-servants and your^* finest young men and your^* donkeys and put them to his work. ^8:17 He will take the tenth of your^* flocks. And you^* will be his servants.

^8:18 And you^* will cry out in that day because of your^* king whom you^* will have chosen you^* and Jehovah will not answer you^* in that day.

^8:19 But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel. And they said, No, but we will have a king over us ^8:20 that we also may be like all the nations and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.

^8:21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people and he repeated them in the ears of Jehovah.^8:22 And Jehovah said to Samuel, Listen to their voice and make for them a king. And Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go every man to his city.

[1 Samuel 9] TOC

^9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. ^9:2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a young man and fine looking. And there was not among the sons of Israel a man better looking than he. From his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people.

^9:3 And the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with you and arise, go seek the donkeys.^9:4 And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim and they were not there. And he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

^9:5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, Come and let us return, lest my father leave off caring for the donkeys and be anxious for us. ^9:6 And he said to him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says occurs. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us concerning our journey on which we go.

^9:7 Then Saul said to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what will we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our vessels and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What have we? ^9:8 And the servant answered Saul again and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way. ^9:9(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come and let us go to the seer, for he who is now called a Prophet was formerly called a Seer.)

^9:10 Then Saul said to his servant, Well said. Come, let us go. So they went to the city where the man of God was. ^9:11 As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water and said to them, Is the seer here? ^9:12And they answered them and said, He is. Behold, he is before you. Make haste now, for he has come today into the city, for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.

^9:13 As soon as you^* have come into the city, you^* will immediately find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice, and afterwards those who are bidden eat. Therefore now you^* get up, for at this time you^* will find him. ^9:14And they went up to the city. And as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.

^9:15 Now Jehovah had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, ^9:16 Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin and you will anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. And he will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines, for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me. ^9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah said to him, Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This man will have authority over my people.

^9:18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate and said, I beseech you, tell me where the seer's house is. ^9:19 And Samuel answered Saul and said, I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you^* will eat with me today. And in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. ^9:20 And as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they are found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's house? ^9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me according to this manner?

^9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest-chamber and made them sit in the chief place among those who were bidden, who were about thirty men.

^9:23 And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it by you. ^9:24 And the cook took up the thigh and what was upon it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold, what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you to the appointed time, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul ate with Samuel that day. ^9:25 And when they came down from the high place into the city, he spoke with Saul upon the housetop.

^9:26 And they arose early. And it happened about the dawning of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send you away. And Saul arose and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

^9:27 As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God.

[1 Samuel 10] TOC

^10:1 Then Samuel took the vial of oil and poured it upon his head and kissed him and said, Is it not that Jehovah has anointed you to be prince over his inheritance?

^10:2 When you have departed from me today, then you will find two men by Rachel's sepulcher in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah. And they will say to you, The donkeys which you went to seek are found, and behold, your father has left off caring for the donkeys and is anxious for you^*, saying, What shall I do for my son?

^10:3 Then you will go on forward from there and you will come to the oak of Tabor. And there will meet you there three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids and another carrying three loaves of bread and another carrying a jug of wine.^10:4 And they will salute you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will receive from their hand.

^10:5 After that you will come to the hill of God where is the garrison of the Philistines. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery and a timbrel and a pipe and a harp, before them and they will be prophesying.

^10:6 And the Spirit of Jehovah will come mightily upon you and you will prophesy with them and will be turned into another man.

^10:7 And let it be, when these signs have come to you, that you do as occasion will serve you, for God is with you. ^10:8 And you will go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I will come down to you, to offer burnt-offerings and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace-offerings. You will abide seven days till I come to you and show you what you will do.

^10:9 And it was so, that, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all those signs happened that day. ^10:10 And when they came there to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him. And the Spirit of God came mightily upon him and he prophesied among them.

^10:11 And it happened, when all who knew him formerly saw, that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that has come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? ^10:12 And a man from the same place answered and said, And who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

^10:13 And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. ^10:14 And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Where did you^* go? And he said, To seek the donkeys and when we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel. ^10:15 And Saul's uncle said, I beseech you, tell me what Samuel said to you^*. ^10:16 And Saul said to his uncle, He told us plainly that the donkeys were found. But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he did not tell him.

^10:17 And Samuel called the people together to Jehovah to Mizpah. ^10:18 And he said to the sons of Israel, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt and I delivered you^* out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you^*, ^10:19 but you^* have this day rejected your^* God who himself saves you^* out of all your^* calamities and your^* distresses and you^* have said to him, No, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before Jehovah by your^* tribes and by your^* thousands.

^10:20 So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near and the tribe of Benjamin was taken. ^10:21 And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families and the family of the Matrites {Martri} was taken and Saul the son of Kish was taken. But when they sought him, he could not be found.

^10:22 Therefore they asked of Jehovah further, Is there yet a man to come here? And Jehovah answered, Behold, he has hid himself among the baggage. ^10:23 And they ran and fetched him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

^10:24 And Samuel said to all the people, See him whom Jehovah has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted and said, Live, O king!

^10:25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom and wrote it in a book and laid it up before Jehovah. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. ^10:26 And Saul also went to his house to Gibeah and mighty men went with him, whose hearts God had touched.

^10:27 But certain worthless fellows said, How will this man save us? And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

[1 Samuel 11] TOC

^11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh-gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us and we will serve you. ^11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite said to them, I will make it with you^* on this condition, that all your^* right eyes be put out and I will lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

^11:3 And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days' respite that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel and then, if there is none to save us, we will come out to you. ^11:4 Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the ears of the people. And all the people lifted up their voice and wept.

^11:5 And behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field and Saul said, What troubles the people that they weep? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. ^11:6 And the Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard those words and his anger was greatly kindled.

^11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whoever does not come out behind Saul and behind Samuel, so it will be done to his oxen. And the dread of Jehovah fell on the people and they came out as one man. ^11:8 And he numbered them in Bezek and the sons of Israel were three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

^11:9 And they said to the messengers who came, Thus you^* will say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you^* will have deliverance. And the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh and they were glad. ^11:10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, Tomorrow we will come out to you^* and you^* will do with us all that seems good to you^*.

^11:11 And it was so on the next-day, that Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and killed^* the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it happened, that those who remained were scattered so that not two of them were left together.

^11:12 And the people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men that we may put them to death. ^11:13 And Saul said, There will not a man be put to death this day, for today Jehovah has worked deliverance in Israel.

^11:14 Then Samuel said to the people, Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there. ^11:15And all the people went to Gilgal. And they made Saul king before Jehovah there in Gilgal and they offered sacrifices of peace-offerings there before Jehovah and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

[1 Samuel 12] TOC

^12:1 And Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have listened to your^* voice in all that you^* said to me and have made a king over you^*. ^12:2 And now, behold, the king walks before you^*. And I am old and gray headed, and behold, my sons are with you^*. And I have walked before you^* from my youth to this day.

^12:3 Here I am. Witness against me before Jehovah and before his anointed: Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or of whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? And I will restore it to you^*.

^12:4 And they said, You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything of any man's hand. ^12:5 And he said to them, Jehovah is witness against you^* and his anointed is witness this day, that you^* have not found anything in my hand. And they said, He is witness.

^12:6 And Samuel said to the people, It is Jehovah who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your^* fathers up out of the land of Egypt. ^12:7 Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you^* before Jehovah concerning all the righteous acts of Jehovah, which he did to you^* and to your^* fathers.

^12:8 When Jacob had come into Egypt and your^* fathers cried to Jehovah, then Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron who brought out your^* fathers out of Egypt and made them to dwell in this place.

^12:9 But they forgot Jehovah their God and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor and into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the king of Moab and they fought against them. ^12:10 And they cried to Jehovah and said, We have sinned because we have forsaken Jehovah and have served the Baals {Baalim} and the Ashtaroth, but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies and we will serve you.

^12:11 And Jehovah sent Jerubbaal and Bedan and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you^* out of the hand of your^* enemies on every side and you^* dwelt in safety.

^12:12 And when you^* saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you^*, you^* said to me, No, but a king will reign over us, when Jehovah your^* God was your^* king.

^12:13 Now therefore behold the king whom you^* have chosen and whom you^* have asked for. And behold, Jehovah has set a king over you^*. ^12:14 If you^* will fear Jehovah and serve him and listen to his voice and not rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, then both you^* and also the king who reigns over you^* will be followers of Jehovah your^* God.^12:15 But if you^* will not listen to the voice of Jehovah, but rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, then the hand of Jehovah will be against you^* as it was against your^* fathers.

^12:16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Jehovah will do before your^* eyes. ^12:17Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call to Jehovah that he may send thunder and rain and you^* will know and see that your^* wickedness is great, which you^* have done in the sight of Jehovah in asking a king for you^*.

^12:18 So Samuel called to Jehovah and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel. ^12:19 And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to Jehovah your God that we do not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask a king for us.

^12:20 And Samuel said to the people, Do not fear. You^* have indeed done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following Jehovah, but serve Jehovah with all your^* heart. ^12:21 And do not turn not aside after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.

^12:22 For Jehovah will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased Jehovah to make you^* a people to himself. ^12:23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you^*. But I will instruct you^* in the good and the right way.

^12:24 Only fear Jehovah and serve him in truth with all your^* heart, for consider what great things he has done for you^*. ^12:25 But if you^* will still do wickedly, you^* will be consumed, both you^* and your^* king.

[1 Samuel 13] TOC

^13:1 Saul was … years old when he began to reign. And when he had reigned two years over Israel, ^13:2 Saul chose for him three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

^13:3 And Jonathan killed^* the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. ^13:4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines and also that Israel was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.

^13:5 And the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel: thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth-aven.

^13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves and in thickets and in rocks and in coverts and in pits.

^13:7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead, but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal and all the people followed him trembling. ^13:8 And he stayed seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal and the people were scattered from him. ^13:9 And Saul said, Bring here the burnt-offering to me and the peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering.

^13:10 And it happened that, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

^13:11 And Samuel said, What have you done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me and that you did not come within the days appointed and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash, ^13:12 therefore I said, Now the Philistines will come down upon me to Gilgal and I have not entreated the favor of Jehovah. I forced myself therefore and offered the burnt-offering.

^13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of Jehovah your God, which he commanded you. For now Jehovah would have established your kingdom upon Israel until everlasting, ^13:14 but now your kingdom will not continue. Jehovah has sought for him a man after his own heart and Jehovah has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what Jehovah commanded you.

^13:15 And Samuel arose and got up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.^13:16 And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people that were present with them, abode in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

^13:17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, ^13:18 and another company turned the way to Beth-horon and another company turned the way of the border that looks down upon the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

^13:19 Now there was no blacksmith found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make for them swords or spears, ^13:20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen every man his share and his coulter and his axe and his mattock. ^13:21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks and for the coulters and for the pitchforks and for the axes and to set the cattle-prods.

^13:22 So it happened in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But with Saul and with Jonathan his son there was found. ^13:23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

[1 Samuel 14] TOC

^14:1 Now it fell upon a day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, Come and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison that is on yonder side. But he did not tell his father.

^14:2 And Saul abode in the outermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron. And the people who were with him were about six hundred men, ^14:3 and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Jehovah in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

^14:4 And between the passes by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. And the name of the one was Bozez and the name of the other Seneh. ^14:5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash and the other on the south in front of Geba.

^14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that Jehovah will work for us, for there is no limitation to Jehovah to save by many or by few. ^14:7 And his armor bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Turn and behold, I am with you according to your heart.

^14:8 Then Jonathan said, Behold, we will pass over to the men and we will disclose ourselves to them. ^14:9 If they say thus to us, Abide until we come to you^*, then we will stand still in our place and will not go up to them. ^14:10 But if they say thus, Come up to us, then we will go up, for Jehovah has delivered them into our hand and this will be the sign to us.

^14:11 And both of them disclosed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. ^14:12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer and said, Come up to us and we will show you^* a thing. And Jonathan said to his armor bearer, Come up after me, for Jehovah has delivered them into the hand of Israel.

^14:13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet and his armor bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them after him.

^14:14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land. ^14:15 And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field and among all the people. The garrison and the spoilers, they also trembled. And the earth quaked, so there was an exceedingly great trembling.^14:16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away and they went here and there.

^14:17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, Number now and see who has gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. ^14:18 And Saul said to Ahijah, Bring here the ark of God. For the ark of God was there at that time with the sons of Israel.

^14:19 And it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the commotion that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased. And Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand. ^14:20 And Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together and came to the battle. And behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great confusion.

^14:21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines as formerly and who went up with them into the camp, from the country all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. ^14:22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed close after them in the battle. ^14:23 So Jehovah saved Israel that day and the battle passed over by Beth-aven.

^14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had put the people under an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted food. ^14:25 And all the people came into the forest and there was honey upon the ground. ^14:26 And when the people came to the forest, behold, the honey dropped, but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

^14:27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath, therefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth and his eyes were enlightened. ^14:28 Then one of the people answered and said, Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats food this day and the people were faint.

^14:29 Then Jonathan said, My father has troubled the land. See, I beseech you^*, how my eyes have been enlightened because I tasted a little of this honey. ^14:30 How much more, if perhaps the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? For now there has been no great slaughter among the Philistines.

^14:31 And they killed^* of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint, ^14:32 and the people flew upon the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and killed them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. ^14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Jehovah, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, you^* have dealt treacherously. Roll a great stone to me this day.

^14:34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, Bring me here every man his ox and every man his sheep and kill them here and eat. And do not sin against Jehovah in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night and killed them there.^14:35 And Saul built an altar to Jehovah; the same was the first altar that he built to Jehovah.

^14:36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night and take spoil among them until the morning light and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatever seems good to you. Then the priest said, Let us draw near here to God.^14:37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he did not answer him that day.

^14:38 And Saul said, Draw near here, all you^* chiefs of the people and know and see how this sin has been this day. ^14:39 For, as Jehovah lives, who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die. But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. ^14:40 Then he said to all Israel, Be you^* on one side and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul, Do what seems good to you.

^14:41 Therefore Saul said to Jehovah, the God of Israel, Show the right. And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the people escaped. ^14:42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

^14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done. And Jonathan told him and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. And behold, I must die. ^14:44And Saul said, God do so and more also, for you will surely die, Jonathan.

^14:45 And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it. As Jehovah lives, there will not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he did not die. ^14:46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines and the Philistines went to their own place.

^14:47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab and against the sons of Ammon and against Edom and against the kings of Zobah and against the Philistines. And wherever he turned himself, he put them to the worse. ^14:48 And he did valiantly and killed^* the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who despoiled them.

^14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab and the name of the younger Michal. ^14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. ^14:51 And Kish was the father of Saul and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

^14:52 And there was great war against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to him.

[1 Samuel 15] TOC

^15:1 And Samuel said to Saul, Jehovah sent me to anoint you to be king over his people, over Israel. Now therefore listen you to the voice of the words of Jehovah. ^15:2 Jehovah of hosts says thus, I have remembered what Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way when he came up out of Egypt.

^15:3 Now go and kill^* Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not, but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing-baby, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. ^15:4 And Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand on foot and ten thousand men of Judah.

^15:5 And Saul came to the city of Amalek and laid wait in the valley. ^15:6 And Saul said to the Kenites, Go, depart, you^* get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you^* with them, for you^* showed kindness to all the sons of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

^15:7 And Saul killed^* the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, that is before Egypt. ^15:8And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. ^15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the seconds and the lambs and all that was good and would not utterly destroy them. But everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

^15:10 Then the word of Jehovah came to Samuel, saying, ^15:11 I regret that I have set up Saul to be king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments. And Samuel was angry and he cried out to Jehovah all night. ^15:12 And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning and it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up for him a monument and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.

^15:13 And Samuel came to Saul. And Saul said to him, You are blessed of Jehovah. I have performed the commandment of Jehovah. ^15:14 And Samuel said, What then means this voice of the sheep in my ears and the voice of the oxen which I hear?

^15:15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to Jehovah your God and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

^15:16 Then Samuel said to Saul, Stop and I will tell you what Jehovah has said to me this night. And he said to him, Say on.

^15:17 And Samuel said, Though you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And Jehovah anointed you king over Israel. ^15:18 And Jehovah sent you on a journey and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites and fight against them until they are consumed.

^15:19 Why then did you not obey the voice of Jehovah, but did fly upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah?

^15:20 And Saul said to Samuel, Yes, I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah and have gone the way which Jehovah sent me and have brought Agag the king of Amalek and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. ^15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Jehovah your God in Gilgal.

^15:22 And Samuel said, Has Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to listen than the fat of rams.^15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as idolatry and household-idol. Because you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he has also rejected you from being king.

^15:24 And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of Jehovah and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. ^15:25 Now therefore, I beseech you, pardon my sin and turn again with me that I may worship Jehovah. ^15:26 And Samuel said to Saul, I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of Jehovah and Jehovah has rejected you from being king over Israel.

^15:27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, Saul laid hold upon the skirt of his robe and it tore.^15:28 And Samuel said to him, Jehovah has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of your, who is better than you. ^15:29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent, for he is not a man that he should repent.

^15:30 Then he said, I have sinned. I beseech you, yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel and turn again with me, that I may worship Jehovah your God.

^15:31 So Samuel turned again after Saul and Saul worshiped Jehovah. ^15:32 Then Samuel said, Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came to him cheerfully. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

^15:33 And Samuel said, As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before Jehovah in Gilgal.

^15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. ^15:35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death, for Samuel mourned for Saul and Jehovah regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

[1 Samuel 16] TOC

^16:1 And Jehovah said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for me a king among his sons.

^16:2 And Samuel said, How do I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me. And Jehovah said, Take a heifer with you and say, I have come to sacrifice to Jehovah. ^16:3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice and I will show you what you will do. And you will anoint for me he whom I name to you.

^16:4 And Samuel did what Jehovah spoke and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, Do you come peaceably? ^16:5 And he said, Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to Jehovah. Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice. And he made Jesse and his sons holy and called them to the sacrifice.

^16:6 And it happened, when they came, that he looked on Eliab and said, Surely Jehovah's anointed is before him. ^16:7 But Jehovah said to Samuel, Do not look on his countenance, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For Jehovah sees not as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looks on the heart.

^16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither has Jehovah chosen this man. ^16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither has Jehovah chosen this man. ^16:10 And Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, Jehovah has not chosen these men.

^16:11 And Samuel said to Jesse, Are all your sons here? And he said, There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and fetch him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.

^16:12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was redish and of a beautiful countenance and fine to look upon. And Jehovah said, Arise, anoint him, for this is he. ^16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

^16:14 Now the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him.^16:15 And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. ^16:16 Let our lord now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it will happen, when the evil spirit from God is upon you, that he will play with his hand and you will be well.

^16:17 And Saul said to his servants, Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me. ^16:18 Then one of the young men answered and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing and a mighty man of valor and a man of war and prudent in speech and a handsome man and Jehovah is with him.

^16:19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, Send to me David your son, who is with the sheep. ^16:20 And Jesse took a donkey with bread and a skin-container of wine and a kid and sent them by David his son to Saul. ^16:21 And David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly and he became his armor bearer. ^16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, I beseech you, let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.

^16:23 And it happened, when the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp and played with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well and the evil spirit departed from him.

[1 Samuel 17] TOC

^17:1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle. And they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongs to Judah and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. ^17:2And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together and encamped in the vale of Elah and arranged for battle against the Philistines. ^17:3 And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side and there was a valley between them.

^17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. ^17:5 And he had a helmet of brass upon his head and he was clad with a coat of mail. And the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. ^17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs and a javelin of brass between his shoulders. ^17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him.

^17:8 And he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel and said to them, Why have you^* come out to set your^* battle in array? Am I not a Philistine and you^* servants to Saul? Choose you^* a man for you^* and let him come down to me. ^17:9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your^* servants, but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you^* will be our servants and serve us.

^17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together. ^17:11 And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

^17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse. And he had eight sons and the man was an old man in the days of Saul, stricken in years among men. ^17:13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn and next to him Abinadab and the third Shammah. ^17:14 And David was the youngest and the three eldest followed Saul.

^17:15 Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. ^17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening and presented himself forty days. ^17:17 And Jesse said to David his son, Take now for your brothers a 10-gallon container of this parched grain and these ten loaves and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. ^17:18 And bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand. And look how your brothers fare and take their pledge.

^17:19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. ^17:20 And David rose up early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the place of the wagons as the army which was going forth to the fight shouted for the battle.^17:21 And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.

^17:22 And David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the army and came and saluted his brothers. ^17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke according to the same words and David heard them. ^17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were greatly afraid.

^17:25 And the men of Israel said, Have you^* seen this man who has come up? Surely to defy Israel he has come up. And it will be, that the man who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel.

^17:26 And David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, What will be done to the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? ^17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So it will be done to the man that kills him.

^17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David and he said, Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the mischief of your heart, for you have come down that you might see the battle.

^17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? ^17:30 And he turned away from him toward another and spoke after the same manner and the people answered him again after the former manner.

^17:31 And when the words were heard which David spoke, they repeated them before Saul and he sent for him. ^17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine. ^17:33 And Saul said to David, You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth and he a man of war from his youth.

^17:34 And David said to Saul, Your servant was keeping his father's sheep and when there came a lion, or a bear and took a lamb out of the flock, ^17:35 I went out after him and killed^* him and delivered it out of his mouth. And when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and killed^* him and killed him. ^17:36 Your servant killed^* both the lion and the bear and this uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.

^17:37 And David said, Jehovah who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go and Jehovah will be with you.

^17:38 And Saul clad David with his apparel and he put a helmet of brass upon his head and he clad him with a coat of mail. ^17:39 And David girded his sword upon his apparel and he attempted to go, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them. And David put them off of him.

^17:40 And he took his staff in his hand and chose for him five smooth stones out of the brook and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in his wallet. And his sling was in his hand and he drew near to the Philistine.

^17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near to David and the man who bore the shield went before him. ^17:42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he despised him, for he was but a youth and redish and of a fair countenance.

^17:43 And the Philistine said to David, Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. ^17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me and I will give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field.

^17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

^17:46 This day Jehovah will deliver you into my hand and I will kill^* you and take your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the armies of the Philistines this day to the birds of the heavens and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, ^17:47 and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is Jehovah's and he will give you^* into our hand.

^17:48 And it happened, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. ^17:49 And David put his hand in his bag and took from there a stone and slung it and killed^* the Philistine in his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead and he fell upon his face to the earth.

^17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone and killed^* the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.

^17:51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of the sheath of it and killed him and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

^17:52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines until you come to Gai and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim {Sharaim}, even to Gath and to Ekron. ^17:53And the sons of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines and they plundered their camp.

^17:54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.

^17:55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the army, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell. ^17:56And the king said, Inquire you whose son the stripling is.

^17:57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. ^17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son are you, young man? And David answered, I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

[1 Samuel 18] TOC

^18:1 And it happened, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. ^18:2 And Saul took him that day and would no more let him go home to his father's house.

^18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. ^18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him and gave it to David and his apparel, even to his sword and to his bow and to his belt.

^18:5 And David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war and it was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

^18:6 And it happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with timbrels, with joy and with instruments of music. ^18:7 And the women sang one to another as they played and said, Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands.

^18:8 And Saul was very angry and this saying displeased him and he said, They have bestowed to David ten thousands and to me they have bestowed but thousands and what can he have more but the kingdom? ^18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

^18:10 And it happened on the next-day, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul and he prophesied in the midst of the house. And David played with his hand, as he did day by day and Saul had his spear in his hand. ^18:11 And Saul cast the spear, for he said, I will kill^* David even to the wall. And David turned away from his presence twice.

^18:12 And Saul was afraid of David because Jehovah was with him and was departed from Saul.^18:13 Therefore Saul removed him from him and made him his captain over a thousand and he went out and came in before the people.

^18:14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways and Jehovah was with him. ^18:15 And when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. ^18:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

^18:17 And Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight Jehovah's battles. For Saul said, Do not let my hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. ^18:18And David said to Saul, Who am I and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?

^18:19 But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.

^18:20 And Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David and they told Saul and the thing pleased him. ^18:21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Therefore Saul said to David, You will this day be my son-in-law a second time.

^18:22 And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Speak with David secretly and say, Behold, the king has delight in you and all his servants love you. Now therefore be the king's son-in-law. ^18:23 And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, Does it seem to you^* a light thing to be the king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?

^18:24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner David spoke. ^18:25 And Saul said, Thus you^* will say to David, The king does not desire any wedding-money, but a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

^18:26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. And the days were not expired. ^18:27 And David arose and went, he and his men and killed of the Philistines two hundred men. And David brought their foreskins and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter as a wife. ^18:28And Saul saw and knew that Jehovah was with David and Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him. ^18:29And Saul was yet still more afraid of David and Saul was David's enemy continually.

^18:30 Then the rulers of the Philistines went forth and it happened, as often as they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was very precious.

[1 Samuel 19] TOC

^19:1 And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David. ^19:2And Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeks to kill you. Now therefore, I beseech you, take heed to yourself in the morning and abide in a secret place and hide yourself. ^19:3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are and I will speak with my father of you and if I see anything, I will tell you.

^19:4 And Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father and said to him, Do not let the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you and because his works have been very good toward you. ^19:5 For he put his life in his hand and killed^* the Philistine and Jehovah worked a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?

^19:6 And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. And Saul swore, As Jehovah lives, he will not be put to death. ^19:7 And Jonathan called David and Jonathan showed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul and he was in his presence as formerly.

^19:8 And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and killed them with a great slaughter and they fled before him. ^19:9And an evil spirit from Jehovah was upon Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand and David was playing with his hand. ^19:10 And Saul sought to kill^* David even to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul's presence and he killed^* the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

^19:11 And Saul sent messengers to David's house, to watch him and to kill him in the morning. And Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be slain. ^19:12So Michal let David down through the window and he went and fled and escaped.

^19:13 And Michal took the household-idol and laid it in the bed and put a pillow of goats' hair at the head of it and covered it with the clothes. ^19:14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick. ^19:15 And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.

^19:16 And when the messengers came in, behold, the household-idol was in the bed, with the pillow of goats' hair at the head of it. ^19:17 And Saul said to Michal, Why have you deceived me thus and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said to me, Let me go. Why should I kill you?

^19:18 Now David fled and escaped and came to Samuel to Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. ^19:19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.

^19:20 And Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul and they also prophesied. ^19:21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time and they also prophesied.

^19:22 Then he also went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.

^19:23 And he went there to Naioth in Ramah and the Spirit of God came upon him also and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.^19:24 And he also stripped off his clothes and he also prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

[1 Samuel 20] TOC

^20:1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? What is my iniquity and what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life? ^20:2 And he said to him, Far from it. You will not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small, but that he discloses it to me and why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so.

^20:3 And David swore moreover and said, Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes and he says, Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he is grieved. But truly as Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.^20:4 Then Jonathan said to David, Whatever your soul desires, I will even do it for you.

^20:5 And David said to Jonathan, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon and I should not fail to sit with the king to eat. But let me go that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at evening. ^20:6 If your father misses me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city, for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family. ^20:7 If he says thus, It is well. Your servant will have peace. But if he is angry, then know that evil is determined by him.

^20:8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of Jehovah with you. But if there is in me iniquity, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?

^20:9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from you, for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell it to you? ^20:10 Then David said to Jonathan, Who will tell me if perchance your father answers you roughly?^20:11 And Jonathan said to David, Come and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

^20:12 And Jonathan said to David, Jehovah, the God of Israel, when I have searched out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good toward David, shall I not then send to you and disclose it to you? ^20:13 Jehovah do so to Jonathan and more also, should it please my father to do you evil, if I not disclose it to you and send you away that you may go in peace. And Jehovah be with you as he has been with my father.

^20:14 And you will not only show me the loving kindness of Jehovah, while I yet live, that I do not die,^20:15 but also you will not cut off your kindness from my house until everlasting. No, not when Jehovah has cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

^20:16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David's enemies. ^20:17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him. For he loved him as he loved his own soul.

^20:18 Then Jonathan said to him, Tomorrow is the new moon and you will be missed because your seat will be empty. ^20:19 And when you have stayed three days, you will go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when the business was in hand and will remain by the stone Ezel. ^20:20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.

^20:21 And behold, I will send the lad, saying, Go, find the arrows. If I say to the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, take them and come, for there is peace to you and no hurt, as Jehovah lives. ^20:22 But if I say thus to the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond you, go your way, for Jehovah has sent you away. ^20:23 And concerning the matter which you and I have spoken of, behold, Jehovah is between you and me until everlasting.

^20:24 So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.^20:25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall and Jonathan stood up and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. ^20:26 Nevertheless Saul spoke nothing that day, for he thought, Something has befallen him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean.

^20:27 And it happened on the next-day after the new moon, which was the second day, that David's place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, Why has the son of Jesse not come in to the food, neither yesterday, nor today? ^20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. ^20:29 And he said, I beseech you, let me go because our family has a sacrifice in the city and my brother, he has commanded me. And now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away, I beseech you and see my brothers. Therefore he has not come to the king's table.

^20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan and he said to him, You son of a perverse rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? ^20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the ground, you will not be established, nor your kingdom. Therefore now send and fetch him to me, for he will surely die.

^20:32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, Why should he be put to death? What has he done? ^20:33 And Saul cast his spear at him to kill^* him. By this Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to put David to death.

^20:34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David because his father had done him shame.

^20:35 And it happened in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David and a little lad with him. ^20:36 And he said to his lad, Run, now find the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. ^20:37And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad and said, Is not the arrow beyond you?

^20:38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows and came to his master. ^20:39 But the lad knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. ^20:40 And Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, Go, carry them to the city.

^20:41 And as soon as the lad had gone, David arose out of a place toward the South and fell on his face to the ground and bowed himself three times. And they kissed each other and wept with one another until David surpassed him. ^20:42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, inasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of Jehovah, saying, Jehovah will be between me and you and between my seed and your seed, until everlasting. And he arose and departed and Jonathan went into the city.

[1 Samuel 21] TOC

^21:1 Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David trembling and said to him, Why are you alone and no man with you? ^21:2 And David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business and has said to me, Let no man know anything of the business about which I send you and what I have commanded you and I have assigned the young men to such and such a place. ^21:3 Now therefore what is under your hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever there is present.

^21:4 And the priest answered David and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread. If only the young men have kept themselves from women. ^21:5 And David answered the priest and said to him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days. When I came out the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was but a common journey. How much more then today will their vessels be holy?

^21:6 So the priest gave him holy bread, for there was no bread there but the showbread that was taken from before Jehovah to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

^21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Jehovah. And his name was Doeg the Edomite, the foremost of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul.

^21:8 And David said to Ahimelech, And is there not here under your hand spear or sword? For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. ^21:9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the vale of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is no other except that here. And David said, There is none like that. Give it to me.

^21:10 And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. ^21:11 And the servants of Achish said to him, Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands? ^21:12 And David laid up these words in his heart and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.

^21:13 And he changed his behavior before them and pretend to be mad in their hands and scrabbled on the doors of the gate and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. ^21:14 Then Achish said to his servants, Behold, you^* see the man is mad. Why then have you^* brought him to me? ^21:15 Do I lack madmen, that you^* have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?

[1 Samuel 22] TOC

^22:1 David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. ^22:2 And every man who was in distress and every man who was in debt and every man who was discontented, gathered themselves to him and he became captain over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.

^22:3 And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab and he said to the king of Moab, I beseech you, let my father and my mother come forth, and be with you^*, till I know what God will do for me. ^22:4And he brought them before the king of Moab and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the stronghold.

^22:5 And the prophet Gad said to David, Do not abide in the stronghold. Depart and get you into the land of Judah. Then David departed and came into the forest of Hereth.

^22:6 And Saul heard that David was discovered and the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah with his spear in his hand and all his servants were standing about him.

^22:7 And Saul said to his servants who stood about him, Hear now, you^* Benjamites. Will the son of Jesse give every one of you^* fields and vineyards? Will he make you^* all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, ^22:8 that all of you^* have conspired against me and there is none who discloses to me when my son makes a league with the son of Jesse? And there is none of you^* who is sorry for me, or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day.

^22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. ^22:10 And he inquired of Jehovah for him and gave him food and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. ^22:11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob. And they came to the king, all of them.

^22:12 And Saul said, Hear now, you son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. ^22:13And Saul said to him, Why have you^* conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me to lie in wait as at this day?

^22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law and is taken into your council and is honorable in your house?^22:15 Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? Be it far from me. Do not let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father, for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more.

^22:16 And the king said, You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house. ^22:17 And the king said to the guard who stood about him, Turn and kill the priests of Jehovah, because their hand also is with David and because they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of Jehovah.

^22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned and he fell upon the priests and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore a linen ephod. ^22:19 And Nob, the city of the priests, he killed^* with the edge of the sword, both men and women, sons and nursing-babes and oxen and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

^22:20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. ^22:21 And Abiathar told David that Saul had slain Jehovah's priests. ^22:22 And David said to Abiathar, I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father's house. ^22:23 Abide with me. Do not fear, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, for with me you will be in safeguard.

[1 Samuel 23] TOC

^23:1 And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing-floors. ^23:2 Therefore David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go and kill^* these Philistines? And Jehovah said to David, Go and kill^* the Philistines and save Keilah.

^23:3 And David's men said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? ^23:4Then David inquired of Jehovah yet again. And Jehovah answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.

^23:5 And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their cattle and killed them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

^23:6 And it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. ^23:7 And it was told Saul that David came to Keilah. And Saul said, God has delivered him into my hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars. ^23:8 And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. ^23:9 And David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring here the ephod.

^23:10 Then said David, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. ^23:11Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? O Jehovah, the God of Israel, I beseech you, tell your servant. And Jehovah said, He will come down. ^23:12Then David said, Will the men of Keilah deliver up me and my men into the hand of Saul? And Jehovah said, They will deliver you up.

^23:13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah and went wherever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah and he ceased to go forth.

^23:14 And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. ^23:15 And David saw that Saul came out to seek his life and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the forest.

^23:16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David into the forest and strengthened his hand in God. ^23:17 And he said to him, Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father will not find you. And you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you. And that, Saul my father also knows. ^23:18 And those two made a covenant before Jehovah. And David abode in the forest and Jonathan went to his house.

^23:19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Does not David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the forest, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert? ^23:20Now therefore, O king, come down, according to all the desire of your soul to come down and our part will be to deliver him up into the king's hand.

^23:21 And Saul said, You^* are blessed of Jehovah, for you^* have had compassion on me. ^23:22 Go, I beseech you^*, make yet more sure and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there, for it is told me that he deals very shrewdly.

^23:23 See therefore and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hides himself and come you^* again to me of a certainty. And I will go with you^* and it will happen, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.

^23:24 And they arose and went to Ziph before Saul, but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of the desert.^23:25 And Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David. Therefore he came down to the rock and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

^23:26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain and David and his men on that side of the mountain. And David made haste to get away for fear of Saul. For Saul and his men encompassed David and his men all around to take them.

^23:27 But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, You hasten and come, for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land. ^23:28 So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth {Cliff of Division}. ^23:29 And David went up from there and dwelt in the strongholds of En-gedi.

[1 Samuel 24] TOC

^24:1 And it happened, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. ^24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

^24:3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where was a cave and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. ^24:4 And the men of David said to him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand and you will do to him as it will seem good to you. Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe secretly.

^24:5 And it happened afterward, that David's heart killed^* him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.^24:6And he said to his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Jehovah's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, since he is Jehovah's anointed. ^24:7 So David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his way.

^24:8 David also arose afterward and went out of the cave and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and then bowed-down. ^24:9 And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt? ^24:10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. And some commanded me kill you, but I spared you. And I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is Jehovah's anointed.

^24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand, for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe and killed you not. Know and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it.

^24:12 Jehovah judge between me and you and Jehovah avenge me of you, but my hand will not be upon you. ^24:13 As says the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness, but my hand will not be upon you. ^24:14 After whom is the King of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea. ^24:15 Jehovah therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you and see and plead my cause and deliver me out of your hand.

^24:16 And it happened, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. ^24:17 And he said to David, You are more righteous than I, for you have rendered to me good, and I have rendered to you evil. ^24:18And you have declared this day how that you have dealt well with me, inasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into your hand, you killed me not.^24:19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away well? Therefore Jehovah reward you good for what you have done to me this day.

^24:20 And now, behold, I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. ^24:21 Swear now therefore to me by Jehovah, that you will not cut off my seed after me and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house. ^24:22 And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men got up to the stronghold.

[1 Samuel 25] TOC

^25:1 And Samuel died. And all Israel gathered themselves together and lamented him and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. ^25:2 And there was a man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel. And the man was very great in goods and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

^25:3 Now the name of the man was Nabal and the name of his wife Abigail. And the woman was of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance, but the man was cruel and evil in his practices and he was of the house of Caleb.

^25:4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. ^25:5 And David sent ten young men and David said to the young men, You^* get up to Carmel and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. ^25:6 And thus you^* will say to him who lives in prosperity, Peace be to you and peace be to your house and peace be to all that you have.

^25:7 And now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us and we did them no hurt, neither was there anything missing to them all the while they were in Carmel.^25:8 Ask your young men and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes, for we come in a good day. I beseech you, give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.

^25:9 And when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David and ceased. ^25:10 And Nabal answered David's servants and said, Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants now-a-days who break away every man from his master.^25:11 Shall I then take my bread and my water and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men of whom I do not know from where they are?^25:12 So David's young men turned on their way and went back and came and told him according to all these words.

^25:13 And David said to his men, Gird you^* on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword and David also girded on his sword. And there went up after David about four hundred men and two hundred abode by the baggage.

^25:14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master and he railed at them. ^25:15 But the men were very good to us and we were not hurt, neither did we miss anything as long as we went with them when we were in the fields. ^25:16 They were a wall to us both by night and by day all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

^25:17 Now therefore know and consider what you will do, for evil is determined against our master and against all his house. For he is such a worthless fellow that a man cannot speak to him.

^25:18 Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two jugs of wine and five sheep ready dressed and five measures of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs and laid them on donkeys. ^25:19 And she said to her young men, Go on before me, behold, I come after you^*. But she did not tell her husband Nabal. ^25:20 And it was so, as she rode on her donkey and came down by the covert of the mountain, that, behold, David and his men came down toward her and she met them.

^25:21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him and he has returned me evil for good. ^25:22 God do so to the enemies of David and more also, if I leave of all that pertains to him by the morning light so much as one who urinates on the wall {i.e. a male}.

^25:23 And when Abigail saw David, she hastened and alighted from her donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed herself to the ground. ^25:24 And she fell at his feet and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me be the iniquity and I beseech you, let your handmaid speak in your ears and hear the words of your handmaid. ^25:25 I beseech you, do not let my lord regard this worthless fellow, even Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and senselessness is with him. But I your handmaid saw not the young men of my lord whom you sent.

^25:26 Now therefore, my lord, as Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, since Jehovah has withheld you from blood guiltiness and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies and those who seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. ^25:27 And now this present which your servant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord.

^25:28 I beseech you, forgive the trespass of your handmaid. For Jehovah will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights the battles of Jehovah and evil will not be found in you all your days. ^25:29 And though men have risen up to pursue you and to seek your soul, yet the soul of my lord will be bound in the bundle of life with Jehovah your God. And the souls of your enemies, them he will sling out as from the hollow of a sling.

^25:30 And it will happen, when Jehovah will have done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and will have appointed you prince over Israel, ^25:31 that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. And when Jehovah will have dealt well with my lord, then remember your handmaid.

^25:32 And David said to Abigail, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me,^25:33 and your discretion is blessed and you are blessed, who have kept me this day from blood guiltiness and from avenging myself with my own hand. ^25:34 For in very deed, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, lives, who has withheld me from hurting you, unless you had hastened and come to meet me, surely there had not been left to Nabal by the morning light so much as one who urinates on the wall {i.e. a male}.

^25:35 So David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, Go up in peace to your house. See, I have listened to your voice and have accepted your person.

^25:36 And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he held a feast in his house like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. Therefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

^25:37 And it happened in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things and his heart died within him and he became as a stone. ^25:38 And it happened about ten days after, that Jehovah killed^* Nabal, so that he died.

^25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Praise Jehovah, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and has kept back his servant from evil and Jehovah has returned the evil-doing of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to him as a wife.

^25:40 And when the servants of David came to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, David has sent us to you, to take you to him as a wife. ^25:41And she arose and bowed herself with her face to the earth and said, Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.

^25:42 And Abigail hastened and arose and rode upon a donkey, with five of her maidens who followed her. And she went after the messengers of David and became his wife. ^25:43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel and they became his wives, both of them.

^25:44 Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.

[1 Samuel 26] TOC

^26:1 And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, Does not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert? ^26:2 Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. ^26:3 And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert by the way. But David abode in the wilderness and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

^26:4 David therefore sent out spies and understood that Saul definitely came. ^26:5 And David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David beheld the place where Saul lay and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. And Saul lay within the place of the wagons and the people were encamped around about him.

^26:6 Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with you.

^26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night. And behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons with his spear stuck in the ground at his head and Abner and the people lay all around him. ^26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God has delivered up your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, I beseech you, let me kill^* him with the spear to the earth at one stroke and I will not kill^* him the second time.

^26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not, for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah's anointed and be guiltless? ^26:10 And David said, As Jehovah lives, Jehovah will kill^* him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. ^26:11 Jehovah forbid that I should put forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed. But now I beseech you, take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water and let us go.

^26:12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head and they got away. And no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Jehovah was fallen upon them. ^26:13 Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain afar off, a great space being between them.

^26:14 And David cried out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answer you not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who are you that cries to the king? ^26:15 And David said to Abner, Are not you a valiant man? And who is like to you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For there came one of the people in to destroy the king your lord.

^26:16 This thing is not good that you have done. As Jehovah lives, you^* are worthy to die because you^* have not kept watch over your^* lord, Jehovah's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.

^26:17 And Saul knew David's voice and said, Is this your voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. ^26:18 And he said, Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?

^26:19 Now therefore, I beseech you, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is Jehovah who has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering, but if it is the sons of men, cursed be they before Jehovah. For they have driven me out this day that I should not cling to the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods.

^26:20 Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Jehovah. For the King of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when a man hunts a partridge in the mountains.

^26:21 Then Saul said, I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have done foolishly and have erred exceedingly.

^26:22 And David answered and said, Behold the spear, O king! Let then one of the young men come over and fetch it. ^26:23 And Jehovah will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness, inasmuch as Jehovah delivered you into my hand today and I would not put forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed. ^26:24 And behold, as your life was much set by this day in my eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of Jehovah and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

^26:25 Then Saul said to David, You are blessed, my son David. You will both do mightily and will surely prevail. So David went his way and Saul returned to his place.

[1 Samuel 27] TOC

^27:1 And David said in his heart, I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel, so I will escape out of his hand.

^27:2 And David arose and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. ^27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife. ^27:4 And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath and he sought no more again for him.

^27:5 And David said to Achish, If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country that I may dwell there, for why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you? ^27:6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day. Therefore Ziklag pertains to the kings of Judah to this day. ^27:7 And the number of the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.

^27:8 And David and his men went up and made a raid upon the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites, for those nations were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old as you go to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.

^27:9 And David killed^* the land and saved neither man nor woman alive and took away the sheep and the oxen and the donkeys and the camels and the apparel and he returned and came to Achish.

^27:10 And Achish said, Against whom have you^* made a raid today? And David said, Against the South of Judah and against the South of the Jerahmeelites and against the South of the Kenites.^27:11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So David did and so his manner has been all the while he has dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

^27:12 And Achish believed David, saying, He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he will be my servant everlasting.

[1 Samuel 28] TOC

^28:1 And it happened in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know assuredly, that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men. ^28:2 And David said to Achish, Therefore you will know what your servant will do. And Achish said to David, Therefore I will make you my chief bodyguard forever.

^28:3 Now Samuel was dead and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards, out of the land.

^28:4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together and came and encamped in Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel together and they encamped in Gilboa. ^28:5 And when Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. ^28:6 And when Saul inquired of Jehovah, Jehovah answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

^28:7 Then Saul said to his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at En-dor.

^28:8 And Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night and he said, I beseech you, divine to me, by the familiar spirit and bring me up whomever I will name to you.

^28:9 And the woman said to him, Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits and the wizards, out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

^28:10 And Saul swore to her by Jehovah, saying, As Jehovah lives, there will no punishment happen to you for this thing.

^28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to you? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

^28:12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul.

^28:13 And the king said to her, Do not be afraid, for what do you see? And the woman said to Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth. ^28:14 And he said to her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man comes up and he is covered with a robe. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel and he bowed with his face to the ground and then bowed-down.

^28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why have you made me tremble with anger, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am greatly distressed, for the Philistines make war against me and God is departed from me and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I will do.

^28:16 And Samuel said, Why then do you ask of me, since Jehovah departed from you and has become your adversary? ^28:17 And Jehovah has done to you, as he spoke by me. And Jehovah has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, even to David. ^28:18 Because you obeyed not the voice of Jehovah and did not execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore Jehovah has done this thing to you this day.

^28:19 Moreover Jehovah will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Jehovah will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

^28:20 Then Saul fell immediately his full length upon the earth and was greatly afraid because of the words of Samuel and there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

^28:21 And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly troubled and said to him, Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice and I have put my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me. ^28:22 Now therefore, I beseech you, listen you also to the voice of your handmaid and let me set a morsel of bread before you and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.

^28:23 But he refused and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the ground and sat upon the bed. ^28:24 And the woman had a fatted calf in the house. And she hastened and killed it and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it. ^28:25 And she brought it before Saul and before his servants and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.

[1 Samuel 29] TOC

^29:1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek and the Israelites encamped by the fountain which is in Jezreel. ^29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands and David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish.

^29:3 Then the rulers of the Philistines said, What are these Hebrews? And Achish said to the rulers of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the King of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to me to this day?

^29:4 But the rulers of the Philistines were angry with him. And the rulers of the Philistines said to him, Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what does this man reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of these men? ^29:5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?

^29:6 Then Achish called David and said to him, As Jehovah lives, you have been upright and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight, for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless the lords do not favor you. ^29:7Therefore now return and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.

^29:8 And David said to Achish, But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant so long as I have been before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king? ^29:9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that you are good in my sight, as a messenger of God, but the rulers of the Philistines have said, He will not go up with us to the battle.

^29:10 Therefore now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you and as soon as you^* are up early in the morning and have light, depart.

^29:11 So David rose up early, he and his men, to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

[1 Samuel 30] TOC

^30:1 And it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the South and upon Ziklag and had struck Ziklag and burned it with fire, ^30:2 and had taken captive the women and all that were in it, both small and great. They did not kill any, but carried them off and went their way.

^30:3 And when David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire. And their wives and their sons and their daughters, were taken captive.

^30:4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. ^30:5 And David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

^30:6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters. But David strengthened himself in Jehovah his God.

^30:7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, I beseech you, bring me here the ephod. And Abiathar brought there the ephod to David. ^30:8 And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue, for you will surely overtake them and will without fail recover all.

^30:9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him and came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. ^30:10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men, for two hundred stayed behind, who were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

^30:11 And they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David and gave him bread. And he ate and they gave him water to drink. ^30:12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him, for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

^30:13 And David said to him, To whom do you belong? And from where are you? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite. And my master left me because three days ago I fell sick.^30:14 We made a raid upon the South of the Cherethites and upon what belongs to Judah and upon the South of Caleb and we burned Ziklag with fire.

^30:15 And David said to him, Will you bring me down to this troop? And he said, Swear to me by God, that you will neither kill me, nor deliver me up into the hands of my master and I will bring you down to this troop.

^30:16 And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the ground, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines and out of the land of Judah.

^30:17 And David killed^* them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day. And there escaped not a man of them, except four hundred young men who rode upon camels and fled.

^30:18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken and David rescued his two wives. ^30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them; David brought back all.

^30:20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other cattle and said, This is David's spoil. ^30:21 And David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom also they had made to abide at the brook Besor. And they went forth to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people, he saluted them.

^30:22 Then answered all the wicked men and worthless fellows of those who went with David and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them anything of the spoil that we have recovered except to every man his wife and his children that he may lead them away and depart.

^30:23 Then David said, You^* will not do so, my brothers, with what Jehovah has given to us, who has preserved us and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand. ^30:24 And who will listen to you^* in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle so will his share be who remains by the baggage; they will share alike. ^30:25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.

^30:26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent from the spoil to the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold, a present for you^* from the spoil of the enemies of Jehovah: ^30:27 to those who were in Bethel and to those who were in Ramoth of the South and to those who were in Jattir, ^30:28 and to those who were in Aroer and to those who were in Siphmoth and to those who were in Eshtemoa, ^30:29and to those who were in Racal and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, ^30:30 and to those who were in Hormah and to those who were in Bor-ashan and to those who were in Athach, ^30:31 and to those who were in Hebron and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to frequent.

[1 Samuel 31] TOC

^31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel. And the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down slain in Mount Gilboa.

^31:2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi shua, the sons of Saul. ^31:3And the battle went severely against Saul and the archers overtook him and he was greatly distressed because of the archers.

^31:4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell upon it.

^31:5 And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword and died with him. ^31:6 So Saul died and his three sons and his armor bearer and all his men, that same day together.

^31:7 And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those who were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities and fled. And the Philistines came and dwelt in them. ^31:8 And it happened on the next-day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in Mount Gilboa.

^31:9 And they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent into the land of the Philistines all around to carry the news to the house of their idols and to the people. ^31:10 And they put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.

^31:11 And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him, what the Philistines had done to Saul, ^31:12 all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan and they came to Jabesh and burnt them there. ^31:13 And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

[2 Samuel 1] TOC

^1:1 And it happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and David had abode two days in Ziklag,^1:2 it happened on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes torn and earth upon his head. And so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and bowed-down.

^1:3 And David said to him, From where did you come? And he said to him, I escaped out of the camp of Israel. ^1:4 And David said to him, How did the matter go? I beseech you, tell me. And he answered, The people are fled from the battle and many of the people also are fallen and dead and Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead. ^1:5 And David said to the young man who told him, How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?

^1:6 And the young man who told him said, As I happened by chance upon Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning upon his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed close after him.^1:7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I answered, Here I am. ^1:8 And he said to me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. ^1:9 And he said to me, I beseech you, stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.

^1:10 So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he was fallen. And I took the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.

^1:11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them and likewise all the men who were with him.^1:12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening, for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of Jehovah and for the house of Israel, because they were fallen by the sword.

^1:13 And David said to the young man who told him, From where are you? And he answered, I am the son of a traveler, an Amalekite. ^1:14 And David said to him, Why were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy Jehovah's anointed? ^1:15 And David called one of the young men and said, Go near and fall upon him. And he killed^* him so that he died. ^1:16 And David said to him, Your blood be upon your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain Jehovah's anointed.

^1:17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son ^1:18 (and he commanded them teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

^1:19 Your glory, O Israel, is slain upon your high places! How are the mighty fallen! ^1:20 Do not tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. ^1:21 You^* mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain upon you^*, neither fields of heave-offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

^1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back and the sword of Saul returned not empty. ^1:23 Saul and Jonathan, men who were loved and pleasant, undivided; handsome in their lives and undivided in their death; swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

^1:24 You^* daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you^* delicately in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold upon your^* apparel. ^1:25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon your high places.

^1:26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, exceeding the love of women. ^1:27How are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war perished!

[2 Samuel 2] TOC

^2:1 And it happened after this, that David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And Jehovah said to him, Go up. And David said, Where shall I go up? And he said, To Hebron. ^2:2 So David went up there and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. ^2:3 And David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

^2:4 And the men of Judah came and they anointed David king over the house of Judah there. And they told David, saying, The men of Jabesh-gilead were those who buried Saul.

^2:5 And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, You^* are blessed of Jehovah, that you^* have shown this kindness to your^* lord, even to Saul and have buried him. ^2:6 And now Jehovah show loving kindness and truth to you^*. And I also will reward you^* this kindness because you^* have done this thing.

^2:7 Now therefore let your^* hands be strong and be you^* valiant, for Saul your^* lord is dead and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

^2:8 Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. ^2:9 And he made him king over Gilead and over the Ashurites and over Jezreel and over Ephraim and over Benjamin and over all Israel.

^2:10 Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

^2:11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

^2:12 And Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. ^2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. And they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.

^2:14 And Abner said to Joab, I beseech you, let the young men arise and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. ^2:15 Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and twelve of the servants of David.

^2:16 And each man caught his fellow by the head and thrust his sword in his fellow's side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim {Field of Sword Edges}, which is in Gibeon. ^2:17 And the battle was very severe that day. And Abner was beaten and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

^2:18 And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe-deer. ^2:19 And Asahel pursued after Abner and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. ^2:20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, Is it you, Asahel? And he answered, It is I.

^2:21 And Abner said to him, Turn aside to your right hand or to your left and lay hold on one of the young men and take his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. ^2:22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn aside from following me. Why should I kill^* you to the ground? How then would I hold up my face to Joab your brother?

^2:23 However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner with the butt of the spear. The spear came out behind him and he fell down there and died in the same place. And it happened, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

^2:24 But Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner. And the sun went down when they came to the hill of Ammah that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. ^2:25 And the sons of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner and became one band and stood on the top of a hill.

^2:26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? Do you not know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long will it be then, before you bid the people return from following their brothers? ^2:27 And Joab said, As God lives unless you had spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone up every man from following his brother. ^2:28 So Joab blew the trumpet. And all the people stood still and pursued after Israel no more, neither did they fight any more.

^2:29 And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah {Or: waste land} and they passed over the Jordan and went through all Bithron {Or: the ravine} and came to Mahanaim.

^2:30 And Joab returned from following Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. ^2:31 But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and sixty men died.

^2:32 And they took up Asahel and buried him in the sepulcher of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night and the day broke upon them at Hebron.

[2 Samuel 3] TOC

^3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

^3:2 And sons were born to David in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, ^3:3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, ^3:4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital, ^3:5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

^3:6 And it happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.

^3:7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?

^3:8 Then Abner was very angry for the words of Ish-bosheth and said, Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? This day I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends and have not delivered you into the hand of David and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman.

^3:9 God do so to Abner and more also, if, as Jehovah has sworn to David, I do not even so to him,^3:10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. ^3:11 And he could not answer Abner another word because he feared him.

^3:12 And Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, Whose is the land? And saying, Make your league with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring about all Israel to you.

^3:13 And he said, Well! I will make a league with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.

^3:14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver to me my wife Michal whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. ^3:15 And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish. ^3:16 And her husband went with her, weeping as he went and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, Go, return and he returned.

^3:17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past you^* sought for David to be king over you^*. ^3:18 Now then do it, because Jehovah has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines and out of the hand of all their enemies. ^3:19 And Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin. And Abner also went to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.

^3:20 So Abner came to David to Hebron and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. ^3:21 And Abner said to David, I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my lord the king that they may make a covenant with you and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. And David sent Abner away and he went in peace. ^3:22 And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray and brought in a great spoil with them, but Abner was not with David in Hebron, because he had sent him away and he had gone in peace.

^3:23 When Joab and all the army that was with him came, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king and he has sent him away and he has gone in peace.

^3:24 Then Joab came to the king and said, What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away and he has gone? ^3:25You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in and to know all that you do.

^3:26 And when Joab came out from David, he sent messengers after Abner and they brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David did not know.^3:27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly and killed^* him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

^3:28 And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah until everlasting of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. ^3:29 Let it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house. And let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread. ^3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

^3:31 And David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, Tear your^* clothes and gird yourselves with sackcloth and mourn before Abner. And king David followed the funeral. ^3:32 And they buried Abner in Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner and all the people wept. ^3:33 And the king lamented for Abner and said, Should Abner die as a fool dies? ^3:34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters. As a man falls before the sons of iniquity, so you did fall. And all the people wept again over him.

^3:35 And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day, but David swore, saying, God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, till the sun is down.

^3:36 And all the people took notice of it and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people. ^3:37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner. ^3:38 And the king said to his servants, Do you^* not know that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? ^3:39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. Jehovah reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.

[2 Samuel 4] TOC

^4:1 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble and all the Israelites were troubled.

^4:2 And Saul's son had two men who were captains of bands. The name of the one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the sons of Benjamin, because Beeroth also is reckoned to Benjamin. ^4:3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been travelers there until this day.

^4:4 Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

^4:5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, as he took his rest at noon. ^4:6 And they came there into the midst of the house as though they would have fetched wheat and they killed^* him in the body. And Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

^4:7 Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they killed^* him and killed him and beheaded him and took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night.

^4:8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David to Hebron and said to the king, Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. And Jehovah has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and of his seed.

^4:9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite and said to them, As Jehovah lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, ^4:10 when he who told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good news, I took hold of him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.

^4:11 How much more, when evil men have slain a righteous man in his own house upon his bed, shall I not now require his blood of your^* hand and take you^* away from the earth?

^4:12 And David commanded his young men and they killed them and cut off their hands and their feet and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.

[2 Samuel 5] TOC

^5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David to Hebron and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. ^5:2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And Jehovah said to you, You will be shepherd of my people Israel and you will be prince over Israel.

^5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron. And king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah and they anointed David king over Israel.

^5:4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned forty years. ^5:5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

^5:6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Unless you take away the blind and the lame, you will not come in here, thinking, David cannot come in here. ^5:7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

^5:8 And David said on that day, Whoever slays the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse and kill^* the lame and the blind, the hated by David's soul, because the blind and the lame say, He cannot come into the house.

^5:9 And David dwelt in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built all around from Millo and inward. ^5:10 And David grew greater and greater, and Jehovah, the God of hosts, was with him.

^5:11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David and cedar trees and carpenters and masons and they built David a house. ^5:12 And David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

^5:13 And David took for him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. ^5:14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab and Nathan and Solomon, ^5:15 and Ibhar and Elishua and Nepheg and Japhia, ^5:16 and Elishama and Eliada and Eliphelet.

^5:17 And when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. ^5:18 Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

^5:19 And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said to David, Go up, because I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.

^5:20 And David came to Baal-perazim and David killed^* them there. And he said, Jehovah has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. ^5:21 And they left their images there and David and his men took them away.

^5:22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. ^5:23 And when David inquired of Jehovah, he said, You will not go up. Make a circuit behind them and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees. ^5:24 And it will be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you will move yourself, because then Jehovah has gone out before you to kill^* the army of the Philistines.

^5:25 And David did so, as Jehovah commanded him and killed^* the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gezer.

[2 Samuel 6] TOC

^6:1 And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. ^6:2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Jehovah of hosts who sits above the cherubim.

^6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. ^6:4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, with the ark of God and Ahio went before the ark.

^6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of instruments of fir-wood and with harps and with psalteries and with timbrels and with castanets and with cymbals.

^6:6 And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth to the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen stumbled. ^6:7 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzzah and God killed^* him there for his error and he died there by the ark of God.

^6:8 And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzzah. And he called that place Perez-uzzah, to this day. ^6:9 And David was afraid of Jehovah that day and he said, How will the ark of Jehovah come to me?

^6:10 So David would not remove the ark of Jehovah to him into the city of David, but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. ^6:11 And the ark of Jehovah remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months and Jehovah blessed Obed-edom and all his house.

^6:12 And it was told king David, saying, Jehovah has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of God. And David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy.^6:13 And it was so, that, when those who bore the ark of Jehovah had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatten sheep.

^6:14 And David danced before Jehovah with all his might. And David was girded with a linen ephod.^6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Jehovah with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.

^6:16 And it was so, as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah and she despised him in her heart.

^6:17 And they brought in the ark of Jehovah and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah. ^6:18 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of hosts.

^6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to every one a cake of bread and a portion of flesh and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed every one to his house.

^6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, How glorious was the King of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!

^6:21 And David said to Michal, It was before Jehovah, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Jehovah, over Israel. Therefore I will play before Jehovah. ^6:22 And I will be yet more vile than this and will be humble in my own sight, but of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, of them I will be had in honor.

^6:23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

[2 Samuel 7] TOC

^7:1 And it happened, when the king dwelt in his house and Jehovah had given him rest from all his enemies all around, ^7:2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains. ^7:3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart, because Jehovah is with you.

^7:4 And it happened the same night, that the word of Jehovah came to Nathan, saying, ^7:5 Go and tell my servant David, Jehovah says thus, Shall you build a house for me to dwell in? ^7:6 Because I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the sons of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. ^7:7 In all places in which I have walked with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, Why have you^* not built for me a house of cedar?

^7:8 Now therefore thus you will say to my servant David, Jehovah of hosts says thus, I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel. ^7:9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones that are on the earth.

^7:10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be moved no more. Neither will the sons of wicked mistreat them any more, as at the first, ^7:11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel and I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Jehovah tells you that Jehovah will make you a house. ^7:12When your days are fulfilled and you will sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will proceed out of your guts and I will establish his kingdom. ^7:13 He will build a house for my name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom until everlasting.

^7:14 I will be his father and he will be my son. If he commits wicked things, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the sons of men, ^7:15but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul whom I put away before you. ^7:16And your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you; your throne will be established until everlasting.

^7:17 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. ^7:18 Then David the king went in and sat before Jehovah. And he said, Who am I, O Lord Jehovah and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? ^7:19 And this was yet a small thing in your eyes, O Lord Jehovah, but you have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come and this too according to the manner of men, O Lord Jehovah!

^7:20 And what can David say more to you? And you know your servant, O Lord Jehovah. ^7:21 For your word's sake and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it. ^7:22 Therefore you are great, O Jehovah God, because there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

^7:23 And what one nation on the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people and to make him a name and to do great things for you^* and awesome things for your land, before your people whom you redeemed to you out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?^7:24 And you established to yourself your people Israel to be a people to you until everlasting and you, Jehovah, became their God.

^7:25 And now, O Jehovah God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, confirm it until everlasting and do as you have spoken. ^7:26 And let your name be magnified until everlasting, saying, Jehovah of hosts is God over Israel and the house of your servant David will be established before you. ^7:27 Because you, O Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, I will build you a house. Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.

^7:28 And now, O Lord Jehovah, you are God and your words are truth and you have promised this good thing to your servant. ^7:29 Now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue everlasting before you, because you, O Lord Jehovah, have spoken it. And with your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed forever.

[2 Samuel 8] TOC

^8:1 And after this it happened, that David killed^* the Philistines and subdued them. And David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

^8:2 And he killed^* Moab and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground. And he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

^8:3 David also killed^* Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River. ^8:4 And David took from him a thousand and seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand on foot. And David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.

^8:5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to aid Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed^* of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men. ^8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And Jehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.

^8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. ^8:8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceedingly much brass.

^8:9 And when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, ^8:10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David to salute him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him, for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver and vessels of gold and vessels of brass.

^8:11 These also king David dedicated to Jehovah with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued: ^8:12 of Syria and of Moab and of the sons of Ammon and of the Philistines and of Amalek and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

^8:13 And David got a name for him when he returned from slaying the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men. ^8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom. He put garrisons throughout all Edom and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Jehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.

^8:15 And David reigned over all Israel. And David executed justice and righteousness to all his people. ^8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, ^8:17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests and Seraiah was scribe, ^8:18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites and David's sons were chief ministers.

[2 Samuel 9] TOC

^9:1 And David said, Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

^9:2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba and they called him to David. And the king said to him, Are you Ziba? And he said, Your servant is he. ^9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul that I may show the kindness of God to him? And Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son who is lame in his feet. ^9:4 And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. ^9:5 Then king David sent and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.

^9:6 And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and bowed-down. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold, your servant! ^9:7 And David said to him, Do not fear, because I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father and you will eat bread at my table continually. ^9:8 And he bowed-down and said, What is your servant that you should look upon such a dead dog as I am?

^9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant and said to him, All that pertained to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's son. ^9:10 And you will till the land for him, you and your sons and your servants. And you will bring in the fruits that your master's son may have bread to eat, but Mephibosheth your master's son will always eat bread at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

^9:11 Then Ziba said to the king, According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do. As for Mephibosheth, the king said, he will eat at my table as one of the king's sons.

^9:12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. ^9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, because he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet.

[2 Samuel 10] TOC

^10:1 And it happened after this, that the king of the sons of Ammon died and Hanun his son reigned instead of him. ^10:2 And David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me. So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon.

^10:3 But the rulers of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Think you that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?

^10:4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off the one half of their beards and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks and sent them away. ^10:5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Abide at Jericho until your^* beards be grown and then return.

^10:6 And when the sons of Ammon saw that they stunk to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand on foot and the king of Maacah with a thousand men and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.

^10:7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. ^10:8 And the sons of Ammon came out and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

^10:9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and behind, he chose from all the choice men of Israel and put them in array against the Syrians. ^10:10 And the rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother. And he put them in array against the sons of Ammon.

^10:11 And he said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you will help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.^10:12 Be of good courage and let us play the man on behalf of our people and the cities of our God. And Jehovah do what seems good to him.

^10:13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians. And they fled before him. ^10:14 And when the sons of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.

^10:15 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they gathered themselves together. ^10:16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

^10:17 And it was told David. And he gathered all Israel together and passed over the Jordan and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David and fought with him. ^10:18 And the Syrians fled before Israel. And David killed of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots and forty thousand horsemen and killed^* Shobach the captain of their army so that he died there.

^10:19 And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Syrians were afraid to help the sons of Ammon any more.

[2 Samuel 11] TOC

^11:1 And it happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel. And they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

^11:2 And it happened at evening, that David arose from his bed and walked upon the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. ^11:3And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

^11:4 And David sent messengers and took her. And she came in to him and he lay with her (and she was purified from her uncleanness) and she returned to her house. ^11:5 And the woman conceived. And she sent and told David and said, I am with child.

^11:6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. ^11:7And when Uriah came to him, David asked of him how Joab did and how the people fared and how the war prospered. ^11:8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to your house and wash your feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house and a gift from the king followed him.

^11:9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord and did not go down to his house. ^11:10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah did not go down to his house, David said to Uriah, Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?

^11:11 And Uriah said to David, The ark and Israel and Judah, abide in booths and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go into my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.

^11:12 And David said to Uriah, Remain here today also and tomorrow I will let you depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day and the next-day.^11:13 And when David had called him, he ate and drank before him and he made him drunk. And at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but did not go down to his house.

^11:14 And it happened in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. ^11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle and retreat from him, that he may be struck and die.

^11:16 And it happened, when Joab kept watch upon the city, that he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men were. ^11:17 And the men of the city went out and fought with Joab. And there fell some of the people, even of the servants of David and Uriah the Hittite died also.

^11:18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war. ^11:19 And he charged the messenger, saying, When you have made an end of telling all the things concerning the war to the king,^11:20 it will be that, if the king's wrath arise and he says to you, Why did you^* go so near to the city to fight? Did you^* not know that they would shoot from the wall? ^11:21 Who killed^* Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you^* go so near the wall? Then you will say, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

^11:22 So the messenger went and came and told David all that Joab had sent him. ^11:23 And the messenger said to David, The men prevailed against us and came out to us into the field and we were upon them even to the entrance of the gate. ^11:24 And the shooters shot at your servants from the wall. And some of the king's servants are dead and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

^11:25 Then David said to the messenger, Thus you will say to Joab, Do not let this thing displease you, because the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city and overthrow it. And encourage him.

^11:26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband. ^11:27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Jehovah.

[2 Samuel 12] TOC

^12:1 And Jehovah sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said to him, There were two men in one city: the one rich and the other poor. ^12:2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds, ^12:3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nourished up. And it grew up together with him and with his sons. It ate of his own morsel and drank of his own cup and lay in his bosom and was to him as a daughter.

^12:4 And there came a traveler to the rich man and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd to dress for the wayfaring man who came to him, but took the poor man's lamb and dressed it for the man who came to him.

^12:5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man and he said to Nathan, As Jehovah lives, the man who has done this is worthy to die. ^12:6And he will restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.

^12:7 And Nathan said to David, You are the man. Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. ^12:8 And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your bosom and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if that had been too little, I would have added to you such and such things.

^12:9 Why have you despised the word of Jehovah, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have slain him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

^12:10 Now therefore the sword will not depart (everlasting and forever) from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. ^12:11 Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. ^12:12 Because you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.

^12:13 And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said to David, Jehovah also has put away your sin; you will not die. ^12:14However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you will surely die. ^12:15And Nathan departed to his house. And Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David and it was very sick. ^12:16 David therefore besought God for the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night upon the ground. ^12:17 And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the ground, but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

^12:18 And it happened on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead, because they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice, how will he then distress himself, if we tell him that the child is dead! ^12:19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

^12:20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his apparel. And he came into the house of Jehovah and worshiped. Then he came to his own house and when he required, they set bread before him and he ate. ^12:21 Then his servants said to him, What thing is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while it was alive, but when the child was dead, you arose and ate bread.

^12:22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept. Because I said, Who knows whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live? ^12:23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.

^12:24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife and went in to her and lay with her. And she bore a son and he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him, ^12:25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet. And he called his name Jedidiah, for Jehovah's sake.

^12:26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon and took the royal city. ^12:27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yes, I have taken the city of waters. ^12:28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it is called after my name.

^12:29 And David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it.^12:30 And he took the crown of their king from his head. And the weight of it was a talant of gold and in it were precious stones. And it was set on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, exceedingly much.

^12:31 And he brought out the people that were in it and put them under saws and under harrows of iron and under axes of iron and made them pass through the brick-kiln. And thus he did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

[2 Samuel 13] TOC

^13:1 And it happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister whose name was Tamar. And Amnon the son of David loved her. ^13:2And Amnon was so frustrated that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar. Because she was a virgin and it seemed hard for Amnon to do anything to her.

^13:3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very sly man. ^13:4 And he said to him, Why, O son of the king, are you emaciated this way from day to day? Will you not tell me? And Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

^13:5 And Jonadab said to him, Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, Let my sister Tamar come, I beseech you and give me bread to eat and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.

^13:6 So Amnon lay down and pretend to be sick. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, Let my sister Tamar come, I beseech you and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand. ^13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to your brother Amnon's house and make food for him.

^13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house and he was laid down. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes. ^13:9 And she took the pan and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have all men out from me. And they went out every man from him.

^13:10 And Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the food into the chamber that I may eat from your hand. And Tamar took the cakes that she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And she laid her hand on her head and went her way, crying aloud as she went.

^13:11 And when she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, Come, lie with me, my sister. ^13:12 And she answered him, No, my brother, do not force me, because no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Do not do this senselessness. ^13:13And I, where shall I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I beseech you, speak to the king, because he will not withhold me from you. ^13:14 However he would not listen to her voice, but being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.

^13:15 Then Amnon hated her with exceedingly great hatred, because the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, Arise, be gone. ^13:16 And she said to him, Not so, because this great wrong in putting me forth is worse than the other that you did to me. But he would not listen to her. ^13:17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him and said, Put this woman out from me now and bolt the door after her.

^13:18 And she had a garment of various colors upon her, because with such robes were the king's daughters who were virgins appareled. Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her.^13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her garment of various colors that was on her.

^13:20 And Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

^13:21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry. ^13:22 And Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, because Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

^13:23 And it happened after two full years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim and Absalom invited all the king's sons. ^13:24 And Absalom came to the king and said, Behold now, your servant has sheep-shearers. Let the king, I beseech you and his servants go with your servant. ^13:25 And the king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, lest we are burdensome to you. And he pressed him. However he would not go, but blessed him.

^13:26 Then Absalom said, If not, I beseech you, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said to him, Why should he go with you? ^13:27 But Absalom pressed him and he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

^13:28 And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Notice you^* now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine and when I say to you^*, Strike Amnon, then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you^*? Be courageous and be valiant. ^13:29And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose and every man got up upon his mule and fled.

^13:30 And it happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king's sons and there is not one of them left. ^13:31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.

^13:32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, Do not let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king's sons, because Amnon only is dead. Because by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. ^13:33 Now therefore do not let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead, because only Amnon is dead. ^13:34 But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there came many people by the way of the hill-side behind him. ^13:35 And Jonadab said to the king, Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it is. ^13:36 And it happened, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very much.

^13:37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. ^13:38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur and was there three years. ^13:39And the soul of king David longed to go forth to Absalom, because he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

[2 Samuel 14] TOC

^14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was yearning toward Absalom. ^14:2And Joab sent to Tekoa and fetched from there a wise woman and said to her, I beseech you, pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning apparel, I beseech you and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has a long time mourned for the dead. ^14:3 And go in to the king and speak on this manner to him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.

^14:4 And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and bowed-down and said, Help, O king. ^14:5 And the king said to her, What troubles you? And she answered, Of a truth I am a widow and my husband is dead. ^14:6 And your handmaid had two sons and they two struggled together in the field and there was none to part them, but the one killed^* the other and killed him. ^14:7 And behold, the whole family is risen against your handmaid and they say, Deliver him who killed^* his brother that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed and so destroy the heir also. Thus they will quench my coal which is left and will leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the face of the earth.

^14:8 And the king said to the woman, Go to your house and I will give charge concerning you. ^14:9 And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me and on my father's house and the king and his throne be guiltless. ^14:10 And the king said, Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me and he will not touch you any more. ^14:11 Then she said, I beseech you, let the king remember Jehovah your God, that the avenger of blood not destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As Jehovah lives, there will not one hair of your son fall to the earth.

^14:12 Then the woman said, I beseech you, let your handmaid speak a word to my lord the king. And he said, Say on. ^14:13 And the woman said, Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? And the king is as he who is guilty in speaking this word, in that the king does not fetch home again his banished one. ^14:14 Because we must die and are as water split on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; God does not take away life, but devises means that he who is banished is not an outcast from him.

^14:15 Now therefore seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. And your handmaid said, I will now speak to the king. It may be that the king will perform the request of his servant. ^14:16 Because the king will hear to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

^14:17 Then your handmaid said, I beseech you, let the word of my lord the king be gracious, because as a messenger of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. And Jehovah your God be with you.

^14:18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, I beseech you, do not hide from me, anything that I will ask you. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. ^14:19 And the king said, Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?

And the woman answered and said, As your soul lives, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken, because your servant Joab, he commanded me and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid. ^14:20 Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. And my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of a messenger of God, to know all things that are on the earth.

^14:21 And the king said to Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing. Go therefore, bring the young man Absalom back. ^14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed-down and blessed the king. And Joab said, Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.

^14:23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. ^14:24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, but let him not see my face. So Absalom turned to his own house and did not see the king's face.

^14:25 Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty; from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. ^14:26 And when he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year's end that he cut it, because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight.

^14:27 And to Absalom there were born three sons and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of a fair countenance. ^14:28 And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem and he did not see the king's face.

^14:29 Then Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And he sent again a second time, but he would not come. ^14:30Therefore he said to his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.

^14:31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house and said to him, Why have your servants set my field on fire? ^14:32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, that I may send you to the king to say, Why have I come from Geshur? It were better for me to still be there. Now therefore let me see the king's face and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.

^14:33 So Joab came to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.

[2 Samuel 15] TOC

^15:1 And it happened after this, that Absalom prepared for him a chariot and horses and fifty men to run before him.

^15:2 And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate. And it was so, that, when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him and said, Of what city are you? And he said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. ^15:3 And Absalom said to him, See, your matters are good and right, but there is no man appointed by the king to hear you.

^15:4 Absalom said moreover, If only I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or case might come to me and I would do for him justice!

^15:5 And it was so, that, when any man came near to him bowed-down, he put forth his hand and took hold of him and kissed him. ^15:6 And on this manner Absalom did to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

^15:7 And it happened at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, I beseech you, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Jehovah, in Hebron. ^15:8 Because your servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If Jehovah will indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve Jehovah. ^15:9 And the king said to him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron.

^15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as you^* hear the sound of the trumpet, then you^* will say, Absalom is king in Hebron. ^15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem who were invited and went in their simplicity. And they did not know anything.

^15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, and the people increased continually with Absalom.

^15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

^15:14 And David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise and let us flee, because otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down evil upon us and kill^* the city with the edge of the sword. ^15:15 And the king's servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king will choose.

^15:16 And the king went forth and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.

^15:17 And the king went forth and all the people after him and they remained in the distant house {Beth-merhak}. ^15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

^15:19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, Why do you also go with us? Return and abide with the king, because you are a foreigner and also an exile. Return to your own place. ^15:20 You came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us, seeing I go where I may? Return and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.

^15:21 And Ittai answered the king and said, As Jehovah lives and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king will be, whether for death or for life, even there your servant will also be.^15:22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over and all his men and all the little ones that were with him.

^15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice and all the people passed over. The king himself also passed over the brook Kidron and all the people passed over toward the way of the wilderness.

^15:24 And behold, Zadok also came and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished passing out of the city.

^15:25 And the king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city. If I will find favor in the eyes of Jehovah he will bring me again and show me both it and his dwelling. ^15:26 But if he says thus, I have no delight in you, behold, here I am. Let him do to me as seems good to him.

^15:27 The king said also to Zadok the priest, Are you not a seer? Return into the city in peace and your^* two sons with you^*, Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. ^15:28 See, I will remain at the fords of the wilderness until there comes word from you^* to report to me. ^15:29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem and they abode there.

^15:30 And David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives and wept as he went up and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered every man his head and they went up, weeping as they went up.

^15:31 And it was told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I beseech you, show that the counsel of Ahithophel has done foolishly.

^15:32 And it happened, that, when David came to the top of the ascent, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt upon his head.

^15:33 And David said to him, If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me, ^15:34 but if you return to the city and say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father's servant in time past, so I will now be your servant, then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

^15:35 And have you not there with you Zadok and Abiathar the priests? Therefore it will be, that whatever thing you will hear out of the king's house, you will tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. ^15:36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. And you^* will send by them to me everything that you^* will hear. ^15:37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

[2 Samuel 16] TOC

^16:1 And when David was a little past the top of the ascent, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys and upon them two hundred loaves of bread and a hundred clusters of raisins and a hundred of summer fruits and a jug of wine.

^16:2 And the king said to Ziba, What do you mean by these? And Ziba said, The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.

^16:3 And the king said, And where is your master's son? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he abides at Jerusalem, because he said, Today the house of Israel will restore for me the kingdom of my father.^16:4 Then the king said to Ziba, Behold, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is your. And Ziba said, I bow-down. Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O king.

^16:5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out, cursing as he came. ^16:6And he cast stones at David and at all the servants of king David and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

^16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Begone, begone, you man of blood and worthless fellow.^16:8 Jehovah has returned upon you all the blood of the house of Saul in whose stead you have reigned. And Jehovah has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son, and behold, you are taken in your own mischief because you are a man of blood.

^16:9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I beseech you and take off his head. ^16:10 And the king said, What have I to do with you^*, you^* sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses and because Jehovah has said to him, Curse David, who then will say, Why have you done so?

^16:11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came out from my guts, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, because Jehovah has bidden him. ^16:12 It may be that Jehovah will look on the wrong done to me and that Jehovah will reward me good for his cursing of me this day.

^16:13 So David and his men went by the way and Shimei went along on the hill-side opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and cast dust. ^16:14 And the king and all the people who were with him, came weary and he refreshed himself there.

^16:15 And Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem and Ahithophel with him.

^16:16 And it happened, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, Live, O king. Live, O king. ^16:17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this your kindness to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?

^16:18 And Hushai said to Absalom, No, but whom Jehovah and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I am his will and I will abide with him.^16:19 And again, whom should I serve? Is it not in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so I will be in your presence.

^16:20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, Give your^* counsel what we will do. ^16:21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your father's concubines that he has left to keep the house and all Israel will hear that you are a stink with your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.

^16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

^16:23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

[2 Samuel 17] TOC

^17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men and I will arise and pursue after David this night. ^17:2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed and will make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee. And I will only kill^* the king,^17:3 and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned, so all the people will be in peace. ^17:4 And the saying pleased Absalom well and all the elders of Israel.

^17:5 Then Absalom said, Call now Hushai the Archite also and let us hear likewise what he says.^17:6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, Ahithophel has spoken after this manner. Shall we do after his saying? If not, speak.

^17:7 And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good. ^17:8Hushai said moreover, You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war and will not lodge with the people.

^17:9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place. And it will happen, when some of them are fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom. ^17:10 And even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those who are with him are valiant men.

^17:11 But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for a multitude and that you go to battle in your own person. ^17:12 So we will come upon him in some place where he will be found and we will light upon him as the dew falls on the ground and of him and of all the men who are with him we will not leave so much as one.

^17:13 Moreover, if he is gathered into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city and we will draw it into the river until there is not one small stone found there.

^17:14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. And Jehovah had commanded to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Jehovah might bring evil upon Absalom.

^17:15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel and thus and thus have I counseled. ^17:16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, saying, Do not lodge this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king be swallowed up and all the people who are with him.

^17:17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En-rogel. And a maid-servant used to go and tell them and they went and told king David, because they might not be seen to come into the city.

^17:18 But a lad saw them and told Absalom. And they went away quickly, both of them and came to the house of a man in Bahurim who had a well in his court and they went down there. ^17:19 And the woman took and spread the covering over the well's mouth and spread ground grain on it. And nothing was known.

^17:20 And Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house and they said, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said to them, They have gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

^17:21 And it happened, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told king David. And they said to David, Arise and pass quickly over the water, because thus Ahithophel has counseled against you^*.

^17:22 Then David arose and all the people who were with him and they passed over the Jordan. By the morning light there lacked not one of them who was not gone over the Jordan.

^17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and got home to his city and set his house in order and hanged himself. And he died and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.

^17:24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. ^17:25 And Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra {Jithra or Jether} the Israelite, who went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother. ^17:26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

^17:27 And it happened, when David came to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the sons of Ammon and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, ^17:28 brought beds and basins and earthen vessels and wheat and barley and meal and roasted grain and beans and lentils and roasted pulse, ^17:29and honey and butter and sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat. Because they said, The people are hungry and weary and thirsty, in the wilderness.

[2 Samuel 18] TOC

^18:1 And David numbered the people who were with him and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. ^18:2 And David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Joab and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you^* myself also.

^18:3 But the people said, You will not go forth. Because if we flee away, they will not care for us, neither if half of us die, will they care for us, but you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city. ^18:4 And the king said to them, What seems best to you^* I will do. And the king stood by the gate-side and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.

^18:5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

^18:6 So the people went out into the field against Israel and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim. ^18:7And the people of Israel were struck there before the servants of David and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men. ^18:8 And the battle was there spread over the face of all the country and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

^18:9 And Absalom chanced to meet the servants of David. And Absalom was riding upon his mule and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak and his head caught hold of the oak. And he was taken up between sky and earth and the mule that was under him went on.

^18:10 And a certain man saw it and told Joab and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak. ^18:11And Joab said to the man who told him, and behold, you saw it and why did you not kill^* him there to the ground? And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.

^18:12 And the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, yet I would not put forth my hand against the king's son, because in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. ^18:13 Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hid from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.

^18:14 Then Joab said, I will not delay thus with you. And he took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. ^18:15 And ten young men who bore Joab's armor encompassed about and killed^* Absalom and killed him.

^18:16 And Joab blew the trumpet and the people returned from pursuing after Israel, because Joab held back the people. ^18:17 And they took Absalom and cast him into the great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled every man to his tent.

^18:18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king's valley, because he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance. And he called the pillar after his own name and it is called Absalom's monument to this day.

^18:19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, Let me now run and bear the king news, how that Jehovah has avenged him of his enemies. ^18:20 And Joab said to him, You will not be the bearer of news this day, but you will bear news another day. But this day you will bear no news, because the king's son is dead. ^18:21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, Go, tell the king what you have seen. And the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran.

^18:22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said yet again to Joab, But come what may, I beseech you, let me also run after the Cushite. And Joab said, Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news? ^18:23 But come what may, he said, I will run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain and outran the Cushite.

^18:24 Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall and lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man running alone. ^18:25 And the watchman cried and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone, there is news in his mouth. And he came and drew near.

^18:26 And the watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, Behold, another man running alone. And the king said, He also brings news. ^18:27 And the watchman said, I think the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man and comes with good news.

^18:28 And Ahimaaz called and said to the king, All is well. And he bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth and said, Praise Jehovah your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king.

^18:29 And the king said, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, even me your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I did not know what it was.

^18:30 And the king said, Turn aside and stand here. And he turned aside and stood still. ^18:31 And behold, the Cushite came. And the Cushite said, News for my lord the king, because Jehovah has avenged you this day of all those who rose up against you. ^18:32And the king said to the Cushite, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And the Cushite answered, The enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is.

^18:33 And the king was trembling and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I would have died for you, O Absalom, my son, my son!

[2 Samuel 19] TOC

^19:1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom. ^19:2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people, because the people heard say that day, The king grieves for his son. ^19:3 And the people slipped away that day into the city, as people who are ashamed sneak away when they flee in battle. ^19:4 And the king covered his face and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

^19:5 And Joab came into the house to the king and said, You have shamed this day the faces of all your servants, who this day have saved your life and the lives of your sons and of your daughters and the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines,^19:6 in that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. Because you have declared this day that rulers and servants are nothing to you. Because this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived and all we had died this day, then it would have pleased you well.

^19:7 Now therefore arise, go forth and speak graciously to your servants. Because I swear by Jehovah, if you do not go forth, there will not remain a man with you this night. And that will be worse to you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.

^19:8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told to all the people, saying, Behold, the king is sitting in the gate. And all the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.

^19:9 And all the people were contending throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines. And now he fled out of the land from Absalom. ^19:10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why so you^* speak not a word of bringing the king back?

^19:11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, Why are you^* the last to bring the king back to his house? Since the speech of all Israel has come to the king, to bring him to his house. ^19:12You^* are my brothers, you^* are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you^* the last to bring back the king?

^19:13 And say you^* to Amasa, Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you not be captain of the army before me continually in the place of Joab.

^19:14 And he inclined the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man, so that they sent to the king, saying, Return and all your servants.^19:15 So the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.

^19:16 And Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hastened and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. ^19:17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him. And they went through the Jordan in the presence of the king.

^19:18 And there went over a ferry-boat to bring over the king's household and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he came over the Jordan.

^19:19 And he said to the king, Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, neither you remember what your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. ^19:20 Because your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.

^19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Jehovah's anointed? ^19:22 And David said, What have I to do with you^*, you^* sons of Zeruiah, that you^* should this day be adversaries to me? Shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? Because I do not know that I am this day king over Israel? ^19:23 And the king said to Shimei, You will not die. And the king swore to him.

^19:24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace. ^19:25 And it happened, when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?

^19:26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. Because your servant said, I will saddle for me a donkey, that I may ride on it and go with the king, because your servant is lame. ^19:27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is as a messenger of God; do therefore what is good in your eyes. ^19:28 Because all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should cry any more to the king?

^19:29 And the king said to him, Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land. ^19:30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, Yes, let him take all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.

^19:31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim. And he went over the Jordan with the king to conduct him over the Jordan. ^19:32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. And he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim, because he was a very great man of wealth.^19:33 And the king said to Barzillai, You come over with me and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.

^19:34 And Barzillai said to the king, How many are the days of the years of my life that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? ^19:35 I am this day eighty years old. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be yet a burden to my lord the king?

^19:36 Your servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king and why should the king recompense it to me with such a reward? ^19:37 Let your servant, I beseech you, turn back again, that I may die in my own city by the grave of my father and my mother. But, behold, your servant Chimham, let him go over with my lord the king and do to him what will seem good to you.

^19:38 And the king answered, Chimham will go over with me and I will do to him what will seem good to you. And whatever you will require of me, that I will do for you. ^19:39 And all the people went over the Jordan and the king went over. And the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him and he returned to his own place.

^19:40 So the king went over to Gilgal and Chimham went over with him. And all the people of Judah brought the king over and also half the people of Israel.

^19:41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household, over the Jordan and all David's men with him?

^19:42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us. Why then are you^* angry for this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's cost, or has he given us any gift?

^19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, We have ten parts in the king and we have also more right in David than you^*. Why then did you^* despise us, that our advice should not be had first in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

[2 Samuel 20] TOC

^20:1 And there happened to be there a worthless fellow whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew the trumpet and said, We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, O Israel. ^20:2 So all the men of Israel went up from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri, but the men of Judah clung to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.

^20:3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house and put them in confinement and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.

^20:4 Then the king said to Amasa, Call the men of Judah together to me within three days and be here present. ^20:5 So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together, but he delayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him. ^20:6 And David said to Abishai, Now will Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom. You take your lord's servants and pursue after him, lest he get him fortified cities and escape out of our sight.

^20:7 And there went out after him Joab's men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men. And they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

^20:8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. And Joab was girded with his apparel of war that he had put on and on it was a belt with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath of it. And as he went forth it fell out. ^20:9And Joab said to Amasa, Is it well with you, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

^20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand. So he killed^* him with it in the body and shed out his guts to the ground and struck him not again and he died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

^20:11 And there stood by him one of Joab's young men and said, He who favors Joab and he who is for David, let him follow Joab. ^20:12 And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the men stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and cast a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. ^20:13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the men went on after Joab to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

^20:14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and to Beth-maacah and all the Berites. And they were gathered together and also went after him.^20:15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah and they cast up a mound against the city and it stood against the rampart. And all the men who were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.

^20:16 Then a wise woman out of the city cried out, Hear, hear. Say, I beseech you^*, to Joab, Come near here, that I may speak with you. ^20:17 And he came near to her and the woman said, Are you Joab? And he answered, I am. Then she said to him, Hear the words of your handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.

^20:18 Then she spoke, saying, They were accustomed to speak in old time, saying, They will surely ask counsel at Abel and so they ended the matter. ^20:19 I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the inheritance of Jehovah?

^20:20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy.^20:21 The matter is not so, but a man of the hill-country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Deliver him only and I will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab, Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.

^20:22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. And he blew the trumpet and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

^20:23 Now Joab was over all the army of Israel and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites, ^20:24 and Adoram {Adoniram} was over the men subject to forced-labor and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder,^20:25 and Sheva was scribe and Zadok and Abiathar were priests, ^20:26 and also Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David.

[2 Samuel 21] TOC

^21:1 And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.

^21:2 And the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them (now the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites and the sons of Israel had sworn to them and yet Saul sought to kill them in his zeal for the sons of Israel and Judah), ^21:3 and David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you^*? And with what shall I make atonement that you^* may bless the inheritance of Jehovah?

^21:4 And the Gibeonites said to him, It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house, neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel. And he said, Whatever you^* will say, that I will do for you^*. ^21:5 And they said to the king, The man who consumed us and who devised against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the borders of Israel, ^21:6 let seven men of his sons be delivered to us and we will hang them up to Jehovah in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Jehovah. And the king said, I will give them.

^21:7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Jehovah's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. ^21:8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah whom she bore to Saul, and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.

^21:9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites. And they hanged them in the mountain before Jehovah and they fell all seven together. And they were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, at the beginning of barley harvest.

^21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water was poured upon them from heaven. And she neither allowed the birds of the heaven to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. ^21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

^21:12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hanged them in the day that the Philistines killed Saul in Gilboa,^21:13 and he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged.

^21:14 And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela {Zelah}, in the sepulcher of Kish his father. And they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.

^21:15 And the Philistines had war again with Israel. And David went down and his servants with him and fought against the Philistines. And David grew faint, ^21:16 and Ishbi-benob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.

^21:17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him and killed^* the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, You will no more go out with us to battle, that you not quench the lamp of Israel.

^21:18 And it happened after this, that there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai {Sibbechai} the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the sons of the giant.

^21:19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. And Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

^21:20 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature who had on every hand six fingers and on every foot six toes, twenty-four in number and he also was born to the giant. ^21:21And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, killed him. ^21:22 These four were born to the giant in Gath and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

[2 Samuel 22] TOC

^22:1 And David spoke to Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hand of Saul:

^22:2 And he said, Jehovah is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, even mine. ^22:3 God, my rock, in him I will take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my refuge, my savior. You save me from violence. ^22:4 I will call upon Jehovah, who is worthy to be praised. So I will be saved from my enemies.

^22:5 Because the waves of death encompassed me. The torrents of wickedness made me afraid. ^22:6 The cords of Sheol were all around me. The snares of death came upon me. ^22:7 In my distress I called upon Jehovah. Yes, I called to my God. And he heard my voice out of his temple and my cry came into his ears.

^22:8 Then the earth shook and quaked, the foundations of heaven trembled and were shaken, because he was angry. ^22:9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils and fire out of his mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it. ^22:10 He bowed the heavens also and came down and thick darkness was under his feet. ^22:11 And he rode upon a cherub and flew. Yes, he was seen upon the wings of the wind. ^22:12And he made darkness pavilions all around him, gathering of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

^22:13 At the brightness before him coals of fire were kindled. ^22:14 Jehovah thundered from heaven and the Most High uttered his voice. ^22:15 And he sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning and confused them. ^22:16 Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of Jehovah, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

^22:17 He sent from on high, he took me. He drew me out of many waters. ^22:18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, because they were too mighty for me. ^22:19 They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but Jehovah was my support. ^22:20 He brought me forth also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

^22:21 Jehovah rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. ^22:22 Because I have kept the ways of Jehovah and have not wickedly departed from my God. ^22:23 Because all his ordinances were before me. And as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. ^22:24 I was also perfect toward him and I kept myself from my iniquity. ^22:25 Therefore Jehovah has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his eyesight.

^22:26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect. ^22:27 With the pure you will show yourself pure. And with the perverse you will show yourself contrary. ^22:28 And the afflicted people you will save, but your eyes are upon the haughty, that you may bring them down. ^22:29 Because you are my lamp, O Jehovah. And Jehovah will lighten my darkness.^22:30 Because by you I run upon a troop. By my God I leap over a wall.

^22:31 As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Jehovah is tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. ^22:32 Because who is God, except Jehovah? And who is a rock, except our God?

^22:33 God is my strong fortress and he guides the perfect in his way. ^22:34 He makes his feet like female-deers' feet and sets me upon my high places.^22:35 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of brass. ^22:36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation and your gentleness has made me great. ^22:37 You have enlarged my steps under me and my feet have not slipped.

^22:38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them, neither did I turn again till they were consumed. ^22:39 And I have consumed them and struck them through, so that they cannot arise. Yes, they are fallen under my feet. ^22:40 And you have girded me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. ^22:41You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me. ^22:42 They looked, but there was none to save; even to Jehovah, but he did not answer them. ^22:43 Then I beat them small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mud of the streets and spread them abroad. ^22:44 You have also delivered me from the contentions of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.

^22:45 The foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.^22:46 The foreigners will fade away and will come trembling out of their borders. ^22:47 Jehovah lives. And my rock is blessed. And God is exalted, the rock of my salvation, ^22:48 Even the God who executes vengeance for me and who brings down peoples under me, ^22:49 and who brings me forth from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.

^22:50 Therefore I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, among gentiles and will sing praises to your name. ^22:51 He gives great deliverance to his king and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his seed, until everlasting.

[2 Samuel 23] TOC

^23:1 Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says and the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob and the sweet psalmist of Israel:

^23:2 The Spirit of Jehovah spoke by me and his word was upon my tongue. ^23:3 The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me. He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,^23:4 he will be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after rain. ^23:5 Truly my house is not so with God. Yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. Because it is all my salvation and all my desire, though he does not make it to grow.

^23:6 But the worthless will be as thorns to be thrust away, all of them, because they cannot be taken with the hand. ^23:7 But the man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear and they will be utterly burned with fire in their place.

^23:8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains, the same was Adino the Eznite, against eight hundred slain at one time.

^23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo {Dodai} the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle and the men of Israel had gone away. ^23:10 He arose and killed^* the Philistines until his hand was weary and his hand clung to the sword. And Jehovah worked a great victory that day and the people returned after him only to take spoil.

^23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop where was a plot of ground full of lentils and the people fled from the Philistines. ^23:12But he stood in the midst of the plot and defended it and killed the Philistines. And Jehovah worked a great victory.

^23:13 And three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim. ^23:14 And David was then in the stronghold and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. ^23:15 And David longed and said, If only someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

^23:16 And the three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Jehovah.

^23:17 And he said, Be it far from me, O Jehovah, that I should do this, to drink the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives? Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

^23:18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them and had a name among the three. ^23:19 Was he not most honorable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain. However he did not attain to the first three.

^23:20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow. ^23:21 And he killed an Egyptian, a good-looking man. And the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.

^23:22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did and had a name among the three mighty men. ^23:23He was more honorable than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

^23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, ^23:25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, ^23:26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,^23:27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, ^23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, ^23:29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, ^23:30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash. ^23:31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, ^23:32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite (of the sons of Jashen), Jonathan, ^23:33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite {Hararite}, ^23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite {Maachathite}, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, ^23:35 Hezro {Hezrai} the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, ^23:36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, ^23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor-bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah, ^23:38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, ^23:39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

[2 Samuel 24] TOC

^24:1 And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah. ^24:2 And the king said to Joab the captain of the army, who was with him, Go now to and fro through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba and number you^* the people, that I may know the sum of the people. ^24:3 And Joab said to the king, Now Jehovah your God add to the people, however many they may be, a hundredfold and may the eyes of my lord the king see it, but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?

^24:4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. And Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel. ^24:5 And they passed over the Jordan and encamped in Aroer on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad and to Jazer. ^24:6Then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi. And they came to Dan-jaan and all around to Sidon, ^24:7 and came to the stronghold of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and of the Canaanites. And they went out to the south of Judah, at Beer-sheba.

^24:8 So when they had gone to and fro through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. ^24:9 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king. And there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

^24:10 And David's heart killed^* him after he had numbered the people. And David said to Jehovah, I have sinned greatly in what I have done, but now, O Jehovah, I beseech you, put away the iniquity of your servant, because I have done very foolishly.

^24:11 And when David rose up in the morning, the word of Jehovah came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying, ^24:12 Go and speak to David, Jehovah says thus, I offer you three things. Choose you one of them, that I may do it to you. ^24:13 So Gad came to David and told him and said to him, Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or will there be three days' pestilence in your land? Now decide and see what answer I will return to him who sent me.

^24:14 And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait. Let us fall now into the hand of Jehovah, because his mercies are great and do not let me fall into the hand of man. ^24:15 So Jehovah sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed. And there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men.

^24:16 And when the messenger stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, Jehovah relented of the evil and said to the messenger who destroyed the people, It is enough. Now stay your hand. And the messenger of Jehovah was by the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

^24:17 And David spoke to Jehovah when he saw the messenger who killed^* the people and said, Behold, I have sinned and I have done perversely, but these sheep, what have they done? I beseech you, let your hand, be against me and against my father's house.

^24:18 And Gad came that day to David and said to him, Go up, rear an altar to Jehovah in the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite. ^24:19 And David went up according to the saying of Gad, as Jehovah commanded. ^24:20 And Araunah looked forth and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

^24:21 And Araunah said, Why has my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing-floor from you, to build an altar to Jehovah that the plague may be halted from the people. ^24:22 And Araunah said to David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Behold, the oxen for the burnt-offering and the threshing instruments and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. ^24:23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king. And Araunah said to the king, Jehovah your God accept you.

^24:24 And the king said to Araunah, No, but I will truly buy it from you at a price. Neither will I offer burnt-offerings to Jehovah my God which cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. ^24:25 And David built there an altar to Jehovah and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings. So Jehovah was entreated for the land and the plague was halted from Israel.

[1 Kings 1] TOC

^1:1 Now king David was old and stricken in years and they covered him with clothes, but he did not get warm. ^1:2 Therefore his servants said to him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin. And let her stand before the king and take care of him. And let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may get warmth. ^1:3 So they sought for a fair maiden throughout all the borders of Israel and found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. ^1:4 And the maiden was very fair. And she took care of the king and ministered to him, but the king knew her not.

^1:5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king. And he prepared chariots for him and horsemen and fifty men to run before him. ^1:6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why have you done so? And he was also a very handsome man. And he was born after Absalom.

^1:7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And following Adonijah, they helped him. ^1:8 But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.

^1:9 And Adonijah killed sheep and oxen and fatten sheep by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel. And he called all his brothers, the king's sons and all the men of Judah, the king's servants. ^1:10 But he did not call Nathan the prophet and Benaiah and the mighty men and Solomon his brother.

^1:11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns and David our lord does not know it? ^1:12 Now therefore I beseech you, come, let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.^1:13 Go and get you in to king David and say to him, Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon your son will reign after me and he will sit upon my throne? Why then does Adonijah reign? ^1:14 Behold, while you yet talk there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.

^1:15 And Bathsheba went in to the king into the chamber. And the king was very old and Abishag the Shunammite was ministering to the king. ^1:16 And Bathsheba bowed the head and bowed-down to the king. And the king said, What do you want? ^1:17 And she said to him, My lord, you swore by Jehovah your God to your handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon your son will reign after me and he will sit upon my throne.

^1:18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigns and you, my lord the king, do not know it. ^1:19 And he has slain oxen and fatten sheep and sheep in abundance and has called all the sons of the king and Abiathar the priest and Joab the captain of the army, but he has not called Solomon your servant.

^1:20 And you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.^1:21 Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king will sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered offenders.

^1:22 And behold, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. ^1:23 And they told the king, saying, Behold, Nathan the prophet. And when he came in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

^1:24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, have you said, Adonijah will reign after me and he will sit upon my throne? ^1:25 Because he has gone down this day and has slain oxen and fatten sheep and sheep in abundance and has called all the king's sons and the captains of the army and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him and say, Live, king Adonijah.

^1:26 But me, even me your servant and Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and your servant Solomon, he has not called. ^1:27 Is this thing done by my lord the king and you have not shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

^1:28 Then king David answered and said, Call Bathsheba to me. And she came into the king's presence and stood before the king. ^1:29 And the king swore and said, As Jehovah lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, ^1:30 truly as I swore to you by Jehovah, the God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon your son will reign after me and he will sit upon my throne in my stead. Surely so I will do this day. ^1:31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth and bowed-down to the king and said, Let my lord king David live everlasting.

^1:32 And king David said, Call to me Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. ^1:33 And the king said to them, Take with you^* the servants of your^* lord and cause Solomon my son to ride upon my own mule and bring him down to Gihon. ^1:34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. And blow you^* the trumpet and say, Live, king Solomon. ^1:35 Then you^* will come up after him and he will come and sit upon my throne, and he will be king in my stead. And I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.

^1:36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, Truly. Jehovah, the God of my lord the king, say so too. ^1:37 As Jehovah has been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.

^1:38 So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, went down and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule and brought him to Gihon. ^1:39 And Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tent and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet and all the people said, Live, king Solomon. ^1:40 And all the people came up after him and the people piped with pipes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth quivered with the sound of them.

^1:41 And Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Why is this noise of the city being in an uproar? ^1:42 While he yet spoke, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, Come in, because you are a worthy man and bring good news.

^1:43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Truly our lord king David has made Solomon king. ^1:44 And the king has sent with him Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule. ^1:45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon. And they have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you^* have heard.

^1:46 And also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. ^1:47 And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, Your God make the name of Solomon better than your name and make his throne greater than your throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. ^1:48 And also thus said the king, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, who has given one of my seed to sit on my throne this day, my eyes even seeing it. ^1:49 And all the guests of Adonijah were afraid and rose up and every man went his way.

^1:50 And Adonijah feared because of Solomon. And he arose and went and caught hold on the horns of the altar. ^1:51 And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah fears king Solomon, and behold, he has laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword. ^1:52 And Solomon said, If he will show himself a worthy man, there will not a hair of him fall to the earth, but if wickedness be found in him, he will die. ^1:53 So king Solomon sent and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed-down to king Solomon. And Solomon said to him, Go to your house.

[1 Kings 2] TOC

^2:1 Now the days of David drew near that he should die. And he charged Solomon his son, saying,^2:2 I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong therefore and show yourself a man, ^2:3 and keep the charge of Jehovah your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments and his ordinances and his testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn yourself. ^2:4That Jehovah may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there will not fail you a man on the throne of Israel.

^2:5 Moreover you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed and shed the blood of war in peace and put the blood of war upon his belt that was about his loins and in his shoes that were on his feet. ^2:6 Do therefore according to your wisdom and do not let his hoar head go down to Sheol in peace.

^2:7 But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be of those who eat at your table, because so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.

^2:8 And behold, there is with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan and I swore to him by Jehovah, saying, I will not put you to death with the sword. ^2:9 Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, because you are a wise man and you will know what you ought to do to him and you will bring his hoar head down to Sheol with blood.

^2:10 And David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. ^2:11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem. ^2:12 And Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father and his kingdom was established greatly.

^2:13 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Do you come peaceably? And he said, Peaceably. ^2:14 He said moreover, I have something to say to you. And she said, Say on. ^2:15 And he said, You know that the kingdom was mine and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign. However the kingdom is turned about and has become my brother's, because it was his from Jehovah.

^2:16 And now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me. And she said to him, Say on. ^2:17 And he said, I beseech you, speak to Solomon the king (because he will not say no to you), that he give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife. ^2:18 And Bathsheba said, Well, I will speak for you to the king.

^2:19 Bathsheba therefore went to king Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed himself to her and sat down on his throne and caused a throne to be set for the king's mother. And she sat on his right hand. ^2:20 Then she said, I ask one small petition of you; do not deny me. And the king said to her, Ask on, my mother, because I will not deny you.

^2:21 And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as a wife. ^2:22 And king Solomon answered and said to his mother, And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, because he is my elder brother, even for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

^2:23 Then king Solomon swore by Jehovah, saying, God do so to me and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life. ^2:24Now therefore as Jehovah lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father and who has made me a house as he promised, surely Adonijah will be put to death this day. ^2:25 And king Solomon sent by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and he fell upon him so that he died.

^2:26 And the king said to Abiathar the priest, You get to Anathoth, to your own fields, because you are worthy of death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you bore the ark of the Lord Jehovah before David my father and because you were afflicted in all in which my father was afflicted. ^2:27So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest to Jehovah, that he might fulfill the word of Jehovah, which he spoke concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

^2:28 And the news came to Joab, because Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he did not turn after Absalom. And Joab fled to the tent of Jehovah and caught hold on the horns of the altar. ^2:29 And it was told king Solomon, Joab has fled to the tent of Jehovah, and behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him. ^2:30 And Benaiah came to the tent of Jehovah and said to him, Thus says the king, Come forth. And he said, No, but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab and thus he answered me.

^2:31 And the king said to him, Do as he has said and fall upon him and bury him, that you may take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father's house. ^2:32 And Jehovah will return his blood upon his own head, because he fell upon two men more righteous and better than he and killed them with the sword and my father David did not know it, namely, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the army of Israel and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the army of Judah.

^2:33 So will their blood return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his seed everlasting. But to David and to his seed and to his house and to his throne, there will be peace everlasting from Jehovah.

^2:34 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and fell upon him and killed him. And he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. ^2:35 And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the army. And the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

^2:36 And the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, Build a house in Jerusalem for you and dwell there and do not go forth from there anywhere.^2:37 And on the day you go out and pass over the brook Kidron, know for certain that you will surely die; your blood will be upon your own head.^2:38 And Shimei said to the king, The saying is good. As my lord the king has said, so will your servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

^2:39 And it happened at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, your servants are in Gath.^2:40 And Shimei arose and saddled his donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. And Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath.

^2:41 And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and was come again.^2:42 And the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, Did I not make you swear by Jehovah and testify to you, saying, Know for certain, that on the day you go out and walk abroad anywhere, you will surely die?

And you said to me, The saying that I have heard is good.

^2:43 Why then have you not kept the oath of Jehovah and the commandment that I have charged you with? ^2:44 The king said moreover to Shimei, You know all the evil which your heart has known, what you did to David my father. Therefore Jehovah will return your evil upon your own head. ^2:45 But king Solomon will be blessed and the throne of David will be established before Jehovah until everlasting.

^2:46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And he went out and fell upon him so that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

[1 Kings 3] TOC

^3:1 And Solomon made a marriage-agreement with Pharaoh King of Egypt and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had made an end of building his own house and the house of Jehovah and the wall of Jerusalem all around. ^3:2 Only the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no house built for the name of Jehovah until those days.

^3:3 And Solomon loved Jehovah, walking in the statutes of David his father. Only he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. ^3:4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, because that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon that altar.

^3:5 In Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and God said, Ask what I will give you.

^3:6 And Solomon said, You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, just-as he walked before you in truth and in righteousness and in uprightness of heart with you. And you have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day.

^3:7 And now, O Jehovah my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. And I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. ^3:8 And your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people that cannot be numbered nor counted for a multitude.^3:9Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil, because who is able to judge this your great people?

^3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. ^3:11 And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, ^3:12 behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you will any arise like you.

^3:13 And I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.^3:14And if you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.

^3:15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and offered up burnt-offerings and offered peace-offerings and made a feast to all his servants.

^3:16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. ^3:17 And the one woman said, Oh, my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house. And I was delivered of a child with her in the house. ^3:18 And it happened the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also. And we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, except we two in the house.

^3:19 And this woman's child died in the night, because she lay upon it. ^3:20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me while your handmaid slept and laid it in her bosom and laid her dead child in my bosom. ^3:21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead. But when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son whom I bore.

^3:22 And the other woman said, No, but the living is my son and the dead is your son. And the other woman said, No, but the dead is your son and the living is my son. Thus they spoke before the king.

^3:23 Then the king said, The one says, This is my son that lives and your son is the dead. And the other says, No, but your son is the dead and my son is the living. ^3:24 And the king said, Fetch me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. ^3:25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two and give half to the one and half to the other.

^3:26 Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, because her heart yearned over her son and she said, Oh, my lord, give her the living child and by no means kill it. But the other said, It will be neither mine nor your. Divide it. ^3:27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child and by no means kill it; she is the mother of it.

^3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged. And they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.

[1 Kings 4] TOC

^4:1 And king Solomon was king over all Israel.

^4:2 And these were the rulers whom he had: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest; ^4:3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder; ^4:4 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests; ^4:5 and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, and the king's friend; ^4:6and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced-labor.

^4:7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel who provided provisions for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for a month in the year. ^4:8 And these are their names: Ben-hur, in the hill-country of Ephraim; ^4:9 Ben-deker, in Makaz and in Shaalbim and Beth-shemesh and Elon-beth-hanan; ^4:10 Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (to him pertained Socoh and all the land of Hepher); ^4:11 Ben-abinadab, in all the height of Dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as a wife); ^4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo and all Beth-shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam; ^4:13 Ben-geber, in Ramoth-gilead (to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; even to him pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and brazen bars); ^4:14Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; ^4:15Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also took Basemath the daughter of Solomon as a wife); ^4:16 Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth; ^4:17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar; ^4:18 Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin; ^4:19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan and he was the only officer who was in the land.

^4:20 Judah and Israel were as many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry. ^4:21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.^4:22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour and sixty measures of meal,^4:23 ten fat oxen and twenty oxen out of the pastures and a hundred sheep, besides male-deers and gazelles and roe-deers and fatted fowl.

^4:24 Because he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side of the River. And he had peace on all sides all around him. ^4:25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.

^4:26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots and twelve thousand horsemen. ^4:27 And those officers provided provisions for king Solomon and for all who came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking. ^4:28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.

^4:29 And God gave Solomon exceedingly much wisdom and understanding and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore. ^4:30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. ^4:31 And he was wiser than all men: than Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman and Calcol {Chalcol} and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame was in all the nations all around.

^4:32 And he spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five. ^4:33 And he spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts and of birds and of creeping things and of fishes.

^4:34 And there came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

[1 Kings 5] TOC

^5:1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, because he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father, for Hiram was a lover of David all his days.

^5:2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, ^5:3 You know how that David my father could not build a house for the name of Jehovah his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until Jehovah put them under the soles of his feet. ^5:4 But now Jehovah my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary, nor evil occurrence.

^5:5 And behold, I purpose to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, as Jehovah spoke to David my father, saying, Your son, whom I will set upon your throne in your place, he will build the house for my name.

^5:6 Now therefore command you that they cut for me cedar trees out of Lebanon. And my servants will be with your servants. And I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you will say, because you know that there is not among us any that knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.

^5:7 And it happened, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly and said, Praise Jehovah this day, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.

^5:8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have heard that which you have sent to me. I will do all your desire concerning timber of cedar and concerning timber of fir. ^5:9 My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea. And I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you will appoint me and will cause them to be smashed there and you will receive them. And you will accomplish my desire in giving food for my household.

^5:10 So Hiram gave Solomon timber of cedar and timber of fir according to all his desire. ^5:11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household and twenty measures of pure oil; thus Solomon gave to Hiram year by year.

^5:12 And Jehovah gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon and the two made a league together.

^5:13 And king Solomon raised forced-labor out of all Israel and forced-labor were thirty thousand men.^5:14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses. They were in Lebanon a month and at home two months. And Adoniram was over the men subject to forced-labor.

^5:15 And Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens and eighty thousand who were hewers in the mountains, ^5:16 besides Solomon's chief officers who were over the work: three thousand and three hundred who bore rule over the people that labored in the work.

^5:17 And the king commanded and they hewed out great stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with shaped stone. ^5:18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the Gebalites fashioned them and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.

[1 Kings 6] TOC

^6:1 And it happened in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Ziv, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of Jehovah.

^6:2 And the house which king Solomon built for Jehovah, the length of it was sixty cubits and the breadth of it twenty and the height of it thirty cubits,^6:3 and the porch in front of the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, and ten cubits was the breadth of it in front of the house.

^6:4 And he made windows of fixed lattice-work for the house. ^6:5 And against the wall of the house he built stories all around, against the walls of the house all around, both of the temple and of the oracle. And he made side-chambers all around.

^6:6 The lowest story was five cubits broad and the middle was six cubits broad and the third was seven cubits broad, because on the outside he made offsets in the wall of the house all around, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.

^6:7 And the house, when it was being built, was built of stone made ready at the quarry. And there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was being built. ^6:8 The door for the middle side-chambers was in the right side of the house. And they went up by winding stairs into the middle story and out of the middle into the third.

^6:9 So he built the house and finished it. And he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar.^6:10 And he built the stories against all the house, each five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.

^6:11 And the word of Jehovah came to Solomon, saying, ^6:12 Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and execute my ordinances and keep all my commandments to walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. ^6:13 And I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.

^6:14 So Solomon built the house and finished it.^6:15 And he built the walls of the house inside with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood. And he covered the floor of the house with boards of fir. ^6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the back part of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the walls of the ceiling. He built them for it inside, for an oracle, even for the most holy place. ^6:17 And the house, that is, the temple in front of the oracle, was forty cubits long. ^6:18 And there was cedar on the house inside, carved with gourds and open flowers. All was cedar; there was no stone seen.

^6:19 And he prepared an oracle in the midst of the house inside, to set there the ark of the covenant of Jehovah. ^6:20 And inside the oracle was a space of twenty cubits in length and twenty cubits in breadth and twenty cubits in the height of it. And he overlaid it with pure gold. And he covered the altar with cedar.

^6:21 So Solomon overlaid the house inside with pure gold. And he drew chains of gold across before the oracle and he overlaid it with gold. ^6:22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar that belonged to the oracle he overlaid with gold.

^6:23 And in the oracle he made two cherubim of olive-wood, each ten cubits high. ^6:24 And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub and five cubits the other wing of the cherub. From the outermost part of the one wing to the outermost part of the other were ten cubits. ^6:25 And the other cherub was ten cubits; both of the cherubim were of one measure and one form. ^6:26 The height of the one cherub was ten cubits and so it was of the other cherub.

^6:27 And he set the cherubim inside the inner house. And the wings of the cherubim were stretched forth, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched each another in the middle of the house. ^6:28 And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.

^6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house all around with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, inside and outside. ^6:30 And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, inside and outside.

^6:31 And for the entrance of the oracle he made doors of olive-wood. The lintel and door-posts were a fifth part of the wall. ^6:32 So he made two doors of olive-wood. And he carved upon them carvings of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers and overlaid them with gold. And he spread the gold upon the cherubim and upon the palm trees.

^6:33 So he also made for the entrance of the temple door-posts of olive-wood out of a fourth part of the wall, ^6:34 and two doors of fir-wood. The two leaves of the one door were folding and the two leaves of the other door were folding. ^6:35 And he carved on it cherubim and palm trees and open flowers. And he overlaid them with gold fitted upon the graven work. ^6:36 And he built the inner court with three courses of hewn stone and a course of cedar beams.

^6:37 In the fourth year the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid, in the month Ziv. ^6:38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished throughout all the parts of it and according to all the fashion of it. So he was seven years in building it.

[1 Kings 7] TOC

^7:1 And Solomon was thirteen years building his own house and he finished all his house. ^7:2 And he built the house of the forest of Lebanon. The length of it was a hundred cubits and the breadth of it fifty cubits and the height of it thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars. ^7:3 And it was covered with cedar above over the forty-five beams that were upon the pillars, fifteen in a row. ^7:4 And there were beams in three rows and window was opposite window in three ranks. ^7:5 And all the doors and posts were made square with beams and window was opposite window in three ranks.

^7:6 And he made the porch of pillars. The length of it was fifty cubits and the breadth of it thirty cubits and a porch in front of them and pillars and a threshold in front of them. ^7:7 And he made the porch of the throne where he was to judge, even the porch of judgment. And it was covered with cedar from floor to floor. ^7:8 And his house where he was to dwell, the other court within the porch was of the like work. He also made a house for Pharaoh's daughter (whom Solomon had taken as a wife), like this porch.

^7:9 All these were of costly stones, even of hewn stone, according to measure, sawed with saws, inside and outside, even from the foundation to the coping and so on the outside to the great court. ^7:10 And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits. ^7:11And above were costly stones, even hewn stone, according to measure and cedar-wood. ^7:12 And the great court all around had three courses of hewn stone and a course of cedar beams, like the inner court of the house of Jehovah and the porch of the house.

^7:13 And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. ^7:14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali and his father was a man of Tyre, a workman in brass. And he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill, to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon and worked all his work.

^7:15 And he fashioned the two pillars of brass, eighteen cubits high apiece. And a line of twelve cubits encompassed each of them around. ^7:16 And he made two capitals of molten brass to set upon the tops of the pillars. The height of the one capital was five cubits and the height of the other capital was five cubits.

^7:17 There were nets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital and seven for the other capital. ^7:18 So he made the pillars. And there were two rows all around upon the one lattice-work to cover the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars. And so he did for the other capital. ^7:19 And the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars in the porch were of lily-work, four cubits.^7:20 And there were capitals also above upon the two pillars, close by the belly {circular area} which was beside the lattice-work. And the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows all around upon the other capital.

^7:21 And he set up the pillars at the porch of the temple. And he set up the right pillar and called the name of it Jachin and he set up the left pillar and called the name of it Boaz. ^7:22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily-work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

^7:23 And he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass and the height of it was five cubits. And a line of thirty cubits encompassed it all around. ^7:24 And under the brim of it all around there were gourds which encompassed it, for ten cubits, encompassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

^7:25 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 rear parts were turned inward. ^7:26 And it was a handbreadth thick. And the brim of it was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.

^7:27 And he made the ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base and four cubits the breadth of it and three cubits the height of it. ^7:28 And the work of the bases was on this manner: They had panels and there were panels between the ledges. ^7:29And on the panels that were between the ledges were lions, oxen and cherubim. And upon the ledges there was a pedestal above. And beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work.

^7:30 And every base had four brazen wheels and axles of brass. And the four corners of it had supports. Beneath the large-basin were the molten supports with wreaths at the side of each. ^7:31 And the mouth of it within the capital and above was a cubit. And the mouth of it was round after the work of a pedestal, a cubit and a half. And also upon the mouth of it were engravings. And their panels were square, not round.

^7:32 And the four wheels were underneath the panels. And the spokes of the wheels were in the base. And the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit. ^7:33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel. Their axle and their rims and their spokes and their hubs, were all molten.

^7:34 And there were four supports at the four corners of each base. The supports of it were of the base itself. ^7:35 And in the top of the base there was a round band half a cubit high. And on the top of the base the ledges of it and the panels of it were of the same. ^7:36 And on the plates of the ledges of it and on the panels of it, he engraved cherubim, lions and palm trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths all around.

^7:37 After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure and one form.^7:38 And he made ten basins of brass. One basin contained forty baths. And every basin was four cubits. And upon every one of the ten bases one basin. ^7:39 And he set the bases, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house. And he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.

^7:40 And Hiram made the basins and the shovels and the bowls. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he worked for king Solomon in the house of Jehovah:

^7:41 the two pillars and the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars and the two lattice-works to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, ^7:42 and the four hundred pomegranates for the two lattice-works, two rows of pomegranates for each lattice-work, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were upon the pillars, ^7:43 and the ten bases and the ten basins on the bases, ^7:44 and the one sea and the twelve oxen under the sea, ^7:45 and the pots and the shovels and the bowls. And all these vessels, which Hiram made for king Solomon in the house of Jehovah were of burnished brass.

^7:46 The king cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan. ^7:47And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed because they were very many; the weight of the brass could not be found out.

^7:48 And Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of Jehovah: the golden altar and the table upon it the showbread was, of gold; ^7:49 and the lamp-stands, five on the right side and five on the left, before the oracle, of pure gold; and the flowers and the lamps and the tongs, of gold; ^7:50 and the cups and the snuffers and the basins and the spoons and the censors, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place and for the doors of the house, namely, of the temple, of gold.

^7:51 Thus all the work that king Solomon worked in the house of Jehovah was finished. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated– the silver and the gold and the vessels– and put them in the treasuries of the house of Jehovah.

[1 Kings 8] TOC

^8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers of the sons of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion. ^8:2And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. ^8:3 And all the elders of Israel came and the priests took up the ark. ^8:4 And they brought up the ark of Jehovah and the tent of meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; even these the priests and the Levites brought up.

^8:5 And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted nor numbered for a multitude.

^8:6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim. ^8:7 Because the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves of it above.^8:8 And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place before the oracle. But they were not seen outside. And they are there to this day.

^8:9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb when Jehovah made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

^8:10 And it happened, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Jehovah, ^8:11 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud, because the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah.

^8:12 Then Solomon spoke, Jehovah has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. ^8:13 I have surely built you a house of dwelling, a place for you to dwell in everlasting.

^8:14 And the king turned his face around and blessed all the assembly of Israel. And all the assembly of Israel stood. ^8:15 And he said, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father and has with his hand fulfilled it, saying, ^8:16 Since the day that I brought out my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be there, but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

^8:17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^8:18 But Jehovah said to David my father, Because it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. ^8:19Nevertheless you will not build the house, but your son that will come forth out of your loins, he will build the house for my name.

^8:20 And Jehovah has established his word that he spoke, and I have risen up in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised and have built the house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^8:21 And there I have set a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

^8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread forth his hands toward heaven. ^8:23 And he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart, ^8:24who have kept with your servant David my father what you did promise him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day.

^8:25 Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, There will not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.

^8:26 Now therefore, O God of Israel, I beseech you, let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David my father. ^8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you. How much less this house that I have built!

^8:28 Yet have you respect to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you this day, ^8:29 that your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof you have said, My name will be there, to listen to the prayer which your servant will pray toward this place. ^8:30 And listen you to the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel, when they will pray toward this place. Yes, hear you in heaven your dwelling-place and when you hear, forgive.

^8:31 If a man sins against his neighbor and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear and he comes and swears before your altar in this house, ^8:32then hear you in heaven and do and judge your servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

^8:33 When your people Israel are struck down before the enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn again to you and confess your name and pray and make supplication to you in this house,^8:34 then hear you in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land which you gave to their fathers.

^8:35 When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin when you afflict them, ^8:36 then hear you in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk and send rain upon your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.

^8:37 If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight, mildew, locust or caterpillar, if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness there be, ^8:38 whatever prayer and supplication be made by any man, or by all your people Israel, who will know every man the plague of his own heart and spread forth his hands toward this house, ^8:39 then hear you in heaven your dwelling-place and forgive and do and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (because you, even you only, know the hearts of all the sons of men), ^8:40 that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land which you gave to our fathers.

^8:41 Moreover concerning the foreigner who is not of your people Israel, when he will come out of a far country for your name's sake ^8:42 (because they will hear of your great name and of your mighty hand and of your outstretched arm), when he will come and pray toward this house, ^8:43 hear you in heaven your dwelling-place and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for, that all the peoples of the earth may know your name, to fear you, as does your people Israel and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.

^8:44 If your people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way you will send them and they pray to Jehovah toward the city which you have chosen and toward the house which I have built for your name, ^8:45 then hear you in heaven their prayer and their supplication and maintain their cause.

^8:46 If they sin against you (because there is no man that sins not) and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to the land of the enemy, afar off or near, ^8:47 yet if they will rethink themselves in the land where they are carried captive and turn again and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried them captive, saying, We have sinned and have done perversely, we have dealt wickedly,^8:48 if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who carried them captive and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city which you have chosen and the house which I have built for your name, ^8:49 then hear you their prayer and their supplication in heaven your dwelling place and maintain their case, ^8:50 and forgive your people who have sinned against you and all their transgressions by which they have transgressed against you and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them ^8:51 (because they are your people and your inheritance, which you brought forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron); ^8:52 that your eyes may be open to the supplication of your servant and to the supplication of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they cry to you.

^8:53 Because you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth, to be your inheritance, as you spoke by Moses your servant when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah.

^8:54 And it was so, that, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to Jehovah, he arose from before the altar of Jehovah, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

^8:55 And he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying, ^8:56 Praise Jehovah, who has given rest to his people Israel according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant. ^8:57 Jehovah our God be with us as he was with our fathers. Let him not leave us, nor forsake us, ^8:58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.

^8:59 And let these my words, with which I have made supplication before Jehovah, be near to Jehovah our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as every day will require, ^8:60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that Jehovah, he is God; there is none else. ^8:61 Let your^* heart therefore be perfect with Jehovah our God, to walk in his statutes and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

^8:62 And the king and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before Jehovah. ^8:63 And Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered to Jehovah, twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house of Jehovah.

^8:64 The same day the king made the middle of the court holy that was before the house of Jehovah, because he offered the burnt-offering there and the food-offering and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar that was before Jehovah was too little to receive the burnt-offering and the food-offering and the fat of the peace-offerings.

^8:65 So Solomon held the feast at that time and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt, before Jehovah our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days. ^8:66 On the eighth day he sent the people away. And they blessed the king and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that Jehovah had shown to David his servant and to Israel his people.

[1 Kings 9] TOC

^9:1 And it happened, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of Jehovah and the king's house and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do, ^9:2 that Jehovah appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. ^9:3And Jehovah said to him, I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before me. I have made this house holy, which you have built, to put my name there until everlasting. And my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually.

^9:4 And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you and will keep my statutes and my ordinances, ^9:5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel everlasting, just-as I promised to David your father, saying, There will not fail you a man upon the throne of Israel.

^9:6 But if you^* will turn away from following me, you^* or your^* sons and not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you^*, but will go and serve other gods and worship them, ^9:7then I will cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them. And this house, which I have made holy for my name, I will cast out of my sight. And Israel will be a proverb and a parable among all peoples.

^9:8 And though this house is so high, yet will every man who passes by it is astonished and will hiss. And they will say, Why has Jehovah done thus to this land and to this house? ^9:9 and they will answer, Because they forsook Jehovah their God, who brought out their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore has Jehovah brought all this evil upon them.

^9:10 And it happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the house of Jehovah and the king's house ^9:11 (now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees and with gold, according to all his desire), that king Solomon then gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

^9:12 And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him. And they did not please him. ^9:13 And he said, What cities are these which you have given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul to this day. ^9:14 And Hiram sent to the king one hundred and twenty talants of gold.

^9:15 And this is the reason for the forced-labor which king Solomon raised: to build the house of Jehovah and his own house and Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer.

^9:16 Pharaoh King of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer and burnt it with fire and slain the Canaanites who dwelt in the city and given it for a portion to his daughter, Solomon's wife.

^9:17 And Solomon built Gezer and Beth-horon the nether, ^9:18 and Baalath and Tamar in the wilderness, in the land, ^9:19 and all the store-cities that Solomon had and the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen and what Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem and in Lebanon and in all the land of his dominion.

^9:20 As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, who were not of the sons of Israel, ^9:21their sons who were left after them in the land, whom the sons of Israel were not able utterly to destroy, of them Solomon raised force-labor of bondservants to this day.

^9:22 But of the sons of Israel Solomon made no bondservants, but they were the men of war and his servants and his rulers and his captains and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen. ^9:23 These were the chief officers who were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, who bore rule over the people that labored in the work.

^9:24 But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David to her house which Solomon had built for her. Then he built Millo. ^9:25 And three times a year Solomon offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings upon the altar which he built to Jehovah, burning incense on it, upon the altar that was before Jehovah. So he finished the house.

^9:26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth {Elath}, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. ^9:27 And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, seamen who had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.^9:28 And they came to Ophir and fetched gold from there, four hundred and twenty talants and brought it to king Solomon.

[1 Kings 10] TOC

^10:1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Jehovah, she came to prove him with hard questions. ^10:2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him of all that was in her heart. ^10:3And Solomon answered to her all her questions; there was not anything hid from the king which he did not answer.

^10:4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon and the house that he had built, ^10:5 and the food of his table and the seating of his servants and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel and his cupbearers and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Jehovah, there was no more spirit in her.

^10:6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom. ^10:7 However I did not believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.

^10:8 Your men are fortunate, these, your servants, are fortunate who stand continually before you, who hear your wisdom. ^10:9 Praise Jehovah your God, who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because Jehovah loved Israel everlasting, therefore he made you king, to do justice and righteousness.

^10:10 And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talants of gold and of spices a very great store and precious stones. There came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

^10:11 And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of algum trees and precious stones. ^10:12 And the king made pillars of the algum trees for the house of Jehovah and for the king's house, also harps and psalteries for the singers. There have come no such algum trees, nor were seen, to this day.

^10:13 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon gave her of his royal bounty.

So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.

^10:14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty and six talants of gold, ^10:15 besides what the traders brought and the traffic of the merchants and of all the kings of Arabia and of the governors of the country.

^10:16 And king Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler. ^10:17 And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pounds of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

^10:18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with the finest gold. ^10:19 There were six steps to the throne and the top of the throne was round behind. And there were supports on either side by the place of the seat and two lions standing beside the supports. ^10:20 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.

^10:21 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. None were of silver; it was accounted of nothing in the days of Solomon. ^10:22 Because the king had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram. Once every three years the navy of Tarshish came, bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks.

^10:23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. ^10:24 And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. ^10:25 And every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver and vessels of gold and garments and armor and spices, horses and mules, a rate year by year.

^10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. And he had a thousand and four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.

^10:27 And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones and cedars he made to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.

^10:28 And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. And the king's merchants received them in herds, each herd at a price. ^10:29 And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver and a horse for a hundred and fifty. And so for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria, they brought them out by their means.

[1 Kings 11] TOC

^11:1 Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites, ^11:2 of the nations concerning which Jehovah said to the sons of Israel, You^* will not go among them, neither will they come among you^*, surely they will turn away your^* heart after their gods. Solomon clung to these in love.

^11:3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses and three hundred concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.

^11:4 And it happened, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods. And his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God as was the heart of David his father. ^11:5 And Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

^11:6 And Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and went not fully after Jehovah as did David his father. ^11:7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab on the mountain that is before Jerusalem and for Molech the abomination of the sons of Ammon. ^11:8 And so he did for all his foreign wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed to their gods.

^11:9 And Jehovah was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from Jehovah, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, ^11:10and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what Jehovah commanded.

^11:11 Therefore Jehovah said to Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done by you and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. ^11:12Only, I will not do it in your days, for David your father's sake, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. ^11:13 Only, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant's sake and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

^11:14 And Jehovah raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the king's seed in Edom. ^11:15 And it happened, when David was in Edom and Joab the captain of the army had gone up to bury the slain and had struck every male in Edom ^11:16 (because Joab and all Israel remained there six months until he had cut off every male in Edom), ^11:17that Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt, Hadad being yet a little child.

^11:18 And they arose out of Midian and came to Paran. And they took men with them out of Paran and they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh King of Egypt, who gave him a house and appointed him provisions and gave him land.

^11:19 And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him as a wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. ^11:20And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh.

^11:21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab the captain of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart that I may go to my own country. ^11:22 Then Pharaoh said to him, But what have you lacked with me, that, behold, you seek to go to your own country? And he answered, Nothing, however only let me depart.

^11:23 And God raised up another adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah. ^11:24 And he gathered men to him and became captain over a troop when David killed them of Zobah. And they went to Damascus and dwelt in it and reigned in Damascus.^11:25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the mischief that Hadad did. And he despised Israel and reigned over Syria.

^11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah {Zereda}, a servant of Solomon whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand against the king.^11:27 And this was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo and repaired the breach of the city of David his father.^11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. And Solomon saw the young man that he was industrious and he gave him charge over all the labor of the house of Joseph.

^11:29 And it happened at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way. Now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment and the two were alone in the field. ^11:30 And Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him and tore it in twelve pieces.

^11:31 And he said to Jeroboam, You take ten pieces, because Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you ^11:32 (but he will have one tribe, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), ^11:33 because that they have forsaken me and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab and Milcom the god of the sons of Ammon. And they have not walked in my ways, to do what is right in my eyes and to keep my statutes and my ordinances as David his father did.

^11:34 However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him prince all the days of his life, for David my servant's sake whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes.^11:35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and will give it to you, even ten tribes. ^11:36 And I will give one tribe to his son, that David my servant may have a lamp always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for me to put my name there. ^11:37 And I will take you and you will reign according to all that your soul desires and will be king over Israel.

^11:38 And it will be, if you will listen to all that I command you and will walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did. That I will be with you and will build you a sure house as I built for David and will give Israel to you. ^11:39 And for this I will afflict the seed of David, but not forever.

^11:40 Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak King of Egypt and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

^11:41 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and all that he did and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? ^11:42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. ^11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned instead of him.

[1 Kings 12] TOC

^12:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel came to Shechem to make him king. ^12:2 And it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (and he was yet in Egypt where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt, ^12:3 and they sent and called him), that Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, ^12:4 Your father made our yoke grievous. Now therefore make the grievous service of your father lighter and his heavy yoke which he put upon us and we will serve you. ^12:5And he said to them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.

^12:6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give you^* to me to return an answer to this people? ^12:7 And they spoke to him, saying, If you will be a servant to this people this day and will serve them and answer them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.

^12:8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him and took counsel with the young men that grew up with him, who stood before him. ^12:9 And he said to them, What counsel give you^*, that we may return an answer to this people who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father put upon us lighter?

^12:10 And the young men that grew up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus you will say to this people that spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter to us; thus will you speak to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins. ^12:11 And now in what my father burdened you^* with a heavy yoke, I will add to your^* yoke. My father disciplined you^* with whips, but I will chastise you^* with scorpions.

^12:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king commanded, saying, Come to me again the third day. ^12:13 And the king answered the people roughly and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him,^12:14 and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your^* yoke heavy, but I will add to your^* yoke. My father disciplined you^* with whips, but I will chastise you^* with scorpions.

^12:15 So the king did not listen to the people, because it was a thing brought about by Jehovah, that he might establish his word, which Jehovah spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

^12:16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your^* tents, O Israel. Now see to your own house, David. So Israel departed to their tents.

^12:17 But as for the sons of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.^12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram who was over the men subject to forced-labor. And all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. ^12:19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.

^12:20 And it happened, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was returned, that they sent and called him to the congregation and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David, but only the tribe of Judah.

^12:21 And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

^12:22 But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, ^12:23 Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying, ^12:24 Jehovah says thus, You^* will not go up, nor fight against your^* brothers the sons of Israel. Return every man to his house, because this thing is of me. So they listened to the word of Jehovah and returned and went their way according to the word of Jehovah.

^12:25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim and dwelt in it. And he went out from there and built Penuel.

^12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. ^12:27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah. And they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.

^12:28 Upon it the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to them, It is too much for you^* to go up to Jerusalem. Behold your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt. ^12:29 And he set the one in Bethel and the other he put in Dan. ^12:30 And this thing became a sin, and the people went to worship before the one, even to Dan. ^12:31 And he made houses of high places and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.

^12:32 And Jeroboam made a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast that is in Judah and he went up to the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made. ^12:33 And he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart. And he made a feast for the sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense.

[1 Kings 13] TOC

^13:1 And behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of Jehovah to Bethel. And Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense.^13:2 And he cried against the altar by the word of Jehovah and said, O altar, altar, Jehovah says thus: Behold, a son will be born to the house of David, Josiah by name. And upon you will he sacrifice the priests of the high places that burn incense upon you and men's bones they will burn upon you.

^13:3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which Jehovah has spoken: Behold, the altar will be torn and the ashes that are upon it will be poured out.

^13:4 And it happened, when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, that Jeroboam put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to him. ^13:5 The altar also was torn and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of Jehovah.

^13:6 And the king answered and said to the man of God, Entreat now the favor of Jehovah your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored to me again. And the man of God entreated Jehovah and the king's hand was restored to him again and became as it was before.

^13:7 And the king said to the man of God, Come home with me and refresh yourself and I will give you a reward. ^13:8 And the man of God said to the king, If you will give me half your house, I will not go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place; ^13:9 because so it was charged me by the word of Jehovah, saying, You will eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that you came. ^13:10 So he went another way and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.

^13:11 Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel. And one of his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. The words which he had spoken to the king, they also told them to their father.

^13:12 And their father said to them, What way did he go? Now his sons had seen what way the man of God went, who came from Judah. ^13:13 And he said to his sons, Saddle the donkey for me. So they saddled him the donkey and he rode on it. ^13:14 And he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. And he said to him, Are you the man of God who came from Judah? And he said, I am.

^13:15 Then he said to him, Come home with me and eat bread. ^13:16 And he said, I may not return with you, nor go in with you. Neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place; ^13:17 because it was said to me by the word of Jehovah, You will eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that you came.

^13:18 And he said to him, I also am a prophet as you are. And a messenger spoke to me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied to him.

^13:19 So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water. ^13:20 And it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of Jehovah came to the prophet who brought him back.

^13:21 And he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, Jehovah says thus, Forasmuch as you have been disobedient to the mouth of Jehovah and have not kept the commandment which Jehovah your God commanded you, ^13:22 but came back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water, your body will not come to the sepulcher of your fathers.

^13:23 And it happened, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, namely, for the prophet whom he had brought back. ^13:24 And when he had gone, a lion met him by the way and killed him. And his body was cast in the way and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the body. ^13:25 And behold, men passed by and saw the body cast in the way and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.

^13:26 And when the prophet who brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, It is the man of God who was disobedient to the mouth of Jehovah. Therefore Jehovah has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and slain him, according to the word of Jehovah which he spoke to him.

^13:27 And he spoke to his sons, saying, Saddle the donkey for me. And they saddled it. ^13:28 And he went and found his body cast in the way and the donkey and the lion standing by the body. The lion had not eaten the body, nor torn the donkey.

^13:29 And the prophet took up the body of the man of God and laid it upon the donkey and brought it back. And he came to the city of the old prophet, to mourn and to bury him. ^13:30 And he laid his body in his own grave. And they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother!

^13:31 And it happened, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulcher in which the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones. ^13:32Because the saying which he cried by the word of Jehovah against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, will surely happen.

^13:33 After this thing Jeroboam did not return from his evil way, but again made from among all the people priests of the high places. Whoever would, he consecrated him, that there might be priests of the high places. ^13:34 And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth.

[1 Kings 14] TOC

^14:1 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. ^14:2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I beseech you and disguise yourself that you not be known to be the wife of Jeroboam and get you to Shiloh. Behold, there is Ahijah the prophet who spoke concerning me that I should be king over this people. ^14:3 And take with you ten loaves and cakes and an earthenware of honey and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the child. ^14:4 And Jeroboam's wife did so and arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah.

Now Ahijah could not see, because his eyes were set because of his age. ^14:5 And Jehovah said to Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam comes to inquire of you concerning her son, because he is sick. Thus and thus you will say to her, and it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.

^14:6 And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, you wife of Jeroboam. Why pretend to be another? And I am sent to you with heavy news.

^14:7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Forasmuch as I exalted you from among the people and made you prince over my people Israel, ^14:8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it you and yet you have not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments and who followed me with all his heart to do only what was right in my eyes, ^14:9 but have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made you other gods and molten images to provoke me to anger and have cast me behind your back, ^14:10 therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every one who urinates on the wall {i.e. a male}, he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam as a man sweeps away manure, till it is all gone.

^14:11 He who dies of Jeroboam in the city will the dogs eat and he who dies in the field will the birds of the heavens eat, because Jehovah has spoken it.

^14:12 Arise you therefore, get you to your house. When your feet enter into the city, the child will die.^14:13 And all Israel will mourn for him and bury him, because he only of Jeroboam will come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward Jehovah, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.

^14:14 Moreover Jehovah will raise up a king for him over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam that day. But what? Even now. ^14:15 And Jehovah will kill^* Israel as a reed is shaken in the water. And he will root up Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers and will scatter them beyond the River because they have made their Asherim {pole-images}, provoking Jehovah to anger.^14:16 And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he has sinned and with which he has made Israel to sin.

^14:17 And Jeroboam's wife arose and departed and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of the house, the child died. ^14:18 And all Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the prophet.

^14:19 And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. ^14:20 And the days which Jeroboam reigned were twenty-two years and he slept with his fathers. And Nadab his son reigned instead of him.

^14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Jehovah had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

^14:22 And Judah did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, above all that their fathers had done. ^14:23 And they also built for them high places and pillars and Asherim {pole-images}, on every high hill and under every green tree. ^14:24 And there were also sodomites in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which Jehovah drove out before the sons of Israel.

^14:25 And it happened in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. ^14:26 And he took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house. He even took away all. And he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

^14:27 And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard who kept the door of the king's house. ^14:28 And it was so, that, as often as the king went into the house of Jehovah, the guard bore them and brought them back into the guard-chamber.

^14:29 Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.^14:31 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess. And Abijah his son reigned instead of him.

[1 Kings 15] TOC

^15:1 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijah began to reign over Judah.^15:2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. ^15:3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him. And his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God as the heart of David his father.

^15:4 But for David's sake Jehovah his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem, ^15:5 because David did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

^15:6 Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life. ^15:7 And the rest of the acts of Abijah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

^15:8 And Abijah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned instead of him. ^15:9 And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam King of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah. ^15:10 And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. And his grandmother's name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.

^15:11 And Asa did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah as David his father did. ^15:12 And he put away the sodomites out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. ^15:13 And also he removed Maacah his grandmother from being queen because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

^15:14 But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect with Jehovah all his days. ^15:15 And he brought into the house of Jehovah the things that his father had dedicated and the things that he himself had dedicated, silver and gold and vessels.

^15:16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha King of Israel all their days. ^15:17 And Baasha King of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

^15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house and delivered them into the hand of his servants. And king Asa sent them to Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt at Damascus, saying, ^15:19 There is a league between me and you, between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold. Go, break your league with Baasha King of Israel, that he may depart from me.

^15:20 And Ben-hadad listened to king Asa and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel and killed^* Ijon and Dan and Abelbeth-maacah and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. ^15:21And it happened, when Baasha heard of it, that he left off building Ramah and dwelt in Tirzah.

^15:22 Then king Asa made a proclamation to all Judah; none was exempted. And they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timber of it, with which Baasha had built. And king Asa built with it Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

^15:23 Now the rest of all the acts of Asa and all his might and all that he did and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet. ^15:24 And Asa slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned instead of him.

^15:25 And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah. And he reigned over Israel two years. ^15:26 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and walked in the way of his father and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.

^15:27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. And Baasha killed^* him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, and Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. ^15:28 Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah and reigned instead of him.

^15:29 And it happened that, as soon as he was king, he killed^* all the house of Jeroboam. He left to Jeroboam not any who breathed, until he had destroyed him according to the saying of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite,^15:30 because the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned and with which he made Israel to sin, because of his provocation with which he provoked Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger.

^15:31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^15:32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha King of Israel all their days.

^15:33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, and reigned twenty-four years. ^15:34And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.

[1 Kings 16] TOC

^16:1 And the word of Jehovah came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, ^16:2 Forasmuch as I exalted you out of the dust and made you prince over my people Israel and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins, ^16:3behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ^16:4 He of Baasha who dies in the city will the dogs eat and he of his who dies in the field will the birds of the heavens eat.

^16:5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

^16:6 And Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah and Elah his son reigned instead of him. ^16:7 And moreover the word of Jehovah came against Baasha by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani and against his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger with the work of his hands in being like the house of Jeroboam and because he killed^* him.

^16:8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and reigned two years. ^16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah.

^16:10 And Zimri went in and killed^* him and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah and reigned instead of him. ^16:11 And it happened, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he killed^* all the house of Baasha. He left him not a single one who urinates on the wall {i.e. a male}, neither of his kinfolks, nor of his friends.

^16:12 Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, ^16:13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and with which they made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.

^16:14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

^16:15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. ^16:16 And the people who were encamped heard say, Zimri has conspired and has also struck the king. Therefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. ^16:17 And Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him and they besieged Tirzah.

^16:18 And it happened, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the castle of the king's house and burnt the king's house over him with fire, ^16:19 and died for his sins which he sinned in doing what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, in walking in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he did to make Israel to sin.

^16:20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and his treason that he worked, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

^16:21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts; half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king and half followed Omri.^16:22 But the people who followed Omri prevailed against the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri reigned.

^16:23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and reigned twelve years. He reigned six years in Tirzah. ^16:24 And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talants of silver. And he built on the hill and called the name of the city which he built after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria.

^16:25 And Omri did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and dealt wickedly above all who were before him. ^16:26 And he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and in his sins with which he made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.

^16:27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did and his might that he showed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria and Ahab his son reigned instead of him.

^16:29 And in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel. And Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. ^16:30 And Ahab the son of Omri did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah above all who were before him.

^16:31 And it happened, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took a wife, Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians and went and served Baal and worshiped him.

^16:32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. ^16:33And Ahab made the Asherah. And Ahab did yet more to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

^16:34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite {from Bethel} build Jericho. He laid the foundation of it with the loss of Abiram his firstborn and set up the gates of it with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

[1 Kings 17] TOC

^17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the travelers of Gilead, said to Ahab, As Jehovah, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

^17:2 And the word of Jehovah came to him, saying, ^17:3 You get from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith that is before the Jordan. ^17:4 And it will be, that you will drink of the brook and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.

^17:5 So he went and did according to the word of Jehovah, and he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is before the Jordan. ^17:6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening and he drank of the brook. ^17:7And it happened after a while, that the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land.

^17:8 And the word of Jehovah came to him, saying, ^17:9 Arise, get you to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you. ^17:10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, I beseech you, fetch me a little water in a vessel that I may drink. ^17:11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her and said, I beseech you, bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.

^17:12 And she said, As Jehovah your God lives, I do not have a cake, but a handful of meal in the pitcher and a little oil in the jar. And behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son that we may eat it and die.

^17:13 And Elijah said to her, Do not fear, go and do as you have said. But make me of it a little cake first and bring it forth to me and afterward make for you and for your son. ^17:14 Because Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, The pitcher of meal will not be used up, neither will the jar of oil fail, until the day that Jehovah sends rain upon the earth.

^17:15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah. And she and he and her house, ate many days. ^17:16 The pitcher of meal was not used up, neither did the jar of oil fail, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by Elijah.

^17:17 And it happened after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. ^17:18 And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with you, O you man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to kill my son!

^17:19 And he said to her, Give me your son. And he took him out of her bosom and carried him up into the chamber where he abode and laid him upon his own bed. ^17:20 And he cried to Jehovah and said, O Jehovah my God, have you also brought evil upon the widow with whom I journey by slaying her son?^17:21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to Jehovah and said, O Jehovah my God, I beseech you, let this child's soul come into him again.

^17:22 And Jehovah listened to the voice of Elijah and the soul of the child came into him again and he revived. ^17:23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, See, your son lives. ^17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of Jehovah in your mouth is truth.

[1 Kings 18] TOC

^18:1 And it happened after many days, that the word of Jehovah came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, Go, show yourself to Ahab and I will send rain upon the earth. ^18:2 And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And the famine was severe in Samaria.

^18:3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Jehovah greatly; ^18:4and it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)

^18:5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, Go through the land, to all the fountains of water and to all the brooks. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we not lose all the beasts. ^18:6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it; Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way by himself.

^18:7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him. And he knew him and fell on his face and said, Is it you, my lord Elijah? ^18:8 And he answered him, It is I. Go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here. ^18:9 And he said, How have I sinned that you would deliver your servant into the hand of Ahab to kill me? ^18:10 As Jehovah your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they said, He is not here, he took an oath from the kingdom and nation that they did not find you.

^18:11 And now you say, Go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here. ^18:12 And it will happen, as soon as I have gone from you, that the Spirit of Jehovah will carry you where I do not know. And so when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me. But I your servant fear Jehovah from my youth.

^18:13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of Jehovah, how I hid a hundred men of Jehovah's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? ^18:14 And now you say, Go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here and he will kill me.

^18:15 And Elijah said, As Jehovah of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today. ^18:16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him and Ahab went to meet Elijah. ^18:17 And it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, Is it you, you troubler of Israel? ^18:18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house, in that you^* have forsaken the commandments of Jehovah and you have followed the Baals {Baalim}.

^18:19 Now therefore send and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table. ^18:20 So Ahab sent to all the sons of Israel and gathered the prophets together to Mount Carmel.

^18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, How long do you^* go limping between the two sides? If Jehovah be God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

^18:22 Then Elijah said to the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah, but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. ^18:23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood and put no fire under. And I will dress the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire under.

^18:24 And call you^* on the name of your^* god and I will call on the name of Jehovah. And the God that answers by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

^18:25 And Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose you^* one bull for yourselves and dress it first, for you^* are many and call on the name of your^* god, but put no fire under. ^18:26 And they took the bull which was given them and they dressed it and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us.

But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made.

^18:27 And it happened at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, Cry aloud, because he is a god. Either he is meditating, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened. ^18:28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them.

^18:29 And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening offering, but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

^18:30 And Elijah said to all the people, Come near to me. And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of Jehovah that was thrown down.

^18:31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob to whom the word of Jehovah came, saying, Israel will be your name. ^18:32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of Jehovah. And he made a trench around the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. ^18:33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt-offering and on the wood. ^18:34 And he said, Do it the second time and they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time and they did it the third time. ^18:35 And the water ran all around the altar and he also filled the trench with water.

^18:36 And it happened at the time of the offering of the evening offering, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and that I have done all these things at your word. ^18:37 Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that you, Jehovah, are God and that you have turned their heart back again.

^18:38 Then the fire of Jehovah fell and consumed the burnt-offering and the wood and the stones and the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench. ^18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. And they said, Jehovah, he is God, Jehovah, he is God. ^18:40 and Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape. And they took them and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and killed them there.

^18:41 And Elijah said to Ahab, get up, eat and drink, because there is the sound of a roar of heavy rain.^18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel and he bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees.

^18:43 And he said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up and looked and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again, seven times. ^18:44 And it happened at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, a cloud rises out of the sea, as small as a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say to Ahab, Make ready your chariot and get you down, that the rain not stop you.

^18:45 And it happened in a little while, that the heavens grew black with clouds and wind and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.^18:46 And the hand of Jehovah was on Elijah and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

[1 Kings 19] TOC

^19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and also how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. ^19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.

^19:3 And when he saw that, he arose and went for his life. And he came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah and left his servant there. ^19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a juniper tree. And he requested for himself that he might die and said, It is enough, now, O Jehovah, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.

^19:5 And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree, and behold, a messenger touched him and said to him, Arise and eat. ^19:6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and laid him down again.

^19:7 And the messenger of Jehovah came again the second time and touched him and said, Arise and eat because the journey is too great for you. ^19:8 And he arose and ate and drank and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mountain of God.

^19:9 And he came to a cave there and lodged there. And behold, the word of Jehovah came to him and he said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?^19:10 And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. For the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars and slain your prophets with the sword. And I, even I only, am left and they seek my life, to take it away.

^19:11 And he said, Go forth and stand upon the mountain before Jehovah. And behold, Jehovah passed by and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before Jehovah, but Jehovah was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but Jehovah was not in the earthquake. ^19:12 And after the earthquake a fire, but Jehovah was not in the fire. And after the fire a still small voice.

^19:13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? ^19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts. For the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars and slain your prophets with the sword. And I, even I only, am left and they seek my life to take it away.

^19:15 And Jehovah said to him, Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you come, you will anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. ^19:16 And you will anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel. And you will anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah to be prophet in your place. ^19:17 And it will happen, that he who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill. And he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.

^19:18 Yet I have reserved for me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal and every mouth which has not kissed him.

^19:19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and cast his mantle upon him. ^19:20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, I beseech you, let me kiss my father and my mother and then I will follow you. And he said to him, Go back again, for what have I done to you?

^19:21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and killed them and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen and gave to the people and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and ministered to him.

[1 Kings 20] TOC

^20:1 And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. And there were thirty-two kings with him and horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria and fought against it. ^20:2 And he sent messengers to Ahab King of Israel, into the city and said to him, Thus says Ben-hadad, ^20:3 Your silver and your gold is mine, your wives also and your sons, even the best, are mine. ^20:4 And the King of Israel answered and said, It is according to your saying, my lord, O king, I am your and all that I have.

^20:5 And the messengers came again and said, Thus speaks Ben-hadad, saying, I indeed sent to you, saying, You will deliver to me your silver and your gold and your wives and your sons. ^20:6 But I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time and they will search your house and the houses of your servants. And it will be, that whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hand and take it away.

^20:7 Then the King of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, Mark, I beseech you^* and see how this man seeks mischief, for he sent to me for my wives and for my sons and for my silver and for my gold and I did not deny him. ^20:8 And all the elders and all the people said to him, Do you not listen, nor consent.

^20:9 Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell my lord the king, All that you sent for to your servant at the first I will do, but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed and brought him word again.

^20:10 And Ben-hadad sent to him and said, The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria will suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. ^20:11 And the King of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let he who girds on his armor boast himself as he who puts it off.

^20:12 And it happened, when Ben-hadad heard this message as he was drinking, he and the kings, in the pavilions, that he said to his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.

^20:13 And behold, a prophet came near to Ahab King of Israel and said, Jehovah says thus, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this day and you will know that I am Jehovah. ^20:14 And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Jehovah says thus, By the young men of the rulers of the provinces. Then he said, Who will begin the battle? And he answered, You.

^20:15 Then he mustered the young men of the rulers of the provinces and they were two hundred and thirty-two. And after them he mustered all the people, even all the sons of Israel, being seven thousand.

^20:16 And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty-two kings who helped him. ^20:17And the young men of the rulers of the provinces went out first. And Ben-hadad sent out and they told him, saying, There are men come out from Samaria.^20:18 And he said, Whether they come out for peace, take them alive, or whether they come out for war, take them alive.

^20:19 So these went out of the city, the young men of the rulers of the provinces and the army which followed them. ^20:20 And they killed everyone his man. And the Syrians fled and Israel pursued them. And Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with horsemen. ^20:21 And the King of Israel went out and killed^* the horses and chariots and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter.

^20:22 And the prophet came near to the King of Israel and said to him, Go, strengthen yourself. And mark and see what you do, for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against you.

^20:23 And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, Their god is a god of the hills, therefore they were stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the plain and surely we will be stronger than they.^20:24 And do this thing: Take the kings away, every man out of his place and put captains in their place.^20:25 And number you an army, like the army that you have lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. And we will fight against them in the plain and surely we will be stronger than they. And he listened to their voice and did so.

^20:26 And it happened at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. ^20:27 And the sons of Israel were mustered and were supported and went against them. And the sons of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of kids, but the Syrians filled the country.

^20:28 And a man of God came near and spoke to the King of Israel and said, Jehovah says thus, Because the Syrians have said, Jehovah is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand and you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^20:29 And they encamped one opposite the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined. And the sons of Israel killed of the Syrians a hundred thousand on foot in one day. ^20:30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city and the wall fell upon twenty-seven thousand men who were left. And Ben-hadad fled and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

^20:31 And his servants said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes upon our heads and go out to the King of Israel. Perhaps he will save your life. ^20:32 So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads and came to the King of Israel and said, Your servant Ben-hadad says, I beseech you, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? He is my brother.

^20:33 Now the men observed diligently whether anything would come from him. And they quickly caught it and they said, Your brother Ben-hadad. Then he said, Go, bring him. Then Ben-hadad came out to him and he caused him to come up into the chariot.

^20:34 And Ben-hadad said to him, The cities which my father took from your father I will restore and you will make streets for you in Damascus as my father made in Samaria. And I, said Ahab, will let you go with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him and let him go.

^20:35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said by the word of Jehovah to his fellow, Strike me, I beseech you. And the man refused to kill^* him. ^20:36 Then said he to him, Because you have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him and killed him.

^20:37 Then he found another man and said, Strike me, I beseech you. And the man killed^* him, slaying and wounding him. ^20:38 So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes.

^20:39 And as the king passed by, he cried out to the king and he said, Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me and said, Keep this man. If by any means he is missing, then will your life be for his life, or else you will pay a talant of silver. ^20:40And as your servant was busy here and there, he had gone. And the King of Israel said to him, So will your judgment be, yourself have decided it.

^20:41 And he hastened and took the headband away from his eyes and the King of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. ^20:42 And he said to him, Jehovah says thus, Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life will go for his life and your people for his people. ^20:43 And the King of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased and came to Samaria.

[1 Kings 21] TOC

^21:1 And it happened after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, near by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.^21:2 And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs because it is near to my house. And I will give you for it a better vineyard than it, or, if it seem good to you, I will give you the worth of it in money. ^21:3And Naboth said to Ahab, Jehovah forbid it of me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you.

^21:4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for he had said, I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid himself down upon his bed and turned away his face and would eat no bread.

^21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, Why is your spirit so sad that you eat no bread?^21:6 And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it. And he answered, I will not give you my vineyard.

^21:7 And Jezebel his wife said to him, Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be merry. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

^21:8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who were in his city, and who dwelt with Naboth. ^21:9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast and set Naboth on high among the people. ^21:10 And set two men, worthless fellows, before him and let them testify against him, saying, You cursed God and the king. And then carry him out and stone him to death.

^21:11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, just-as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them. ^21:12 They proclaimed a fast and set Naboth on high among the people.

^21:13 And the two men, the worthless fellows, came in and sat before him. And the worthless fellows testified against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth cursed God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city and stoned him to death with stones. ^21:14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned and is dead.

^21:15 And it happened, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead. ^21:16 And it happened, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite to take possession of it.

^21:17 And the word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ^21:18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab King of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth where he has gone down to take possession of it. ^21:19 And you will speak to him, saying, Jehovah says thus, Have you killed and also taken possession? And you will speak to him, saying, Jehovah says thus, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth will dogs lick your blood, even your.

^21:20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of Jehovah.

^21:21 Behold, I will bring evil upon you and will utterly sweep you away and will cut off from Ahab every one who urinates on the wall and he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel. ^21:22 And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger and have made Israel to sin.

^21:23 And Jehovah spoke also of Jezebel, saying, The dogs will eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel.^21:24 He who dies of Ahab in the city the dogs will eat and he who dies in the field will the birds of the heavens eat. ^21:25 (But there was none like Ahab, who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. ^21:26 And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites did whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel.)

^21:27 And it happened, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth upon his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went softly. ^21:28 And the word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ^21:29 You see how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son's days.

[1 Kings 22] TOC

^22:1 And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. ^22:2 And it happened in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the King of Israel. ^22:3 And the King of Israel said to his servants, Know that Ramoth-gilead is ours and we are still and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria? ^22:4 And he said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the King of Israel, I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.

^22:5 And Jehoshaphat said to the King of Israel, I beseech you, inquire first for the word of Jehovah.^22:6 Then the King of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men and said to them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.

^22:7 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him? ^22:8 And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, there is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Do not let the king say so.

^22:9 Then the King of Israel called an officer and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah. ^22:10Now the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. And all the prophets were prophesying before them.

^22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for him horns of iron and said, Jehovah says thus, With these you will push the Syrians until they are consumed. ^22:12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper, for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king.

^22:13 And the messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. I beseech you, let your word be like the word of one of them and speak good. ^22:14 And Micaiah said, As Jehovah lives, what Jehovah says to me, that I will speak.

^22:15 And when he came to the king, the king said to him, Micaiah, will we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or will we forbear? And he answered him, Go up and prosper and Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king. ^22:16 And the king said to him, How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah?

^22:17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And Jehovah said, These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace. ^22:18 And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

^22:19 And Micaiah said, Therefore hear the word of Jehovah. I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. ^22:20 And Jehovah said, Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner and another said on that manner.

^22:21 And there came out a spirit and stood before Jehovah and said, I will entice him. ^22:22 And Jehovah said to him, With what? And he said, I will go forth and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, You will entice him and will also prevail. Go forth and do so. ^22:23 Now therefore, behold, Jehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets and Jehovah has spoken evil concerning you.

^22:24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and killed^* Micaiah on the cheek and said, Which way did the Spirit of Jehovah go from me to speak to you? ^22:25 And Micaiah said, Behold, you will see on that day when you will go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.

^22:26 And the King of Israel said, Take Micaiah and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, ^22:27 and say, Thus says the king, Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction until I come in peace. ^22:28 And Micaiah said, If you return at all in peace, Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, you^* peoples, all of you^*.

^22:29 So the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. ^22:30 And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but put on your robes. And the King of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle.

^22:31 Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, except only with the King of Israel.

^22:32 And it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the King of Israel and they turned aside to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out. ^22:33 And it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the King of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

^22:34 And a certain man drew his bow at a venture and killed^* the King of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, Turn your hand and carry me out of the army, for I am severely wounded. ^22:35 And the battle increased that day. And the king was propped up in his chariot against the Syrians. And he died at evening and the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom of the chariot.

^22:36 And there went a cry throughout the army about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city and every man to his country.

^22:37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria and they buried the king in Samaria. ^22:38And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria and the dogs licked up his blood (now the prostitutes washed themselves there), according to the word of Jehovah which he spoke.

^22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did and the ivory house which he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^22:40 So Ahab slept with his fathers and Ahaziah his son reigned instead of him.

^22:41 And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab King of Israel. ^22:42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

^22:43 And he walked in all the way of Asa his father. He turned not aside from it, doing what was right in the eyes of Jehovah. However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. ^22:44And Jehoshaphat made peace with the King of Israel.

^22:45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat and his might that he showed and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

^22:46 And he put away out of the land the remnant of the sodomites, who remained in the days of his father Asa. ^22:47 And there was no king in Edom; a deputy was king. ^22:48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.^22:49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with your servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

^22:50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son reigned instead of him. ^22:51Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and he reigned two years over Israel.

^22:52 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, how he made Israel to sin. ^22:53 And he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked to anger Jehovah, the God of Israel, according to all that his father had done

[2 Kings 1] TOC

^1:1 And Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. ^1:2 And Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria and was sick. And he sent messengers and said to them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness.

^1:3 But the messenger of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you^* go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? ^1:4 Now therefore Jehovah says thus, You will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but will surely die. And Elijah departed.

^1:5 And the messengers returned to him and he said to them, Why is it that you^* are returned? ^1:6 And they said to him, There came up a man to meet us and said to us, Go, turn again to the king that sent you^* and say to him, Jehovah says thus, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you send to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but will surely die.

^1:7 And he said to them, What manner of man was he who came up to meet you^* and told you^* these words? ^1:8 And they answered him, He was a hairy man and girt with a belt of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

^1:9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he spoke to him, O man of God, the king has said, Come down.^1:10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. And there came down fire from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

^1:11 And again he sent to him another captain of fifty and his fifty. And he answered and said to him, O man of God, thus has the king said, Come down quickly. ^1:12 And Elijah answered and said to them, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

^1:13 And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and besought him and said to him, O man of God, I beseech you, let my life and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight. ^1:14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight. ^1:15 And the messenger of Jehovah said to Elijah, Go down with him; do not be afraid of him. And he arose and went down with him to the king.

^1:16 And he said to him, Jehovah says thus, Inasmuch as you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? Therefore you will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but will surely die. ^1:17 So he died according to the word of Jehovah which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram began to reign instead of him in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, because he had no son.

^1:18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

[2 Kings 2] TOC

^2:1 And it happened, when Jehovah would take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. ^2:2 And Elijah said to Elisha, I beseech you, remain here for Jehovah has sent me as far as Bethel. And Elisha said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel.

^2:3 And the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, Do you know that Jehovah will take away your master from your head today? And he said, Yes, I know it; hold your^* peace. ^2:4 And Elijah said to him, Elisha, I beseech you, remain here because Jehovah has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho.

^2:5 And the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came near to Elisha and said to him, Do you know that Jehovah will take away your master from your head today? And he answered, Yes, I know it; hold your^* peace. ^2:6 And Elijah said to him, I beseech you, remain here because Jehovah has sent me to the Jordan. And he said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And the two went on.

^2:7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them afar off. And the two stood by the Jordan. ^2:8 And Elijah took his mantle and wrapped it together and struck the waters and they were divided here and there, so that the two went over on dry ground.

^2:9 And it happened, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I will do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, I beseech you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. ^2:10 And he said, You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so to you, but if not, it will not be so.

^2:11 And it happened, as they still went on and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, which divided them both apart. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. ^2:12And Elisha saw it and he cried, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen of it! And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

^2:13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. ^2:14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah? And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there and Elisha went over.

^2:15 And when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha. And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

^2:16 And they said to him, Behold now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and seek your master, lest the Spirit of Jehovah has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, You^* will not send.

^2:17 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. Therefore they sent fifty men. And they sought three days, but did not find him. ^2:18 And they came back to him while he remained at Jericho. And he said to them, Did I not say to you^*, Do not go?

^2:19 And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad and the ground barren. ^2:20 And he said, Bring me a new jar and put salt in it. And they brought it to him. ^2:21And he went forth to the spring of the waters and cast salt in it and said, Jehovah says thus, I have healed these waters. There will not be from there any more death or barren land. ^2:22 So the waters were healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

^2:23 And he went up from there to Bethel. And as he was going up by the way, there came out young lads out of the city and mocked him and said to him, Go up, you baldheaded; go up, you baldheaded. ^2:24And he looked behind him and saw them and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. And there came out two female-bears out of the wood and tore forty-two lads of them. ^2:25 And he went from there to Mount Carmel and he returned from there to Samaria.

[2 Kings 3] TOC

^3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and reigned twelve years.^3:2 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, but not like his father and like his mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. ^3:3Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from there.

^3:4 Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder. And he rendered to the King of Israel the wool of a hundred thousand lambs and of a hundred thousand rams. ^3:5 But it happened, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the King of Israel. ^3:6 And king Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel.

^3:7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses. ^3:8And he said, Which way will we go up? And he answered, The way of the wilderness of Edom.

^3:9 So the King of Israel went and the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And they made a circuit of seven days' journey and there was no water for the army, nor for the beasts that followed them.^3:10 And the King of Israel said, Alas! For Jehovah has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

^3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the King of Israel's servants answered and said, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah. ^3:12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of Jehovah is with him. So the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

^3:13 And Elisha said to the King of Israel, What have I to do with you? You get to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother. And the King of Israel said to him, No, for Jehovah has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

^3:14 And Elisha said, As Jehovah of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you.

^3:15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it happened, when the minstrel played, that the hand of Jehovah came upon him.

^3:16 And he said, Jehovah says thus, Make this valley full of trenches. ^3:17 For Jehovah says thus, You^* will not see wind, neither will you^* see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water and you^* will drink, both you^* and your^* cattle and your^* beasts. ^3:18And this is but a light thing in the sight of Jehovah. He will also deliver the Moabites into your^* hand. ^3:19And you^* will kill^* every fortified city and every choice city and will make fall every good tree and stop all fountains of water and mar every good piece of land with stones.

^3:20 And it happened in the morning, about the time of offering the offering, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom and the country was filled with water. ^3:21 Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings came up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armor and upward and stood on the border.

^3:22 And they rose up early in the morning and the sun shone upon the water and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood. ^3:23 And they said, This is blood. The kings are surely destroyed and they have struck each man his fellow. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.

^3:24 And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and killed^* the Moabites, so that they fled before them and they went forward into the land slaying the Moabites. ^3:25 And they beat down the cities. And on every good piece of land they cast every man his stone and filled it. And they stopped all the fountains of water and felled all the good trees, until in Kir-hareseth only they left the stones of it. However the slingers went about it and killed^* it.

^3:26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too hard for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew sword to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not. ^3:27 Then he took his eldest son who should have reigned instead of him and offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall. And there was great wrath against Israel and they departed from him and returned to their own land.

[2 Kings 4] TOC

^4:1 Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead and you know that your servant feared Jehovah and the creditor has come to take my two children to him to be bondmen.

^4:2 And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? Tell me, what have you in the house? And she said, Your handmaid has not anything in the house except a pot of oil. ^4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow for you vessels abroad from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. ^4:4 And you will go in and shut the door upon you and upon your sons and pour out into all those vessels and you will set aside what is full.

^4:5 So she went from him and shut the door upon her and upon her sons. They brought the vessels to her and she poured out. ^4:6 And it happened, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said to her, There is no more a vessel. And the oil halted. ^4:7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil and pay your debt and live you and your sons from the rest.

^4:8 And it fell on a day that Elisha passed to Shunem where there was a prominent woman. And she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as often as he passed by he turned in there to eat bread.

^4:9 And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually. ^4:10 I beseech you, let us make a little chamber on the wall. And let us set a bed for him there and a table and a seat and a lamp-stand. And it will be, when he comes to us, that he will turn in there.

^4:11 And it fell on a day that he came there and he turned into the chamber and lay there. ^4:12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.^4:13 And he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, you have been caring for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army? And she answered, I dwell among my own people.

^4:14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Truly she has no son and her husband is old. ^4:15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. ^4:16 And he said, At this season, when the time comes round, you will embrace a son. And she said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.

^4:17 And the woman conceived and bore a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said to her. ^4:18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day that he went out to his father to the reapers.^4:19 And he said to his father, My head, my head. And he said to his servant, Carry him to his mother. ^4:20And when he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon and then died.^4:21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door upon him and went out.

^4:22 And she called to her husband and said, I beseech you, send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come again. ^4:23 And he said, Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath. And she said, It will be well. ^4:24 Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, Drive and go forward. Do not restrain my riding unless I bid you.

^4:25 So she went and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. And it happened, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is the Shunammite. ^4:26 I beseech you, run now to meet her and say to her, Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

^4:27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust her away, but the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is distressed within her and Jehovah has hid it from me and has not told me. ^4:28Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, do not deceive me?

^4:29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand and go your way. If you meet any man, do not salute him and if any salute you, do not answer him again. And lay my staff upon the face of the child. ^4:30 And the mother of the child said, As Jehovah lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose and followed her.

^4:31 And Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff upon the face of the child, but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, saying, The child has not awakened.

^4:32 And when Elisha came into the house, behold, the child was dead and laid upon his bed. ^4:33He went in therefore and shut the door upon the two of them and prayed to Jehovah.

^4:34 And he went up and lay upon the child and put his mouth upon his mouth and his eyes upon his eyes and his hands upon his hands. And he stretched himself upon him and the flesh of the child grew warm. ^4:35 Then he returned and walked in the house once to and fro and went up and stretched himself upon him. And the child sneezed seven times and the child opened his eyes.

^4:36 And he called Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, Take up your son. ^4:37 Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground. And she took up her son and went out.

^4:38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him. And he said to his servant, Set on the great pot and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets. ^4:39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine and gathered wild gourds from it, his lap full and came and shred them into the pot of pottage, for they did not know them.

^4:40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it happened, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat of it. ^4:41 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

^4:42 And a man came from Baal-shalishah and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And he said, Give to the people that they may eat. ^4:43 And his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give to the people that they may eat, for Jehovah says thus, They will eat and will leave of it. ^4:44 So he set it before them and they ate and left of it according to the word of Jehovah.

[2 Kings 5] TOC

^5:1 Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and honorable, because by him Jehovah had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

^5:2 And the Syrians had gone out in bands and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden and she waited on Naaman's wife. ^5:3And she said to her mistress, If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.

^5:4 And a man went in and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maiden who is of the land of Israel. ^5:5 And the king of Syria said, Go now and I will send a letter to the King of Israel. And he departed and took with him ten talants of silver and six thousand pieces of gold and ten changes of garments. ^5:6 And he brought the letter to the King of Israel, saying, And now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you that you may heal him of his leprosy.

^5:7 And it happened, when the King of Israel had read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But consider, I beseech you^* and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.

^5:8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the King of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.

^5:9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.^5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times and your flesh will come again to you and you will be clean.

^5:11 But Naaman was angry and went away and said, Behold, I thought he will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of Jehovah his God and wave his hand over the place and heal the leper.^5:12 Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

^5:13 And his servants came near and spoke to him and said, My father, if the prophet had bid you do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, Wash and be clean? ^5:14 Then went he down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God. And his flesh came again like the flesh of a little child and he was clean.

^5:15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company and came and stood before him. And he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, I beseech you, take a present from your servant. ^5:16 But he said, As Jehovah lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it, but he refused.

^5:17 And Naaman said, If not, yet, I beseech you, let there be given to your servant two mules' burden of dirt, for your servant will hereafter offer neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Jehovah.

^5:18 In this thing Jehovah pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon your servant in this thing. ^5:19 And he said to him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

^5:20 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands what he brought. As Jehovah lives, I will run after him and take something from him.

^5:21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he alighted from the chariot to meet him and said, Is all well? ^5:22 And he said, All is well. My master has sent me, saying, Behold, even now there come to me from the hill-country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. I beseech you, give them a talant of silver and two changes of garments.

^5:23 And Naaman said, Be pleased to take two talants. And he urged him and bound two talants of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments and laid them upon two of his servants and they bore them before him. ^5:24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and bestowed them in the house and he let the men go and they departed.

^5:25 But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, From where did you come, Gehazi? And he said, Your servant went nowhere.^5:26 And he said to him, Did not my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive garments and olive-groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and men-servants and maidservants? ^5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman will cling to you and to your seed everlasting. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

[2 Kings 6] TOC

^6:1 And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell before you is too confined for us. ^6:2 Please let us go to the Jordan and every man take a beam from there and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go. ^6:3 And one said, I beseech you, be pleased to go with your servants. And he answered, I will go. ^6:4 So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.

^6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water. And he cried and said, Alas, my master! For it was borrowed. ^6:6 And the man of God said, Where did it fall? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick and cast it in there and made the iron to float. ^6:7 And he said, Take it up to you. So he put out his hand and took it.

^6:8 Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel and he took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place will be my camp. ^6:9 And the man of God sent to the King of Israel, saying, Beware that you do not pass such a place, for the Syrians are coming down there. ^6:10 And the King of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of. And he saved himself there, not once nor twice.

^6:11 And the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled for this thing and he called his servants and said to them, Will you^* not show me which of us is for the King of Israel? ^6:12 And one of his servants said, No, my lord, O king, but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel tells the King of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom. ^6:13 And he said, Go and see where he is that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

^6:14 Therefore he sent there horses and chariots and a great army. And they came by night and encompassed the city about. ^6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early and gone forth, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! What will we do? ^6:16 And he answered, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.

^6:17 And Elisha prayed and said, Jehovah, I beseech you, open his eyes that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

^6:18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, I beseech you, strike this people, with blindness. And he killed^* them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. ^6:19 And Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me and I will bring you^* to the man whom you^* seek. And he led them to Samaria.

^6:20 And it happened, when they came into Samaria, that Elisha said, Jehovah, open the eyes of these men that they may see. And Jehovah opened their eyes and they saw. And behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

^6:21 And the King of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I kill^* them? Shall I kill^* them? ^6:22 And he answered, You will not kill^* them. Would you kill^* those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them that they may eat and drink and go to their master.

^6:23 And he prepared great provision for them. And when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away and they went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

^6:24 And it happened after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his army and went up and besieged Samaria. ^6:25 And there was a great famine in Samaria. And behold, they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver and the fourth part of a 2-quart container of dove's manure for five pieces of silver.

^6:26 And as the King of Israel was passing by upon the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. ^6:27 And he said, If Jehovah does not help you, from where shall I help you? Out of the threshing-floor, or out of the winepress? ^6:28And the king said to her, What troubles you? And she answered, This woman said to me, Give your son that we may eat him today and we will eat my son tomorrow. ^6:29 So we boiled my son and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, Give your son that we may eat him. And she has hid her son.

^6:30 And it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes (now he was passing by upon the wall). And the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth inside upon his flesh.

^6:31 Then he said, God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat will stand on him this day.

^6:32 But Elisha was sitting in his house and the elders were sitting with him. And the king sent a man from before him, but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, Do you^* see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold the door fast against him. Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?

^6:33 And while he was yet talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him and he said, Behold, this evil is of Jehovah. Why should I wait for Jehovah any longer?

[2 Kings 7] TOC

^7:1 And Elisha said, Hear the word of Jehovah. Jehovah says thus, Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

^7:2 Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, Behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.

^7:3 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate and they said one to another, Why do we sit here until we die? ^7:4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city and we will die there. And if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come and let us fall to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live and if they kill us, we will but die.

^7:5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians. And when they came to the outermost part of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no man there. ^7:6 For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great army. And they said one to another, Behold, the King of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. ^7:7 Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp as it was and fled for their life.

^7:8 And when these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank and carried from there silver and gold and garments and went and hid it. And they came back and entered into another tent and carried from there also and went and hid it.

^7:9 Then they said one to another, We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news and we keep silent. If we delay till the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household. ^7:10 So they came and called to the gatekeeper of the city. And they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but the horses tied and the donkeys tied and the tents as they were. ^7:11 And he called the gatekeepers and they told it to the king's household within.

^7:12 And the king arose in the night and said to his servants, I will now show you^* what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city we will take them alive and get into the city. ^7:13 And one of his servants answered and said, I beseech you, let some men take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are consumed) and let us send and see.

^7:14 Therefore they took two chariots with horses. And the king sent after the army of the Syrians, saying, Go and see. ^7:15 And they went after them to the Jordan. And behold, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned and told the king.

^7:16 And the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Jehovah. ^7:17 And the king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate. And the people trampled upon him in the gate and he died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him.

^7:18 And it happened, as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, will be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria. ^7:19 And that captain answered the man of God and said, Now, behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it. ^7:20 It happened even so to him, for the people trampled upon him in the gate and he died.

[2 Kings 8] TOC

^8:1 Now Elisha had spoken to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise and go and your household and journey wherever you can journey, for Jehovah has called for a famine and it will also come upon the land seven years. ^8:2 And the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. And she went with her household and traveled in the land of the Philistines seven years.

^8:3 And it happened at the end of seven years, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines and she went forth to cry to the king for her house and for her land.

^8:4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, I beseech you, tell me all the great things that Elisha has done. ^8:5And it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored to life he who was dead, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.

^8:6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.

^8:7 And Elisha came to Damascus and Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick. And it was told him, saying, The man of God has come here. ^8:8 And the king said to Hazael, Take a present in your hand and go, meet the man of God and inquire of Jehovah by him, saying, Shall I recover of this sickness?

^8:9 So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden and came and stood before him and said, Your son Ben-hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, Shall I recover of this sickness? ^8:10 And Elisha said to him, Go, say to him, You will surely recover. However Jehovah has shown me that he will surely die.

^8:11 And he settled his countenance steadfastly upon him, until he was ashamed. And the man of God wept. ^8:12 And Hazael said, Why do you weep my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that you will do to the sons of Israel: their strongholds you will set on fire and their young men you will kill with the sword and will smash their little ones and rip up their women with child.

^8:13 And Hazael said, But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, Jehovah has shown me that you will be king over Syria.

^8:14 Then he departed from Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, What did Elisha say to you? And he answered, He told me that you would surely recover. ^8:15 And it happened on the next-day, that he took the coverlet and dipped it in water and spread it on his face, so that he died. And Hazael reigned instead of him.

^8:16 And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab King of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. ^8:17 He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. ^8:18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. ^8:19 However Jehovah would not destroy Judah, for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give to him a lamp for his sons always.

^8:20 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah and made a king over themselves. ^8:21Then Joram passed over to Zair and all his chariots with him. And he rose up by night and killed^* the Edomites that encompassed him about and the captains of the chariots. And the people fled to their tents. ^8:22 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.

^8:23 And the rest of the acts of Joram and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^8:24 And Joram slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David and Ahaziah his son reigned instead of him.

^8:25 In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab King of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign. ^8:26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri King of Israel. ^8:27 And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did the house of Ahab, for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.

^8:28 And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead and the Syrians wounded Joram. ^8:29 And king Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

[2 Kings 9] TOC

^9:1 And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, Gird up your loins and take this vial of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-gilead. ^9:2 And when you come there, look out there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi and go in and make him arise up from among his brothers and carry him to an inner chamber. ^9:3 Then take the vial of oil and pour it on his head and say, Jehovah says thus, I have anointed you king over Israel. Then open the door and flee and do not delay.

^9:4 So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. ^9:5 And when he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. And he said, I have an errand to you, O captain. And Jehu said, To which of us all? And he said, To you, O captain.

^9:6 And he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head and said to him, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, I have anointed you king over the people of Jehovah, even over Israel.

^9:7 And you will kill^* the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah, at the hand of Jezebel. ^9:8 For the whole house of Ahab will perish. And I will cut off from Ahab every one who urinates on the wall {i.e. a male} and he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel. ^9:9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. ^9:10 And the dogs will eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel and there will be none to bury her. And he opened the door and fled.

^9:11 Then Jehu came out to the servants of his lord and one said to him, Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you? And he said to them, You^* know the man and what his talk was. ^9:12 And they said, It is not true; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, Jehovah says thus, I have anointed you king over Israel. ^9:13 Then they hastened and every man took his garment and put it under him on the top of the stairs and blew the trumpet, saying, Jehu is king.

^9:14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram was keeping Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria. ^9:15 But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If this be your^* mind, then let none escape and go forth out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel. ^9:16 So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah came down to see Joram.

^9:17 Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and he spied the company of Jehu as he came and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take a horseman and send to meet them and let him say, Is it peace? ^9:18 So one went on horseback to meet him and said, Thus says the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he does not come back.

^9:19 Then he sent out a second on horseback who came to them and said, Thus says the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me. ^9:20 And the watchman told, saying, He came to them and does not come back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously.

^9:21 And Joram said, Make ready. And they made his chariot ready. And Joram King of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot and they went out to meet Jehu and found him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. ^9:22 And it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the prostitutions of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

^9:23 And Joram turned his hands and fled and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah. ^9:24And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and killed^* Joram between his arms. And the arrow went out at his heart and he sank down in his chariot.

^9:25 Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, Take up and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember how that, when I and you rode together after Ahab his father, Jehovah laid this burden upon him: ^9:26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, says Jehovah and I will requite you in this plot, says Jehovah. Now therefore take and cast him into the plot of ground, according to the word of Jehovah.

^9:27 But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden-house. And Jehu followed after him and said, Strike him also in the chariot. And they killed^* him at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there. ^9:28 And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his sepulcher with his fathers in the city of David. ^9:29 (And it was in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab Ahaziah began to reign over Judah.)

^9:30 And when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and attired her head and looked out at the window. ^9:31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Is it peace, you Zimri, your master's murderer? ^9:32 And he lifted up his face to the window and said, Who is on my side? Who? And two or three eunuchs looked out to him.^9:33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down. And some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall and on the horses. And he trampled her under foot.

^9:34 And when he came in, he ate and drank and he said, Now see to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter. ^9:35 And they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. ^9:36Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, This is the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel will the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel, ^9:37 and the body of Jezebel will be as manure upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that they will not say, This is Jezebel.

[2 Kings 10] TOC

^10:1 Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters and sent to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, even the elders and to those who brought up the sons of Ahab, saying, ^10:2 And now as soon as this letter comes to you^*, seeing your^* master's sons are with you^* and there are with you^* chariots and horses, also a fortified city and armor,^10:3 look out for the best and fittest of your^* master's sons and set him on his father's throne and fight for your^* master's house.

^10:4 But they were exceedingly afraid and said, Behold, the two kings did not stand before him. How then will we stand? ^10:5 And he who was over the household and he who was over the city, the elders also and those who brought up the sons, sent to Jehu, saying, We are your servants and will do all that you will bid us. We will not make any man king. Do you what is good in your eyes.

^10:6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If you^* are on my side and if you^* will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men your^* master's sons and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city who reared them.

^10:7 And it happened, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons and killed them, even seventy persons and put their heads in baskets and sent them to him to Jezreel. ^10:8 And a messenger came and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay you^* them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning.

^10:9 And it happened in the morning, that he went out and stood and said to all the people, You^* are righteous. Behold, I conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed^* all these? ^10:10 Know now that there will fall to the earth nothing of the word of Jehovah, which Jehovah spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for Jehovah has done what he spoke by his servant Elijah.

^10:11 So Jehu killed^* all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel and all his great men and his familiar friends and his priests, until he left to him none remaining.

^10:12 And he arose and departed and went to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing-house of the shepherds in the way, ^10:13 Jehu met with the brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah and said, Who are you^*? And they answered, We are the brothers of Ahaziah and we go down to salute the sons of the king and the sons of the queen. ^10:14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive and killed them at the pit of the shearing-house, even forty-two men; neither did he leave any of them.

^10:15 And when he was departed from there, he came upon on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. And he saluted him and said to him, Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me your hand. And he gave him his hand and he took him up to him into the chariot. ^10:16 And he said, Come with me and see my zeal for Jehovah. So they made him ride in his chariot.

^10:17 And when he came to Samaria, he killed^* all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke to Elijah.

^10:18 And Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. ^10:19 Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests. Let none be lacking, for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal. Whoever will be lacking, he will not live. But Jehu did it in subtlety, to the intent that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal.

^10:20 And Jehu said, Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. ^10:21 And Jehu sent through all Israel. And all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. And they came into the house of Baal and the house of Baal was filled from one end to another. ^10:22And he said to him who was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshipers of Baal. And he brought out for them vestments.

^10:23 And Jehu went and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal. And he said to the worshipers of Baal, Search and look that there is here with you^* none of the servants of Jehovah, but the worshipers of Baal only. ^10:24 And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings.

Now Jehu had appointed for him eighty men outside and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your^* hands escape, he who lets him go, his life will be for the life of him.

^10:25 And it happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in and kill them; let none come forth. And they killed^* them with the edge of the sword. And the guard and the captains cast them out and went to the city of the house of Baal. ^10:26 And they brought out the pillars that were in the house of Baal and burned them. ^10:27 And they broke down the pillar of Baal and broke down the house of Baal and made it an out-house to this day.

^10:28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. ^10:29However from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin, Jehu did not depart from after them, namely, the golden calves that were in Bethel and that were in Dan.

^10:30 And Jehovah said to Jehu, Because you have done well in executing what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation will sit on the throne of Israel.

^10:31 But Jehu did not take heed to walk in the law of Jehovah, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin.

^10:32 In those days Jehovah began to cut off from Israel. And Hazael killed^* them in all the borders of Israel, ^10:33 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites and the Reubenites and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.

^10:34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu and all that he did and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^10:35 And Jehu slept with his fathers and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned instead of him. ^10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

[2 Kings 11] TOC

^11:1 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed. ^11:2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom. And they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. ^11:3 And he was with her hidden in the house of Jehovah six years. And Athaliah reigned over the land.

^11:4 And in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard and brought them to him into the house of Jehovah. And he made a covenant with them and took an oath of them in the house of Jehovah and showed them the king's son.

^11:5 And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that you^* will do: a third part of you^*, who come in on the Sabbath, will be keepers of the watch of the king's house; ^11:6 and a third part will be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard. So will you^* keep the watch of the house and be a barrier.

^11:7 And the two companies of you^*, even all who go forth on the Sabbath, will keep the watch of the house of Jehovah around the king. ^11:8 And you^* will encompass the king all around, every man with his weapons in his hand. And he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. And be you^* with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.

^11:9 And the captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And every man took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath and came to Jehoiada the priest.^11:10 And the priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the house of Jehovah. ^11:11And the guard stood, every man with his weapons 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 all around.

^11:12 Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown upon him and gave him the testimony. And they made him king and anointed him. And they clapped their hands and said, Live, O king.

^11:13 And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the house of Jehovah. ^11:14 And she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the manner was and the captains and the trumpets by the king. And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, Treason! treason!

^11:15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks and kill with the sword the man who follows her. For the priest said, Let her not be slain in the house of Jehovah. ^11:16 So they made way for her. And she went by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house and there was she slain.

^11:17 And Jehoiada made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, that they should be Jehovah's people; between the king also and the people. ^11:18 And all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and broke it down. They broke in pieces his altars and his images thoroughly and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of Jehovah.

^11:19 And he took the captains over hundreds and the Carites and the guard and all the people of the land and they brought down the king from the house of Jehovah and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings. ^11:20 So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. And they had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king's house.

^11:21 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.

[2 Kings 12] TOC

^12:1 Joash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu. And he reigned forty years in Jerusalem and his mother's name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. ^12:2 And Joash did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.^12:3 However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

^12:4 And Joash said to the priests, All the money of the holy things that is brought into the house of Jehovah, in current money, the money of the persons for whom each man is rated and all the money that it comes into any man's heart to bring into the house of Jehovah, ^12:5 let the priests take it to them, every man from his acquaintance and they will repair the broken parts of the house wherever any breach will be found.

^12:6 But it was so, that in the twenty-third year of king Joash the priests had not repaired the broken parts of the house. ^12:7 Then king Joash called for Jehoiada the priest and for the other priests and said to them, Why do you^* not repair the broken parts of the house? Now therefore take no more money from your^* acquaintance, but deliver it for the broken parts of the house. ^12:8 And the priests consented that they should take no more money from the people, neither repair the broken parts of the house.

^12:9 But Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar, on the right side as a man comes into the house of Jehovah. And the priests who kept the threshold put in it all the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah. ^12:10 And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up and they put up in bags and counted the money that was found in the house of Jehovah.

^12:11 And they gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of Jehovah. And they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked upon the house of Jehovah, ^12:12 and to the masons and the hewers of stone and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the broken parts of the house of Jehovah and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.

^12:13 But there were not made for the house of Jehovah cups of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah,^12:14 for they gave that to those who did the work and with it repaired the house of Jehovah.

^12:15 Moreover they did not reckon with the men into whose hand they delivered the money to give to those who did the work, for they dealt faithfully.

^12:16 The money for the guilt-offerings and the money for the sin-offerings, was not brought into the house of Jehovah; it was the priests'.

^12:17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and took it. And Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. ^12:18 And Joash king of Judah took all the holy things that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated and his own holy things and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of Jehovah and of the king's house and sent it to Hazael king of Syria. And he went away from Jerusalem.

^12:19 Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^12:20 And his servants arose and made a conspiracy and killed^* Joash at the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla. ^12:21 For Jozacar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, killed^* him and he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. And Amaziah his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Kings 13] TOC

^13:1 In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. ^13:2 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. He did not depart from it. ^13:3 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, continually.

^13:4 And Jehoahaz besought Jehovah and Jehovah listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how that the king of Syria oppressed them. ^13:5(And Jehovah gave Israel a savior, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians and the sons of Israel dwelt in their tents as formerly. ^13:6Nevertheless they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin, but walked in it. And the Asherah also remained in Samaria.) ^13:7 For he did not leave to Jehoahaz of the people except fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand on foot, for the king of Syria destroyed them and made them like the dust in threshing.

^13:8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz and all that he did and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^13:9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in Samaria. And Joash his son reigned instead of him.

^13:10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years. ^13:11And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in it.

^13:12 Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^13:13 And Joash slept with his fathers and Jeroboam sat upon his throne. And Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

^13:14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness of which he died. And Joash the King of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen of it!

^13:15 And Elisha said to him, Take bow and arrows. And he took to him bow and arrows. ^13:16 And he said to the King of Israel, Put your hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it. And Elisha laid his hands upon the king's hands. ^13:17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, Jehovah's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria, for you will kill^* the Syrians in Aphek till you have consumed them.

^13:18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said to the King of Israel, Strike upon the ground. And he killed^* three times and stopped. ^13:19And the man of God was angry with him and said, You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria till you had consumed it, but now you will kill^* Syria but three times.

^13:20 And Elisha died and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. ^13:21 And it happened, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha. And as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood up on his feet.

^13:22 And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. ^13:23 But Jehovah was gracious to them and had compassion on them and had respect to them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and would not destroy them, neither did he cast them from his presence as yet.

^13:24 And Hazael king of Syria died and Ben-hadad his son reigned instead of him. ^13:25 And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz again took out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times Joash killed^* him and recovered the cities of Israel.

[2 Kings 14] TOC

^14:1 In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz {Jehoahaz} King of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. ^14:2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. ^14:3 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done. ^14:4 However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

^14:5 And it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, that he killed his servants who had slain the king his father, ^14:6 but he did not put to death the sons of the murderers, according to what is written in the book of the law of Moses, as Jehovah commanded, saying, The fathers will not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers, but every man will die for his own sin.

^14:7 He killed ten thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt and took Sela by war and called the name of it Joktheel, to this day. ^14:8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, King of Israel, saying, Come, let us look each other in the face.

^14:9 And Jehoash the 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 your daughter to my son as a wife. And a wild beast that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. ^14:10 You have indeed struck Edom and your heart has lifted you up. Glory by it and abide at home, for why should you meddle to your hurt, that you should fall, even you and Judah with you?

^14:11 But Amaziah would not hear. So Jehoash King of Israel went up. And he and Amaziah king of Judah looked each other in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah. ^14:12 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel and they fled every man to his tent.

^14:13 And Jehoash King of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh and came to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. ^14:14 And he took all the gold and silver and all the vessels that were found in the house of Jehovah and in the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also and returned to Samaria.

^14:15 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did and his might and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^14:16 And Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. And Jeroboam his son reigned instead of him.

^14:17 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz King of Israel. ^14:18 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^14:19 And they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. And he fled to Lachish. But they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there. ^14:20 And they brought him upon horses and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.

^14:21 And all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah. ^14:22 He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king slept with his fathers.

^14:23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years. ^14:24 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

^14:25 He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.

^14:26 For Jehovah saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter, for there was none shut up nor left at large, neither was there any helper for Israel. ^14:27And Jehovah did not say that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

^14:28 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did and his might, how he warred and how he recovered Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^14:29And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel and Zechariah his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Kings 15] TOC

^15:1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam King of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. ^15:2 He was sixteen years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. ^15:3 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. ^15:4 However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

^15:5 And Jehovah killed^* the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death and dwelt in a separate house. And Jotham the king's son was over the household, judging the people of the land.

^15:6 Now the rest of the acts of Azariah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^15:7 And Azariah slept with his fathers and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. And Jotham his son reigned instead of him.

^15:8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. ^15:9 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.^15:10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him and killed^* him before the people and killed him and reigned instead of him.

^15:11 Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. ^15:12 This was the word of Jehovah which he spoke to Jehu, saying, Your sons to the fourth generation will sit upon the throne of Israel. And so it happened.

^15:13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah and he reigned the space of a month in Samaria. ^15:14 And Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah and came to Samaria and killed^* Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria and killed him and reigned instead of him.

^15:15 Now the rest of the acts of Shallum and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

^15:16 Then Menahem killed^* Tiphsah and all that were in it and the borders of it, from Tirzah, because they did not open to him, therefore he killed^* it. And all the women in it who were with child he ripped up.

^15:17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria. ^15:18 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

^15:19 Pul the king of Assyria came against the land. And Menahem gave Pul a thousand talants of silver that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. ^15:20 And Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land.

^15:21 Now the rest of the acts of Menahem and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? ^15:22 And Menahem slept with his fathers and Pekahiah his son reigned instead of him.

^15:23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. ^15:24 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. ^15:25 And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him and killed^* him in Samaria, in the castle of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh. And fifty men of the Gileadites with him were there. And he killed him and reigned instead of him.

^15:26 Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

^15:27 In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years. ^15:28And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.

^15:29 In the days of Pekah King of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon and Abel-beth-maacah and Janoah and Kedesh and Hazor and Gilead and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali. And he carried them captive to Assyria.

^15:30 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah and killed^* him and killed him and reigned instead of him in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

^15:31 Now the rest of the acts of Pekah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

^15:32 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah King of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign. ^15:33 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jericho the daughter of Zadok. ^15:34 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah. He did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. ^15:35However the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of Jehovah.

^15:36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^15:37 In those days Jehovah began to send Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah. ^15:38 And Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Ahaz his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Kings 16] TOC

^16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. ^16:2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. ^16:3But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. Yes and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out from before the sons of Israel. ^16:4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.

^16:5 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah King of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. ^16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria and drove the Jews from Elath. And the Syrians came to Elath and dwelt there to this day.

^16:7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria and out of the hand of the King of Israel, who rise up against me. ^16:8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Jehovah and in the treasures of the king's house and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.

^16:9 And the king of Assyria listened to him. And the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it and carried the people of it captive to Kir and killed Rezin.

^16:10 And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria and saw the altar that was at Damascus. And king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the form of the altar and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship of it. ^16:11 And Urijah the priest built an altar. According to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so Urijah the priest made it until the coming of king Ahaz from Damascus.

^16:12 And when the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar. And the king drew near to the altar and offered on it. ^16:13 And he burnt his burnt-offering and his food-offering and poured his drink-offering and sprinkled the blood of his peace-offerings, upon the altar. ^16:14 And the brazen altar, which was before Jehovah, he brought from the forefront of the house, from between his altar and the house of Jehovah and put it on the north side of his altar.

^16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt-offering and the evening food-offering and the king's burnt-offering and his food-offering, with the burnt-offering of all the people of the land and their food-offering and their drink-offerings. And sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt-offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the brazen altar will be for me to inquire by. ^16:16 Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.

^16:17 And king Ahaz cut off the panels of the bases and removed the large-basin from them and took down the sea from the brazen oxen that were under it and put it upon a pavement of stone. ^16:18 And the covered place for the Sabbath that they had built in the house and the king's entry outside, he turned from the house of Jehovah, because of the king of Assyria.

^16:19 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Hezekiah his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Kings 17] TOC

^17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel, and reigned nine years. ^17:2 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. ^17:3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against him. And Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute.

^17:4 And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea, for he had sent messengers to So King of Egypt and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison.

^17:5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land and went up to Samaria and besieged it three years. ^17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria and placed them in Halak and on the Habor, the river of Gozan and in the cities of the Medes.

^17:7 And it was so, because the sons of Israel had sinned against Jehovah their God who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh King of Egypt and had feared other gods, ^17:8and walked in the statutes of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the sons of Israel and of the kings of Israel, which they made.

^17:9 And the sons of Israel did things secretly that were not right against Jehovah their God. And they built for them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.^17:10 And they set up for them pillars and Asherim {pole-images} upon every high hill and under every green tree, ^17:11and they burnt incense there in all the high places, as the nations did whom Jehovah carried away before them. And they worked wicked things to provoke Jehovah to anger. ^17:12 And they served idols, of which Jehovah had said to them, You^* will not do this thing.

^17:13 Yet Jehovah testified to Israel and to Judah, by every prophet and every seer, saying, Turn from your^* evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your^* fathers and which I sent to you^* by my servants the prophets. ^17:14 And they would not hear, but stiffened their neck, like the neck of their fathers who did not believe in Jehovah their God.

^17:15 And they rejected his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and his testimonies which he testified to them. And they followed vanity and became vain and went after the nations that were all around them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them that they should not do like them.

^17:16 And they forsook all the commandments of Jehovah their God and made for them molten images, even two calves and made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal.

^17:17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire and used divination and enchantments and sold themselves to do what was evil in the sight of Jehovah to provoke him to anger.

^17:18 Therefore Jehovah was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. There was none left but only the tribe of Judah.

^17:19 Also Judah did not keep the commandments of Jehovah their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. ^17:20 And Jehovah rejected all the seed of Israel and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. ^17:21 For he tore Israel from the house of David. And they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king.

And Jeroboam drove Israel from following Jehovah and made them sin a great sin.

^17:22 And the sons of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did. They did not depart from them ^17:23 until Jehovah removed Israel out of his sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.

^17:24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon and from Cuthah and from Avva and from Hamath and Sepharvaim and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the sons of Israel. And they possessed Samaria and dwelt in the cities of it.

^17:25 And so it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they were not afraid of Jehovah. Therefore Jehovah sent lions among them, which killed some of them. ^17:26 Therefore they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they kill them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land.

^17:27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry there one of the priests whom you^* brought from there and let them go and dwell there. And let him teach them the law of the god of the land. ^17:28 So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel and taught them how they should fear Jehovah.

^17:29 However every nation made gods of their own and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities in which they dwelt. ^17:30 And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth and the men of Cuth made Nergal and the men of Hamath made Ashima,^17:31 and the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak. And the Sepharvites burnt their sons in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

^17:32 So they were afraid of Jehovah and made for them priests of the high places from among themselves, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. ^17:33 They were afraid of Jehovah and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

^17:34 To this day they do after the former manner. They do not fear Jehovah, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law or after the commandment which Jehovah commanded the sons of Jacob, whom he named Israel, ^17:35 with whom Jehovah had made a covenant and charged them, saying, You^* will not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them. ^17:36 But Jehovah, who brought you^* up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, him you^* will fear and to him you^* will bow yourselves and to him you^* will sacrifice.

^17:37 And the statutes and the ordinances and the law and the commandment, which he wrote for you^*, you^* will observe to do forever. And you^* will not fear other gods. ^17:38 And the covenant that I have made with you^*. You^* will not forget. Neither will you^* fear other gods, ^17:39 but you^* will fear Jehovah your^* God and he will deliver you^* out of the hand of all your^* enemies.

^17:40 However they did not listen, but they did after their former manner. ^17:41 So these nations were afraid of Jehovah and served their graven images, their sons likewise and their son's sons, as did their fathers, so do they to this day.

[2 Kings 18] TOC

^18:1 Now it happened in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah King of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. ^18:2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.

^18:3 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that David his father had done. ^18:4 He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah and he broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made. For to those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it and he called it Nehushtan.

^18:5 He trusted in Jehovah, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. ^18:6 For he clung to Jehovah. He did not depart from following him, but kept his commandments, which Jehovah commanded Moses.

^18:7 And Jehovah was with him. Wherever he went forth he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. ^18:8 He killed^* the Philistines to Gaza and the borders of it, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.

^18:9 And it happened in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah King of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it. ^18:10And at the end of three years they took it. Samaria was taken in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea King of Israel.

^18:11 And the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria and put them in Halak and on the Habor, the river of Gozan and in the cities of the Medes, ^18:12because they did not obey the voice of Jehovah their God, but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded and would not hear it, nor do it.

^18:13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. ^18:14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended. Return from me. What you put on me I will bear. And the king of Assyria appointed to Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talants of silver and thirty talants of gold. ^18:15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of Jehovah and in the treasures of the king's house. ^18:16 At that time Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of Jehovah and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.

^18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rabshakeh {chief cupbearer} from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they came up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is on the highway of the launder's field. ^18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household and Shebnah the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

^18:19 And Rabshakeh said to them, Say you^* now to Hezekiah, Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this in which you trust?^18:20 You say (but they are but vain words), There is counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom do you trust that you have rebelled against me? ^18:21Now, behold, you trust upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man leans it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh King of Egypt to all who trust on him.

^18:22 But if you^* say to me, We trust in Jehovah our God, is that not he whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, You^* will worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

^18:23 Now therefore, I beseech you, give pledges to my master the king of Assyria and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders upon them. ^18:24 How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? ^18:25 Have I now come up without Jehovah against this place to destroy it? Jehovah said to me, Go up against this land and destroy it.

^18:26 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah and Shebnah and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, I beseech you, speak to your servants in the Syrian language, for we understand it. And do not speak with us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people who are on the wall. ^18:27 But Rabshakeh said to them, Has my master sent me to your master and to you, to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, to eat their own manure and to drink their own urine with you^*?

^18:28 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language and spoke, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.^18:29 Thus says the king, Do not let Hezekiah deceive you^*, for he will not be able to deliver you^* out of his hand. ^18:30 Neither let Hezekiah make you^* trust in Jehovah, saying, Jehovah will surely deliver us and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.

^18:31 Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria, Make your^* peace with me and come out to me. And eat you^* every man of his vine and every man of his fig tree and drink you^* every man the waters of his own cistern, ^18:32 until I come and take away to a land like your^* own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and of honey, that you^* may live and not die. And do not listen to Hezekiah when he persuades you^*, saying, Jehovah will deliver us.

^18:33 Have any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? ^18:34 Where are the gods of Hamath and of Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, of Hena and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? ^18:35 Who are they among all the gods of the countries that have delivered their country out of my hand, that Jehovah should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

^18:36 But the people were silent and did not answer him a word, for the king's commandment was, saying, Do not answer him. ^18:37 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household and Shebna the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

[2 Kings 19] TOC

^19:1 And it happened, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of Jehovah. ^19:2And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household and Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests (covered with sackcloth) to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

^19:3 And they said to him, Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble and of rebuke and of blasphemy, for the sons have come to the birth and there is no strength to bring forth. ^19:4 It may be that Jehovah your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God and will rebuke the words which Jehovah your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left. ^19:5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.

^19:6 And Isaiah said to them, Thus you^* will say to your^* master, Jehovah says thus, Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.^19:7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him and he will hear news and will return to his own land. And I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

^19:8 So Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

^19:9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he comes out to fight against you, he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, ^19:10Thus will you^* speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. ^19:11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly. And will you be delivered?

^19:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph and the sons of Eden that were in Telassar? ^19:13 Where is the king of Hamath and the king of Arpad and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena and Ivvah?

^19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. And Hezekiah went up to the house of Jehovah and spread it before Jehovah. ^19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before Jehovah and said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, who sits above the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ^19:16 Incline your ear, O Jehovah and hear. Open your eyes, O Jehovah and see. And hear the words of Sennacherib, with which he has sent for him to defy the living God.

^19:17 Of a truth, Jehovah, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, ^19:18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they have destroyed them. ^19:19 Now therefore, O Jehovah our God, I beseech you, save us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you Jehovah are God alone.

^19:20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, You have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard. ^19:21 This is the word that Jehovah has spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and laughed you to scorn. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you. ^19:22 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? And against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Even against the Holy One of Israel.

^19:23 By your messengers you have defied the Lord and have said, With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon. And I will cut down the tall cedars of it and the choice fir trees of it. And I will enter into his farthest lodging-place, the forest of his fruitful field. ^19:24 I have dug and drunk strange waters and with the sole of my feet I will dry up all the rivers of Egypt.

^19:25 Have you not heard how I have done it from afar and formed it of times long-ago? Now I have made it occur, that you should be to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps. ^19:26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded. They were as the grass of the field and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops and as grain blasted before it is grown up.

^19:27 But I know your sitting down and your going out and your coming in and your raging against me. ^19:28 Because of your raging against me and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.

^19:29 And this will be the sign to you: You^* will eat this year what grows of itself and in the second year what springs of the same. And in the third year sow you^* and reap and plant vineyards and eat the fruit of it. ^19:30 And the remnant that has escaped from the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. ^19:31 For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion those who will escape. The zeal of Jehovah will perform this.

^19:32 Therefore Jehovah says thus concerning the king of Assyria, He will not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither will he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. ^19:33 By the way that he came, by the same will he return and he will not come to this city, says Jehovah. ^19:34 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.

^19:35 And it happened that night, that the messenger of Jehovah went forth and killed^* in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred eighty-five thousand. And when men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

^19:36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went and returned and dwelt at Nineveh. ^19:37 And it happened, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed^* him with the sword and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Kings 20] TOC

^20:1 In those days Hezekiah was sick to death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, Jehovah says thus, Set your house in order, for you will die and not live. ^20:2 Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to Jehovah, saying, ^20:3 Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart and have done what is good in your sight. And Hezekiah wept greatly.

^20:4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Jehovah came to him, saying, ^20:5 Turn back and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Jehovah says thus, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you will go up to the house of Jehovah.

^20:6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. And I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. And I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake. ^20:7And Isaiah said, Take a cake of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil and he recovered.

^20:8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, What will be the sign that Jehovah will heal me and that I will go up to the house of Jehovah the third day? ^20:9 And Isaiah said, This will be the sign to you from Jehovah, that Jehovah will do the thing that he has spoken: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps? ^20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps. ^20:11And Isaiah the prophet cried to Jehovah and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz.

^20:12 At that time Berodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. ^20:13 And Hezekiah listened to them and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and the house of his armor and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah did not show them.

^20:14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah and said to him, What did these men say and from where did they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country, even from Babylon. ^20:15 And he said, What have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.

^20:16 And Isaiah said to Hezekiah, Hear the word of Jehovah. ^20:17 Behold, the days come that all that is in your house and what your fathers have laid up in store to this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says Jehovah. ^20:18 And of your sons who will go forth from you, whom you will beget, they will take away. And they will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

^20:19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, The word of Jehovah which you have spoken is good. He said moreover, Is it not so, if peace and truth will be in my days?

^20:20 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?^20:21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers and Manasseh his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Kings 21] TOC

^21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.^21:2 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel.

^21:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed. And he reared up altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as did Ahab King of Israel and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. ^21:4 And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, of which Jehovah said, In Jerusalem I will put my name. ^21:5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of Jehovah.

^21:6 And he made his son to pass through the fire and practiced witchcraft and used enchantments and dealt with psychics and with sorcery. He worked much evil in the sight of Jehovah to provoke him to anger.

^21:7 And he set the graven image of Asherah, that he had made, in the house of which Jehovah 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, I will put my name forever. ^21:8 Neither will I cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

^21:9 But they did not listen. And Manasseh made them go-astray to do what is evil more than did the nations whom Jehovah destroyed before the sons of Israel.

^21:10 And Jehovah spoke by his servants the prophets, saying, ^21:11 Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did who were before him and has made Judah also to sin with his idols, ^21:12 therefore Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, Behold, I bring such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.

^21:13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab. And I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.

^21:14 And I will cast off the remnant of my inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies. And they will become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies, ^21:15 because they have done what is evil in my sight and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt even to this day.

^21:16 Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin in doing what was evil in the sight of Jehovah.

^21:17 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh and all that he did and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^21:18 And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza and Amon his son reigned instead of him.

^21:19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. ^21:20And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah as did Manasseh his father. ^21:21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in and served the idols that his father served and worshiped them. ^21:22 And he forsook Jehovah, the God of his fathers and did not walk in the way of Jehovah.

^21:23 And the servants of Amon conspired against him and put the king to death in his own house. ^21:24But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against king Amon. And the people of the land made Josiah his son king instead of him.

^21:25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^21:26 And he was buried in his sepulcher in the garden of Uzza and Josiah his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Kings 22] TOC

^22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. ^22:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and walked in all the way of David his father and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

^22:3 And it happened, in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Jehovah, saying, ^22:4 Go up to Hilkiah the high priest that he may sum the money which is brought into the house of Jehovah, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people. ^22:5 And let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of Jehovah. And let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Jehovah, to repair the broken parts of the house, ^22:6to the carpenters and to the builders and to the masons and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

^22:7 However there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, for they dealt faithfully.

^22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan and he read it. ^22:9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought the king word again and said, Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of Jehovah.

^22:10 And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered to me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. ^22:11 And it happened, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he tore his clothes.

^22:12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam the son of Shaphan and Achbor the son of Micaiah and Shaphan the scribe and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, ^22:13 Go, inquire of Jehovah for me and for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found, for great is the wrath of Jehovah that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book to do according to all what is written concerning us.

^22:14 So Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Achbor and Shaphan and Asaiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter) and they spoke with her.

^22:15 And she said to them, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Tell you^* the man who sent you^* to me, ^22:16 Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon the inhabitants of it, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. ^22:17 Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place and it will not be quenched.

^22:18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you^* to inquire of Jehovah, thus you^* will say to him, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: As concerning the words which you have heard, ^22:19 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before Jehovah when you heard what I spoke against this place and against the inhabitants of it, that they should become a desolation and a curse and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says Jehovah.

^22:20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, neither will your eyes see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

[2 Kings 23] TOC

^23:1 And the king sent and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. ^23:2 And the king went up to the house of Jehovah and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him and the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great. And he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Jehovah.

^23:3 And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before Jehovah to walk after Jehovah and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

^23:4 And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that were made for Baal and for the Asherah and for all the host of heaven and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried the ashes of them to Bethel.

^23:5 And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had given to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the planets and to all the host of heaven.

^23:6 And he brought out the Asherah from the house of Jehovah, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. ^23:7 And he broke down the houses of the sodomites that were in the house of Jehovah where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.

^23:8 And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beer-sheba. And he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. ^23:9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of Jehovah in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.

^23:10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

^23:11 And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of Jehovah, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was in the suburbs. And he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.

^23:12 And the altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of Jehovah, the king broke down and beat them down from there and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.

^23:13 And the king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the King of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Milcom the abomination of the sons of Ammon. ^23:14 And he broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim {pole-images} and filled their places with the bones of men.

^23:15 Moreover the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down. And he burned the high place and beat it to dust and burned the Asherah.

^23:16 And as Josiah turned himself, he noticed the sepulchers that were there in the mountain. And he sent and took the bones out of the sepulchers and burned them upon the altar and defiled it, according to the word of Jehovah which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things.

^23:17 Then he said, What monument is what I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulcher of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel. ^23:18 And he said, Let him be; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.

^23:19 And Josiah also took away all the houses of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke Jehovah to anger. And he did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel. ^23:20 And he killed all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars and burned men's bones upon them. And he returned to Jerusalem.

^23:21 And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the Passover to Jehovah your^* God, as it is written in this book of the covenant. ^23:22 Surely such a Passover was not kept from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah. ^23:23 But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah this Passover was kept to Jehovah in Jerusalem.

^23:24 Moreover Josiah put away the psychics and the wizards and the household-idol and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of Jehovah.

^23:25 And there was no king before him like him, who turned to Jehovah with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither arose any like him after him.

^23:26 Only, Jehovah did not turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him. ^23:27 And Jehovah said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight as I have removed Israel and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even Jerusalem and the house of which I said, My name will be there.

^23:28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? ^23:29 In his days Pharaoh Neco {Nechoh, Necho} King of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates and king Josiah went against him. And Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo when he had seen him. ^23:30And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own sepulcher. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and anointed him and made him king in his father's stead.

^23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. ^23:32 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers had done. ^23:33 And Pharaoh Neco put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem. And he put the land to a tribute of a hundred talants of silver and a talant of gold.

^23:34 And Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away and he came to Egypt and died there.

^23:35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and the gold from the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it to Pharaoh Neco.

^23:36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. ^23:37 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers had done.

[2 Kings 24] TOC

^24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up and Jehoiakim became his servant three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him. ^24:2And Jehovah sent against him bands of the Chaldeans and bands of the Syrians and bands of the Moabites and bands of the sons of Ammon and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spoke by his servants the prophets.

^24:3 Surely at the commandment of Jehovah this came upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did,^24:4 and also for the innocent blood that he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood and Jehovah would not pardon.

^24:5 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

^24:6 So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers and Jehoiachin his son reigned instead of him. ^24:7 And the King of Egypt did not come again any more out of his land, for the king of Babylon had taken, from the brook of Egypt to the river Euphrates, all that pertained to the King of Egypt.

^24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. ^24:9 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his father had done.

^24:10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem and the city was besieged. ^24:11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. ^24:12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he and his mother and his servants and his princes and his officers. And the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.

^24:13 And he carried out from there all the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold, which Solomon King of Israel had made in the temple of Jehovah, as Jehovah had said. ^24:14 And he carried away all Jerusalem and all the rulers and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives and all the craftsmen and the blacksmiths. None remained except the poorest sort of the people of the land.

^24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. And the king's mother and the king's wives and his officers and the chief men of the land, he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. ^24:16 And all the men of might, even seven thousand and the craftsmen and the blacksmiths a thousand, all of them strong and able for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

^24:17 And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's father's brother, king is his stead and changed his name to Zedekiah. ^24:18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

^24:19 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.^24:20 For it happened in Jerusalem and Judah through the anger of Jehovah, until he had cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

[2 Kings 25] TOC

^25:1 And it happened in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem and encamped against it. And they built forts against it all around.^25:2 So the city was besieged to the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. ^25:3 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.

^25:4 Then a breach was made in the city and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city all around ) and the king went by the way of the Arabah.^25:5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho. And all his army was scattered from him.

^25:6 Then they took the king and carried him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah. And they gave judgment upon him. ^25:7 And they killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in fetters and carried him to Babylon.

^25:8 Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. ^25:9 And he burnt the house of Jehovah and the king's house. And all the houses of Jerusalem, even every great house, he burnt with fire. ^25:10 And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.

^25:11 And the remnant of the people that were left in the city and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon and the remnant of the multitude, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive.

^25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vine-dressers and farmer.

^25:13 And the pillars of brass that were in the house of Jehovah and the bases and the brazen sea that were in the house of Jehovah, the Chaldeans broke in pieces and carried the brass of them to Babylon. ^25:14 And they took away the pots and the shovels and the snuffers and the spoons and all the vessels of brass with which they ministered. ^25:15 And the captain of the guard took away the censors and the basins, what was from gold, in gold and what was from silver, in silver.

^25:16 The two pillars, the one sea and the bases, which Solomon had made for the house of Jehovah, the brass of all these vessels was without weight. ^25:17The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits and a capital of brass was upon it. And the height of the capital was three cubits, with lattice-work and pomegranates upon the capital all around, all of brass. And the second pillar had like these with lattice-work.

^25:18 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the threshold. ^25:19 And he took an officer out of the city who was set over the men of war; and five men of those who saw the king's face, who were found in the city; and the scribe, the captain of the army, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the city.

^25:20 And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah. ^25:21 And the king of Babylon killed^* them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away captive out of his land.

^25:22 And as for the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor over them.

^25:23 Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and Johanan the son of Kareah and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

^25:24 And Gedaliah swore to them and to their men and said to them, Do not fear because of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon and it will be well with you^*.

^25:25 But it happened in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal seed, came and ten men with him and killed^* Gedaliah, so that he died and the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. ^25:26 And all the people, both small and great and the captains of the forces, arose and came to Egypt, for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.

^25:27 And it happened in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison.

^25:28 And he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, ^25:29 and changed his prison garments. And Jehoiachin ate bread before him continually all the days of his life, ^25:30 and for his allowance. There was a continual allowance given him from the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life.

[1 Chronicles 1] TOC

^1:1 Adam, Seth, Enosh, ^1:2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, ^1:3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, ^1:4 Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.

^1:5 The sons of Japheth: Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.^1:6 And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz and Diphath {Riphath} and Togarmah. ^1:7 And the sons of Javan: Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Rodanim {maybe: Dodanim}.

^1:8 The sons of Ham: Cush and Mizraim, Put and Canaan. ^1:9 And the sons of Cush: Seba and Havilah and Sabta and Raama {Raamah} and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. ^1:10 And Cush fathered Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. ^1:11 And Mizraim fathered Ludim and Anamim and Lehabim and Naphtuhim, ^1:12 and Pathrusim and Casluhim (from whence came the Philistines) and Caphtorim. ^1:13 And Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and Heth, ^1:14 and the Jebusite and the Amorite and the Girgashite, ^1:15 and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite, ^1:16 and the Arvadite and the Zemarite and the Hamathite.

^1:17 The sons of Shem: Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram and Uz and Hul and Gether and Meshech. ^1:18 And Arpachshad fathered Shelah and Shelah fathered Eber. ^1:19 And to 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. ^1:20 And Joktan fathered Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah,^1:21 and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah, ^1:22 and Ebal and Abimael and Sheba, ^1:23 and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.

^1:24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, ^1:25 Eber, Peleg, Reu, ^1:26 Serug, Nahor, Terah, ^1:27 Abram (what is Abraham).

^1:28 The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.

^1:29 These are their genealogy: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam, ^1:30 Mishma and Dumah, Massa, Hadad and Tema, ^1:31 Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.

^1:32 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. ^1:33 And the sons of Midian: Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

^1:34 And Abraham fathered Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.

^1:35 The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel and Jeush and Jalam and Korah. ^1:36 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman and Omar, Zephi and Gatam, Kenaz and Timna and Amalek. ^1:37 The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. ^1:38 (And the sons of Seir: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah and Dishon and Ezer and Dishan. ^1:39 And the sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. And Timna was Lotan's sister. ^1:40 The sons of Shobal: Alian and Manahath and Ebal, Shephi and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. ^1:41 The sons of Anah: Dishon. And the sons of Dishon: Hamran and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran. ^1:42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.)

^1:43 Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel: Bela the son of Beor. And the name of his city was Dinhabah. ^1:44 And Bela died and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned instead of him. ^1:45 And Jobab died and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned instead of him. ^1:46 And Husham died and Hadad the son of Bedad, who killed^* Midian in the field of Moab, reigned instead of him. And the name of his city was Avith. ^1:47 And Hadad died and Samlah of Masrekah reigned instead of him. ^1:48 And Samlah died and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned instead of him. ^1:49 And Shaul died and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned instead of him. ^1:50 And Baal-hanan died and Hadad reigned instead of him. And the name of his city was Pai and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab. ^1:51And Hadad died.

And the chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth, ^1:52 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, ^1:53 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, ^1:54 chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.

[1 Chronicles 2] TOC

^2:1 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, Issachar and Zebulun, ^2:2 Dan, Joseph and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

^2:3 The sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Shelah, which three were born to him of Shua's daughter the Canaanites. And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah and he killed him. ^2:4 And Tamar his daughter-in-law bore for him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.

^2:5 The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. ^2:6 And the sons of Zerah: Zimri and Ethan and Heman and Calcol and Dara; five of them in all.

^2:7 And the sons of Carmi: Achar {Achan}, the troubler of Israel who committed a trespass in the devoted thing. ^2:8 And the sons of Ethan: Azariah.

^2:9 The sons also of Hezron who were born to him: Jerahmeel and Ram and Chelubai. ^2:10 And Ram fathered Amminadab and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, ruler of the sons of Judah. ^2:11 And Nahshon fathered Salmon and Salmon fathered Boaz, ^2:12 and Boaz fathered Obed and Obed fathered Jesse, ^2:13 and Jesse fathered his firstborn Eliab and Abinadab the second and Shimea the third, ^2:14Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, ^2:15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh. ^2:16 And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah: Abishai and Joab and Asahel, three. ^2:17 And Abigail bore Amasa. And the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.

^2:18 And Caleb the son of Hezron fathered sons of Azubah his wife and of Jerioth. And these were her sons: Jesher and Shobab and Ardon. ^2:19 And Azubah died and Caleb took to him Ephrath, who bore for him Hur. ^2:20 And Hur fathered Uri and Uri fathered Bezalel.

^2:21 And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he took a wife when he was sixty years old and she bore for him Segub. ^2:22 And Segub fathered Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. ^2:23 And Geshur and Aram took the towns of Jair from them, with Kenath and the villages of it, even sixty cities. All these were the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. ^2:24 And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb-ephrathah, then Abijah, Hezron's wife bore for him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.

^2:25 And the sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were Ram the firstborn and Bunah and Oren and Ozem, Ahijah. ^2:26 And Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam. ^2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were Maaz and Jamin and Eker. ^2:28 And the sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. And the sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur. ^2:29 And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail and she bore for him Ahban and Molid. ^2:30 And the sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim; but Seled died without sons. ^2:31 And the sons of Appaim: Ishi. And the sons of Ishi: Sheshan. And the sons of Sheshan: Ahlai. ^2:32And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai: Jether and Jonathan; and Jether died without sons. ^2:33 And the sons of Jonathan: Peleth and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.

^2:34 Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha. ^2:35 And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as a wife and she bore for him Attai. ^2:36 And Attai fathered Nathan and Nathan fathered Zabad, ^2:37 and Zabad fathered Ephlal and Ephlal fathered Obed, ^2:38 and Obed fathered Jehu and Jehu fathered Azariah, ^2:39 and Azariah fathered Helez and Helez fathered Eleasah, ^2:40 and Eleasah fathered Sismai and Sismai fathered Shallum, ^2:41 and Shallum fathered Jekamiah and Jekamiah fathered Elishama.

^2:42 And the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron. ^2:43 And the sons of Hebron: Korah and Tappuah and Rekem and Shema. ^2:44 And Shema fathered Raham, the father of Jorkeam and Rekem fathered Shammai. ^2:45 And the son of Shammai was Maon and Maon was the father of Beth-zur. ^2:46 And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran and Moza and Gazez. And Haran fathered Gazez. ^2:47 And the sons of Jahdai: Regem and Jotham and Geshan and Pelet and Ephah and Shaaph. ^2:48 Maacah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. ^2:49 She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsah. ^2:50 These were the sons of Caleb: the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim, ^2:51Salmon the father of Bethlehem, Hareph the father of Beth-gader.

^2:52 And Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim had sons: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites, ^2:53 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 {Eshtaulites}.

^2:54 The sons of Salmon: Bethlehem and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

^2:55 And the families of scribes who dwelt at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

[1 Chronicles 3] TOC

^3:1 Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess; ^3:2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; ^3:3the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.

^3:4 Six were born to him in Hebron and he reigned there seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.

^3:5 And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea and Shobab and Nathan and Solomon, four, of Bathsheba the daughter of Ammiel; ^3:6 and Ibhar and Elishama {Elishua} and Eliphelet, ^3:7 and Nogah and Nepheg and Japhia, ^3:8 and Elishama and Eliada and Eliphelet, nine.

^3:9 All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines. And Tamar was their sister.

^3:10 And Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, ^3:11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, ^3:12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, ^3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, ^3:14 Amon his son, Josiah his son.

^3:15 And the sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. ^3:16 And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah {Jehoiachin} his son, Zedekiah his son. ^3:17And the sons of Jeconiah {Jehoiachin}, the captive: Shealtiel his son, ^3:18 and Malchiram and Pedaiah and Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah. ^3:19And the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister; ^3:20 and Hashubah and Ohel and Berechiah and Hasadiah, Jushab-hesed, five. ^3:21 And the sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah; the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah {Shechaniah}. ^3:22 And the sons of Shecaniah {Shechaniah}: Shemaiah. And the sons of Shemaiah: Hattush and Igal and Bariah and Neariah and Shaphat, six. ^3:23 And the sons of Neariah: Elioenai and Hizkiah and Azrikam, three. ^3:24 And the sons of Elioneai: Hodaviah and Eliashib and Pelaiah and Akkub and Johanan and Delaiah and Anani, seven.

[1 Chronicles 4] TOC

^4:1 The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron and Carmi and Hur and Shobal.

^4:2 And Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath. And Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These are the Zorathite families.

^4:3 And these were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel and Ishma and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi; ^4:4 and Penuel the father of Gedor and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.

^4:5 And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. ^4:6 And Naarah bore for him Ahuzzam and Hepher and Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. ^4:7 And the sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar and Ethnan. ^4:8And Hakkoz fathered Anub and Zobebah and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.

^4:9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. And his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. ^4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, If only you would bless me indeed and enlarge my border and that your hand might be with me and that you would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow! And God granted him what he requested.

^4:11 And Chelub the brother of Shuhah fathered Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. ^4:12 And Eshton fathered Beth-rapha and Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah.

^4:13 And the sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. And the sons of Othniel: Hathath. ^4:14 And Meonothai fathered Ophrah. And Seraiah fathered Joab the father of Ge-harashim {valley of craftsmen}, for they were craftsmen.

^4:15 And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah and Naam. And the sons of Elah: Kenaz. ^4:16And the sons of Jehallelel: Ziph and Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel.

^4:17 And the sons of Ezrah {Ezra}: Jether and Mered and Epher and Jalon. And she bore Miriam and Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. ^4:18And his wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor and Heber the father of Soco {Socoh} and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.

^4:19 And the sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. ^4:20 And the sons of Shimon: Amnon and Rinnah, Ben-hanan and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth.

^4:21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were: Er the father of Lecah and Laadah the father of Mareshah and the families of the house of those who worked fine linen, of the Beth-Ashbea {house of Ashbea}; ^4:22 and Jokim and the men of Cozeba {Achzib} and Joash and Saraph, who had dominion in Moab and Jashubi-lehem. And the records are ancient.

^4:23 These were the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah. They dwelt there with the king for his work.

^4:24 The sons of Simeon: Nemuel and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul; ^4:25 Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. ^4:26 And the sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son. ^4:27And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many sons, neither did all their family multiply like the sons of Judah.

^4:28 And they dwelt at Beer-sheba and Moladah and Hazar-shual, ^4:29 and at Bilhah and at Ezem and at Tolad, ^4:30 and at Bethuel and at Hormah and at Ziklag, ^4:31 and at Beth-marcaboth and Hazar-susim and at Beth-biri and at Shaaraim {Sharaim}.

These were their cities to the reign of David. ^4:32And their villages were Etam and Ain, Rimmon and Tochen and Ashan, five cities. ^4:33 And all their villages that were all around the same cities, to Baal. These were their dwellings and they have their genealogy.

^4:34 And Meshobab and Jamlech and Joshah the son of Amaziah, ^4:35 and Joel and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, ^4:36and Elioenai and Jaakobah and Jeshohaiah and Asaiah and Adiel and Jesimiel and Benaiah, ^4:37 and Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah– ^4:38these mentioned by name were rulers in their families and their fathers' houses increased greatly.

^4:39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. ^4:40 And they found lush and good pasture and the land was wide and quiet and peaceable, for those who dwelt there formerly were of Ham.

^4:41 And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and killed^* their tents and the Meunim who were found there and destroyed them utterly to this day and dwelt in their stead because there was pasture there for their flocks. ^4:42And 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. ^4:43 And they killed^* the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped and have dwelt there to this day.

[1 Chronicles 5] TOC

^5:1 And the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but, inasmuch as he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel and so the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. ^5:2 Now Judah prevailed above his brothers and the ruler came from him, but the birthright was Joseph's), ^5:3the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. ^5:4 The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, ^5:5Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, ^5:6Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive. He was ruler of the Reubenites.

^5:7 And his brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their genealogy was reckoned: the chief, Jeiel and Zechariah, ^5:8 and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baal-meon. ^5:9 And eastward he dwelt even to the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead. ^5:10 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.

^5:11 And the sons of Gad dwelt opposite them, in the land of Bashan to Salecah: ^5:12 Joel the chief and Shapham the second and Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. ^5:13 And their brothers of their fathers' houses: Michael and Meshullam and Sheba and Jorai and Jacan and Zia and Eber, seven. ^5:14 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 Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz. ^5:15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was chief of their fathers' houses. ^5:16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan and in its towns and in all the suburbs of Sharon, as far as their borders. ^5:17 All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam King of Israel.

^5:18 The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to carry buckler and sword and to shoot with bow and skillful in war, were forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty, who were able to go forth to war.^5:19 And they made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur and Naphish and Nodab. ^5:20 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 by them because they put their trust in him. ^5:21 And they took away their cattle: of their camels fifty thousand and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand and of donkeys two thousand and of men a hundred thousand. ^5:22 For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their stead until the captivity. ^5:23 And the sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land. They increased from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon.

^5:24 And these were the heads of their fathers' houses: even Epher and Ishi and Eliel and Azriel and Jeremiah and Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses. ^5:25And they trespassed against the God of their fathers and played the prostitute after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God destroyed before them. ^5:26 And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria and he carried them away, even the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh and brought them to Halah and Habor and Hara and to the river of Gozan to this day.

[1 Chronicles 6] TOC

^6:1 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. ^6:2 And the sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar and Hebron and Uzziel. ^6:3 And the sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. ^6:4Eleazar fathered Phinehas, Phinehas fathered Abishua, ^6:5 and Abishua fathered Bukki and Bukki fathered Uzzi, ^6:6 and Uzzi fathered Zerahiah and Zerahiah fathered Meraioth, ^6:7 Meraioth fathered Amariah and Amariah fathered Ahitub, ^6:8 and Ahitub fathered Zadok and Zadok fathered Ahimaaz,^6:9 and Ahimaaz fathered Azariah and Azariah fathered Johanan, ^6:10 and Johanan fathered Azariah, (he it is who executed the priest's office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem), ^6:11 and Azariah fathered Amariah and Amariah fathered Ahitub, ^6:12and Ahitub fathered Zadok and Zadok fathered Shallum, ^6:13 and Shallum fathered Hilkiah and Hilkiah fathered Azariah, ^6:14 and Azariah fathered Seraiah and Seraiah fathered Jehozadak. ^6:15 And Jehozadak went into captivity when Jehovah carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

^6:16 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath and Merari. ^6:17 And these are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. ^6:18 And the sons of Kohath were Amram and Izhar and Hebron and Uzziel. ^6:19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. And these are the Levite families according to their fathers.

^6:20 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, ^6:21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son.

^6:22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, ^6:23 Elkanah his son and Ebiasaph his son and Assir his son, ^6:24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son.^6:25 And the sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth.^6:26 As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah: Zophar his son and Nahath his son, ^6:27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. ^6:28 And the sons of Samuel: the firstborn Joel and the second Abijah.

^6:29 The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, ^6:30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

^6:31 And these are those whom David set over the service of song in the house of Jehovah, after the ark had rest. ^6:32 And they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon had built the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem and they served in their office according to their order. ^6:33 And these are those who served and their sons.

Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, ^6:34 the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, ^6:35 the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, ^6:36 the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, ^6:37 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, ^6:38 the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.

^6:39 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea, ^6:40 the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah, ^6:41 the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, ^6:42 the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, ^6:43 the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.

^6:44 And on the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, ^6:45 the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, ^6:46 the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, ^6:47 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.

^6:48 And their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

^6:49 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. ^6:50 And these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, ^6:51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, ^6:52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, ^6:53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.

^6:54 Now these are their dwelling-places according to their encampments in their borders, to the sons of Aaron, of the Kohathite families (for theirs was the first lot), ^6:55 to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah and the suburbs of it all around it. ^6:56 But the fields of the city and the villages of it, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

^6:57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge, Hebron, Libnah also with its suburbs and Jattir and Eshtemoa with its suburbs, ^6:58 and Hilen with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs, ^6:59 and Ashan with its suburbs and Beth-shemesh with its suburbs. ^6:60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its suburbs and Allemeth with its suburbs and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.

^6:61 And to 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.

^6:62 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.

^6:63 To 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.

^6:64 And the sons of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their suburbs. ^6:65 And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the sons of Judah and out of the tribe of the sons of Simeon and out of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name.

^6:66 And some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim. ^6:67 And they gave to them the cities of refuge, Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim with its suburbs, also Gezer with its suburbs, ^6:68 and Jokmeam with its suburbs and Beth-horon with its suburbs, ^6:69 and Aijalon with its suburbs and Gath-rimmon with its suburbs.

^6:70 And out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath. ^6:71 To the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its suburbs and Ashtaroth with its suburbs.

^6:72 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs, ^6:73 and Ramoth with its suburbs and Anem with its suburbs.

^6:74 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mashal with its suburbs and Abdon with its suburbs, ^6:75 and Hukok with its suburbs and Rehob with its suburbs.

^6:76 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs and Hammon with its suburbs and Kiriathaim with its suburbs.

^6:77 To the rest of the Levites, the sons of Merari, were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmono {Rimmon} with its suburbs, Tabor with its suburbs.

^6:78 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 its suburbs and Jahzah with its suburbs, ^6:79 and Kedemoth with its suburbs and Mephaath with its suburbs.

^6:80 And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs and Mahanaim with its suburbs, ^6:81 and Heshbon with its suburbs and Jazer with its suburbs.

[1 Chronicles 7] TOC

^7:1 And of the sons of Issachar: Tola and Puah, Jashub and Shimron, four. ^7:2 And the sons of Tola: Uzzi and Rephaiah and Jeriel and Jahmai and Ibsam and Shemuel, heads of their fathers' houses, namely, of Tola, mighty men of valor in their genealogy. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand and six hundred. ^7:3 And the sons of Uzzi: Izrahiah. And the sons of Izrahiah: Michael and Obadiah and Joel, Isshiah, five; all of them chief men. ^7:4 And with them, by their genealogy, after their fathers' houses, were bands of the army for war, thirty-six thousand, for they had many wives and sons. ^7:5 And their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, reckoned in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.

^7:6 The sons of Benjamin: Bela and Becher and Jediael, three. ^7:7 And the sons of Bela: Ezbon and Uzzi and Uzziel and Jerimoth and Iri, five; heads of fathers' houses, mighty men of valor. And they were reckoned by genealogy twenty-two thousand and thirty-four. ^7:8 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. ^7:9 And they were reckoned by genealogy, after their genealogy, heads of their fathers' houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand and two hundred. ^7:10 And the sons of Jediael: Bilhan. And the sons of Bilhan: Jeush and Benjamin and Ehud and Chenaanah and Zethan and Tarshish and Ahi shahar. ^7:11 All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand and two hundred, who were able to go forth in the army for war. ^7:12 Also the Shuppim and the Huppim, the sons of Ir, and the Hushim, the sons of Aher.

^7:13 The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel and Guni and Jezer and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

^7:14 The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Syrian {Aramean} concubine bore. She bore Machir the father of Gilead. ^7:15 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. ^7:16 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 Rakem. ^7:17 And the son of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. ^7:18And his sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod and Abiezer and Mahlah. ^7:19 And the sons of Shemida were Ahian and Shechem and Likhi and Aniam.

^7:20 And the sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah and Bered his son and Tahath his son and Eleadah his son and Tahath his son, ^7:21 and Zabad his son and Shuthelah his son and Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their cattle.

^7:22 And Ephraim their father mourned many days and his brothers came to comfort him. ^7:23 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. ^7:24 And his daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth-horon the lower and the upper and Uzzen-sheerah. ^7:25 And Rephah was his son and Resheph and Telah his son and Tahan his son, ^7:26 Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, ^7:27 Nun his son, Joshua his son.

^7:28 And their possessions and dwellings were Bethel and the towns of it and eastward Naaran and westward Gezer, with the towns of it, also Shechem and the towns of it, to Gaza {Ayyah, Azzah} and the towns of it, ^7:29 and by the borders of the sons of Manasseh, Beth-shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the sons of Joseph the son of Israel.

^7:30 The sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi and Beriah and Serah their sister. ^7:31 And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. ^7:32 And Heber fathered Japhlet and Shomer and Hotham and Shua their sister. ^7:33 And the sons of Japhlet: Pasach and Bimhal and Ashvath. These are the sons of Japhlet. ^7:34 And the sons of Shemer: Ahi and Rohgah, Jehubbah and Aram. ^7:35And the sons of Helem his brother: Zophah and Imna and Shelesh and Amal. ^7:36 The sons of Zophah: Suah and Harnepher and Shual and Beri and Imrah, ^7:37 Bezer and Hod and Shamma and Shilshah and Ithran and Beera. ^7:38 And the sons of Jether: Jephunneh and Pispa and Ara. ^7:39 And the sons of Ulla: Arah and Hanniel and Rizia. ^7:40 All these were the sons of Asher, heads of the fathers' houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the rulers. And the number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.

[1 Chronicles 8] TOC

^8:1 And Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second and Aharah the third, ^8:2 Nohah the fourth and Rapha the fifth. ^8:3 And Bela had sons: Addar and Gera and Abihud, ^8:4 and Abishua and Naaman and Ahoah, ^8:5 and Gera and Shephuphan and Huram.

^8:6 And these are the sons of Ehud. These are the heads of fathers of the inhabitants of Geba and they carried them captive to Manahath: ^8:7 Naaman and Ahijah and Gera. He carried them captive and he fathered Uzza and Ahihud. ^8:8 And Shaharaim fathered sons in the field of Moab after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives. ^8:9And he fathered of Hodesh his wife, Jobab and Zibia and Mesha and Malcam, ^8:10 and Jeuz and Sachia {Shachia} and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers.

^8:11 And of Hushim he fathered Abitub and Elpaal. ^8:12 And the sons of Elpaal: Eber and Misham and Shemer {Shemer}, who built Ono and Lod, with the towns of it, ^8:13 and Beriah and Shema (who were heads of fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon who put the inhabitants of Gath to flight) ^8:14 and Ahio, Shashak and Jeremoth, ^8:15 and Zebadiah and Arad and Eder, ^8:16 and Michael and Ishpah and Joha, the sons of Beriah, ^8:17 and Zebadiah and Meshullam and Hizki and Heber, ^8:18 and Ishmerai and Izliah {Jezliah} and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal, ^8:19 and Jakim and Zichri and Zabdi, ^8:20 and Elienai and Zillethai and Eliel, ^8:21 and Adaiah and Beraiah and Shimrath, the sons of Shimei, ^8:22 and Ishpan and Eber and Eliel, ^8:23and Abdon and Zichri and Hanan, ^8:24 and Hananiah and Elam and Anthothijah, ^8:25 and Iphdeiah and Penuel, the sons of Shashak, ^8:26 and Shamsherai and Shehariah and Athaliah, ^8:27 and Jaareshiah and Elijah and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.

^8:28 These were heads of fathers throughout their genealogy, chief men; these dwelt in Jerusalem.

^8:29 And in Gibeon there dwelt the father of Gibeon Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maacah, ^8:30and his firstborn son Abdon and Zur and Kish and Baal and Nadab, ^8:31 and Gedor and Ahio and Zecher.^8:32 And Mikloth fathered Shimeah. And they also dwelt with their brothers in Jerusalem, opposite their brothers.

^8:33 And Ner fathered Kish and Kish fathered Saul and Saul fathered Jonathan and Malchi-shua and Abinadab and Eshbaal. ^8:34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal and Merib-baal fathered Micah. ^8:35 And the sons of Micah: Pithon and Melech and Tarea and Ahaz. ^8:36 And Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah and Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth and Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri fathered Moza, ^8:37and Moza fathered Binea. Raphah {Rapha} was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. ^8:38 And Azel had six sons whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru and Ishmael and Sheariah and Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. ^8:39 And the sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second and Eliphelet the third. ^8:40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers and had many sons and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.

[1 Chronicles 9] TOC

^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 for their transgression.

^9:2 Now the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, the priests, the Levites and the Nethinim.

^9:3 And in Jerusalem dwelt of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin and of the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh: ^9:4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the sons of Perez the son of Judah. ^9:5 And of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. ^9:6 And of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel and their brothers, six hundred and ninety.

^9:7 And of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah, ^9:8 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 Ibnijah, ^9:9 and their brothers, according to their genealogy, nine hundred and fifty-six.

All these men were heads of fathers by their fathers' houses.

^9:10 And of the priests: Jedaiah and Jehoiarib, Jachin, ^9:11 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, ^9:12and 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, ^9:13 and their brothers, heads of their fathers' houses, a thousand and seven hundred and sixty, very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

^9:14 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari, ^9:15 and Bakbakkar, Heresh and Galal and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph, ^9:16 and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

^9:17 And the gatekeepers: Shallum and Akkub and Talmon and Ahiman and their brothers (Shallum was the chief), ^9:18 who formerly served in the king's gate eastward. They were the gatekeepers for the camp of the sons of Levi. ^9:19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah and his brothers, of his father's house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent. And their fathers had been over the camp of Jehovah, keepers of the entry. ^9:20And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and Jehovah was with him. ^9:21Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the door of the tent of meeting.

^9:22 All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers in the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer established in their office of trust.

^9:23 So they and their sons had the oversight of the gates of the house of Jehovah, even the house of the tent, as guards. ^9:24 On the four sides were the gatekeepers, toward the east, west, north and south.

^9:25 And their brothers, in their villages, were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them; ^9:26 for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were in an office of trust and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God. ^9:27 And they lodged all around the house of God, because the charge of it was upon them and to them pertained the opening of it morning by morning.

^9:28 And certain of them had charge of the vessels of service, for by count were these brought in and by count were these taken out. ^9:29 Some of them were also appointed over the furniture and over all the vessels of the sanctuary and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the frankincense and the spices. ^9:30 And some of the sons of the priests prepared the confection of the spices. ^9:31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the office of trust over the things that were baked in pans. ^9:32 And some of their brothers, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread to prepare it every Sabbath.

^9:33 And these are the singers, heads of fathers of the Levites, who dwelt in the chambers and were free from other service, for they were employed in their work day and night.

^9:34 These were heads of fathers of the Levites, throughout their genealogy, chief men; these dwelt at Jerusalem.

^9:35 And in Gibeon there dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maacah, ^9:36and his firstborn son Abdon and Zur and Kish and Baal and Ner and Nadab, ^9:37 and Gedor and Ahio and Zechariah and Mikloth. ^9:38 And Mikloth fathered Shimeam {Shimeah}. And they also dwelt with their brothers in Jerusalem, opposite their brothers.

^9:39 And Ner fathered Kish and Kish fathered Saul and Saul fathered Jonathan and Malchi-shua and Abinadab and Eshbaal. ^9:40 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal and Merib-baal fathered Micah. ^9:41 And the sons of Micah: Pithon and Melech and Tahrea, and Ahaz. ^9:42 And Ahaz fathered Jarah and Jarah fathered Alemeth and Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri fathered Moza, ^9:43 and Moza fathered Binea and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. ^9:44 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru and Ishmael and Sheariah and Obadiah and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.

[1 Chronicles 10] TOC

^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. ^10:2And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. ^10:3And the battle went hard against Saul and the archers overtook him. And he was wounded because of the archers.

^10:4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell upon it. ^10:5And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword and died. ^10:6 So Saul died and his three sons. And all his house died together.

^10:7 And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

^10:8 And it happened on the next-day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in Mount Gilboa. ^10:9 And they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent into the land of the Philistines all around to carry the news to their idols and to the people. ^10:10And they put his armor in the house of their gods and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.

^10:11 And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, ^10:12 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 oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

^10:13 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah, which he did not keep and also because he asked counsel of a spiritist, to inquire of it, ^10:14and did not inquire of Jehovah. Therefore he killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

[1 Chronicles 11] TOC

^11:1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. ^11:2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And Jehovah your God said to you, You will be shepherd of my people Israel and you will be ruler over my people Israel.

^11:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron. And David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Jehovah by Samuel.

^11:4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (what is Jebus) and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. ^11:5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You will not come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. ^11:6 And David said, Whoever slays the Jebusites first will be chief and captain. And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first and was made chief.

^11:7 And David dwelt in the stronghold. Therefore they called it the city of David. ^11:8 And he built the city all around, from Millo even all around. And Joab repaired the rest of the city. ^11:9 And David grew greater and greater, for Jehovah of hosts was with him.

^11:10 Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Jehovah concerning Israel.

^11:11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.

^11:12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.^11:13 He was with David at Pasdammim 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. ^11:14 And they stood in the midst of the plot and defended it and killed the Philistines. And Jehovah saved them by a great victory.

^11:15 And three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David into the cave of Adullam. And the army of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim. ^11:16 And David was then in the stronghold and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

^11:17 And David longed and said, If only a man would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! ^11:18 And the three broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink of it, but poured it out to Jehovah,^11:19 and said, My God forbid it of me, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

^11:20 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three, for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them and had a name among the three. ^11:21 Of the three, he was more famous than the two and was made their captain. However he did not attain to the first three.

^11:22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow. ^11:23 And he killed 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 killed him with his own spear.

^11:24 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did and had a name among the three mighty men. ^11:25Behold, he was more famous than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

^11:26 Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, ^11:27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, ^11:28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, ^11:29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, ^11:30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, ^11:31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, ^11:32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,^11:33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, ^11:34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, ^11:35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,^11:36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,^11:37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,^11:38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, ^11:39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, ^11:40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, ^11:41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, ^11:42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites and thirty with him, ^11:43 Hanan the son of Maacah and Joshaphat the Mithnite, ^11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, ^11:45 Jediael the son of Shimri and Joha his brother, the Tizite, ^11:46 Eliel the Mahavite and Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam and Ithmah the Moabite, ^11:47 Eliel and Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

[1 Chronicles 12] TOC

^12:1 Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war. ^12:2 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 brothers of Benjamin.

^12:3 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, ^12:4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty and over the thirty and Jeremiah and Jahaziel and Johanan and Jozabad the Gederathite, ^12:5 Eluzai and Jerimoth and Bealiah and Shemariah and Shephatiah the Haruphite, ^12:6 Elkanah and Isshiah and Azarel and Joezer and Jashobeam, the Korahites, ^12:7 and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

^12:8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and they were as swift as the roe-deers upon the mountains: ^12:9 Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, ^12:10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, ^12:11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, ^12:12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, ^12:13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

^12:14 These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army. He who was least was equal to a hundred and the greatest to a thousand. ^12:15 These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month when it had overflowed all its banks. And they put to flight all those of the valleys, both toward the east and toward the west.

^12:16 And there came of the sons of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David. ^12:17 And David went out to meet them and answered and said to them, If you^* have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be knit to you^*, but if you^* are coming to betray me to my adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look on it and rebuke it.

^12:18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, We are yours, David and on your side, you son of Jesse. Peace, peace be to you and peace be to your helpers, for your God helps you. Then David received them and made them captains of the band.

^12:19 From Manasseh also there fell away some to David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away upon advisement, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. ^12:20 As he went to Ziklag, there came to him from Manasseh, Adnah and Jozabad and Jediael and Michael and Jozabad and Elihu and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh. ^12:21 And they helped David against the band of rovers, for they were all mighty men of valor and were captains in the army.

^12:22 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great host, like the host of God. ^12:23 And these are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Jehovah.

^12:24 The sons of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.

^12:25 Of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

^12:26 Of the sons of Levi four thousand and six hundred. ^12:27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron. And with him were three thousand and seven hundred, ^12:28 and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor and of his father's house twenty-two captains.

^12:29 And of the sons of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand, for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.

^12:30 And of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.

^12:31 And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

^12:32 And of the sons of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred. And all their brothers were at their commandment.

^12:33 Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could arranged for battle, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand and who could order the battle array and were not of double heart.

^12:34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear.

^12:35 And of the Danites who could be arranged for battle, twenty-eight thousand and six hundred.

^12:36 And of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could be arranged for battle, forty thousand.

^12:37 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.

^12:38 All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect 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. ^12:39 And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them.

^12:40 Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, provisions 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] TOC

^13:1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.^13:2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, If it seems good to you^* and if it is of Jehovah our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us. ^13:3And let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not inquire from it in the days of Saul. ^13:4 And all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

^13:5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.^13:6 And David went up and all Israel, to Baalah, that is to Kiriath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, Jehovah who sits above the cherubim that is called by the Name. ^13:7And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab. And Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

^13:8 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.

^13:9 And when they came to the threshing-floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. ^13:10 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzza and he killed^* him because he put forth his hand to the ark. And he died there before God.

^13:11 And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzza. And he called that place Perez-uzza, to this day. ^13:12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

^13:13 So David did not move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. ^13:14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And Jehovah blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that he had.

[1 Chronicles 14] TOC

^14:1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David and cedar trees and masons and carpenters, to build for him a house. ^14:2 And David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was exalted on high for his people Israel's sake.

^14:3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem and David fathered more sons and daughters. ^14:4 And these are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, ^14:5 and Ibhar and Elishua and Elpelet, ^14:6and Nogah and Nepheg and Japhia, ^14:7 and Elishama and Beeliada and Eliphelet.

^14:8 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 against them.

^14:9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. ^14:10 And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will you deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said to him, Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.

^14:11 So they came up to Baal-perazim and David killed^* them there. And David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim. ^14:12 And they left their gods there. And David commanded and they were burned with fire.

^14:13 And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. ^14:14 And David inquired again of God. And God said to him, You will not go up after them. Turn away from them and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees. ^14:15 And it will be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you will go out to battle. For God has gone out before you to kill^* the army of the Philistines.

^14:16 And David did as God commanded him and they killed^* the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

^14:17 And the fame of David went out into all lands. And Jehovah brought the fear of him upon all nations.

[1 Chronicles 15] TOC

^15:1 And David made for him houses in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. ^15:2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites, for Jehovah has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister to him until everlasting. ^15:3 And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of Jehovah to its place, which he had prepared for it.

^15:4 And David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites: ^15:5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief and his brothers a hundred and twenty; ^15:6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief and his brothers two hundred and twenty; ^15:7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief and his brothers a hundred and thirty; ^15:8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief and his brothers two hundred; ^15:9of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief and his brothers eighty; ^15:10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief and his brothers a hundred and twelve.

^15:11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah and Joel, Shemaiah and Eliel and Amminadab. ^15:12 And said to them, You^* are the heads of the fathers of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you^* and your^* brothers, that you^* may bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. ^15:13 For because you^* did not at the first, Jehovah our God made a breach upon us, because we did not seek him according to the ordinance.

^15:14 So the priests and the Levites made themselves holy to bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^15:15 And the sons of the Levites bore the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves on it, as Moses commanded according to the word of Jehovah.

^15:16 And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding-aloud and lifting up the voice with joy. ^15:17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel. And of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah. And of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah. ^15:18 And with them their brothers of the second rank, Zechariah, Ben and Jaaziel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Unni, Eliab and Benaiah and Maaseiah and Mattithiah and Eliphelehu and Mikneiah and Obed-edom and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.

^15:19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph and Ethan, were appointed with cymbals of brass to sound-aloud. ^15:20 And Zechariah and Aziel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Unni and Eliab and Maaseiah and Benaiah, with psalteries set to Alamoth. ^15:21 And Mattithiah and Eliphelehu and Mikneiah and Obed-edom and Jeiel and Azaziah, with harps set to the Sheminith {octave}, to lead. ^15:22And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song. He instructed about the song because he was skillful.

^15:23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. ^15:24 And Shebaniah and Joshaphat and Nethanel and Amasai and Zechariah and Benaiah and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before the ark of God. And Obed-edom and Jehiah were gatekeepers for the ark.

^15:25 So David and the elders of Israel and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the house of Obed-edom with joy. ^15:26 And it happened, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, that they sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams. ^15:27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen and all the Levites who bore the ark and the singers and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers. And David had upon him an ephod of linen.

^15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting and with sound of the cornet and with trumpets and with cymbals, sounding-aloud with psalteries and harps.

^15:29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window and saw king David dancing and playing. And she despised him in her heart.

[1 Chronicles 16] TOC

^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. ^16:2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah. ^16:3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread and a portion of flesh and a cake of raisins.

^16:4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Jehovah and to celebrate and to thank and praise Jehovah, the God of Israel:^16:5 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, ^16:6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.

^16:7 Then on that day David first placed by the hand of Asaph and his brothers to give thanks to Jehovah.

^16:8 O give thanks to Jehovah. Call upon his name. Make known his practices among the peoples.^16:9 Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Talk of all his marvelous works. ^16:10 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Jehovah rejoice.

^16:11 Seek Jehovah and his strength. Seek his face continually. ^16:12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders and the judgments of his mouth, ^16:13 O you^* seed of Israel his servant, you^* sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. ^16:14 He is Jehovah our God. His judgments are in all the earth.

^16:15 Remember his everlasting covenant, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, ^16:16the covenant which he made with Abraham and his oath to Isaac, ^16:17 and confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, to Israel for an everlasting covenant,^16:18 saying, To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your^* inheritance, ^16:19 when you^* were but a few men in number, yes, very few and travelers in it, ^16:20 and they went about from nation to nation and from one kingdom to another people.

^16:21 He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, ^16:22 saying, Touch not my anointed ones and do my prophets no harm.

^16:23 Sing to Jehovah, all the earth. Show forth his salvation from day to day. ^16:24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. ^16:25 For great is Jehovah and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods. ^16:26For all the gods of the peoples are idols. But Jehovah made the heavens. ^16:27 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.

^16:28 Give to Jehovah, you^* kindred of the peoples. Give to Jehovah glory and strength. ^16:29Give to Jehovah the glory due to his name. Bring an offering and come before him. Worship Jehovah in holy array.

^16:30 Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it cannot be shaken. ^16:31 Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigns. ^16:32 Let the sea roar and the fullness of it. Let the field rejoice and all that is in it. ^16:33 Then will the trees of the wood sing for joy before Jehovah, for he comes to judge the earth.

^16:34 O give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good, for his loving kindness is everlasting. ^16:35 And say you^*, Save us, O God of our salvation. And gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name and to triumph in your praise. ^16:36 Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting.

And all the people said, Truly and praised Jehovah.

^16:37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, Asaph and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required, ^16:38 and Obed-edom with their sixty-eight brothers. And Obed-edom the son of Jeduthun and Hosah were to be gatekeepers, ^16:39 and Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests, before the tabernacle of Jehovah in the high place that was at Gibeon, ^16:40 to offer burnt-offerings to Jehovah upon the altar of burnt-offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Jehovah, which he commanded to Israel.

^16:41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest that were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Jehovah because his loving kindness is everlasting. ^16:42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those who should sound-aloud and with instruments for the songs of God and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate. ^16:43 And all the people departed every man to his house. And David returned to bless his house.

[1 Chronicles 17] TOC

^17:1 And it happened, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah dwells under curtains. ^17:2 And Nathan said to David, Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.

^17:3 And it happened the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

^17:4 Go and tell David my servant, Jehovah says thus, You will not build for me a house to dwell in. ^17:5 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, to this day, but have gone from tent to tent and from one tabernacle to another.^17:6 In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, Why have you^* not built for me a house of cedar?

^17:7 Now therefore thus you will say to my servant David, Jehovah of hosts says thus, I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. ^17:8And I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.

^17:9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be moved no more. Neither will the sons of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, ^17:10 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies.

Moreover I tell you that Jehovah will build for you a house. ^17:11 And it will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons. And I will establish his kingdom.

^17:12 He will build for me a house and I will establish his throne everlasting. ^17:13 I will be his father and he will be my son. And I will not take my loving kindness away from him as I took it from him who was before you. ^17:14 But I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom until everlasting and his throne will be established until everlasting.

^17:15 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

^17:16 Then David the king went in and sat before Jehovah. And he said,

Who am I, O Jehovah God and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? ^17:17 And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. But you have spoken of your servant's house for a great while to come and have regarded me according to the succession of a man of high degree, O Jehovah God. ^17:18What can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant.

^17:19 O Jehovah, for your servant's sake and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make known all these great things.^17:20 O Jehovah, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

^17:21 And what one nation on the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people whom you redeemed out of Egypt? ^17:22 For your people Israel you made your own people until everlasting. And you, Jehovah, became their God.

^17:23 And now, O Jehovah, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, be established until everlasting and do as you have spoken. ^17:24 And let your name be established and magnified until everlasting, saying, Jehovah of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel and the house of David your servant is established before you. ^17:25 For you, O my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray before you.

^17:26 And now, O Jehovah, you are God and have promised this good thing to your servant, ^17:27 and now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue everlasting before you; for you, O Jehovah, have blessed and it is blessed everlasting.

[1 Chronicles 18] TOC

^18:1 And after this it happened, that David killed^* the Philistines and subdued them and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. ^18:2 And he killed^* Moab and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

^18:3 And David killed^* Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates. ^18:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots and seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand on foot. And David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved from them for a hundred chariots.

^18:5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to aid Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed^* of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men. ^18:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus. And the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And Jehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.

^18:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. ^18:8 And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the brazen sea and the pillars and the vessels of brass.

^18:9 And when Tou King of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, ^18:10 he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to salute him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou) and he had with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

^18:11 These also king David dedicated to Jehovah, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations: from Edom and from Moab and from the sons of Ammon and from the Philistines and from Amalek.

^18:12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed^* eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt. ^18:13 And he put garrisons in Edom and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Jehovah gave victory to David wherever he went.

^18:14 And David reigned over all Israel and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people.

^18:15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, ^18:16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests and Shavsha was the scribe, ^18:17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites and the sons of David were chief about the king.

[1 Chronicles 19] TOC

^19:1 And it happened after this, that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon died and his son reigned instead of him. ^19:2 And David said, I will show kindness to 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 sons of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

^19:3 But the rulers of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?

^19:4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks and sent them away. ^19:5 And they came and informed David about the men. And he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Remain at Jericho until your^* beards be grown and then return.

^19:6 And when the sons of Ammon saw that they had made themselves stink to David, Hanun and the sons of Ammon sent a thousand talants of silver to hire for them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Aram-maacah {Syria of Maachah} and out of Zobah. ^19:7 So they hired for them thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities and came to battle.

^19:8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. ^19:9 And the sons of Ammon came out and put the battle in array at the gate of the city. And the kings that came were by themselves in the field.

^19:10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and behind, he chose from all the choice men of Israel and put them in array against the Syrians. ^19:11 And the rest of the company he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother and they put themselves in array against the sons of Ammon. ^19:12 And he said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you will help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.

^19:13 Be of good courage and let us act the man on behalf of our people and the cities of our God. And Jehovah do what seems good to him.

^19:14 So Joab and the company that were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle and they fled before him. ^19:15 And when the sons of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. ^19:16 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

^19:17 And it was told David. And he gathered all Israel together and passed over the Jordan and came upon them and arranged for battle against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. ^19:18 And the Syrians fled before Israel. And David killed of the Syrians the men of seven thousand chariots and forty thousand on foot and killed Shophach the captain of the army.

^19:19 And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David and served him, neither would the Syrians help the sons of Ammon any more.

[1 Chronicles 20] TOC

^20:1 And it happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that Joab led forth the army and wasted the country of the sons of Ammon and came and besieged Rabbah, but David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab killed^* Rabbah and overthrew it.

^20:2 And David took the crown of their king from his head and found it to weigh a talant of gold and there were precious stones in it. And it was set upon David's head and he brought out the spoil of the city, exceedingly much. ^20:3 And he brought out the people that were in it and cut with saws and with harrows of iron and with axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

^20:4 And it happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai of the sons of the giant and they were subdued.

^20:5 And there was again war with the Philistines. And Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

^20:6 And there was again war at Gath, where was a man of great stature whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand and six on each foot. And he also was born to the giant. ^20:7 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother killed him. ^20:8 These were born to the giant in Gath and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

[1 Chronicles 21] TOC

^21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. ^21:2 And David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan and bring me word that I may know the sum of them.

^21:3 And Joab said, Jehovah make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel? ^21:4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.

^21:5 And Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. And all those of Israel were a million and a hundred thousand men who drew a sword. And Judah was four hundred seventy thousand men who drew a sword. ^21:6 But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king's word was abominable to Joab.

^21:7 And God was displeased with this thing, therefore he killed^* Israel. ^21:8 And David said to God, I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, I beseech you, put away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.

^21:9 And Jehovah spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying, ^21:10 Go and speak to David, saying, Jehovah says thus, I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.

^21:11 So Gad came to David and said to him, Jehovah says thus, Take which you will: ^21:12 either three years of famine, or three months to be consumed before your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days the sword of Jehovah, even pestilence in the land and the messenger of Jehovah destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I will return to him who sent me.

^21:13 And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait. Let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Jehovah, for his mercies are very great and do not let me fall into the hand of man. ^21:14 So Jehovah sent a pestilence upon Israel and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

^21:15 And God sent a messenger to Jerusalem to destroy it. And as he was about to destroy, Jehovah beheld and he relented of the evil and said to the destroying messenger, It is enough. Now halt your hand. And the messenger of Jehovah was standing by the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

^21:16 And David lifted up his eyes and saw the messenger of Jehovah standing between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

^21:17 And David said to God, Is it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? Even I it is who have sinned and done very badly. But these sheep, what have they done? I beseech you, O Jehovah my God, let your hand be against me and against my father's house, but not against your people, that they should be plagued.

^21:18 Then the messenger of Jehovah commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and rear an altar to Jehovah in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

^21:19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in the name of Jehovah. ^21:20 And Ornan turned back and saw the messenger and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. ^21:21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out of the threshing-floor and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.

^21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Give me the place of this threshing-floor, that I may build on it an altar to Jehovah. For the full price you will give it me, that the plague may be stopped from the people.

^21:23 And Ornan said to David, Take it to you and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. Behold, I give you the oxen for burnt-offerings and the threshing instruments for wood and the wheat for the food-offering. I give it all.

^21:24 And king David said to Ornan, No, but I will truly buy it for the full price. Because I will not take what is yours for Jehovah, nor offer a burnt-offering without cost. ^21:25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

^21:26 And David built there an altar to Jehovah and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings and called upon Jehovah. And he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering. ^21:27And Jehovah commanded the messenger and he put up his sword again into the sheath of it.

^21:28 At that time, when David saw that Jehovah had answered him in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. ^21:29 For the tabernacle of Jehovah, which Moses made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt-offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. ^21:30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid because of the sword of the messenger of Jehovah.

[1 Chronicles 22] TOC

^22:1 Then David said, This is the house of Jehovah God and this is the altar of burnt-offering for Israel. ^22:2 And David commanded to gather together the travelers that were in the land of Israel. And he set masons to hew worked stones to build the house of God.

^22:3 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, ^22:4and cedar trees without number. For the Sidonians and those of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.

^22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender and the house that is to be built for Jehovah must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

^22:6 Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^22:7 And David said to Solomon his son, As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Jehovah my God.

^22:8 But the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You will not build a house to my name because you have shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

^22:9 Behold, a son will be born to you, who will be a man of rest. And I will give him rest from all his enemies all around, for his name will be Solomon. And I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. ^22:10 He will build a house for my name. And he will be my son and I will be his father and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel until everlasting.

^22:11 Now, my son, Jehovah be with you and prosper you and build the house of Jehovah your God as he has spoken concerning you. ^22:12 Only Jehovah give you discretion and understanding and give you charge concerning Israel, so that you may keep the law of Jehovah your God. ^22:13 Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Jehovah charged Moses with concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear, neither be dismayed.

^22:14 Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Jehovah a hundred thousand talants of gold and a million talants of silver and of brass and iron without weight, for it is in abundance. Also I have prepared timber and stone and you may add to it.

^22:15 Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber and all men who are skillful in all kinds of work. ^22:16 Of the gold, the silver and the brass and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing and Jehovah be with you.

^22:17 David also commanded all the rulers of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, ^22:18 Is not Jehovah your^* God with you^*? And has he not given you^* rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand and the land is subdued before Jehovah and before his people.

^22:19 Now set your^* heart and your^* soul to seek after Jehovah your^* God. Arise therefore and build you^* the sanctuary of Jehovah God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Jehovah.

[1 Chronicles 23] TOC

^23:1 Now David was old and full of days and he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

^23:2 And he gathered together all the rulers of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. ^23:3 And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward. And their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand. ^23:4 Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Jehovah. And six thousand were officers and judges, ^23:5 and four thousand were gatekeepers and four thousand praised Jehovah with the instruments which David said I made to praise Him.

^23:6 And David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

^23:7 Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. ^23:8The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief and Zetham and Joel, three. ^23:9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth {Shelomith} and Haziel and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers of Ladan. ^23:10 And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina {Ziza?} and Jeush and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. ^23:11 And Jahath was the chief and Zizah {Ziza?} the second. But Jeush and Beriah had not many sons. Therefore they became a fathers' house in one reckoning.

^23:12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel, four. ^23:13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was separated that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, until everlasting, to burn incense before Jehovah, to minister to him and to bless in his name, until everlasting. ^23:14 But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. ^23:15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. ^23:16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. ^23:17 And the sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. ^23:18 The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. ^23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth. ^23:20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief and Isshiah the second.

^23:21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. ^23:22 And Eleazar died and had no sons, but daughters only. And their brothers the sons of Kish took them as a wife. ^23:23The sons of Mushi: Mahli and Eder and Jeremoth, three.

^23:24 These were the sons of Levi after their fathers' houses, even the heads of the fathers of those of them that were counted, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of Jehovah, from twenty years old and upward. ^23:25 For David said, Jehovah, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people and he dwells in Jerusalem until everlasting. ^23:26 And also the Levites will no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it for the service of it.

^23:27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and upward.

^23:28 For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of Jehovah, 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, also ^23:29 for the showbread and for the fine flour for a food-offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of what is baked in the pan, or of what is soaked and for all manner of measure and size. ^23:30And to stand every morning to thank and praise Jehovah and likewise at evening. ^23:31 And to offer all burnt-offerings to Jehovah, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Jehovah. ^23:32 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 brothers, for the service of the house of Jehovah.

[1 Chronicles 24] TOC

^24:1 And the divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. ^24:2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no sons. Therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office. ^24:3 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. ^24:4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar. And thus they were 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.

^24:5 Thus they were divided by lot, one sort with another. For there were rulers of the sanctuary and rulers for God, both of the sons of Eleazar and of the sons of Ithamar. ^24:6 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 of the priests and of the Levites, one fathers' house being taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar.

^24:7 Now the first lot came out to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, ^24:8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, ^24:9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, ^24:10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, ^24:11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah {Shechaniah}, ^24:12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, ^24:13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, ^24:14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, ^24:15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, ^24:16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,^24:17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, ^24:18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

^24:19 This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Jehovah according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

^24:20 And of the rest of the sons of Levi: Of the sons of Amram, Shubael. Of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. ^24:21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. ^24:22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth. Of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. ^24:23 And the sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. ^24:24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah. Of the sons of Micah, Shamir. ^24:25The brother of Micah, Isshiah. Of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. ^24:26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno. ^24:27 The sons of Merari: Of Jaaziah were Beno and Shoham and Zaccur and Ibri. ^24:28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. ^24:29 Of Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. ^24:30And the sons of Mushi: Mahli and Eder and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers' houses.

^24:31 These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king and Zadok and Ahimelech and the heads of the fathers of the priests and of the Levites, the fathers of the chief even as those of his younger brother.

[1 Chronicles 25] TOC

^25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the army set apart 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 those who did the work according to their service was:

^25:2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur and Joseph and Nethaniah and Asharelah {Asarelah}, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king.

^25:3 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 Jehovah.

^25:4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. ^25:5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

^25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, psalteries and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman being under the order of the king. ^25:7 And the number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to Jehovah, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight.

^25:8 And they cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

^25:9 Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph, the second to Gedaliah (he and his brothers and sons were twelve), ^25:10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;^25:14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve;^25:19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:20 for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:21 for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:22 for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:23 for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:24 for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:25for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:26 for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:27 for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:28 for the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:29 for the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:30 for the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; ^25:31 for the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.

[1 Chronicles 26] TOC

^26:1 For the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. ^26:2 And Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, ^26:3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.

^26:4 And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third and Sacar the fourth and Nethanel the fifth, ^26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai {Peulthai} the eighth, for God blessed him. ^26:6 Also sons were born to Shemaiah his son, who ruled over the house of their father, for they were mighty men of valor. ^26:7The sons of Shemaiah: Othni and Rephael and Obed, Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu and Semachiah. ^26:8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom, they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service, sixty-two of Obed-edom.

^26:9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen.

^26:10 Also Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief), ^26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

^26:12 Of these were the divisions of the gatekeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers to minister in the house of Jehovah. ^26:13 And they cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers' houses for every gate.

^26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a discreet counselor, they cast lots and his lot came out northward. ^26:15 To Obed-edom southward and to his sons the store-house. ^26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the Gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch. ^26:17 Eastward were six Levites, four a day northward, four a day southward and for the store-house two by two. ^26:18 For Parbar westward, four at the highway and two at Parbar.

^26:19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers, of the sons of the Korahites and of the sons of Merari.

^26:20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God and over the treasures of the dedicated things. ^26:21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. ^26:22 The sons of Jehieli: Zetham and Joel his brother, over the treasures of the house of Jehovah. ^26:23 Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites: ^26:24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasures. ^26:25 And his brothers: of Eliezer came Rehabiah his son and Jeshaiah his son and Joram his son and Zichri his son and Shelomoth his son.

^26:26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king and the heads of the fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds and the captains of the army, had dedicated. ^26:27 They dedicated to repair the house of Jehovah out of the spoil won in battles.^26:28And 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, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth and of his brothers.

^26:29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outer business over Israel, for officers and judges.

^26:30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valor, a thousand and seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Jehovah and for the service of the king. ^26:31 Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their genealogy by fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead. ^26:32 And his brothers, men of valor, were two thousand and seven hundred, heads of fathers, 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] TOC

^27:1 Now the sons of Israel after their number, namely, the heads of fathers and the captains of thousands and of hundreds and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year– of every division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:2 Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was over the first division for the first month and in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:3 He was of the sons of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.

^27:4 And over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite and his division. And Mikloth was the ruler. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:5 The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, being chief. And in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:6 This is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty and over the thirty. And of his division was Ammizabad his son.

^27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab and Zebadiah his son after him. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:8 The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. And in his division were twenty-four thousand. ^27:9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the sons of Ephraim. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel. And in his division were twenty-four thousand.

^27:16 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; ^27:17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok; ^27:18 of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; ^27:19 of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel; ^27:20 of the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; ^27:21 of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;^27:22 of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.

^27:23 But David did not take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like the stars of heaven. ^27:24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but did not finish. And wrath came for this upon Israel. Neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.

^27:25 And Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king's treasures. And Jonathan the son of Uzziah was over the treasures in the fields, in the cities and in the villages and in the castles. ^27:26 And Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground. ^27:27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. And Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars. ^27:28 And Baal-hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland. And Joash was over the cellars of oil. ^27:29 And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon. And Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys. ^27:30And Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels. And Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys.^27:31And Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

^27:32 Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding and a scribe. And Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons.^27:33 And Ahithophel was the king's counselor. And Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. ^27:34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah and Abiathar. And the captain of the king's army was Joab.

[1 Chronicles 28] TOC

^28:1 And David assembled all the rulers of Israel, the rulers of the tribes and the captains of the companies that served the king by division and the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem.

^28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet and said, Hear me, my brothers and my people. As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah and for the footstool of our God. And I had made ready for the building. ^28:3 But God said to me, You will not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.

^28:4 However Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel everlasting. For he has chosen Judah to be ruler 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.

^28:5 And of all my sons (for Jehovah has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel. ^28:6 And he said to me, Solomon your son, he will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son and I will be his father. ^28:7 And I will establish his kingdom until everlasting, if he is constant to do my commandments and my ordinances, as at this day.

^28:8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your^* God, that you^* may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your^* sons after you^* until everlasting.

^28:9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, for Jehovah searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.^28:10 Take heed now, for Jehovah has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.

^28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple and of the houses of it and of the treasuries of it and of the upper rooms of it and of the inner chambers of it and of the place of the mercy-seat, ^28:12 and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Jehovah and for all the chambers all around, for the treasuries of the house of God and for the treasuries of the dedicated things, ^28:13 also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service of the house of Jehovah and for all the vessels of service in the house of Jehovah, ^28:14of 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, ^28:15 by weight also for the lamp-stands of gold and for the lamps of it, of gold, by weight for every lamp-stand and for the lamps of it and for the lamp-stands of silver, silver by weight for every lamp-stand and for the lamps of it, according to the use of every lamp-stand, ^28:16 and the gold by weight for the tables of showbread, for every table and silver for the tables of silver, ^28:17 and the forks and the basins and the cups, of pure gold and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl, ^28:18 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 Jehovah.

^28:19 All this, David said, I have been made to understand in writing from the hand of Jehovah, even all the works of this pattern.

^28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage and do it. Do not fear, nor be dismayed, for Jehovah God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah be finished. ^28:21 And behold, there are the courses of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God. And there will be with you in all manner of work every willing man who has skill, for any manner of service. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your commandment.

[1 Chronicles 29] TOC

^29:1 And David the king said to all the assembly, Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender and the work is great, for the palace is not for man, but for Jehovah God.

^29:2 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, stones for inlaid work and of different colors and all manner of precious stones and marble stones in abundance.

^29:3 Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, ^29:4 even three thousand talants of gold, of the gold of Ophir and seven thousand talants of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses, ^29:5 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 artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to Jehovah?

^29:6 Then the rulers of the fathers and the rulers of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered willingly. ^29:7 And they gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talants and ten thousand 128-grain weights and of silver ten thousand talants and of brass eighteen thousand talants and of iron a hundred thousand talants. ^29:8 And those with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Jehovah under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

^29:9 Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Jehovah.

And David the king also rejoiced with great joy.^29:10 Therefore David praised Jehovah before all the assembly. And David said, You are blessed, O Jehovah, the God of Israel our father, everlasting and everlasting. ^29:11 Yours, O Jehovah, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Jehovah and you are exalted as head above all. ^29:12 Both riches and honor come of you and you rule over all. And in your hand is power and might. And in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

^29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.

^29:14 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 you and of your own have we given you. ^29:15 For we are strangers before you and travelers, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow and there is no abiding.

^29:16 O Jehovah our God, all this store that we have prepared to build you a house for your holy name comes of your hand and is all your own. ^29:17 I know also, my God, that you try the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. And now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.

^29:18 O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Israel, our fathers, keep this everlasting in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people and prepare their heart to you. ^29:19 And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies and your statutes and to do all these things and to build the palace for you, for which I have made provision.

^29:20 And David said to all the assembly, Now praise Jehovah your^* God. And all the assembly praised Jehovah, the God of their fathers and bowed down their heads and bowed-down to Jehovah and the king.

^29:21 And they sacrificed sacrifices to Jehovah and offered burnt-offerings to Jehovah on the next-day 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, ^29:22 and ate and drank before Jehovah on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time and anointed him to Jehovah to be prince and Zadok to be priest.

^29:23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of Jehovah as king instead of David his father and prospered and all Israel obeyed him. ^29:24 And all the rulers and the mighty men and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves to Solomon the king.

^29:25 And Jehovah 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.

^29:26 Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. ^29:27 And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

^29:28 And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches and honor. And Solomon his son reigned instead of him.

^29:29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer and in the history of Nathan the prophet and in the history of Gad the seer, ^29:30 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 1] TOC

^1:1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom. And Jehovah his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly. ^1:2 And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every ruler in all Israel, the heads of the fathers.

^1:3 So Solomon and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon. For the tent of meeting of God was there, which Moses the servant of Jehovah had made in the wilderness. ^1:4But the ark of God David had brought up from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it. For he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.

^1:5 Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of Jehovah. And Solomon and the assembly sought to it. ^1:6 And Solomon went up there to the brazen altar before Jehovah, which was at the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it.

^1:7 In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, Ask what I will give you.

^1:8 And Solomon said to God, You have shown great loving kindness to David my father and have made me king instead of him. ^1:9 Now, O Jehovah God, let your promise to David my father be established. For you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. ^1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people. For who can judge this your people, that is so great?

^1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people over whom I have made you king, ^1:12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you, neither will any after you have the like.

^1:13 So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem and he reigned over Israel. ^1:14 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.

^1:15 And the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones and cedars he made to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.

^1:16 And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king's merchants received them in herds, each herd at a price. ^1:17 And they went after and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver and a horse for a hundred and fifty. And so they brought them out by their means for all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

[2 Chronicles 2] TOC

^2:1 Now Solomon purposed to build a house for the name of Jehovah and a house for his kingdom. ^2:2And Solomon counted out seventy thousand men to carry burdens and eighty thousand men who were hewers in the mountains and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

^2:3 And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedars to build for him a house to dwell in it, so with me. ^2:4 Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Jehovah 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 set feasts of Jehovah our God. This is an ordinance everlasting to Israel.

^2:5 And the house which I build is great. For our God is great above all gods. ^2:6 But who is able to build for him a house, seeing heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build for him a house, except only to burn incense before him?

^2:7 Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold and in silver and in brass and in iron and in purple and crimson and blue and who knows how to engrave engravings, to be with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.

^2:8 Send to me also cedar trees, fir trees and algum trees, out of Lebanon. For I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. And behold, my servants will be with your servants, ^2:9even to prepare for me timber in abundance. For the house which I am about to build will be great and wonderful.

^2:10 And behold, I will give to your servants, the hewers who 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.

^2:11 Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because Jehovah loves his people, he has made you king over them.^2:12 Huram said moreover, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endued with discretion and understanding, that should build a house for Jehovah and a house for his kingdom.

^2:13 And now I have sent a skillful man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's, ^2:14 the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan. And his father was a man of Tyre, skillful 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 engrave any manner of engraving and to devise any device, that there may be a place appointed to him with your skillful men and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.

^2:15 Now therefore the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants. ^2:16 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as you will need. And we will bring it to you in floats by sea to Joppa and you will carry it up to Jerusalem.

^2:17 And Solomon numbered all the aliens that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father had numbered them. And they were found a hundred and fifty-three thousand and six hundred. ^2:18 And he set seventy thousand of them to carry burdens and eighty thousand who were hewers in the mountains and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people to work.

[2 Chronicles 3] TOC

^3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Jehovah appeared to David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ^3:2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.

^3:3 Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was sixty cubits and the breadth twenty cubits. ^3:4 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 inside with pure gold.

^3:5 And the greater house he overlaid {i.e. paneled} with cypress-wood, which he overlaid with fine gold and worked on it palm trees and chains. ^3:6 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty. And the gold was gold of Parvaim. ^3:7 He also overlaid the house, the beams, the thresholds and the walls of it and the doors of it, with gold and engraved cherubim on the walls.

^3:8 And he made the most holy house; the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits and the breadth of it twenty cubits. And he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talants. ^3:9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

^3:10 And in the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work and they overlaid them with gold. ^3:11 And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long; the wing of the one 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. ^3:12 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.

^3:13 The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits. And they stood on their feet and their faces were toward the house. ^3:14And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson and fine linen and worked cherubim on it.

^3:15 Also he made two pillars before the house of thirty-five cubits in length and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits. ^3:16 And he made chains in the oracle and put them on the tops of the pillars. And he made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains. ^3:17 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] TOC

^4:1 Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length of it and twenty cubits the breadth of it and ten cubits the height of it.

^4:2 Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass. And the height of it was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits encompassed it all around.

^4:3 And under it was the likeness of oxen, which compassed it all around for ten cubits, encompassing the sea all around. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast. ^4:4 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 rear parts were turned inward.

^4:5 And it was a handbreadth thick. And the brim of it was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths.

^4:6 He also made ten basins and put five on the right hand and five on the left, to wash in them. They washed in them such things as belonged to the burnt-offering, but the sea was for the priests to wash in. ^4:7And he made the ten lamp-stands 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. ^4:8 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.

^4:9 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. ^4:10 And he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.

^4:11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels and the basins. So Huram made an end of doing the work that he worked for king Solomon in the house of God: ^4:12 the two pillars and the bowls and the two capitals which were on the top of the pillars and the two lattice-works to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, ^4:13 and the four hundred pomegranates for the two lattice-works, two rows of pomegranates for each lattice-work to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were upon the pillars. ^4:14 He also made the bases and he made the large-basins upon the bases, ^4:15 one sea and the twelve oxen under it. ^4:16 Also the pots and the shovels and the flesh-hooks and all the vessels of it, Huram his father made of bright brass for king Solomon for the house of Jehovah.

^4:17 The king cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. ^4:18Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance. For the weight of the brass could not be found out.

^4:19 And Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God, also the golden altar and the tables on which was the showbread, ^4:20 and the lamp-stands with their lamps, to burn according to the ordinance before the oracle, of pure gold, ^4:21 and the flowers and the lamps and the tongs, of gold and that perfect gold, ^4:22 and the snuffers and the basins and the spoons and the censors, of pure gold. And as for the entry of the house, the inner doors of it for the most holy place and the doors of the house, namely, of the temple, were of gold.

[2 Chronicles 5] TOC

^5:1 Thus all the work that Solomon worked for the house of Jehovah was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the vessels and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.

^5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the rulers of the fathers of the sons of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion. ^5:3 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month.

^5:4 And all the elders of Israel came. And the Levites took up the ark. ^5:5 And they brought up the ark and the tent of meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent. These the priests the Levites brought up.

^5:6 And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled to him, were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted nor numbered for a multitude.

^5:7 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim. ^5:8 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves of it above.^5:9 And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle, but they were not seen outside. And there it is to this day.

^5:10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb when Jehovah made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

^5:11 And it happened, when the priests came out of the holy place, (for all the priests that were present had made themselves holy and did not keep their divisions. ^5:12 Also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and their brothers, 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 blowing trumpets), ^5:13 it happened, when the trumpeters and singers were as one voice, to sound-aloud in praising and thanking Jehovah. And when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music and praised Jehovah, saying, For he is good. For his loving kindness is everlasting, that the house was then filled with a cloud, even the house of Jehovah, ^5:14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of Jehovah filled the house of God.

[2 Chronicles 6] TOC

^6:1 Then Solomon spoke, Jehovah has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. ^6:2 But I have built for you a house of dwelling and a place for you to dwell in everlasting.

^6:3 And the king turned his face and blessed all the assembly of Israel. And all the assembly of Israel stood. ^6:4 And he said, Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying, ^6:5 Since the day that I brought out 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 did I choose any man to be ruler over my people Israel. ^6:6 But I have chosen Jerusalem that my name might be there. And have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

^6:7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^6:8 But Jehovah said to David my father, Because it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. ^6:9Nevertheless you will not build the house, but your son who will come forth out of your loins, he will build the house for my name.

^6:10 And Jehovah has performed his word that he spoke. For I have risen up in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised and have built the house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^6:11 And there I have set the ark in which is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with the sons of Israel.

^6:12 And he stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread forth his hands. ^6:13 For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, 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 knelt down upon his knees before all the assembly of Israel and spread forth his hands toward heaven. ^6:14 And he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven, or on earth, who keep covenant and loving kindness with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart, ^6:15 who have kept with your servant David my father what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day.

^6:16 Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, There will not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take heed to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.

^6:17 Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David. ^6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you. How much less this house which I have built!

^6:19 Yet have you respect to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you, ^6:20 that your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place of which you have said that you would put your name there, to listen to the prayer which your servant will pray toward this place. ^6:21 And listen you to the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel, when they will pray toward this place. Yes, hear you from your dwelling-place, even from heaven and when you hear, forgive.

^6:22 If a man sins against his neighbor and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear and he comes and swears before your altar in this house, ^6:23then hear you from heaven and do and judge your servants, requiting the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

^6:24 And if your people Israel be struck down before the enemy because they have sinned against you and will turn again and confess your name and pray and make supplication before you in this house,^6:25 then hear you from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers.

^6:26 When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin when you do afflict them, ^6:27 then hear you in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk and send rain upon your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.

^6:28 If there is in the land famine, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there be, ^6:29 whatever prayer and supplication is made by any man, or by all your people Israel, who will know every man his own plague and his own sorrow and will spread forth his hands toward this house, ^6:30 then hear you from heaven your dwelling-place and forgive and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know, (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the sons of men),^6:31 that they may fear you, to walk in your ways so long as they live in the land which you gave to our fathers.

^6:32 Moreover concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he will come from a far country for your great name's sake and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when they will come and pray toward this house, ^6:33 then hear you from heaven, even from your dwelling-place and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for, that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.

^6:34 If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you will send them and they pray to you toward this city which you have chosen and the house which I have built for your name, ^6:35 then hear you from heaven their prayer and their supplication and maintain their cause.

^6:36 If they sin against you (for there is no man that sins not) and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to a land far off or near, ^6:37 yet if they will rethink themselves in the land where they are carried captive and turn again and make supplication to you in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done perversely and have dealt wickedly, ^6:38 if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity where they have carried them captive and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers and the city which you have chosen and toward the house which I have built for your name, ^6:39 then hear you from heaven, even from your dwelling-place, their prayer and their supplications and maintain their case and forgive your people who have sinned against you.

^6:40 Now, O my God, I beseech you, let your eyes be open and let your ears be attendant to the prayer that is made in this place. ^6:41 Now therefore arise, O Jehovah God, into your resting-place, you and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, O Jehovah God, be clothed with salvation and let your holy ones rejoice in goodness. ^6:42 O Jehovah God, do not turn away the face of your anointed. Remember your loving kindnesses to David your servant.

[2 Chronicles 7] TOC

^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 Jehovah filled the house. ^7:2 And the priests could not enter into the house of Jehovah, because the glory of Jehovah filled Jehovah's house.

^7:3 And all the sons of Israel looked on when the fire came down and the glory of Jehovah was upon the house. And they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to Jehovah, saying, For he is good. For his loving kindness is everlasting.

^7:4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before Jehovah. ^7:5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

^7:6 And the priests stood according to their offices, also the Levites with instruments of music of Jehovah, which David the king had made to give thanks to Jehovah (for his loving kindness is everlasting) when David praised by their ministry and the priests blew trumpets before them. And all Israel stood.

^7:7 Moreover Solomon made the middle of the court holy that was before the house of Jehovah. For he offered the burnt-offerings there 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 food-offering and the fat.

^7:8 So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt.^7:9 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. ^7:10 And on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Jehovah had shown to David and to Solomon and to Israel his people.

^7:11 Thus Solomon finished the house of Jehovah and the king's house. And all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Jehovah and in his own house, he caused to prosper.

^7:12 And Jehovah appeared to Solomon by night and said to him, I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.^7:13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people, ^7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

^7:15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attend to the prayer that is made in this place. ^7:16 For now I have chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there until everlasting and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually.

^7:17 And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked and do according to all that I have commanded you and will keep my statutes and mine ordinances, ^7:18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, just-as I covenanted with David your father, saying, There will not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.

^7:19 But if you^* turn away and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you^* and will go and serve other gods and worship them, ^7:20 then I will pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them. And this house, which I have made holy for my name, I will cast out of my sight and I will make it a proverb and a parable among all peoples.

^7:21 And this house, which is so high, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and will say, Why has Jehovah done thus to this land and to this house? ^7:22 And they will answer, Because they forsook Jehovah, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore he has brought all this evil upon them.

[2 Chronicles 8] TOC

^8:1 And it happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of Jehovah and his own house, ^8:2 that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them and caused the sons of Israel to dwell there.

^8:3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and prevailed against it. ^8:4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the store-cities, which he built in Hamath. ^8:5 Also he built Beth-horon the upper and Beth-horon the lower, fortified cities, with walls, gates and bars, ^8:6 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.

^8:7 As for all the people who were left of the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, that were not of Israel, ^8:8of their sons who were left after them in the land whom the sons of Israel did not consume, of them Solomon raised forced-labor to this day.

^8:9 But Solomon made no servants of the sons of Israel for his work, but they were men of war and chief of his captains and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen. ^8:10 And these were the chief officers of king Solomon, even two hundred and fifty that bore rule over the people.

^8:11 And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her. For he said, My wife will not dwell in the house of David King of Israel, because the places are holy in which the ark of Jehovah has come.

^8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt-offerings to Jehovah on the altar of Jehovah, which he had built before the porch, ^8:13 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 set feasts, three times in the year, even in the Feast of Unleavened Bread and in the Feast of Unleavened Bread and in the Feast of Booths.

^8:14 And he appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests to their service and the Levites to their offices, to praise and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required, also the gatekeepers by their divisions at every gate. For so David the man of God had commanded. ^8:15 And they did not depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

^8:16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared from the day of the foundation of the house of Jehovah and until it was finished. So the house of Jehovah was completed.

^8:17 Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth, on the seashore in the land of Edom. ^8:18 And Huram sent ships to him by the hands of his servants and servants who had knowledge of the sea. And they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir and fetched from there four hundred and fifty talants of gold and brought them to king Solomon.

[2 Chronicles 9] TOC

^9:1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan and camels that bore spices and gold in abundance and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him of all that was in her heart. ^9:2 And Solomon answered to her all her questions. And there was not anything hid from Solomon that he did not answer her.

^9:3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon and the house that he had built,^9:4 and the food of his table and the seating of his servants and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel, also his cupbearers and their apparel and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Jehovah, there was no more spirit in her.

^9:5 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom. ^9:6 However I did not believe their words until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame that I heard.

^9:7 Your men are fortunate and these, your servants, are fortunate who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom.

^9:8 Praise Jehovah your God, who delighted in you, to set you on his throne to be king for Jehovah your God. Because your God loved Israel, to establish them everlasting, therefore he made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.

^9:9 And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talants 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. ^9:10 And also the servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones. ^9:11 And the king made of the algum trees terraces for the house of Jehovah 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.

^9:12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.

^9:13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talants of gold, ^9:14 besides what the traders and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

^9:15 And king Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one buckler. ^9:16 And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

^9:17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. ^9:18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne and supports on either side by the place of the seat and two lions standing beside the supports. ^9:19 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.

^9:20 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 accounted of nothing in the days of Solomon. ^9:21 For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish came, bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks.

^9:22 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. ^9:23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. ^9:24 And they brought every man his tribute, vessels of silver and vessels of gold and garments, armor and spices, horses and mules, a rate year by year.

^9:25 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. ^9:26 And he ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. ^9:27 And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones and he made cedars to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance. ^9:28 And they brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt and out of all lands.

^9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? ^9:30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. ^9:31And Solomon slept with his fathers and he was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 10] TOC

^10:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem. For all Israel came to Shechem to make him king. ^10:2 And it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, from where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

^10:3 And they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying, ^10:4 Your father made our yoke grievous. Now therefore make you the grievous service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter and we will serve you. ^10:5 And he said to them, Come again to me after three days. And the people departed.

^10:6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel do you^* give me to return an answer to this people? ^10:7 And they spoke to him, saying, If you are kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.

^10:8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him and took counsel with the young men that grew up with him, who stood before him. ^10:9 And he said to them, What counsel do you^* give, that we may return an answer to this people who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father put upon us lighter?

^10:10 And the young men that grew up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus you will say to the people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us. Thus you will say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins. ^10:11 And now my father burdened you^* with a heavy yoke, I will add to your^* yoke. My father disciplined you^* with whips, but I with scorpions.

^10:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king commanded, saying, Come to me again the third day. ^10:13 And the king answered them roughly. And king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, ^10:14 and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your^* yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you^* with whips, but I with scorpions.

^10:15 So the king did not listen to the people. For it was brought about by God, that Jehovah might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

^10:16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to 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 your own house, David. So all Israel departed to their tents.

^10:17 But as for the sons of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.^10:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to forced-labor. And the sons of Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. ^10:19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.

[2 Chronicles 11] TOC

^11:1 And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. ^11:2 But the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, ^11:3 Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, ^11:4 Jehovah says thus, You^* will not go up, nor fight against your^* brothers. Return every man to his house. For this thing is of me. So they listened to the words of Jehovah and returned from going against Jeroboam.

^11:5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah. ^11:6 He built Bethlehem and Etam and Tekoa, ^11:7 And Beth-zur and Soco {Socoh} and Adullam, ^11:8 and Gath and Mareshah and Ziph, ^11:9 and Adoraim and Lachish and Azekah,^11:10and Zorah and Aijalon and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities. ^11:11 And he fortified the strongholds and put captains in them and stores of victuals and oil and wine. ^11:12 And in every city he put shields and spears and made them exceedingly strong. And Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.

^11:13 And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border. ^11:14For the Levites left their suburbs 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 to Jehovah. ^11:15And he appointed priests for him for the high places and for the male-goats and for the calves which he had made.

^11:16 And after them, such as set their hearts to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem out of all the tribes of Israel to sacrifice to Jehovah, the God of their fathers. ^11:17 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.

^11:18 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. ^11:19And she bore sons for him: Jeush and Shemariah and Zaham. ^11:20 And after her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom. And she bore for him Abijah and Attai and Ziza and Shelomith. ^11:21 And Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines. For he took eighteen wives and thirty concubines and fathered twenty-eight sons and thirty daughters.

^11:22 And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the ruler among his brothers. For he intended to make him king. ^11:23 And he dealt wisely and dispersed all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. And he gave them provisions in abundance. And he sought for them many wives.

[2 Chronicles 12] TOC

^12:1 And it happened, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Jehovah and all Israel with him.

^12:2 And it happened in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Jehovah, ^12:3 with twelve hundred chariots and thirty thousand horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim and the Ethiopians. ^12:4 And he took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah and came to Jerusalem.

^12:5 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the rulers of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak and said to them, Jehovah says thus, You^* have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you^* in the hand of Shishak. ^12:6 Then the rulers of Israel and the king humbled themselves and they said, Jehovah is righteous.

^12:7 And when Jehovah saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Jehovah came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance and my wrath will not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. ^12:8 Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

^12:9 So Shishak King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king's house; he took all away. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

^12:10 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. ^12:11 And it was so, that, as often as the king entered into the house of Jehovah, the guard came and bore them and brought them back into the guard-chamber.

^12:12 And when he humbled himself, the wrath of Jehovah turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. And moreover in Judah there were good things.

^12:13 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned. For Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Jehovah had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess. ^12:14 And he did what was evil, because he did not set his heart to seek Jehovah.

^12:15 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. ^12:16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. And Abijah his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 13] TOC

^13:1 In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. ^13:2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. ^13:3 And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men. And Jeroboam arranged for battle against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men who were mighty men of valor.

^13:4 And Abijah stood up upon Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim and said, Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel. ^13:5 Should you^* not know that Jehovah, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David everlasting, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? ^13:6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his lord.

^13:7 And there were gathered to him vain men, sons of worthlessness, who strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted and could not withstand them.

^13:8 And now you^* think to withstand the kingdom of Jehovah in the hand of the sons of David and you^* are a great multitude and there are with you^* the golden calves which Jeroboam made you^* for gods. ^13:9 Have you^* not driven out the priests of Jehovah, the sons of Aaron and the Levites and made priests for you^* after the manner of the peoples of other lands? So that whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.

^13:10 But as for us, Jehovah is our God and we have not forsaken him. And we have priests ministering to Jehovah, the sons of Aaron and the Levites in their work. ^13:11 And they burn to Jehovah every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense. Also they set the showbread in order upon the pure table and the lamp-stand of gold with the lamps of it to burn every evening. For we keep the charge of Jehovah our God, but you^* have forsaken him.

^13:12 And behold, God is with us at our head and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to shout an alarm against you^*. O sons of Israel, do not fight against Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers. For you^* will not prosper.

^13:13 But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come around behind them, so they were before Judah and the ambush was behind them.

^13:14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them. And they cried to Jehovah and the priests blew the trumpets. ^13:15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout. And as the men of Judah shouted, it happened, that God killed^* Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.

^13:16 And the sons of Israel fled before Judah and God delivered them into their hand. ^13:17 And Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter. So there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

^13:18 Thus the sons of Israel were brought under at that time and the sons of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon Jehovah, the God of their fathers.^13:19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns of it and Jeshanah with the towns of it and Ephron with the towns of it.

^13:20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah. And Jehovah killed^* him and he died. ^13:21 But Abijah grew mighty and took to himself fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.

^13:22 And the rest of the acts of Abijah and his ways and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.

[2 Chronicles 14] TOC

^14:1 So Abijah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned instead of him. In his days the land was quiet ten years.

^14:2 And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God. ^14:3 For he took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and hewed down the Asherim {pole-images}, ^14:4 and commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers and to do the law and the commandment. ^14:5 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.

^14:6 And he built fortified cities in Judah. For the land was quiet and he had no war in those years, because Jehovah had given him rest. ^14:7 For he said to 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 Jehovah our God. We have sought him and he has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

^14:8 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 eighty thousand. All these were mighty men of valor.

^14:9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a million and three hundred chariots. And he came to Mareshah. ^14:10Then Asa went out to meet him and they arranged for battle in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

^14:11 And Asa cried to Jehovah his God and said, Jehovah, there is none besides you to help, between the mighty and he who has no strength. Help us, O Jehovah our God. For we rely on you and in your name we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, you are our God. Do not let man prevail against you.

^14:12 So Jehovah killed^* the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah. And the Ethiopians fled. ^14:13And Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar. And there fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves. For they were destroyed before Jehovah and before his army. And they carried away very much booty.

^14:14 And they killed^* all the cities all around Gerar. For the fear of Jehovah came upon them. And they plundered all the cities. For there was much spoil in them. ^14:15 They also killed^* the tents of cattle and carried away sheep in abundance and camels and returned to Jerusalem.

[2 Chronicles 15] TOC

^15:1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. ^15:2 And he went out to meet Asa and said to him, Hear me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. Jehovah is with you^* while you^* are with him. And if you^* seek him, he will be found of you^*, but if you^* forsake him, he will forsake you^*.

^15:3 Now for a long time Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. ^15:4 But when in their distress they turned to Jehovah, the God of Israel and sought him, he was found by them. ^15:5 And in those times there was no peace to him who went out, nor to him who came in, but great confusions were upon all the inhabitants of the lands. ^15:6 And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation and city against city. For God distressed them with all adversity. ^15:7 But be you^* strong and do not let your^* hands be slack. For your^* work will be rewarded.

^15:8 And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and put away the abominations 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 Jehovah, that was before the porch of Jehovah.

^15:9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those who traveled with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh and out of Simeon, for they came to him out of Israel in abundance when they saw that Jehovah his God was with him. ^15:10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. ^15:11 And they sacrificed to Jehovah in that day of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.

^15:12 And they entered into the covenant to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul. ^15:13 And that whoever would not seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. ^15:14 And they swore to Jehovah with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with cornets. ^15:15 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 by them. And Jehovah gave them rest all around.

^15:16 And also he removed Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, 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. ^15:17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

^15:18 And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated and that he himself had dedicated, silver and gold and vessels.^15:19 And there was no more war to the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.

[2 Chronicles 16] TOC

^16:1 In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha King of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

^16:2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Jehovah and of the king's house and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who dwelt at Damascus, saying, ^16:3 There is a league between me and you, as between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold. Go, break your league with Baasha King of Israel that he may depart from me.

^16:4 And Ben-hadad listened to king Asa and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. And they killed^* Ijon and Dan and Abel-maim and all the store-cities of Naphtali. ^16:5 And it happened, when Baasha heard of it, that he left off building Ramah and let his work cease. ^16:6 Then Asa the king took all Judah and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timber of it, with which Baasha had built. And he built Geba and Mizpah with it.

^16:7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria and have not relied on Jehovah your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand.

^16:8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with chariots and horsemen exceedingly many? Yet, because you relied on Jehovah, he delivered them into your hand.

^16:9 For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong to those whose heart is perfect toward him. In this you have done foolishly, for from hereafter you will have wars.

^16:10 Then Asa was angry 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 at the same time.

^16:11 And behold, the acts of Asa, first and last behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. ^16:12 And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet. His disease was exceedingly great, yet in his disease he did not seek for Jehovah, but to the physicians.

^16:13 And Asa slept with his fathers and died in the forty-first year of his reign. ^16:14 And they buried him in his own sepulchers, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers' art. And they made a very great burning for him.

[2 Chronicles 17] TOC

^17:1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned instead of him and strengthened himself against Israel. ^17:2 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. ^17:3 And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David and did not seek for the Baals {Baalim}, ^17:4 but sought for the God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the practices of Israel.

^17:5 Therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute and he had riches and honor in abundance. ^17:6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah. And furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim {pole-images} out of Judah.

^17:7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his rulers, even Ben-hail and Obadiah and Zechariah and Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; ^17:8 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.

^17:9 And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Jehovah with them. And they went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

^17:10 And the fear of Jehovah fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were all around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. ^17:11 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 male-goats.

^17:12 And Jehoshaphat grew exceedingly great. And he built in Judah castles and cities of storage.^17:13 And he had many works in the cities of Judah and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.^17:14 And this was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses.

Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; ^17:15 and next to him Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand; ^17:16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Jehovah and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.

^17:17 And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; ^17:18 and next to him Jehozabad and with him a hundred and eighty thousand ready prepared for war.

^17:19 These were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

[2 Chronicles 18] TOC

^18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance. And he a marriage-agreement with Ahab. ^18:2 And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance and for the people who were with him and moved him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead. ^18:3 And Ahab King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as you are and my people as your people and will be with you in the war.

^18:4 And Jehoshaphat said to the King of Israel, I beseech you, inquire first for the word of Jehovah.^18:5 Then the King of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men and said to 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.

^18:6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him? ^18:7 And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, but I hate him. For he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil; the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Do not let the king say so. ^18:8 Then the King of Israel called an officer and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

^18:9 Now the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah each sat on his throne, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

^18:10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for him horns of iron and said, Jehovah says thus, With these you will push the Syrians until they are consumed. ^18:11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper. For Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king.

^18:12 And the messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets are good to the king with one mouth. Therefore, I beseech you, let your word be like one of theirs and speak good. ^18:13 And Micaiah said, As Jehovah lives, what my God says, I will speak that.

^18:14 And when he came to the king, the king said to him, Micaiah, will we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go up and prosper and they will be delivered into your^* hand. ^18:15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah?

^18:16 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And Jehovah said, These have no master. Let them return every man to his house in peace. ^18:17 And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?

^18:18 And Micaiah said, Therefore hear the word of Jehovah. I saw Jehovah sitting upon his throne and all the host of heaven standing at his right hand and at his left. ^18:19 And Jehovah said, Who will 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.

^18:20 And there came out a spirit and stood before Jehovah and said, I will entice him. And Jehovah said to him, With what? ^18:21 And he said, I will go forth and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, You will entice him and will also prevail. Go forth and do so.

^18:22 Now therefore, behold, Jehovah has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. And Jehovah has spoken evil concerning you.

^18:23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and killed^* Micaiah upon the cheek and said, Which way did the Spirit of Jehovah go from me to speak to you? ^18:24 And Micaiah said, Behold, you will see on that day when you will go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.

^18:25 And the King of Israel said, You^* take Micaiah and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, ^18:26 and say, Thus says the king, Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. ^18:27 And Micaiah said, If you return at all in peace, Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, you^* the peoples, all of you^*.

^18:28 So the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. ^18:29 And the King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but put you on your robes. So the King of Israel disguised himself and they went into the battle.

^18:30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, except only with the King of Israel.

^18:31 And it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the King of Israel. Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out. And Jehovah helped him and God moved them from him. ^18:32 And it happened, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the King of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

^18:33 And a certain man drew his bow at a venture and killed^* the King of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, Turn your hand and carry me out of the army. For I am severely wounded. ^18:34 And the battle increased that day. However the King of Israel propped himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the evening. And about the time of the going down of the sun he died.

[2 Chronicles 19] TOC

^19:1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. ^19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to king Jehoshaphat, Should you help the wicked and love those who hate Jehovah? For this thing wrath is upon you from before Jehovah. ^19:3 Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth {Asherahs} out of the land and have set your heart to seek God.

^19:4 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 to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.

^19:5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, ^19:6 and said to the judges, Consider what you^* do. For you^* judge not for man, but for Jehovah and he is with you^* in the judgment. ^19:7 Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you^*. Take heed and do it. For there is no unrighteousness with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.

^19:8 Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat set from the Levites and the priests and from the heads of the fathers of Israel for the judgment of Jehovah and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.

^19:9 And he charged them, saying, Thus you^* will do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully and with a perfect heart. ^19:10 And whenever any controversy will come to you^* from your^* brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you^* will warn them, that they are not guilty towards Jehovah and so wrath come upon you^* and upon your^* brothers. Do this and you^* will not be guilty.

^19:11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you^* in all matters of Jehovah and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters. The Levites will also be officers before you^*. Deal courageously and Jehovah be with the good.

[2 Chronicles 20] TOC

^20:1 And it happened after this, that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. ^20:2 Then there came some who told Jehoshaphat, saying, There comes a great multitude against you from beyond the sea from Syria. And behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (what is En-gedi).

^20:3 And Jehoshaphat was afraid and set himself to seek for Jehovah. And he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. ^20:4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to seek help from Jehovah, even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Jehovah.

^20:5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of Jehovah before the new court. ^20:6 And he said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? And are you not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? And in your hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

^20:7 Did you not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it to the seed of Abraham your friend everlasting?^20:8 And they dwelt in it and have built for you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying, ^20:9 If evil comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you, (for your name is in this house,) and cry out to you in our affliction and you will hear and save.

^20:10 And now, behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir (whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), ^20:11 behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. ^20:12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. Neither do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.

^20:13 And all Judah stood before Jehovah, with their little ones, their wives and their sons.

^20:14 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 Jehovah in the midst of the assembly.

^20:15 And he said, Listen, all Judah and you^* inhabitants of Jerusalem and you king Jehoshaphat. Thus Jehovah says to you^*, Do not fear, neither be dismayed because of this great multitude. For the battle is not yours^*, but God's. ^20:16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they come up by the Ascent of Ziz. And you^* will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

^20:17 You^* will not need to fight in this battle. Set yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah with you^*, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear, nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for Jehovah is with you^*.

^20:18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground. And all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshiping Jehovah. ^20:19 And the Levites, of the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, with an exceedingly loud voice.

^20:20 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 you^* inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Jehovah your^* God, so you^* will be established. Believe his prophets, so you^* will prosper.

^20:21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Jehovah and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army and say, Give thanks to Jehovah. For his loving kindness is everlasting.

^20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set an ambush against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir who came against Judah and they were struck. ^20:23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, to kill^* and destroy them utterly. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another of themselves.

^20:24 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 who escaped.

^20:25 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 desirable 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.

^20:26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah {Blessing}, for they praised Jehovah there. Therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah to this day. ^20:27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy. For Jehovah had made them to rejoice over their enemies. ^20:28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets to the house of Jehovah.

^20:29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that Jehovah fought against the enemies of Israel. ^20:30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet. For his God gave him rest all around.

^20:31 And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign. And he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. ^20:32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the eyes of Jehovah. ^20:33 However the high places were not taken away. Neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers.

^20:34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel.

^20:35 And after this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah King of Israel. The same did very wickedly. ^20:36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. And they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

^20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Jehovah has destroyed your works. And the ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

[2 Chronicles 21] TOC

^21:1 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned instead of him. ^21:2 And he had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah and Jehiel and Zechariah and Azariah and Michael and Shephatiah. All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat King of Israel. ^21:3 And their father gave them great gifts, of silver and of gold and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah. But the kingdom he gave to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.

^21:4 Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword and also various of the rulers of Israel. ^21:5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

^21:6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. ^21:7 However Jehovah 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 sons always.

^21:8 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah and made a king over themselves. ^21:9Then Jehoram passed over with his captains and all his chariots with him. And he rose up by night and killed^* the Edomites that encompassed him around and the captains of the chariots. ^21:10 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand because he had forsaken Jehovah, the God of his fathers.

^21:11 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute and led Judah astray.

^21:12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Jehovah says thus, the God of David your father, Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, ^21:13 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, like the house of Ahab did and also have slain your brothers of your father's house who were better than yourself, ^21:14 behold, Jehovah will kill^* your people with a great plague and your sons and your wives and all your substance.

^21:15 And you will have great sickness by disease of your guts until your guts fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day.

^21:16 And Jehovah stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians. ^21:17 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 has not been left a son to him, except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

^21:18 And after all this Jehovah killed^* him in his guts with an incurable disease. ^21:19 And it happened, in process of time, at the end of two years, that his guts fell out because of his sickness and he died of severe diseases. And his people made no burning for him like the burning of his fathers.

^21:20 He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. And he departed without being the least desirable. And they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchers of the kings.

[2 Chronicles 22] TOC

^22:1 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king instead of him, for the band of men who came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. ^22:2 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

^22:3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab. For his mother was his counselor to do wickedly. ^22:4 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did the house of Ahab. For they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.

^22:5 He walked also after their counsel and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab King of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead. And the Syrians wounded Joram. ^22:6 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 Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel because he was sick.

^22:7 Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram, for when he came he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Jehovah had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. ^22:8 And it happened, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, that he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah and killed them.

^22:9 And he sought Ahaziah and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria). And they brought him to Jehu and killed him. And they buried him, for they said, He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Jehovah with all his heart. And the house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.

^22:10 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed of the house of Judah.

^22:11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. 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 did not kill him. ^22:12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years and Athaliah reigned over the land.

[2 Chronicles 23] TOC

^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. ^23:2 And they went about in Judah and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah and the heads of fathers of Israel and they came to Jerusalem.

^23:3 And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, Behold, the king's son will reign, as Jehovah has spoken concerning the sons of David.

^23:4 This is the thing that you^* will do: A third part of you^* who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, will be gatekeepers of the thresholds, ^23:5 and a third part will be at the king's house and a third part at the gate of the foundation. And all the people will be in the courts of the house of Jehovah.

^23:6 But let none come into the house of Jehovah except the priests and those who minister of the Levites. They will come in for they are holy, but all the people will keep the charge of Jehovah. ^23:7 And the Levites will encompass the king all around, every man with his weapons in his hand. And whoever comes into the house, let him be slain. And be you^* with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.

^23:8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And they took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath. For Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss the divisions. ^23:9 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.

^23:10 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 all around. ^23:11 Then they brought out the king's son and put the crown upon him and gave him the testimony and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him. And they said, Live, O king.

^23:12 And when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Jehovah. ^23:13 And she looked, and behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance and the captains and the trumpets by the king. And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. The singers also played on instruments of music and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, Treason! treason!

^23:14 And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks. And whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword, for the priest said, Do not kill^* her in the house of Jehovah. ^23:15 So they made way for her. And she went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king's house and they killed her there.

^23:16 And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they should be Jehovah's people. ^23:17 And all the people went to the house of Baal and broke it down and broke his altars and his images in pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

^23:18 And Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Jehovah under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Jehovah, to offer the burnt-offerings of Jehovah, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David.

^23:19 And he set the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of Jehovah that no man who was unclean in anything should enter in.

^23:20 And he took the captains of hundreds and the mighty men and the governors of the people and all the people of the land and brought down the king from the house of Jehovah. And they came through the upper gate to the king's house and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. ^23:21 So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. And they had slain Athaliah with the sword.

[2 Chronicles 24] TOC

^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. ^24:2 And Joash did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah all the days of Jehoiada the priest. ^24:3 And Jehoiada took two wives for him and he fathered sons and daughters.

^24:4 And it happened after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Jehovah. ^24:5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites and said to them, Go out to the cities of Judah and gather money from all Israel to repair the house of your^* God from year to year. And see that you^* hasten the matter. However the Levites did not hasten it.

^24:6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief and said to him, Why have you not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of Jehovah and of the assembly of Israel, for the tent of the testimony? ^24:7For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God and also all the dedicated things of the house of Jehovah they bestowed upon the Baals {Baalim}.

^24:8 So the king commanded and they made a chest and set it outside at the gate of the house of Jehovah. ^24:9 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Jehovah the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness. ^24:10 And all the rulers and all the people rejoiced and brought in and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.

^24:11 And it was so, that, at what ever time the chest was brought to 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 to its place again. Thus they did day by day and gathered money in abundance.

^24:12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Jehovah. And they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Jehovah and also such as worked iron and brass to repair the house of Jehovah. ^24:13 So the workmen labored and the work of repairing went forward in their hands and they set up the house of God in its state and strengthened it.

^24:14 And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, from which were made vessels for the house of Jehovah, even vessels with which to minister and to offer and spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada.

^24:15 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days and he died. He was a hundred and thirty years old when he died. ^24:16 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.

^24:17 Now after the death of Jehoiada the rulers of Judah came and bowed-down to the king. Then the king listened to them. ^24:18 And they forsook the house of Jehovah, the God of their fathers and served the Asherim {pole-images} and the idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness. ^24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again to Jehovah. And they testified against them, but they would not listen.

^24:20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest. And he stood above the people and said to them, Thus says God, Why do you^* transgress the commandments of Jehovah, so that you^* cannot prosper? Because you^* have forsaken Jehovah, he has also forsaken you^*.

^24:21 And they conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Jehovah.

^24:22 Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. And when he died, he said, Jehovah look upon it and require it.

^24:23 And it happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him. And they came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the rulers of the people from among the people and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Damascus.^24:24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men. And Jehovah delivered a very great host into their hand because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment upon Joash.

^24:25 And when they were departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest and killed him on his bed and he died. And they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the sepulchers of the kings. ^24:26 And these are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

^24:27 Now concerning his sons and the greatness of the burdens laid upon 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 instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 25] TOC

^25:1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem. ^25:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, but not with a perfect heart.

^25:3 Now it happened, when the kingdom was established to him, that he killed his servants who had killed the king his father. ^25:4 But he did not put their sons to death, but did according to what is written in the law in the book of Moses, as Jehovah commanded, saying, The fathers will not die for the sons, neither will the sons die for the fathers, but every man will die for his own sin.

^25:5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together and appointed them according to their fathers' houses, for heads of thousands and heads 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, who could handle spear and shield. ^25:6 He also hired a hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for a hundred talants of silver.

^25:7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you. For Jehovah is not with Israel, namely, with all the sons of Ephraim. ^25:8 But if you are going, do it. Be strong for the battle, because God will cast you down before the enemy, for God has power to help and to cast down.

^25:9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what will we do for the hundred talants which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, Jehovah is able to give you much more than this.

^25:10 Then Amaziah separated them, namely, the army that came to him out of Ephraim, to go home again. Therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah and they returned home in fierce anger.

^25:11 And Amaziah took courage and led forth his people and went to the Valley of Salt and killed^* ten thousand of the sons of Seir. ^25:12 And the sons of Judah carried away ten thousand alive and brought them to the top of the rock and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces.

^25:13 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 to Beth-horon and killed^* three thousand of them and took much spoil.

^25:14 Now it happened, after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the sons of Seir and set them up to be his gods and bowed down himself before them and burned incense to them.

^25:15 Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Amaziah. And he sent a prophet to him, who said to him, Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?

^25:16 And it happened, as he talked with him, that the king said to him, Have we made you of the king's counsel? Cease. Why should you be struck? Then the prophet ceased and said, I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.

^25:17 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 each other in the face. ^25:18 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 your daughter to my son as a wife. And there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled down the thistle.

^25:19 You say, Behold, I have struck Edom. And your heart lifts you up to boast. Remain now at home. Why should you meddle to your hurt, that you should fall, even you and Judah with you?

^25:20 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. ^25:21 So Joash King of Israel went up. And he and Amaziah king of Judah looked each other in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah.^25:22 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel and they fled every man to his tent.

^25:23 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 to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. ^25:24And 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, also the hostages and returned to Samaria.

^25:25 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz King of Israel. ^25:26 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?

^25:27 Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Jehovah they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish. But they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there. ^25:28 And they brought him upon horses and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

[2 Chronicles 26] TOC

^26:1 And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah. ^26:2 He built Eloth and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. ^26:3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem.

^26:4 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. ^26:5 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 Jehovah, God made him to prosper.

^26:6 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.

^26:7 And God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabians who dwelt in Gur-baal and the Meunim. ^26:8 And the Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah. And his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt, for he grew exceedingly strong.

^26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate and at the valley gate and at the turning of the wall and fortified them. ^26:10 And he built towers in the wilderness and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle, also in the lowland and in the plain. And he had farmer and vine-dressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields, for he loved husbandry.

^26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men who 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.

^26:12 The whole number of the heads of fathers, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred. ^26:13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

^26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields and spears and helmets and coats of mail and bows and stones for slinging. ^26:15 And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and upon the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad. For he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

^26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly and he trespassed against Jehovah his God. For he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.^26:17 And Azariah the priest went in after him and with him eighty priests of Jehovah, who were valiant men.

^26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king and said to him, It does not pertain to you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Jehovah, but to the priests the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary. For you have trespassed, neither will it be for your honor from Jehovah God.

^26:19 Then Uzziah was angry. And he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Jehovah, beside the altar of incense. ^26:20 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 there. Yes, he himself also hastened to go out, because Jehovah had struck him.

^26:21 And Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death and dwelt in a separate house, being a leper. For he was cut off from the house of Jehovah and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

^26:22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote. ^26:23So 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 instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 27] TOC

^27:1 Jotham was twenty-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.

^27:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he did not enter into the temple of Jehovah. And the people still did corruptly. ^27:3 He built the upper gate of the house of Jehovah and on the wall of Ophel he built much. ^27:4 Moreover he built cities in the hill-country of Judah and in the forests he built castles and towers.

^27:5 Also he fought with the king of the sons of Ammon and prevailed against them. And the sons of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talants of silver and ten thousand measures of wheat and ten thousand of barley. So much did the sons of Ammon render to him, in the second year also and in the third. ^27:6 So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before Jehovah his God.

^27:7 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. ^27:8 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. ^27:9 And Jotham slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David. And Ahaz his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 28] TOC

^28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of Jehovah like David his father, ^28:2 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made molten images for the Baals {Baalim}.

^28:3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom and burnt his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel. ^28:4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.

^28:5 Therefore Jehovah his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria. And they killed^* 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 killed^* him with a great slaughter. ^28:6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men, because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers. ^28:7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son and Azrikam the ruler of the house and Elkanah who was next to the king.

^28:8 And the sons of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand, women, sons and daughters and also took away much spoil from them and brought the spoil to Samaria.

^28:9 But a prophet of Jehovah was there, whose name was Oded. And he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria and said to them, Behold, because Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your^* hand. And you^* have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven.

^28:10 And now you^* propose to keep under the sons of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen to you^*. Are there not even with you^* trespasses of your^* own against Jehovah your^* God?

^28:11 Now hear me therefore and send back the captives that you^* have taken captive of your^* brothers. For the fierce wrath of Jehovah is upon you^*.

^28:12 Then certain of the heads of the sons of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war, ^28:13 and said to them, You^* will not bring in the captives here. For you^* propose what will bring upon us a trespass against Jehovah, to add to our sins and to our trespass. For our trespass is great and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

^28:14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the rulers and all the assembly. ^28:15 And the men who have been mentioned by name rose up and took the captives and with the spoil clothed all who were naked among them and dressed them and shod them and gave them to eat and to drink and anointed them and carried all the feeble of them upon donkeys and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.

^28:16 At that time king Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to help him. ^28:17 For again the Edomites had come and struck Judah and carried away captives.^28:18 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 {Socoh} with the towns of it and Timnah with the towns of it, also Gimzo and the towns of it. And they dwelt there.

^28:19 For Jehovah brought Judah low because of Ahaz King of Israel, for he had dealt wantonly in Judah and trespassed severely against Jehovah.

^28:20 And Tiglath-pileser {Tilgath-pilneser} king of Assyria came to him and distressed him, but did not strengthen him. ^28:21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of Jehovah and out of the house of the king and of the rulers and gave it to the king of Assyria, but it did not help him.

^28:22 And in the time of his distress he trespassed yet more against Jehovah, this same king Ahaz. ^28:23For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which killed^* him. And he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, therefore I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.

^28:24 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 Jehovah. And he made altars for him in every corner of Jerusalem. ^28:25 And in every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods and provoked to anger Jehovah, the God of his fathers.

^28:26 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. ^28:27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem. For they did not bring him into the sepulchers of the kings of Israel. And Hezekiah his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 29] TOC

^29:1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. ^29:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that David his father had done.

^29:3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of Jehovah and repaired them. ^29:4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites and gathered them together into the broad place on the east, ^29:5 and said to them, Hear me, you^* Levites. Now sanctify yourselves and sanctify the house of Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

^29:6 For our fathers have trespassed and done what was evil in the sight of Jehovah our God and have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the dwelling of Jehovah and turned their backs. ^29:7 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 to the God of Israel.

^29:8 Therefore the wrath of Jehovah was upon Judah and Jerusalem and he has delivered them to be tossed to and fro, to be an astonishment and a hissing, as you^* see with your^* eyes. ^29:9 For behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.

^29:10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Jehovah, the God of Israel, that his fierce anger may turn away from us. ^29:11 My sons, do not be negligent now. For Jehovah has chosen you^* to stand before him, to minister to him and that you^* should be his ministers and burn incense.

^29:12 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; ^29:13 and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah, ^29:14 and of the sons of Heman, Jehiel and Shimei and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.

^29:15 And they gathered their brothers and made themselves holy and went in, according to the commandment of the king by the words of Jehovah, to cleanse the house of Jehovah. ^29:16 And the priests went in to the inner part of the house of Jehovah to cleanse it and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of Jehovah into the court of the house of Jehovah. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad to the brook Kidron.

^29:17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify and on the eighth day of the month they came to the porch of Jehovah. And they made the house of Jehovah holy in eight days and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.

^29:18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king within the palace and said, We have cleansed all the house of Jehovah and the altar of burnt-offering with all the vessels of it and the table of showbread with all the vessels of it. ^29:19 Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign cast away when he trespassed, we have prepared and made holy. And behold, they are before the altar of Jehovah.

^29:20 Then Hezekiah the king arose early and gathered the rulers of the city and went up to the house of Jehovah. ^29:21 And they brought seven bullocks and seven rams and seven lambs and seven male-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 Jehovah.

^29:22 So they killed the bullocks. And the priests received the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. And they killed the rams and sprinkled the blood upon the altar. They also killed the lambs and sprinkled the blood upon the altar. ^29:23 And they brought near the male-goats for the sin-offering before the king and the assembly. And they laid their hands upon them,^29:24 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.

^29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of Jehovah 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 Jehovah by his prophets.^29:26 And the Levites stood with the instruments of David and the priests with the trumpets.

^29:27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar. And when the burnt-offering began, the song of Jehovah began also and the trumpets, together with the instruments of David King of Israel. ^29:28 And all the assembly worshiped and the singers sang and some blew the trumpet. All this until the burnt-offering was finished.

^29:29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. ^29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the rulers commanded the Levites to sing praises to Jehovah with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness and they bowed their heads and worshiped.

^29:31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now you^* have filled your hand for Jehovah. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Jehovah. And the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt-offerings.

^29:32 And the number of the burnt-offerings which the assembly brought was seventy bullocks, a hundred rams and two hundred lambs. All these were for a burnt-offering to Jehovah. ^29:33 And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.

^29:34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt-offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them till the work was ended and until the priests had made themselves holy. For the Levites were more up-in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

^29:35 And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace-offerings and with the drink-offerings for every burnt-offering. So the service of the house of Jehovah was set in order.^29:36 And Hezekiah rejoiced and all the people, because of what God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.

[2 Chronicles 30] TOC

^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 Jehovah at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^30:2 For the king had taken counsel and his rulers and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the Passover in the second month.

^30:3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not made themselves holy in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. ^30:4 And the thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly.

^30:5 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 to Jehovah, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem. For they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written.

^30:6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his rulers throughout all Israel and Judah and according to the commandment of the king, saying, You^* sons of Israel, turn again to Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to the remnant of you^* who escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. ^30:7 And be you^* not like your^* fathers and like your^* brothers, who trespassed against Jehovah, the God of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as you^* see.

^30:8 Now be you^* not stiff-necked, as your^* fathers were, but yield yourselves to Jehovah and enter into his sanctuary, which he has made holy everlasting and serve Jehovah your^* God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you^*. ^30:9 For if you^* turn again to Jehovah, your^* brothers and your^* sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will come again into this land. For Jehovah your^* God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you^*, if you^* return to him.

^30:10 So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even to Zebulun. But they laughed them to scorn and mocked them.

^30:11 Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. ^30:12 Also the hand of God came upon Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the rulers by the word of Jehovah.

^30:13 And many people assembled at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very great assembly. ^30:14 And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem and all the altars for incense they took away and cast them into the brook Kidron.

^30:15 Then they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed and made themselves holy and brought burnt-offerings into the house of Jehovah. ^30:16 And they stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood which they received from the hand of the Levites.

^30:17 For there were many in the assembly who had not made themselves holy. Therefore the Levites had charge of killing the Passover offerings for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Jehovah. ^30:18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than it is written.

For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, The good Jehovah pardon everyone ^30:19 who sets his heart to seek God, Jehovah, the God of his fathers, though he is not according to the purification of the sanctuary. ^30:20 And Jehovah listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.

^30:21 And the sons of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness. And the Levites and the priests praised Jehovah day by day, with loud instruments to Jehovah. ^30:22 And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Jehovah. So they ate throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace-offerings and making confession to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.

^30:23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep another seven days. And they kept those seven days with gladness. ^30:24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly for offerings a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep. And the rulers gave to the assembly a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep. And a great number of priests made themselves holy. ^30:25 And all the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites and all the assembly that came out of Israel and the travelers who came out of the land of Israel and who dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

^30:26 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. ^30:27 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people. And their voice was heard and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling, even to heaven.

[2 Chronicles 31] TOC

^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 {pole-images} and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

^31:2 And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, 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 Jehovah.

^31:3 Also he appointed the king's portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt-offerings and the burnt-offerings for the Sabbaths and for the new moons and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Jehovah.

^31:4 Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of Jehovah.

^31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the sons of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of grain, new wine and oil and honey and of all the increase of the field. And they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly. ^31:6 And the sons of Israel and Judah, who dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to Jehovah their God and laid them by heaps. ^31:7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps and finished them in the seventh month.

^31:8 And when Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed Jehovah and his people Israel. ^31:9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. ^31:10 And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, Since they began to bring the heave-offerings into the house of Jehovah, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left. For Jehovah has blessed his people and what is left is this great store.

^31:11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of Jehovah and they prepared them. ^31:12 And they brought in the heave-offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully. And Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them and Shimei his brother was second.

^31:13 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.

^31:14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper at the east gate, was over the free-will offerings of God, to distribute the heave-offerings of Jehovah and the most holy things.

^31:15 And under him were Eden and Miniamin and Jeshua and Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah {Shechaniah}, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, as well to the great as to the small, ^31:16 besides those who were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone that entered into the house of Jehovah, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions, ^31:17 and those who were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers' houses and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions, ^31:18 and those who 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 made themselves holy in holiness.

^31:19 Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests and to all who were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.

^31:20 And thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah. And he worked what was good and right and faithful before Jehovah his God. ^31:21 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] TOC

^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 win them for himself.

^32:2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib came and that he intended to fight against Jerusalem,^32:3 he took counsel with his rulers and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were outside the city. And they helped him. ^32:4 So there was gathered together many people. 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?

^32:5 And he took courage and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised it up to the towers and the other wall outside and strengthened Millo in the city of David and made weapons and shields in abundance.

^32:6 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, ^32:7 Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid nor dismayed of the king of Assyria, nor of all the multitude that is with him. For there is a greater with us than with him. ^32:8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is Jehovah our God to help us and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

^32:9 After this Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem (now he was before Lachish and all his power with him) to Hezekiah king of Judah and to all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, ^32:10 Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, On what do you^* trust that you^* remain in the siege in Jerusalem? ^32:11 Does not Hezekiah persuade you^*, to give you^* over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, Jehovah our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

^32:12 Has not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, You^* will worship before one altar and upon it you^* will burn incense?

^32:13 Do you^* not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any way able to deliver their land out of my hand? ^32:14 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?

^32:15 Now therefore do not let Hezekiah deceive you^*, nor persuade you^* after this manner, neither believe 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 will your^* God deliver you^* out of my hand?

^32:16 And his servants spoke yet more against Jehovah God and against his servant Hezekiah. ^32:17He also wrote letters, to rail on Jehovah, 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 will the God of Hezekiah not deliver his people out of my hand.

^32:18 And they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them and to trouble them, that they might take the city. ^32:19 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.

^32:20 And Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried out to heaven. ^32:21 And Jehovah sent a messenger who cut off all the mighty men of valor 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 came into the house of his god, those who came out from his own guts killed him there with the sword.

^32:22 Thus Jehovah saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all others and guided them on every side. ^32:23 And many brought gifts to Jehovah to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah. So that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thereafter.

^32:24 In those days Hezekiah was sick even to death and he prayed to Jehovah. And he spoke to him and gave him a sign. ^32:25 But Hezekiah did not render again according to the benefit done to him. For his heart was lifted up. Therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

^32:26 And Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

^32:27 And Hezekiah had exceedingly much riches and honor. And he provided for him treasuries for silver and for gold and for precious stones and for spices and for shields and for all manner of desirable vessels, ^32:28 also store-houses for the increase of grain and new wine and oil and stalls for all manner of beasts and flocks in folds. ^32:29 Moreover he provided for him cities and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance. For God had given him very much substance.

^32:30 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.

^32:31 However in the business of the ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to 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.

^32:32 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, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. ^32:33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchers of the sons of David. And all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 33] TOC

^33:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. ^33:2 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah after the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel.

^33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down. And he reared up altars for the Baals {Baalim} and made Asheroth {Asherahs} and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. ^33:4 And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, of which Jehovah said, In Jerusalem will my name be everlasting. ^33:5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of Jehovah.

^33:6 He also made his sons to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. And he practiced witchcraft and used enchantments and practiced sorcery and dealt with psychics and with wizards. He worked much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.

^33:7 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, I will put my name everlasting, ^33:8neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from 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 given by Moses.

^33:9 And Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go-astray, so that they did evil more than the nations did whom Jehovah destroyed before the sons of Israel.

^33:10 And Jehovah spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they gave no heed. ^33:11 Therefore Jehovah brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains and bound him with fetters and carried him to Babylon.

^33:12 And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. ^33:13 And he prayed to him. And he was entreated of him and heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah he was God.

^33:14 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 encompassed Ophel around with it and raised it up to a very great height. And he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.

^33:15 And he took away the foreign gods and the idol out of the house of Jehovah and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the house of Jehovah and in Jerusalem and cast them out of the city.

^33:16 And he built up the altar of Jehovah and offered on it sacrifices of peace-offerings and of thanksgiving and commanded Judah to serve Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^33:17 Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places, but only to Jehovah their God.

^33:18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh and his prayer to his God and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, behold, they are written among the acts of the kings of Israel.

^33:19 Also his prayer and how God was entreated by him and all his sin and his trespass and the places in which he built high places and set up the Asherim {pole-images} and the graven images, before he humbled himself, behold, they are written in the history of Hozai {The Seers}. ^33:20 So Manasseh slept with his fathers and they buried him in his own house. And Amon his son reigned instead of him.

^33:21 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. ^33:22 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did Manasseh his father. And Amon sacrificed to all the graven images which Manasseh his father had made and served them.

^33:23 And he did not humble himself before Jehovah, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself, but this same Amon trespassed more and more. ^33:24 And his servants conspired against him and put him to death in his own house. ^33:25 But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against king Amon. And the people of the land made Josiah his son king instead of him.

[2 Chronicles 34] TOC

^34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.^34:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and walked in the ways of David his father and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

^34:3 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 {pole-images} and the graven images and the molten images.

^34:4 And they broke down the altars of the Baals {Baalim} in his presence and the sun-images that were on high above them he hewed down and the Asherim {pole-images} and the graven images and the molten images, he broke in pieces and made dust of them and strewed it upon the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. ^34:5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars and purged Judah and Jerusalem.

^34:6 And so also in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon, even to Naphtali, in their ruins all around. ^34:7 And he broke down the altars and beat the Asherim {pole-images} and the graven images into powder and hewed down all the sun-images throughout all the land of Israel and returned to Jerusalem.

^34:8 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 Jehovah his God. ^34:9And 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 threshold, had gathered by the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim and by all the remnant of Israel and by all Judah and Benjamin and by the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

^34:10 And they delivered it into the hand of the workmen who had the oversight of the house of Jehovah. And the workmen who labored in the house of Jehovah gave it to mend and repair the house. ^34:11Even to the carpenters and to the builders they gave it, to buy hewn stone and timber for couplings and to make beams for the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed. ^34:12 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 set it forward and others of the Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music. ^34:13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens and set forward all who did the work in every manner of service. And of the Levites there were scribes and officers and gatekeepers.

^34:14 And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Jehovah given by Moses. ^34:15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

^34:16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king and moreover brought back word to the king, saying, All that was committed to your servants, they are doing. ^34:17 And they have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Jehovah and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers and into the hand of the workmen.

^34:18 And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me. And Shaphan read in it before the king. ^34:19 And it happened, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he tore his clothes.

^34:20 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, ^34:21 Go, inquire of Jehovah for me and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found. For great is the wrath of Jehovah that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of Jehovah, to do according to all that is written in this book.

^34:22 So Hilkiah and those whom the king had commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath {Tikvath}, 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.

^34:23 And she said to them, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Tell you^* the man who sent you^* to me, ^34:24 Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon the inhabitants of it, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah.

^34:25 Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore my wrath is poured out upon this place and it will not be quenched.

^34:26 But to the king of Judah, who sent you^* to inquire of Jehovah, thus you^* will say to him, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: As concerning the words which you have heard, ^34:27 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and against the inhabitants of it and have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says Jehovah.

^34:28 Behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, neither will your eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place and upon the inhabitants of it. And they brought back word to the king.

^34:29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. ^34:30 And the king went up to the house of Jehovah 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 Jehovah.

^34:31 And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah 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.

^34:32 And he caused all who 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.

^34:33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the sons of Israel and made all who were found in Israel to serve, even to serve Jehovah their God. All his days they did not depart from following Jehovah, the God of their fathers.

[2 Chronicles 35] TOC

^35:1 And Josiah kept a Passover to Jehovah in Jerusalem. And they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. ^35:2 And he set the priests in their offices and encouraged them to the service of the house of Jehovah.

^35:3 And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David King of Israel built. There will no more be a burden upon your^* shoulders. Now serve Jehovah your^* God and his people Israel.

^35:4 And prepare yourselves after your^* fathers' houses by your^* divisions, according to the writing of David King of Israel and according to the writing of Solomon his son. ^35:5 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of your^* brothers the sons of the people and the portion of a fathers' house of the Levites. ^35:6 And kill the Passover and sanctify yourselves and prepare for your^* brothers, to do according to the word of Jehovah by Moses.

^35:7 And Josiah gave to the sons of the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all of them for the Passover offerings, to all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand and also three thousand bullocks; these were of the king's substance.

^35:8 And his rulers gave for a free-will offering to the people, to the priests and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle and three hundred oxen. ^35:9 Conaniah also and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings five thousand small cattle and five hundred oxen.

^35:10 So the service was prepared and the priests stood in their place and the Levites by their divisions, according to the king's commandment. ^35:11And they killed the Passover and the priests sprinkled the blood by their hand and the Levites skinned them.

^35:12 And they removed the burnt-offerings that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of the sons of the people, to offer to Jehovah as it is written in the book of Moses. And so they did with the oxen. ^35:13 And they roasted the Passover with fire according to the ordinance. And the holy offerings they boiled in pots and in caldrons and in pans and carried them quickly to all the sons of the people.

^35:14 And afterward they prepared for themselves and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron were busy in offering the burnt-offerings and the fat until night. Therefore the Levites prepared for themselves and for the priests the sons of Aaron.

^35:15 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 gatekeepers were at every gate. They did not need to depart from their service, for their brothers the Levites prepared for them.

^35:16 So all the service of Jehovah was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt-offerings upon the altar of Jehovah, according to the commandment of king Josiah. ^35:17 And the sons of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time and the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days.

^35:18 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. ^35:19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was kept.

^35:20 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. ^35:21 But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I do not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war and God has commanded me to make haste. Cease you from meddling with God, who is with me, that he not destroy you.

^35:22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself that he might fight with him. And he did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. ^35:23 And the archers shot at king Josiah. And the king said to his servants, Remove me, for I am severely wounded.

^35:24 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 sepulchers of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

^35:25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah. And all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day. And they made them an ordinance in Israel, and behold, they are written in the lamentations.

^35:26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his good deeds, according to what is written in the law of Jehovah, ^35:27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

[2 Chronicles 36] TOC

^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. ^36:2 Joahaz was twenty-threeyears old when he began to reign and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.

^36:3 And the King of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem and fined the land a hundred talants of silver and a talant of gold. ^36:4 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.

^36:5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God.

^36:6 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon. ^36:7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of Jehovah to Babylon and put them in his temple at Babylon.

^36:8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and his abominations which he did and what was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son reigned instead of him.

^36:9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah. ^36:10 And at the return of the year king Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon, with the desirable vessels of the house of Jehovah and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

^36:11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. ^36:12 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of Jehovah.

^36:13 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to Jehovah, the God of Israel. ^36:14Moreover all the chiefs of the priests and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of Jehovah which he had made holy in Jerusalem.

^36:15 And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling-place. ^36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

^36:17 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion upon young man or virgin, old man or gray-haired. He gave them all into his hand. ^36:18And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small and the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king and of his rulers, all these he brought to Babylon.

^36:19 And they burnt the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burnt all the palaces of it with fire and destroyed all the good vessels of it.

^36:20 And those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia, ^36:21 to fulfill the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths; as long as it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.

^36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and put it also in writing, saying, ^36:23 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me. And he has charged me to build a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you^* of all his people, Jehovah his God be with him and let him go up.

[Ezra 1] TOC

^1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and put it also in writing, saying, ^1:2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me and he has charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

^1:3 Whoever there is among you^* of all his people, his God be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.

^1:4 And whoever is left, in any place where he travels, let the men of his place help him with silver and with gold and with goods and with beasts, besides the free-will offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

^1:5 Then the heads of fathers of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred, rose up to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem. ^1:6And all those who were all around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods and with beasts and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.

^1:7 Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of the house of Jehovah, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem and had put in the house of his gods, ^1:8 even those Cyrus king of Persia brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer and numbered them to Sheshbazzar, the ruler of Judah.

^1:9 And this is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, a thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, ^1:10 thirty bowls of gold, four hundred and ten silver bowls of a second sort and a thousand other vessels. ^1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar brought up when those of the captivity were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

[Ezra 2] TOC

^2:1 Now these are the sons of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, every man to his city, ^2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah.

The number of the men of the people of Israel:^2:3 The sons of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy-two. ^2:4 The sons of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two. ^2:5 The sons of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five. ^2:6 The sons of Pahath-moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve. ^2:7 The sons of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty-four. ^2:8 The sons of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five. ^2:9 The sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty. ^2:10 The sons of Bani, six hundred forty-two. ^2:11 The sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three. ^2:12 The sons of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty-two. ^2:13 The sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six. ^2:14 The sons of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six. ^2:15 The sons of Adin, four hundred fifty-four. ^2:16The sons of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight. ^2:17 The sons of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three. ^2:18 The sons of Jorah, a hundred and twelve. ^2:19 The sons of Hashum, two hundred twenty-three. ^2:20 The sons of Gibbar, ninety-five. ^2:21 The sons of Bethlehem, a hundred twenty-three. ^2:22 The men of Netophah, fifty-six. ^2:23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty-eight. ^2:24 The sons of Azmaveth, forty-two. ^2:25 The sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty-three. ^2:26 The sons of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one. ^2:27 The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty-two. ^2:28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three. ^2:29 The sons of Nebo, fifty-two. ^2:30 The sons of Magbish, a hundred fifty-six. ^2:31 The sons of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty-four. ^2:32 The sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty. ^2:33 The sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five. ^2:34The sons of Jericho, three hundred forty-five. ^2:35 The sons of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.

^2:36 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three. ^2:37 The sons of Immer, a thousand fifty-two. ^2:38 The sons of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty-seven. ^2:39 The sons of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

^2:40 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

^2:41 The singers: the sons of Asaph, a hundred twenty-eight.

^2:42 The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty-nine.

^2:43 The Nethinim {temple servants}: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, ^2:44the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha the sons of Padon, ^2:45 the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub, ^2:46 the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan, ^2:47 the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah, ^2:48 the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam, ^2:49the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai, ^2:50 the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephisim {Nephusim}, ^2:51 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, ^2:52 the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, ^2:53 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, ^2:54 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.

^2:55 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth {Sophereth}, the sons of Peruda, ^2:56 the sons of Jaalah {Jaala}, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, ^2:57 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Ami.

^2:58 All the Nethinim and the sons of Solomon's servants were three hundred ninety-two.

^2:59 And these were those who went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not show their fathers' houses and their seed, whether they were of Israel: ^2:60 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

^2:61 And of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called after their name. ^2:62 These sought their registration among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found. Therefore they were deemed polluted and put away from the priesthood. ^2:63 And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

^2:64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, ^2:65 besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. And they had two hundred singing men and singing women. ^2:66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six, their mules, two hundred forty-five, ^2:67 their camels, four hundred thirty-five, their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

^2:68 And some of the heads of fathers, when they came to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place. ^2:69 They gave after their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand 128-grain weights of gold and five thousand pounds of silver and one hundred priests' garments.

^2:70 So the priests and the Levites and some of the people and the singers and the gatekeepers and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities and all Israel in their cities.

[Ezra 3] TOC

^3:1 And when the seventh month came and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. ^3:2Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers, stood up and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings on it as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.

^3:3 And they set the altar upon its base, for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries. And they offered burnt-offerings on it to Jehovah, even burnt-offerings morning and evening.^3:4 And they kept the Feast of Booths as it is written and offered the daily burnt-offerings by number according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required.

^3:5 And afterward the continual burnt-offering and the offerings of the new moons and of all the set feasts of Jehovah that were consecrated and of everyone who willingly offered a free-will offering to Jehovah. ^3:6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt-offerings to Jehovah. But the foundation of the temple of Jehovah was not yet laid.

^3:7 Also they gave money to the masons and to the carpenters and food and drink and oil, to those of Sidon and to those of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.

^3:8 Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites and all those who came out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began. And they appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of Jehovah.

^3:9 Then Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, stood together to have the oversight of the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brothers the Levites.

^3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Jehovah, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Jehovah, after the order of David King of Israel. ^3:11 And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks to Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his loving kindness is everlasting toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.

^3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. And many shouted aloud for joy ^3:13 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] TOC

^4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the sons of the captivity were building a temple to Jehovah, the God of Israel, ^4:2then they drew near to Zerubbabel and to the heads of fathers and said to them, Let us build with you^*, for we seek your^* God, as you^* do and we sacrifice to him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us up here.

^4:3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers of Israel, said to them, You^* have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God, but we ourselves together will build to Jehovah, the God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.

^4:4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah and troubled them in building, ^4:5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.^4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

^4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his companions, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. And the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian character and set forth in the Syrian tongue. ^4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this way.

^4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites {judges} and the Apharsathchites {emissaries}, the Tarpelites {consuls}, the Apharsites {officials}, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, (that is the Elamites), ^4:10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and set in the city of Samaria and in the rest beyond the River and so forth.

^4:11 This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes the king:

Your servants the men beyond the River and so forth. ^4:12 Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and the evil city and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.^4:13 Be it known now to the king, that, if this city be built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.

^4:14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and certified to the king, ^4:15that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. So you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city and hurtful to kings and provinces. And that they have made sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was laid waste.

^4:16 We certify to the king that, if this city be built and the walls finished, by this means you will have no portion beyond the River.

^4:17 Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor and to Shimshai the scribe and to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria and in the rest beyond the River:

Peace and so forth. ^4:18 The letter which you^* sent to us has been plainly read before me. ^4:19 And I decreed and search has been made. And it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. ^4:20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River and tribute, custom and toll, was paid to them.

^4:21 You^* make now a decree to cause these men to cease and that this city not be built until a decree will be made by me. ^4:22 And take heed that you^* are not slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

^4:23 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 to the Jews and made them cease by force and power. ^4:24 Then the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

[Ezra 5] TOC

^5:1 Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, to them. ^5:2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, rose up and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.

^5:3 At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their companions, came to them and said thus to them, Who gave you^* a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?

^5:4 Then we told them after this manner, namely, what the names of the men were who were making this building. ^5:5 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.

^5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his companions the Apharsathchites {emissaries}, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king;^5:7 they sent a letter to him, in which was written thus:

To Darius the king, all peace. ^5:8 Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judah to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. And this work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.

^5:9 Then we asked those elders and said to them thus: Who gave you^* a decree to build this house and to finish this wall? ^5:10 Also, we asked them their names, to certify to you, that we might write the names of the men who were at the head of them.

^5:11 And thus they returned us an answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth. And are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great King of Israel built and finished. ^5:12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath. He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away into Babylon.

^5:13 But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God. ^5:14 And also the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, those Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar whom he had made governor. ^5:15 And he said to him, Take these vessels. Go put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem and let the house of God be built in its place.

^5:16 Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And since that time even until now it has been in building and yet it is not completed.

^5:17 Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so, that a decree was made from 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] TOC

^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. ^6:2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll and in it was thus written for a record:

^6:3 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 built– the place where they offer sacrifices– and let the foundations of it is strongly laid, the height of it sixty cubits and the breadth of it sixty cubits, ^6:4 with three courses of great stones and a course of new timber. And let the expenses be given out of the king's house.

^6:5 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 to Babylon, be restored and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place. And you will put them in the house of God.

^6:6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and your^* companions the Apharsathchites {emissaries}, who are beyond the River, be far from there:

^6:7 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.

^6:8 Moreover I make a decree what you^* will 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 to these men, that they are not hindered. ^6:9And what they have need of, both young bullocks and rams and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, also wheat, salt, wine and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail ^6:10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and of his sons.

^6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whoever will alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house and let him be lifted up and fastened on it and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

^6:12 And the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who will 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.

^6:13 Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and their companions, because of what Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence. ^6:14 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built 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.

^6:15 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.

^6:16 And the sons of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the sons of the captivity,

kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.

^6:17 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 male-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. ^6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

^6:19 And the sons of the captivity kept the Passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.^6:20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together, all of them were pure. And they killed the Passover for all the sons of the captivity and for their brothers the priests and for themselves.^6:21 And the sons of Israel who came again out of the captivity and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, ate, ^6:22 and kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy. For Jehovah had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

[Ezra 7] TOC

^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, ^7:2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son Ahitub, ^7:3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, ^7:4 the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, ^7:5 the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest, ^7:6 this Ezra went up from Babylon. And he was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which Jehovah, the God of Israel, had given. And the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of Jehovah his God upon him.

^7:7 And some of the sons of Israel and of the priests and the Levites and the singers and the gatekeepers and the Nethinim, went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. ^7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. ^7:9 For upon the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. ^7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Jehovah and to do it and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.

^7:11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of Jehovah and of his statutes to Israel:

^7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth. ^7:13 I make a decree, that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, who are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you. ^7:14 Forasmuch as you are sent from the king and his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand, ^7:15 and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, ^7:16 and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon, with the free-will offering of the people and of the priests, offering willingly, for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem.

^7:17 Therefore you will with all diligence buy with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their food-offerings and their drink-offerings and will offer them upon the altar of the house of your^* God which is in Jerusalem. ^7:18 And whatever will seem good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do you^* it after the will of your^* God. ^7:19 And the vessels that are given you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem. ^7:20 And whatever more will be needful for the house of your God, which you will have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house.

^7:21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, will require of you^*, it is done with all diligence, ^7:22 to a hundred talants 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.

^7:23 Whatever 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? ^7:24 Also we certify to you^*, that concerning any of the priests and Levites, the singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God, it will not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, upon them.

^7:25 And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And you^* teach him who does not know them.^7:26 And whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

^7:27 Praise Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem,^7:28 and has extended loving kindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king's mighty rulers. And I was strengthened according to the hand of Jehovah my God upon me and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

[Ezra 8] TOC

^8:1 Now these are the heads of their fathers and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king: ^8:2of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom; of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; of the sons of David, Hattush; ^8:3 of the sons of Shecaniah {Shechaniah}, of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty; ^8:4 of the sons of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah and with him two hundred males; ^8:5 of the sons of Shecaniah {Shechaniah}, the son of Jahaziel and with him three hundred males; ^8:6 and of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan and with him fifty males;^8:7 and of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah and with him seventy males; ^8:8 and of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael and with him eighty males; ^8:9 of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel and with him two hundred and eighteen males; ^8:10 and of the sons of Shelomith, the son of Josiphiah and with him a hundred and sixty males; ^8:11 and of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah the son of Bebai and with him twenty-eight males;^8:12 and of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan and with him a hundred and ten males;

^8:13 And of the sons of Adonikam, who were the last and these are their names: Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah and with them sixty males; ^8:14 and of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud and with them seventy males.

^8:15 And I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava and we encamped there three days. And I viewed the people and the priests and found there none of the sons of Levi. ^8:16 Then I sent 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, who were teachers.

^8:17 And I sent them forth to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia and I told them what they should say to Iddo, and his brothers the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.

^8:18 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 brothers, eighteen,^8:19 and Hashabiah and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty, ^8:20 and of the Nethinim, whom David and the rulers had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim. All of them were mentioned by name.

^8:21 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. ^8:22 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 to the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all those who seek him, for good, but his power and his wrath are against all those who forsake him. ^8:23 So we fasted and besought our God for this and he was entreated by us.

^8:24 Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their brothers with them, ^8:25 and weighed to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, even the heave-offering for the house of our God, which the king and his counselors and his rulers and all Israel there present, had offered. ^8:26 I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talants of silver and a hundred talants of silver vessels, a hundred talants of gold, ^8:27 and twenty bowls of gold, of a thousand 128-grain weights and two vessels of fine bright brass, desirable as gold.

^8:28 And I said to them, You^* are holy to Jehovah and the vessels are holy and the silver and the gold are a free-will offering to Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers. ^8:29 Watch and keep them, until you^* weigh them before the chiefs of the priests and the Levites and the rulers of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of Jehovah.^8:30 So the priests and the Levites received the weight of the silver and the gold and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God.

^8:31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of our God was upon us and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the ambush by the way.

^8:32 And we came to Jerusalem and abode there three days. ^8:33 And on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were 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 Levite, ^8:34the whole by number and by weight. And all the weight was written at that time.

^8:35 The sons of the captivity, who came out of exile, offered burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, twelve male-goats for a sin-offering. All this was a burnt-offering to Jehovah. ^8:36And they delivered the king's commissions to the king's satraps and to the governors beyond the River. And they furthered the people and the house of God.

[Ezra 9] TOC

^9:1 Now when these things were done, the rulers drew near to 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. ^9:2 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. Yes, the hand of the heads and rulers has been chief in this trespass.

^9:3 And when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard and sat down confounded. ^9:4Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel were assembled to me, because of the trespass of those of the captivity and I sat confounded until the evening offering.

^9:5 And at the evening offering I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn and I fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to Jehovah my God, ^9:6 and I said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God, for our iniquities are increased over our head and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens. ^9:7Since the days of our fathers we have been exceedingly guilty to 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 plunder and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

^9:8 And now for a little moment favor has been shown from Jehovah 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. ^9:9 For we are bondmen, yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to 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 of it and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

^9:10 And now, O our God, what will we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, ^9:11which you have commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, The land, to which you^* go to possess it, is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness. ^9:12 Now therefore do not give your^* daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters to your^* sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity forever, that you^* may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your^* sons until everlasting.

^9:13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have given us such a remnant, ^9:14 will we again break your commandments and make a marriage-agreement with the peoples who do these abominations? Would you not be angry with us till you had consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?

^9:15 O Jehovah, the God of Israel, you are righteous, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is this day. Behold, we are before you in our guiltiness, for none can stand before you because of this.

[Ezra 10] TOC

^10:1 Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children, for the people wept very much.

^10:2 And Shecaniah {Shechaniah} the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said to Ezra, We have trespassed against our God and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.

^10:3 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 my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God and let it be done according to the law. ^10:4Arise, for the matter belongs to you and we are with you. Be of good courage and do it.

^10:5 Then Ezra arose 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. ^10:6Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. And when he came there, he ate no bread, nor drank water, for he mourned because of the trespass of those of the captivity.

^10:7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the sons of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together to Jerusalem. ^10:8 And that whoever did not come within three days, according to the counsel of the rulers and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited and himself separated from the assembly of the captivity.

^10:9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to 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.

^10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, You^* have trespassed and have married foreign women to increase the guilt of Israel. ^10:11Now therefore make confession to Jehovah, the God of your^* fathers and do his pleasure and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women.

^10:12 Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, As you have said concerning us, so must we do. ^10:13 But the people are many and it is a time of much rain and we are not able to stand outside. Neither is this a work of one day or two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter.

^10:14 Let now our rulers be appointed for all the assembly and let all those who are in our cities who have married foreign women come at appointed times and with them the elders of every city and the judges of it, until the fierce wrath of our God be turned from us, until this matter be dispatched.

^10:15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.

^10:16 And the sons of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers, after their fathers' houses and all of them by their names, were set apart. And they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. ^10:17 And they made an end with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month.

^10:18 And among the sons of the priests there were found who had married foreign women, namely, of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak and his brothers, Maaseiah and Eliezer and Jarib and Gedaliah. ^10:19 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. ^10:20 And of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. ^10:21 And of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah and Elijah and Shemaiah and Jehiel and Uzziah. ^10:22 And of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah.

^10:23 And of the Levites: Jozabad and Shimei and Kelaiah (what is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah and Eliezer.

^10:24 And of the singers: Eliashib. And of the gatekeepers: Shallum and Telem and Uri.

^10:25 And of Israel: Of the sons of Parosh, Ramiah and Izziah and Malchijah and Mijamin and Eleazar and Malchijah and Benaiah. ^10:26 And of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah and Jehiel and Abdi and Jeremoth and Elijah. ^10:27 And of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah and Jeremoth and Zabad and Aziza. ^10:28 And of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, Athlai. ^10:29 And of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch and Adaiah, Jashub and Sheal, Jeremoth. ^10:30 And of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel and Binnui and Manasseh. ^10:31And of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, ^10:32 Benjamin, Malluch, Shemariah. ^10:33 Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. ^10:34 Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram and Uel, ^10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi {Cheluhu}, ^10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, ^10:37Mattaniah, Mattenai and Jaasu {Jassai; Jaasau}, ^10:38 and Bani and Binnui, Shimei, ^10:39 and Shelemiah and Nathan and Adaiah, ^10:40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, ^10:41 Azarel and Shelemiah, Shemariah, ^10:42Shallum, Amariah, Joseph. ^10:43 Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Iddo and Joel, Benaiah.

^10:44 All these had taken foreign wives and some of them had wives by whom they had sons.

[Nehemiah 1] TOC

^1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan {Susa} the palace,^1:2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, that were left of the captivity and concerning Jerusalem.

^1:3 And they said to me, The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. Also the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and the gates of it are burned with fire.

^1:4 And it happened, 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, ^1:5and said, I beseech you, O Jehovah, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:

^1:6 Let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the sons of Israel your servants while I confess the sins of the sons of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned. ^1:7 We have dealt very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.

^1:8 Remember, I beseech you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, If you^* trespass, I will scatter you^* abroad among the peoples, ^1:9 but if you^* return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your^* outcasts were in the outermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.

^1:10 Now these are your servants and your people whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. ^1:11 O Lord, I beseech you, let now your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name, and I beseech you, prosper your servant this day and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

[Nehemiah 2] TOC

^2:1 And it happened 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 to the king. Now I had not formerly been sad in his presence. ^2:2 And the king said to me, Why is your countenance sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very much afraid.

^2:3 And I said to the king, Let the king live everlasting. Why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lies waste and the gates of it are consumed with fire?^2:4 Then the king said to me, For what do you make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. ^2:5 And I said to the king, If it please the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it.

^2:6 And the king said to me (the queen also sitting by him), For how long will your journey be? And when will you return? So it pleased the king to send me and I set him a time.

^2:7 Moreover I said to the king, If it please the king, let letters be given to me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through till I come to Judah, ^2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the castle which is for the palace and for the wall of the city and for the house that I will enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

^2:9 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.^2:10 And when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there came a man to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.

^2:11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. ^2:12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me. I neither told any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem, nor was there any beast with me except the beast that I rode upon.

^2:13 And I went out by night by the valley gate, even toward the jackal's well and to the manure gate and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down and the gates of it were consumed with fire. ^2:14 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. ^2:15 Then I went up in the night by the brook and viewed the wall. And I turned back and entered by the valley gate and so returned.

^2:16 And the rulers did not know where I went, or what I did, neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the ranking men, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.

^2:17 Then I said to them, You^* see the evil condition that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste and the gates of it are burned with fire. Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem that we are no more a reproach.

^2:18 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 to me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

^2:19 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 you^* do? Will you^* rebel against the king?

^2:20 Then I answered them and said to them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us. Therefore we his servants will arise and build, but you^* have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

[Nehemiah 3] TOC

^3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests and they built the sheep gate. They made it holy and set up the doors of it, even to the Tower of Hundred they made it holy, to the Tower of Hananel.

^3:2 And next to him the men of Jericho built.

And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

^3:3 And the sons of Hassenaah built the fish gate. They laid the beams of it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it.

^3:4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz repaired.

And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel repaired.

And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired.

^3:5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their ranking men did not put their necks to the work of their lord.

^3:6 And the old gate Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired. They laid the beams of it and set up the doors of it and the bolts of it and the bars of it.

^3:7 And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, who pertained to the throne of the governor beyond the River, repaired.

^3:8 Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired.

And next to him Hananiah one of the perfumers repaired. And they fortified Jerusalem even to the broad wall.

^3:9 And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired.

^3:10 And next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, repaired opposite his house.

And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired.

^3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired another portion and the tower of the furnaces.

^3:12 And next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.

^3:13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah, repaired the valley gate. They built it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it and a thousand cubits of the wall to the manure gate.

^3:14 And Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the manure gate. He built it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it.

^3:15 And Shallun {Shallum} the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the fountain gate. He built it and covered it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king's garden, even to the stairs that go down from the city of David.

^3:16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to the place opposite the sepulchers of David and to the pool that was made and to the house of the mighty men.

^3:17 After him the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani, repaired.

Next to him Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district.

^3:18 After him their brothers, Bavvai {Bavai} the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired.

^3:19 And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, repaired another portion opposite the ascent to the armory at the turning of the wall.

^3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

^3:21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.

^3:22 And after him the priests, the men of the Plain, repaired.

^3:23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house.

After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house.

^3:24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another portion, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall and to the corner.

^3:25 Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the turning of the wall and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard.

After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh repaired.

^3:26 (Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, to the place opposite the water gate toward the east and the tower that stands out.) ^3:27 After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, opposite the great tower that stands out and to the wall of Ophel.

^3:28 The priests repaired above the horse gate, every man opposite his own house.

^3:29 After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house.

And after him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah {Shechaniah}, the keeper of the east gate, repaired.

^3:30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion.

After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber.

^3:31 After him Malchijah one of the goldsmiths to the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, repaired opposite the Gate of Miphkad {Hammiphkad} and to the ascent of the corner.

^3:32 And between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.

[Nehemiah 4] TOC

^4:1 But it happened that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and took great indignation and mocked the Jews. ^4:2 And he spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burnt?

^4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him and he said, Even what they are building, if a fox goes up he will break down their stone wall.

^4:4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised and so turn back their reproach upon their own head and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity, ^4:5 and do not cover their iniquity and do not let their sin be blotted out from before you, for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.

^4:6 So we built the wall and all the wall was joined together to half the height of it, for the people had a mind to work.

^4:7 But it happened 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 angry, ^4:8 and all of them together conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. ^4:9 But we made our prayer to our God and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

^4:10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens has become feeble and there is much rubbish, so that we are not able to build the wall. ^4:11And our adversaries said, They will not know, neither see, till we come into the midst of them and kill them and cause the work to cease.

^4:12 And it happened that, when the Jews who dwelt by them came, they said to us ten times, From all places from where you^* will return to us they will be upon you^*.

^4:13 Therefore I set in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set there the people after their families with their swords, their spears and their bows.

^4:14 And I looked and rose up and said to the ranking men and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome and fight for your^* brothers, your^* sons and your^* daughters, your^* wives and your^* houses.

^4:15 And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, every man to his work.

^4:16 And it happened from that time forth, that half of my servants labored 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.

^4:17 They all built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves, every man with one of his hands labored in the work and with the other held his weapon, ^4:18 and the builders, every man had his sword girded by his side and so built. And he who blew the trumpet was by me.

^4:19 And I said to the ranking men 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. ^4:20 In whatever place you^* hear the sound of the trumpet, gather you^* there to us, our God will fight for us.

^4:21 So we labored in the work and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. ^4:22 Likewise at the same time I said to the people, Let each with his servant lodge within Jerusalem that in the night they may be a guard to us and may labor in the day.

^4:23 So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us put off our clothes, everyone went with his weapon to the water.

[Nehemiah 5] TOC

^5:1 Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews. ^5:2 For there were who said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many. Let us get grain that we may eat and live.

^5:3 There were some also who said, We are mortgaging our fields and our vineyards and our houses. Let us get grain because of the dearth.

^5:4 There were also who said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute upon our fields and our vineyards. ^5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our sons as their sons. And behold, 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.

^5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. ^5:7 Then I consulted with myself and contended with the ranking men and the rulers and said to them, You^* exact usury, everyone of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them. ^5:8And I said to them, According to our ability we have redeemed our brothers the Jews, who were sold to the nations and would you^* even sell your^* brothers and should they be sold to us? Then they were silent and found not a word.

^5:9 Also I said, The thing that you^* do is not good. Ought you^* not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?^5:10 And I likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. I beseech you^*, let us leave off this usury. ^5:11 Restore, I beseech you^*, to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive-groves and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money and of the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you^* exact of them.

^5:12 Then they said, We will restore them and will require nothing of them, so will we do, even as you say. Then I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise. ^5:13 Also I shook out my lap and said, So God shake out every man from his house and from his labor, who does not perform this promise, even thus be he shaken out and emptied. And all the assembly said, Truly and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.

^5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.

^5:15 But the former governors who were before me charged the people and took bread and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people. But I did not so, because of the fear of God.

^5:16 Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither did we buy any land. And all my servants were gathered there to the work. ^5:17Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, a hundred and fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were all around us.

^5:18 Now what 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 did not demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

^5:19 Remember to me, O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.

[Nehemiah 6] TOC

^6:1 Now it happened, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah and to Geshem the Arabian and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it, (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), ^6:2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

^6:3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you^*? ^6:4 And they sent to me four times after this sort and I answered them after the same manner.

^6:5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand^6:6 in which was written, It is reported among the nations and Gashmu {Geshem} says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel, for which cause you are building the wall. And you would be their king according to these words.

^6:7 And you have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah. And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore and let us take counsel together.

^6:8 Then I sent to him, saying, There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart. ^6:9 For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands will be weakened from the work that it not be done. But now, O God, strengthen you my hands.

^6:10 And I went to 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 kill you, yes, they will come to kill you in the night. ^6:11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

^6:12 And I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him, but he pronounced this prophecy against me and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ^6:13 He was hired because of this, that I should be afraid and do so and sin and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

^6:14 Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets, who would have put me in fear.

^6:15 So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ^6:16 And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, that all the nations that were around us feared and were much cast down in their own eyes, for they perceived that this work was worked of our God.

^6:17 Moreover in those days the ranking men of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah and the letters of Tobiah came to them. ^6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah {Shechaniah} the son of Arah and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as a wife. ^6:19 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] TOC

^7:1 Now it happened, when the wall was built and I had set up the doors and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed, ^7:2 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.

^7:3 And I said to them, Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot and while they stand on guard, let them shut the doors and bar you^* them. And appoint watchmen of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch and everyone to be opposite his house.

^7:4 Now the city was wide and large, but the people in it were few and the houses were not built.

^7:5 And my God put into my heart to gather together the ranking men and the rulers and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first. And I found written in it: ^7:6These are the sons of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away and who returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, everyone to his city, ^7:7 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:^7:8 the sons of Parosh, two thousand a hundred and seventy-two; ^7:9 the sons of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two; ^7:10 the sons of Arah, six hundred fifty-two; ^7:11 the sons of Pahath-moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen; ^7:12 the sons of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty-four; ^7:13 the sons of Zattu, eight hundred forty-five; ^7:14 the sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty; ^7:15 the sons of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight; ^7:16 the sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty-eight; ^7:17 the sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty-two; ^7:18the sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-seven; ^7:19the sons of Bigvai, two thousand sixty-seven; ^7:20 the sons of Adin, six hundred fifty-five; ^7:21 the sons of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight; ^7:22 the sons of Hashum, three hundred twenty-eight; ^7:23 the sons of Bezai, three hundred twenty-four; ^7:24 the sons of Hariph, a hundred and twelve; ^7:25 the sons of Gibeon, ninety-five; ^7:26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, a hundred eighty-eight; ^7:27 the men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty-eight; ^7:28 the men of Beth-azmaveth, forty-two; ^7:29 the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three; ^7:30 the men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one; ^7:31 the men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty-two; ^7:32 the men of Bethel and Ai, a hundred twenty-three; ^7:33 the men of the other Nebo, fifty-two; ^7:34 the sons of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty-four; ^7:35 the sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty; ^7:36 the sons of Jericho, three hundred forty-five; ^7:37 the sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, seven hundred twenty-one; ^7:38 the sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

^7:39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three; ^7:40 the sons of Immer, a thousand fifty-two; ^7:41 the sons of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty-seven; ^7:42 the sons of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

^7:43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, seventy-four.

^7:44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, a hundred forty-eight.

^7:45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, a hundred thirty-eight.

^7:46 The Nethinim: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, ^7:47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, ^7:48 the sons of Lebana {Lebanah}, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai {Salmai}, ^7:49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, ^7:50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, ^7:51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah. ^7:52The sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, ^7:53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, ^7:54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, ^7:55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, ^7:56the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.

^7:57 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, ^7:58the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, ^7:59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.

^7:60 All the Nethinim and the sons of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety-two.

^7:61 And these were those who went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show their fathers' house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel: ^7:62 The sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred forty-two.

^7:63 And of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah {Habaiah}, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called after their name. ^7:64 These sought their registration among those who were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found. Therefore they were deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.

^7:65 And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.

^7:66 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, ^7:67 besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. And they had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women. ^7:68 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six, their mules, two hundred forty-five, ^7:69 their camels, four hundred thirty-five, their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

^7:70 And some from among the heads of fathers gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury a thousand 128-grain weights of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. ^7:71 And some of the heads of fathers gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand 128-grain weights of gold and two thousand and two hundred pounds of silver.^7:72 And what the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand 128-grain weights of gold and two thousand pounds of silver and sixty-seven priests' garments.

^7:73 So the priests and the Levites and the gatekeepers and the singers and some of the people and the Nethinim and all Israel, dwelt in their cities. And when the seventh month came, the sons of Israel were in their cities.

[Nehemiah 8] TOC

^8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate. And they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel.

^8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. ^8:3 And he read in it 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 who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

^8:4 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. ^8:5 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.

^8:6 And Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, Truly, Truly, with the lifting up of their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped Jehovah with their faces to the ground. ^8:7 Also Jeshua and Bani and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah {Hodijah}, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law. And the people stood in their place. ^8:8 And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.

^8:9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor and Ezra the priest the scribe and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to Jehovah your^* God; do not mourn nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.

^8:10 Then he said to them, Go your^* way, eat fat things and drink sweet things and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord; neither be you^* grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your^* strength.

^8:11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, Be silent, for the day is holy, neither be you^* grieved. ^8:12 And all the people went their way to eat and to drink and to send portions and to make great gladness, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

^8:13 And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers of all the people, the priests and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law. ^8:14 And they found written in the law how that Jehovah had commanded by Moses that the sons of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month, ^8:15and that they should proclaim and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth to the mountain 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.

^8:16 So the people went forth and brought them and made themselves booths, each 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.^8:17 And all the assembly of those who came again out of the captivity made booths and dwelt in the booths, for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the sons of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness.

^8:18 Also day by day, from the first day to 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 to the ordinance.

[Nehemiah 9] TOC

^9:1 Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel were assembled with fasting and with sackcloth and earth upon them. ^9:2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. ^9:3 And they stood up in their place and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day and another fourth part they confessed and worshiped Jehovah their God.

^9:4 Then Jeshua and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, stood up upon the stairs of the Levites and cried with a loud voice to Jehovah their God. ^9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and praise Jehovah your^* God from everlasting to everlasting. And praise your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

^9:6 You are Jehovah, even you alone, you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are on it, the seas and all that is in them and you preserve them all. And the host of heaven worships you. ^9:7 You are Jehovah, the God who chose Abram and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldeans {Chaldees} and gave him the name of Abraham, ^9:8 and found his heart faithful before you and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Jebusite and the Girgashite, to give it to his seed and have performed your words, for you are righteous.

^9:9 And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry by the Red Sea, ^9:10 and showed signs and wonders upon Pharaoh and on all his servants and on all the people of his land, for you knew that they dealt proudly against them and got you a name, as it is this day. ^9:11 And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land. And you cast their pursuers into the depths as a stone into the mighty waters. ^9:12 Moreover in a pillar of cloud you led them by day and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.

^9:13 You also came down upon Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments, ^9:14 and made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law, by Moses your servant.

^9:15 And you gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought out water for them out of the rock for their thirst and commanded them that they should go in to possess the land which you had sworn to give them.

^9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly and stiffened their neck and did not listen to your commandments, ^9:17 and refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but stiffened their neck. And in their rebellion they appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and did not forsake them.

^9:18 Yes, when they had made a molten calf for them and said, This is your God that brought you up out of Egypt and had worked great provocations, ^9:19yet you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud did not depart 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 in which they should go.

^9:20 You also gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. ^9:21 Yes, forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing; their clothes did not grow old and their feet did not swell.

^9:22 Moreover you gave them kingdoms and peoples, which you allotted after their portions. So they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. ^9:23 Their sons you also multiplied as the stars of heaven and brought them into the land concerning which you said to their fathers that they should go in to possess it.

^9:24 So the sons went in and possessed the land. And you subdued the inhabitants of the land before them, the Canaanites and gave them into their hands, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. ^9:25 And they took fortified cities and a fat land and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns hewn out, vineyards and olive-groves and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.

^9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets who testified against them to turn them again to you and they worked great provocations.

^9:27 Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them. And in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries.

^9:28 But after they had rest, they again did evil before you. Therefore you left them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them. Yet when they returned and cried to you, you heard from heaven and many times you delivered them according to your mercies, ^9:29 and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they dealt proudly and did not listen to your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances (which if a man does, he will live in them) and withdrew the shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not hear.

^9:30 Yet many years you prolonged with them and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not listen. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. ^9:31 Nevertheless in your great mercies you did not make a full end of them, nor forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

^9:32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness, do not let all the travail seem little before you, that has come upon us, on our kings, on our rulers and on our priests and on our prophets and on our fathers and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day.

^9:33 However you are just in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly, ^9:34 neither have our kings, our rulers, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you testified against them. ^9:35 For they have not served you in their kingdom and in your great goodness that you gave them and in the large and fat land which you gave before them, neither did they turn from their wicked works.

^9:36 Behold, we are servants this day and as for the land that you gave to our fathers to eat the fruit of it and the good of it, behold, we are servants in it.^9:37 And it yields much increase to the kings whom you have 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. ^9:38 And yet for all this we make a sure covenant and write it and our rulers, our Levites, and our priests, seal to it.

[Nehemiah 10] TOC

^10:1 Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah and Zedekiah, ^10:2Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, ^10:3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, ^10:4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, ^10:5Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, ^10:6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, ^10:7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, ^10:8Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah. These were the priests.

^10:9 And the Levites: namely, Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,^10:10 and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, ^10:11 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, ^10:12Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, ^10:13 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu.

^10:14 The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, ^10:15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,^10:16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, ^10:17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, ^10:18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, ^10:19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai {Nebai}, ^10:20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, ^10:21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, ^10:22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, ^10:23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, ^10:24Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, ^10:25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, ^10:26 and Ahiah {Ahijah}, Hanan, Anan, ^10:27Malluch, Harim, Baanah.

^10:28 And the rest of the people– the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding– ^10:29 they clung to their brothers, their ranking men 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 Jehovah our Lord and his ordinances and his statutes. ^10:30 And that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons. ^10:31And if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day. And that we would forego the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.

^10:32 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, ^10:33 for the showbread and for the continual food-offering and for the continual burnt-offering, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts 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.

^10:34 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 Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law, ^10:35 and to bring the first-fruits of our ground and the first-fruits of all fruit of all manner of trees, year by year, to the house of Jehovah, ^10:36 also the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the law and the first-offspring of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God,^10:37 and that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough and our heave-offerings and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God and the tithes of our ground to the Levites, for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

^10:38 And the priest the son of Aaron will be with the Levites when the Levites take tithes. And the Levites will bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-house. ^10:39 For the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi will bring the heave-offering of the grain, of the new wine and of the oil, to the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary and the priests that minister and the gatekeepers and the singers. And we will not forsake the house of our God.

[Nehemiah 11] TOC

^11:1 And the rulers 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. ^11:2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

^11:3 Now these are the chiefs of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem. But in the cities of Judah everyone dwells in his possession in their cities, namely, Israel, the priests and the Levites and the Nethinim and the sons of Solomon's servants.

^11:4 And in Jerusalem certain of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin dwelt.

Of the sons 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 sons of Perez; ^11:5 and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. ^11:6 All the sons of Perez who dwelt in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.

^11:7 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. ^11:8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight. ^11:9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.

^11:10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, ^11:11 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, ^11:12and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-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, ^11:13 and his brothers, chiefs of fathers, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, ^11:14 and their brothers, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty-eight and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim {a great man}.

^11:15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni, ^11:16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad of the chiefs of the Levites who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God, ^11:17 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 brothers and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. ^11:18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.

^11:19 Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy-two.

^11:20 And the rest of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance. ^11:21 But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel. And Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim. ^11:22The 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. ^11:23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required. ^11:24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.

^11:25 And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the sons of Judah dwelt in Kiriath-arba and the towns of it and in Dibon and the towns of it and in Jekabzeel and the villages of it, ^11:26 and in Jeshua and in Moladah and Beth-pelet, ^11:27 and in Hazar-shual and in Beer-sheba and the towns of it, ^11:28 and in Ziklag and in Meconah and in the towns of it, ^11:29and in En-rimmon and in Zorah and in Jarmuth, ^11:30Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and the fields of it, Azekah and the towns of it. So they encamped from Beer-sheba to the valley of Hinnom.

^11:31 The sons of Benjamin also dwelt from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija and at Bethel and the towns of it, ^11:32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, ^11:33Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, ^11:34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, ^11:35 Lod and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.^11:36 And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin.

[Nehemiah 12] TOC

^12:1 Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, ^12:2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, ^12:3 Shecaniah {Shechaniah}, Rehum, Meremoth, ^12:4 Iddo, Ginnethoi {Ginnethon}, Abijah, ^12:5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, ^12:6 Shemaiah and Joiarib, Jedaiah. ^12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua.

^12:8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brothers. ^12:9 Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brothers, were opposite them according to their offices. ^12:10 And Jeshua {Joshua} fathered Joiakim and Joiakim fathered Eliashib and Eliashib fathered Joiada, ^12:11 and Joiada fathered Jonathan and Jonathan fathered Jaddua.

^12:12 And in the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers: from Seraiah: Meraiah; from Jeremiah: Hananiah; ^12:13 from Ezra: Meshullam; from Amariah: Jehohanan; ^12:14 from Malluchi: Jonathan; from Shebaniah: Joseph; ^12:15 from Harim: Adna; from Meraioth: Helkai; ^12:16 from Iddo: Zechariah; from Ginnethon: Meshullam; ^12:17 from Abijah: Zichri; from Miniamin; from Moadiah; Piltai; ^12:18 from Bilgah: Shammua; from Shemaiah: Jehonathan; ^12:19 and from Joiarib: Mattenai; from Jedaiah: Uzzi; ^12:20 from Sallai: Kallai; from Amok: Eber; ^12:21 from Hilkiah: Hashabiah; from Jedaiah: Nethanel.

^12:22 As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada and Johanan and Jaddua, there were recorded the heads of fathers, also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian. ^12:23 The sons of Levi, heads of fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.

^12:24 And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers opposite them, to praise and give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, watch next to watch. ^12:25 Mattaniah and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the store-houses of the gates. ^12:26 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. ^12:27 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. ^12:28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain all around Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites,^12:29 also from Beth-gilgal and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built for them villages all around Jerusalem. ^12:30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves and they purified the people and the gates and the wall. ^12:31Then I brought up the rulers of Judah upon the wall and appointed two great companies that gave thanks and went in procession, one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the manure gate, ^12:32 and after them went Hoshaiah and half of the rulers of Judah,^12:33 and Azariah, Ezra and Meshullam, ^12:34 Judah and Benjamin and Shemaiah and Jeremiah, ^12:35 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, ^12:36 and his brothers, 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 ahead of them.

^12:37 And they went up by the fountain gate and straight before them, by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even to the water gate eastward.

^12:38 And the other company of those who 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 to the broad wall, ^12:39 and above the gate of Ephraim and by the old gate and by the fish gate and the tower of Hananel and the Tower of Hundred, even to the sheep gate. And they stood still in the gate of the guard.

^12:40 So stood the two companies of those who gave thanks in the house of God and I and the half of the rulers with me, ^12:41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with trumpets, ^12:42 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.

^12:43 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.

^12:44 And on that day men were 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 who served.

^12:45 And they kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification and also the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the commandment of David and of Solomon his son. ^12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of long-ago there was a chief of the singers and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

^12:47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the gatekeepers as every day required. And they set apart what was for the Levites and the Levites set apart what was for the sons of Aaron.

[Nehemiah 13] TOC

^13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people and in it was found written that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God everlasting, ^13:2 because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them. However our God turned the curse into a blessing. ^13:3 And it happened, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

^13:4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah, ^13:5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly they laid the food-offerings, the frankincense and the vessels and the tithes of the grain, the new wine and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites and the singers and the gatekeepers and the heave-offerings for the priests.

^13:6 But in all this time I was not at Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after certain days I asked leave of the king, ^13:7 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.

^13:8 And it grieved me greatly. Therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. ^13:9 Then I commanded and they cleansed the chambers. And there I brought again the vessels of the house of God, with the food-offerings and the frankincense.

^13:10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each one to his field. ^13:11 Then I contended with the rulers and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and set them in their place.^13:12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.

^13:13 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 business was to distribute to their brothers.

^13:14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for the observances of it.

^13:15 In those days I saw in Judah some men treading wine-presses on the Sabbath and bringing in sheaves and loading donkeys on them, as also wine, grapes and figs and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I testified against them in the day in which they sold foods.

^13:16 There dwelt men of Tyre also in it who brought in fish and all manner of wares and sold on the Sabbath to the sons of Judah and in Jerusalem.

^13:17 Then I contended with the ranking men of Judah and said to them, What evil thing is this that you^* do and profane the Sabbath day? ^13:18 Did not your^* fathers thus and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city? Yet you^* bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath.

^13:19 And it happened 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 I set some of my servants over the gates that there should be no burden brought in on the Sabbath day.

^13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. ^13:21Then I testified against them and said to them, Why do you^* lodge outside the wall? If you^* do so again, I will lay hands on you^*. From that time forth they came no more on the Sabbath.

^13:22 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 to me, O my God, this also and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.

^13:23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab. ^13:24 And their sons spoke half in the speech of Ashdod and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. ^13:25And I contended with them and cursed them and killed^* certain of them and plucked off their hair and made them swear by God, saying, You^* will not give your^* daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your^* sons, or for yourselves.

^13:26 Did not Solomon King of Israel sin by these things? Yet there was no king like him among many nations and he was beloved of his God and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin. ^13:27 Shall we then listen to you^* to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women? ^13:28And 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.

^13:29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. ^13:30 Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, each one in his work,^13:31 and for the wood offering, at times appointed and for the first-fruits.

Remember me, O my God, for good.

[Esther 1] TOC

^1:1 Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces), ^1:2 that in those days, when king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, ^1:3 in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his rulers and his servants, the power of Persia and Media, the ranking men and rulers of the provinces, being before him ^1:4when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and eighty days.

^1:5 And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast to all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.^1:6 There were hangings of white cloth, of green and of blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble. The couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red and white and yellow and black marble.

^1:7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being diverse from one another) and royal wine in abundance according to the bounty of the king. ^1:8 And the drinking was according to the law, none could compel. For so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. ^1:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

^1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas {Carkas}, the seven eunuchs who ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, ^1:11to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown to show the peoples and the rulers her beauty, for she was fair to look on. ^1:12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry and his fury burned in him.

^1:13 Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for so was the king's manner toward all who knew law and judgment, ^1:14 and next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven rulers of Persia and Media who saw the king's face and sat first in the kingdom), ^1:15 What will we do to queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of king Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?

^1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the rulers, Vashti the queen has not done wrong only to the king, but also to all the rulers and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus.

^1:17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad to all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes when it will be reported, King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she did not come.

^1:18 And this day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen will say the like to all the king's rulers. So there will arise much contempt and wrath.

^1:19 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 is not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she. ^1:20 And when the king's decree which he will make will be proclaimed throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.

^1:21 And the saying pleased the king and the rulers and the king did according to the word of Memucan. ^1:22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing of it and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house and should speak according to the language of his people.

[Esther 2] TOC

^2:1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what was decreed against her.

^2:2 Then the king's servants who ministered to him said, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king. ^2:3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, to the custody of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. And let their things for purification be given them, ^2:4 and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king and he did so.

^2:5 There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, ^2:6who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah {Jehoiachin} king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

^2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter. For she had neither father nor mother and the maiden was fair and beautiful. And when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.

^2:8 So it happened, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard and when many maidens were gathered together to Shushan the palace to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

^2:9 And the maiden pleased him and she obtained kindness from him. And he quickly gave her things for purification, with her portions and the seven maidens who were suitable to be given her out of the king's house. And he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women.

^2:10 Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred, for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known. ^2:11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house to know how Esther did and what would become of her.

^2:12 Now when the succession of every maiden came to go in to king Ahasuerus, after it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, namely, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet odors and with the things for the purifying of the women), ^2:13 then the maiden came to the king in this way: Whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women to the king's house.

^2:14 In the evening she went and on the next-day she returned into the second house of the women to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more unless the king delighted in her and she was called by name.

^2:15 Now when the succession of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked upon her. ^2:16 So Esther was taken to king Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

^2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women. And she obtained favor and kindness 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. ^2:18 Then the king made a great feast to all his rulers 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.

^2:19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate. ^2:20 Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her. For Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, as when she was brought up with him.

^2:21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, of those who kept the threshold, were angry and sought to lay hands on king Ahasuerus. ^2:22And the thing became known to Mordecai, who showed it to Esther the queen and Esther told the king of it in Mordecai's name.

^2:23 And when inquiry 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] TOC

^3:1 After these things king Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite and advanced him and set his seat above all the rulers that were with him. ^3:2 And all the king's servants, who were in the king's gate, bowed down and did reverence to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down, nor do him reverence. ^3:3 Then the king's servants, who were in the king's gate, said to Mordecai, Why do you transgress the king's commandment?

^3:4 Now it happened, when they spoke daily to him and he did not listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. ^3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down, nor do him reverence, then Haman was full of wrath.

^3:6 But he despised to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

^3:7 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.

^3:8 And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom and their laws are diverse from those of every people, nor do they keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not for the king's profit to endure them. ^3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they are destroyed. And I will pay ten thousand talants of silver into the hands of those who have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.

^3:10 And the king took his ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. ^3:11 And the king said to Haman, The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.

^3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in the first month, on the thirteenth day of it. And there was written according to all that Haman commanded to the king's satraps and to the governors who were over every province and to the rulers of every people, to every province according to the writing of it and to every people after their language, in the name of king Ahasuerus it was written. And it was sealed with the king's ring.

^3:13 And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little sons 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.

^3:14 A copy of the writing that the decree should be given out in every province was proclaimed to all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day. ^3:15 The posts went forth in haste by the king's commandment and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace.

And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed.

[Esther 4] TOC

^4:1 Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai tore 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. ^4:2 And he came even before the king's gate, for none might enter inside the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

^4:3 And in every province, wherever 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.

^4:4 And Esther's maidens and her eunuchs came and told it to her. And the queen was exceedingly grieved. And she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and to take his sackcloth from him, but he did not receive it.

^4:5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend upon her and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was and why it was. ^4:6 So Hathach went forth to Mordecai to the broad place of the city, which was before the king's gate.

^4:7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened to 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. ^4:8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it to Esther and to declare it to her and to charge her that she should go in to the king to make supplication to him and to make request before him for her people. ^4:9 And Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

^4:10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message to Mordecai saying, ^4:11 All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces, know, that whoever, whether man or woman, will come to the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he is put to death, except those to whom the king will hold out the golden scepter that he may live. But I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.^4:12 And they told Esther's words to Mordecai.

^4:13 Then Mordecai commanded them return answer to Esther, Think not with yourself that you will escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. ^4:14 For if you altogether keep quiet at this time, then relief and deliverance will arise to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

^4:15 Then Esther commanded them return answer to Mordecai, ^4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast you^* for me and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I also and my maidens will fast in like manner. And so I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish. ^4:17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

[Esther 5] TOC

^5:1 Now it happened on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the king's house, opposite the king's house. And the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house.

^5:2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter.

^5:3 Then the king said to her, What do you will, queen Esther? And what is your request? It will be given you even to the half of the kingdom. ^5:4 And Esther said, If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him. ^5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste that it may be done as Esther has said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

^5:6 And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition? And it will be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it will be performed.

^5:7 Then Esther answered and said, My petition and my request is, ^5:8 if I have found favor 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 will prepare for them and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.

^5:9 Then Haman went forth that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he did not stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. ^5:10Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.

^5:11 And Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches and the multitude of his sons and all the things in which the king had promoted him and how he had advanced him above the rulers and servants of the king. ^5:12 Haman said moreover, Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself and tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king.

^5:13 Yet all this avails me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. ^5:14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high and in the morning speak to the king that Mordecai may be hanged on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman and he caused the gallows to be made.

[Esther 6] TOC

^6:1 On that night the king could not sleep. And he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles and they were read before the king. ^6:2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, of those who kept the threshold, who had sought to lay hands on king Ahasuerus.

^6:3 And the king said, What honor and dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this? Then the king's servants who ministered to him said, There is nothing done for him.

^6:4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman came into the outward court of the king's house to speak to the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. ^6:5 And the king's servants said to him, Behold, Haman stands in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

^6:6 So Haman came in. And the king said to him, What will be done to the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman said in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?

^6:7 And Haman said to the king, For the man whom the king delights to honor, ^6:8 let royal apparel be brought which the king uses to wear and the horse that the king rides upon and on the head of which a royal crown is set. ^6:9 And let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble rulers, that they may array the man whom the king delights to honor and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city and proclaim before him, Thus it will be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.

^6:10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste and take the apparel and the horse, as you have said and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken. ^6:11 Then Haman took the apparel and the horse and arrayed Mordecai and caused him to ride through the street of the city and proclaimed before him, Thus it will be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.

^6:12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hastened to his house, mourning and having his head covered. ^6:13 And Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, you will not prevail against him, but will surely fall before him.

^6:14 While they were yet talking with him, the king's eunuchs came and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

[Esther 7] TOC

^7:1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. ^7:2 And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is your petition, queen Esther? And it will be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it will be performed.

^7:3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in your sight, O king and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition and my people at my request. ^7:4 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 would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage.

^7:5 Then king Ahasuerus spoke and said to Esther the queen, Who is he and where is he, who dares presume in his heart to do so? ^7:6 And Esther said, An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

^7:7 And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. And Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen, for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

^7:8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine and Haman was fallen upon the couch on which Esther was. Then the king said, 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.

^7:9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, stands in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him on it.

^7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath was pacified.

[Esther 8] TOC

^8:1 On that day king Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman the Jews' enemy to Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. ^8:2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

^8:3 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. ^8:4Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose and stood before the king.

^8:5 And she said, If it please the king and if I have found favor in his sight and the thing seem right before the king and I am 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. ^8:6 For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

^8:7 Then the king Ahasuerus said to 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. ^8:8 Write also to the Jews, as it pleases 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.

^8:9 Then the king's scribes were called at that time, in the third month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of it. And it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and rulers of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, a hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to the writing of it and to every people after their language and to the Jews according to their writing and according to their language.

^8:10 And he wrote the name of king Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's ring and sent letters by post on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king's service bred of the stud, ^8:11 in which the king granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together and to stand for their life, to destroy, to kill and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province who would assault them, their little ones and women and to take the spoil of them for a prey, ^8:12 upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

^8:13 A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was proclaimed to all the peoples and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. ^8:14So 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 palace.

^8:15 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 robe of fine linen and purple. And the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.

^8:16 The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. ^8:17 And in every province and in every city, wherever 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] TOC

^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 on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over those who hated them), ^9:2 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 fell upon all the peoples.

^9:3 And all the rulers of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and those who did the king's business, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. ^9:4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.

^9:5 And the Jews killed^* all their enemies with the stroke of the sword and with slaughter and destruction and did what they would to those who hated them. ^9:6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. ^9:7 And they killed Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha, ^9:8 and Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha, ^9:9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vaizatha {Vajezatha}, ^9:10the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jew's enemy, but they did not lay their hand on the spoil.

^9:11 On that day the number of those who were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. ^9:12 And the king said to Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace and the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your petition? And it will be granted you, or what is your request further? And it will be done.

^9:13 Then Esther said, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according to this day's decree and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. ^9:14And the king commanded it so to be done. And a decree was given out in Shushan and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

^9:15 And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar and killed three hundred men in Shushan, but they did not lay their hand on the spoil.^9:16 And the other Jews who were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together and stood for their lives and had rest from their enemies and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them. But they did not lay their hand on the spoil.

^9:17 This was done 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. ^9:18 But the Jews who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day of it and on the fourteenth of it and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness. ^9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who dwell in the un-walled 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.

^9:20 And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far, ^9:21 to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, ^9:22 as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies. And the month which was turned to 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.

^9:23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun and as Mordecai had written to them, ^9:24because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast Pur, that is the lot, to consume them and to destroy them.^9:25 But when the matter 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.

^9:26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter and of what they had seen concerning this matter and what had come to them, ^9:27 the Jews established and took upon them and upon their seed and upon all such as joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing of it and according to the appointed time of it, every year.

^9:28 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 remembrance of them perish from their seed.

^9:29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim. ^9:30And he sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, ^9:31 to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, just-as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them and as they had established for themselves and for their seed in the matter of the fastings and their cry. ^9:32 And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim and it was written in the book.

[Esther 10] TOC

^10:1 And king Ahasuerus laid force-labor upon the land and upon the isles of the sea. ^10:2 And all the acts of his power and of his might and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to what the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

^10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next to king Ahasuerus and great among the Jews and accepted of the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his seed.

[Job 1] TOC

^1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job and that man was perfect and upright and one who feared God and turned away from evil.^1:2 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.

^1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred female-donkeys and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the sons of the east.

^1:4 And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. ^1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were completed, that Job sent and made them holy 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 renounced God in their hearts. Thus Job did continually.

^1:6 Now it happened on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. ^1:7 And Jehovah said to Satan, From where do you come? Then Satan answered Jehovah and said, From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it. ^1:8And Jehovah said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. ^1:9 Then Satan answered Jehovah and said, Does Job fear God freely? ^1:10Have you not made a hedge on every side on behalf of him and his house and all that he has? You have blessed the work of his hands and his substance is increased in the land. ^1:11 But put forth your hand now and touch all that he has and he will renounce you to your face. ^1:12 And Jehovah said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power, only upon himself do not put forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.

^1:13 And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, ^1:14 that there came a messenger to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, ^1:15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them away. Yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword and only I alone have escaped to tell you.

^1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The fire of God fell from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them and only I alone have escaped to tell you.

^1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The Chaldeans made three bands and fell upon the camels and have taken them away, yes and slain the servants with the edge of the sword and only I alone have escaped to tell you.

^1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house. ^1:19 And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness and killed^* the four corners of the house and it fell upon the young men and they are dead and only I alone have escaped to tell you.

^1:20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped. ^1:21 And he said, Naked I came out of my mother's womb and naked I will return there. Jehovah gave and Jehovah has taken away, praise the name of Jehovah. ^1:22 In all this Job did not sin, nor give any unseemliness to God.

[Job 2] TOC

^2:1 Again it happened on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah. ^2:2 And Jehovah said to Satan, From where did you come? And Satan answered Jehovah and said, From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.

^2:3 And Jehovah said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you moved me against him, to destroy him without cause.

^2:4 And Satan answered Jehovah and said, Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. ^2:5 But put forth your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh and he will renounce you to your face. ^2:6 And Jehovah said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life. ^2:7 So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah and killed^* Job with severe boils from the sole of his foot to his crown.

^2:8 And he took an earthen vessel for him to scrape himself with it and he sat among the ashes. ^2:9Then his wife said to him, Do you still hold fast your integrity? Renounce God and die. ^2:10 But he said to her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and will we not receive evil? In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

^2:11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that came upon him, they came each 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 sympathize with him and to comfort him.

^2:12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off and did not recognize him, they lifted up their voice and wept. And each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. ^2:13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights. And none spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.

[Job 3] TOC

^3:1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed his day. ^3:2 And Job answered and said, ^3:3 Let the day perish in which I was born and the night which said, There is a male-child conceived.

^3:4 Let that day be darkness. Do not let God from above seek for it, nor let the light shine upon it. ^3:5Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell upon it. Let blackness come upon it. ^3:6 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.^3:7 Behold, let that night be barren. Let no joyful voice come in it.

^3:8 Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to rouse up leviathan. ^3:9 Let the stars of the twilight of it be dark. Let it look for light, but have none, nor let it behold the eyelids of the morning. ^3:10Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hide trouble from my eyes.

^3:11 Why did I not die from the womb? Why did I not give up the spirit when my mother bore me? ^3:12Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should suck?

^3:13 For now I should have lain down and been quiet. I should have slept. Then I would have been at rest ^3:14 with kings and counselors of the earth, who built waste places for themselves, ^3:15 or with rulers who had gold, who filled their houses with silver.

^3:16 Or I should have been as a hidden untimely birth, as infants that never saw light. ^3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling and there the weary are at rest. ^3:18 There the prisoners are at ease together. They do not hear the voice of the taskmaster. ^3:19 The small and the great are there. And the servant is free from his master.

^3:20 Why is light given to him who is in misery and life to the bitter in soul, ^3:21 who long for death, but it does not come and dig for it more than for hid treasures, ^3:22 who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they can find the grave? ^3:23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid and whom God has hedged in?

^3:24 For my sighing comes before I eat and my groanings are poured out like water. ^3:25 For the thing which I fear comes upon me and what I am afraid of comes to me. ^3:26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, neither have I rest, but trouble comes.

[Job 4] TOC

^4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, ^4:2 If a man tries to speak with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking? ^4:3 Behold, you have instructed many and you have strengthened the weak hands. ^4:4 Your words have upheld him who was falling and you have made firm the feeble knees.

^4:5 But now it comes to you and you faint. It touches you and you are troubled.

^4:6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, the integrity of your ways your hope? ^4:7 I beseech you, remember those who perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

^4:8 According to what I have seen, those who plow wickedness and sow trouble, reap the same. ^4:9 By the breath of God they perish and by the blast of his anger they are consumed. ^4:10 The roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. ^4:11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey and the cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.

^4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me and my ear received a whisper of it. ^4:13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, ^4:14 fear came upon me and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. ^4:15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. ^4:16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance of it. A form was before my eyes.

There was silence and I heard a voice, saying,^4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker? ^4:18 Behold, he puts no trust in his servants and he charges his messengers with error.

^4:19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth! ^4:20 Between morning and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it. ^4:21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die and that without wisdom.

[Job 5] TOC

^5:1 Call now, is there any who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn? ^5:2 For vexation kills the foolish man and jealousy slays the silly one. ^5:3 I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling. ^5:4 His sons are far from safety and they are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them, ^5:5 whose harvest the hungry eat up and takes it even out of the thorns and the snare pants for their substance.

^5:6 For affliction does not come out from the dust, nor does trouble spring out of the ground, ^5:7 but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

^5:8 But as for me, I would seek to God. And to God I would commit my cause, ^5:9 who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number, ^5:10 who gives rain upon the earth and sends waters upon the fields, ^5:11 so that he sets up on high those who are low and those who mourn are exalted to safety.

^5:12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. ^5:13 He takes the wise in their own craftiness and the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong. ^5:14 They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night.

^5:15 But he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty. ^5:16 So a poor man has hope and unrighteousness stops her mouth.

^5:17 Behold, fortunate is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise you the chastening of the Almighty. ^5:18 For he injures and binds up. He wounds and his hands make whole.

^5:19 He will deliver you in six troubles. Yes, in seven there will no evil touch you. ^5:20 In famine he will redeem you from death and in war from the power of the sword. ^5:21 You will be hid from the scourge of the tongue. Neither will you be afraid of destruction when it comes.

^5:22 At destruction and dearth you will laugh, nor will you be afraid of the beasts of the earth. ^5:23 For you will be in league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field will be at peace with you. ^5:24And you will know that your tent is in peace and you will visit your fold and will miss nothing.

^5:25 You will know also that your seed will be great and your offspring as the grass of the earth. ^5:26 You will come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season.

^5:27 Behold this, we have searched it, so it is. Hear it and know it for your good.

[Job 6] TOC

^6:1 Then Job answered and said, ^6:2 O that my grief were but weighed and all my calamity laid in the balances! ^6:3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. Therefore my words have been rash.

^6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison of which my spirit drinks up. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

^6:5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or the ox moo over his fodder? ^6:6 Can what has no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? ^6:7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

^6:8 O that I might have my request and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! ^6:9 Even that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off! ^6:10 And be it still my consolation, yes, let me rejoice (in pain that does not spare), that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

^6:11 What is my strength that I should wait? And what is my end that I should be patient? ^6:12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass? ^6:13 Is it not that I have no help in me and that wisdom is driven from me?

^6:14 To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be from his friend, even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

^6:15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away, ^6:16which are black because of the ice, in which the snow hides itself. ^6:17 What time they grow warm, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

^6:18 The caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside. They go up into the waste and perish. ^6:19The caravans of Tema looked, the traveling of Sheba waited for them. ^6:20 They were put to shame because they had hoped. They came there and were confounded.

^6:21 For now you^* are nothing. You^* see a terror and are afraid. ^6:22 Did I say, Give to me? Or, Offer a present for me from your^* substance? ^6:23 Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

^6:24 Teach me and I will be quiet. And cause me to understand how I have erred. ^6:25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your^* reproof, what does it reprove?

^6:26 Do you^* think to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of a man who is desperate are as wind?^6:27 Yes, you^* would cast lots upon the fatherless and make merchandise of your^* friend.

^6:28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me, for truly I will not lie to your^* face. ^6:29 Return, I beseech you^*, let there be no injustice. Yes, return again, my cause is righteous. ^6:30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

[Job 7] TOC

^7:1 Is there not a warfare to man upon earth? And are not his days like the days of a hireling?

^7:2 As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow and as a hireling who looks for his wages, ^7:3so I am made to possess months of misery and wearisome nights are appointed to me.

^7:4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise and the night be gone? And I am full of tossing to and fro to the dawning of the day. ^7:5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up and breaks out afresh.

^7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle and are spent without hope. ^7:7 O remember that my life is a breath. My eye will no more see good. ^7:8 The eye of him who sees me will behold me no more. Your eyes will be upon me, but I will not be.

^7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol will come up no more. ^7:10 He will return no more to his house, nor will his place know him any more.

^7:11 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.

^7:12 Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, that you set a watch over me? ^7:13 When I say, My bed will comfort me. My couch will ease my complaint. ^7:14 Then you scare me with dreams and terrify me through visions,^7:15 so that my soul chooses strangling and death rather than these my bones. ^7:16 I loathe my life. I would not live everlasting. Let me alone, for my days are vanity. ^7:17 What is man, that you should magnify him and that you should set your mind upon him, ^7:18 and that you should visit him every morning and try him every moment? ^7:19 How long will you not look away from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? ^7:20 If I have sinned, what do I do to you, O you, watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself? ^7:21And why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity?For now I will lie down in the dust and you will seek me diligently, but I will not be.

[Job 8] TOC

^8:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,^8:2 How long will you speak these things? And how long will the words of your mouth be like a mighty wind? ^8:3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness? ^8:4 If your sons have sinned against him and he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression, ^8:5 if you would seek diligently to God and make your supplication to the Almighty, ^8:6 if you were pure and upright, surely now he would awake for you and make the dwelling of your righteousness prosperous. ^8:7 And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase. ^8:8 Because I beseech you, inquire of the former age and apply yourself to what their fathers have searched out ^8:9 (for we are but of yesterday and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow). ^8:10 Shall they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their heart?

^8:11 Can the rush grow up without mud? Can a reed grow without water? ^8:12 While it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withers before any other herb. ^8:13 So are the paths of all who forget God. And the hope of the profane man will perish,^8:14 whose confidence will break apart and whose trust is a spider's web.

^8:15 He will lean upon his house, but it will not stand. He will hold fast to it, but it will not endure. ^8:16 He is green before the sun and his offshoots go forth over his garden. ^8:17 His roots are wrapped around the stone heap. He beholds the place of stones. ^8:18 If he is destroyed from his place, then it will deny him, saying, I have not seen you. ^8:19Behold, this is the joy of his way and out of the earth others will spring.

^8:20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, nor will he uphold the evildoers. ^8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting. ^8:22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame and the tent of the wicked will be no more.

[Job 9] TOC

^9:1 Then Job answered and said, ^9:2 Of a truth I know that it is so. But how can man be just with God? ^9:3 If he is pleased to contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

^9:4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered?

^9:5 He who removes the mountains and they do not know it when he overturns them in his anger, ^9:6who shakes the earth out of its place and the pillars of it tremble, ^9:7 who commands the sun and it does not rise and seals up the stars, ^9:8 who alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the waves of the sea, ^9:9 who makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades and the chambers of the south, ^9:10 who does great things past finding out, yes, marvelous things without number.

^9:11 Behold, he goes by me and I do not see him. He also passes on, but I do not perceive him.

^9:12 Behold, he seizes; who can hinder him? Who will say to him, What are you doing? ^9:13 God will not withdraw his anger. The helpers of Rahab stoop under him.

^9:14 How much less shall I answer him and choose out my words to reason with him? ^9:15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet I would not answer. I would make supplication to my judge.

^9:16 If I had called and he had answered me, yet I would not believe that he listened to my voice. ^9:17For he breaks me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause. ^9:18 He will not allow me to take my breath, but fills me with bitterness. ^9:19 If of strength behold, he is mighty! And if of justice, who will summon me?

^9:20 Though I am righteous, my own mouth will condemn me. Though I am perfect, it will prove me perverse. ^9:21 Though I were perfect, I do not regard myself. I despise my life.

^9:22 It is all one thing. Therefore I say, He destroys the perfect and the wicked. ^9:23 If the scourge kills suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. ^9:24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of the judges of it. If not he, who then is it?

^9:25 Now my days are swifter than a runner. They flee away. They see no good, ^9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey.

^9:27 If I say, I will forget my complaint. I will put off my sad countenance and be of good cheer, ^9:28 I am afraid of all my sorrows. I know that you will not hold me innocent. ^9:29 I will be condemned. Why then do I labor in vain? ^9:30 If I wash myself with snow water and make my hands ever so clean, ^9:31 yet you will plunge me in the ditch and my own clothes will abhor me.

^9:32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, that we should come together in judgment. ^9:33 There is no umpire between us who might lay his hand upon us both.

^9:34 Let him take his rod away from me and do not let his terror make me afraid. ^9:35 Then I would speak and not be afraid of him, for I am not so in myself.

[Job 10] TOC

^10:1 My soul is weary of my life. I will give free reign to my complaint. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. ^10:2 I will say to God, Do not condemn me. Show me why you contend with me. ^10:3 Is it good to you that you should oppress, that you should despise the work of your hands and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

^10:4 Have you eyes of flesh? Or do you see as man sees? ^10:5 Are your days as the days of man, or your years as man's days, ^10:6 that you inquire after my iniquity and search after my sin, ^10:7 although you know that I am not wicked. And there is none that can deliver out of your hand?

^10:8 Your hands have made me and fashioned me together all around, yet you destroy me. ^10:9 I beseech you, remember that you have fashioned me as clay. And will you bring me into dust again? ^10:10 Have you not poured me out as milk and curdled me like cheese?

^10:11 You have clothed me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and muscles. ^10:12You have granted me life and loving kindness and your visitation has preserved my spirit. ^10:13 Yet these things you hid in your heart. I know that this is with you.

^10:14 If I sin, then you mark me. And you will not acquit me from my iniquity. ^10:15 If I am wicked, woe to me. And if I am righteous, yet I will not lift up my head, being filled with shame and looking upon my affliction.

^10:16 And if my head exalts itself, you hunt me as a lion. And again you show yourself marvelous upon me. ^10:17 You renew your witnesses against me and increase your indignation upon me. Changes and warfare are with me.

^10:18 Why then have you brought me forth out of the womb? I would have given up the spirit and no eye had seen me. ^10:19 I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

^10:20 Are not my days few? Cease then and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little ^10:21 before I go where I will not return, to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death, ^10:22 the land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order and where the light is as midnight.

[Job 11] TOC

^11:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said, ^11:2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified? ^11:3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace? And when you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

^11:4 For you say, My doctrine is pure and I am clean in your eyes. ^11:5 But O that God would speak and open his lips against you, ^11:6 and that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

^11:7 Can you find out God by searching? Can you find out the Almighty to perfection? ^11:8 It is high as heaven; what can you do? Deeper than Sheol; what can you know? ^11:9 The measure of it is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.

^11:10 If he passes through and shuts up and all to judgment, then who can hinder him? ^11:11 For he knows false men. He also sees wickedness. Will he not then consider it? ^11:12 But vain man is void of understanding. Yes, man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

^11:13 If you set your heart aright and stretch out your hands toward him, ^11:14 if wickedness is in your hand, put it far away and do not let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

^11:15 Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast and will not fear. ^11:16 For you will forget your misery. You will remember it as waters that are passed away. ^11:17 And your life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning. ^11:18 And you will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search about you and will take your rest in safety. ^11:19 Also you will lie down and none will make you afraid. Yes, many will correspond with you.

^11:20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail and they will have no way to flee. And their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.

[Job 12] TOC

^12:1 Then Job answered and said, ^12:2 No doubt but you^* are the people and wisdom will die with you^*. ^12:3 But I have understanding as well as you^*; I am not inferior to you^*. Yes, who does not know such things as these?

^12:4 I am as a man who is a laughing-stock to his neighbor. I who called upon God and he answered. The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.

^12:5 In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for calamity. It is ready for those whose foot slips.

^12:6 The tents of robbers prosper and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings abundantly.

^12:7 But ask now the beasts and they will teach you and the birds of the heavens and they will tell you. ^12:8 Or speak to the earth and it will teach you and the fishes of the sea will declare to you. ^12:9 Who does not know in all these, that the hand of Jehovah has worked this, ^12:10 in whose hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind?

^12:11 Does not the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food? ^12:12 With aged men is wisdom and in length of days understanding. ^12:13 With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.

^12:14 Behold, he breaks down and it cannot be built again. He shuts up a man and there can be no opening. ^12:15 Behold, he withholds the waters and they dry up. Again, he sends them out and they overturn the earth.

^12:16 With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his. ^12:17 He leads counselors away stripped and he makes judges fools.^12:18 He loosens the bond of kings and he binds their loins with a belt. ^12:19 He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the mighty. ^12:20 He removes the speech of the trustworthy and takes away the understanding of the elders. ^12:21 He pours contempt upon nobles and weakens the strength of the strong.^12:22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness and brings out to light the shadow of death. ^12:23 He increases the nations and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations and he leads them captive.

^12:24 He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. ^12:25They grope in the dark without light and he makes them to wander around like a drunken man.

[Job 13] TOC

^13:1 Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it. ^13:2 What you^* know, I also know; I am not inferior to you^*.

^13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty and I desire to reason with God.

^13:4 But you^* are forgers of lies. You^* are all physicians of no value. ^13:5 O that you^* would altogether be silent! And it would be your^* wisdom.

^13:6 Hear now my reasoning and listen to the pleadings of my lips. ^13:7 Will you^* speak unrighteously for God and talk deceitfully for him?^13:8 Will you^* show partiality to him? Will you^* contend for God? ^13:9 Is it good that he should search you^* out? Or as deceiving a man, will you^* deceive him?

^13:10 He will surely reprove you^* if you^* secretly show partiality. ^13:11 Shall not his majesty make you^* afraid and his dread fall upon you^*? ^13:12 Your^* memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes. Your^* defenses are defenses of clay. ^13:13 Be quiet. Let me alone that I may speak and let come on me what will.

^13:14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? ^13:15 Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him. ^13:16 This also will be my salvation, that a profane man will not come before him.

^13:17 Hear diligently my speech and let my declaration be in your^* ears. ^13:18 Behold now, I have set my case in order. I know that I am righteous. ^13:19Who is he who will contend with me? For then I would keep silent and give up the spirit.

^13:20 Only do not do two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face: ^13:21 Withdraw your hand far from me and do not let your dread make me afraid. ^13:22 Then call you and I will answer, or let me speak and answer you me.

^13:23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin. ^13:24 Why do you hide your face and reckon me for your enemy? ^13:25 Will you harass a driven leaf? And will you pursue the dry stubble?

^13:26 For you write bitter things against me and make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth. ^13:27You also put my feet in the stocks and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet. ^13:28Though I am like a rotten thing that decays, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

[Job 14] TOC

^14:1 Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days and full of trouble. ^14:2 He comes forth like a flower and is cut down. He too flees as a shadow and does not continue.

^14:3 And do you open your eyes upon such a one and bring me into judgment with you? ^14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one. ^14:5Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with you and you have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass, ^14:6 look away from him, that he may rest, till he will accomplish, as a hireling, his day. ^14:7 For there is hope of a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that the offshoots of it will not cease. ^14:8 Though the root of it grows old in the earth and the trunk of it dies in the ground, ^14:9 yet through the scent of water it will bud and put forth limbs like a plant. ^14:10 But man dies and is laid low. Yes, man gives up the spirit and where is he? ^14:11 As the waters fail from the sea and the river wastes away and dries up, ^14:12 so man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens be no more, they will not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep. ^14:13 O that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would keep me secret, until your wrath be past, that you would appoint for me a set time and remember me!

^14:14 If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my warfare I would wait till my release should come. ^14:15 You would call and I would answer you. You would have a desire to the work of your hands. ^14:16 But now you number my steps. Do you not watch over my sin?

^14:17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag and you fasten up my iniquity. ^14:18 But the falling mountain comes to nothing and the rock is removed out of its place.

^14:19 The waters wear the stones. The overflowing of it wash away the dust of the earth. So you destroy the hope of man. ^14:20 You prevail forever against him and he passes. You change his countenance and send him away. ^14:21 His sons come to honor and he does not know it and they are brought low, but he does not perceive it of them. ^14:22But his flesh upon him has pain and his soul within him mourns.

[Job 15] TOC

^15:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, ^15:2 Should a wise man make answer with vain knowledge and fill himself with the east wind? ^15:3Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or with speeches with which he can do no good?

^15:4 Yes, you do away with fear and hinder devotion before God.

^15:5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth. And you choose the tongue of the crafty. ^15:6 Your own mouth condemns you and not I. Yes, your own lips testify against you.

^15:7 Are you the first man who was born? Or were you brought out before the hills? ^15:8 Have you heard the secret counsel of God? And do you limit wisdom to yourself? ^15:9 What do you know, that we do not know? What do you understand, which is not in us?

^15:10 With us are both the gray-haired and the very aged men, much older than your father.

^15:11 Are the consolations of God too small for you, even the word that is gentle toward you? ^15:12Why does your heart carry you away? And why do your eyes flash, ^15:13 that against God you turn your spirit and let words go out of your mouth?

^15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? And he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? ^15:15 Behold, he puts no trust in his holy ones. Yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight. ^15:16How much less one who is abominable and morally-corrupt, a man who drinks unrighteousness like water!

^15:17 I will show you. Hear me and what I have seen I will declare, ^15:18 which wise men have told from their fathers and have not hid it, ^15:19 to whom alone the land was given and no stranger passed among them: ^15:20 The wicked man travails with pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor. ^15:21 Sound of terrors is in his ears. In prosperity the destroyer will come upon him. ^15:22 He does not believe that he will return out of darkness. And he is awaited by the sword. ^15:23He wanders abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? He knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. ^15:24 Distress and anguish make him afraid. They prevail against him as a king ready to the battle. ^15:25 Because he has stretched out his hand against God and behaves himself proudly against the Almighty.

^15:26 He runs upon him with a stiff neck, with the thick studs of his bucklers, ^15:27 because he has covered his face with his fatness and gathered fat upon his loins. ^15:28 And he has dwelt in desolate cities, in houses which no man inhabited, which were ready to become heaps. ^15:29 He will not be rich, neither will his substance continue, neither will their possessions be extended on the earth. ^15:30 He will not depart out of darkness. The flame will dry up his offshoots and by the breath of God's mouth he will go away.

^15:31 Let him not trust in vanity, making himself go-astray. For vanity will be his recompense. ^15:32 It will be accomplished before his time and his branch will not be green. ^15:33 He will shake off his unripe grape as the vine and will cast off his flower as the olive tree.

^15:34 For the company of the hypocrites will be barren and fire will consume the tents of bribery. ^15:35They conceive mischief and bring forth wickness and their heart prepares deceit.

[Job 16] TOC

^16:1 Then Job answered and said, ^16:2 I have heard many such things. Miserable comforters are you^* all.

^16:3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? ^16:4 I also could speak as you^* do, if your^* soul were in my soul's stead. I could join words together against you^* and shake my head at you^*.

^16:5 But I would strengthen you^* with my mouth and the solace of my lips would keep back your^* grief.

^16:6 Though I speak, my grief is not kept back and though I forbear, what am I eased? ^16:7 But now he has made me weary. You have made desolate all my company. ^16:8 And you have laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me. And my leanness rises up against me; it testifies to my face.

^16:9 He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed upon me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes upon me. ^16:10 They have opened wide their mouth upon me. They have struck me upon the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me. ^16:11 God delivers me to the perverse and casts me into the hands of the wicked.

^16:12 I was at ease and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his mark. ^16:13 His archers encompass me all around. He splits my reins apart and does not spare. He pours out my gall upon the ground. ^16:14 He breaks me with breach upon breach. He runs upon me like a giant.

^16:15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin and have laid my horn in the dust. ^16:16 My face is red with weeping and the shadow of death is on my eyelids, ^16:17 although there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.

^16:18 O earth, do not cover you my blood and let my cry have no resting place.

^16:19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven and he who vouches for me is on high.

^16:20 My friends scoff at me. My eye pours out tears to God ^16:21 that he would maintain the right of a man with God and of a son of man with his neighbor! ^16:22 For when a few years are come, I will go the way where I will not return.

[Job 17] TOC

^17:1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, the grave is ready for me. ^17:2 Surely there are mockers with me and my eye dwells upon their provocation.

^17:3 Give now a pledge, be a surety for me with yourself. Who is there that will thrust hands with me? ^17:4 For you have hid their heart from understanding. Therefore you will not exalt them.

^17:5 He who denounces his friends for a prey, even the eyes of his sons will fail.

^17:6 But he has made me a parable of the people and they spit in my face. ^17:7 My eye also is dim because of sorrow and all my members are as a shadow.

^17:8 Upright men will be astonished at this and the innocent will stir himself up against the profane.^17:9 Yet the righteous will hold on his way. And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.

^17:10 But as for you^* all, come on now again and I will not find a wise man among you^*.

^17:11 My days are past. My purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. ^17:12 They change the night into day. The light, they say, is near to the darkness.

^17:13 If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness, ^17:14 if I have said to corruption, You are my father, to the worm, My mother and my sister, ^17:15 where then is my hope? And as for my hope, who will see it? ^17:16 It will go down to the bars of Sheol when once there is rest in the dust.

[Job 18] TOC

^18:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,^18:2 How long will you^* hunt for words? Consider and afterwards we will speak. ^18:3 Why are we counted as beasts, and have become unclean in your^* eyes?

^18:4 You who tear yourself in your anger, will the earth be forsaken for you? Or will the rock be removed out of its place?

^18:5 Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out and the spark of his fire will not shine. ^18:6 The light will be dark in his tent and his lamp above him will be put out. ^18:7 The steps of his strength will be restricted and his own counsel will cast him down.^18:8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet and he walks upon the toils. ^18:9 A trap will take him by the heel. A snare will lay hold on him. ^18:10 A noose is hid for him in the ground and a trap for him in the way.

^18:11 Terrors will make him afraid on every side and will chase him at his heels. ^18:12 His strength will be weakened by hunger and calamity will be ready at his side. ^18:13 The members of his body will be devoured. The firstborn of death will devour his body-parts. ^18:14 He will be rooted out of his tent where he trusts and he will be brought to the king of terrors. ^18:15 There will dwell in his tent what is none of his. Brimstone will be scattered upon his dwelling. ^18:16 His roots will be dried up beneath and above his limbs be will cut off.

^18:17 His remembrance will perish from the earth and he will have no name in the street. ^18:18 He will be driven from light into darkness and chased out of the world. ^18:19 He will have neither son nor son's son among his people, nor any remaining where he traveled. ^18:20 Those who come after will be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.

^18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous and this is the place of him who does not know God.

[Job 19] TOC

^19:1 Then Job answered and said, ^19:2 How long will you^* distress my soul and break me in pieces with words? ^19:3 These ten times you^* have reproached me. You^* are not ashamed that you^* deal hardly with me.

^19:4 And be it indeed that I have erred, my error remains with myself.

^19:5 If indeed you^* will magnify yourselves against me and plead against me my reproach, ^19:6know now that God has subverted me and has encompassed me with his net.

^19:7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard. I cry for help, but there is no justice.

^19:8 He has walled up my way that I cannot pass and has set darkness in my paths. ^19:9 He has stripped me of my glory and taken the crown from my head.^19:10 He has broken me down on every side and I have gone. And he has plucked up my hope like a tree. ^19:11He has also kindled his wrath against me. And he considers me to him as his adversaries. ^19:12 His troops come on together and cast up their way against me and encamp all around my tent.

^19:13 He has put my brothers far from me and my acquaintances are entirely estranged from me. ^19:14 My kinsfolk have failed and my familiar friends have forgotten me. ^19:15 Those who dwell in my house and my maids, reckon me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. ^19:16 I call to my servant and he gives me no answer. I entreat him with my mouth.^19:17 My breath is strange to my wife and my supplication to the sons of my own mother.

^19:18 Even young children despise me. If I arise, they speak against me. ^19:19 All my familiar friends abhor me and those whom I loved are turned against me. ^19:20 My bone cleaves to my skin and to my flesh and I have escaped with the skin of my teeth.

^19:21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you^* my friends, for the hand of God has touched me. ^19:22 Why do you^* persecute me as God and are not satisfied with my flesh?

^19:23 O that my words were now written! O that they were inscribed in a book, ^19:24 that they were engraved in the rock forever with an iron pen and lead!

^19:25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer lives and at last he will stand up upon the earth. ^19:26And after my skin, this body, is destroyed, then outside my flesh I will see God, ^19:27 whom I, even I, will see on my side and my eyes will behold and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.

^19:28 If you^* say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me, ^19:29 be you^* afraid of the sword. For wrath brings the punishments of the sword, that you^* may know there is a judgment.

[Job 20] TOC

^20:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said, ^20:2 Therefore my thoughts cause me to answer, even because of my haste that is in me. ^20:3 I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame and the spirit of my understanding answers me.

^20:4 Know this of old time, since man was placed upon earth, ^20:5 that the triumphing of the wicked is short and the joy of the profane but for a moment? ^20:6 Though his height mounts up to the heavens and his head reaches to the clouds, ^20:7 yet he will perish forever like his own manure. Those who have seen him will say, Where is he? ^20:8 He will fly away as a dream and will not be found. Yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night. ^20:9 The eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his place any more behold him. ^20:10 His sons will seek the favor of the poor and his hands will give back his wealth. ^20:11 His bones are full of his youth, but it will lie down with him in the dust.

^20:12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue, ^20:13 though he spares it and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth, ^20:14 yet his food in his guts is turned. It is the gall of adders within him. ^20:15 He has swallowed down riches and he will vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly. ^20:16 He will suck the poison of adders. The viper's tongue will kill him.^20:17 He will not look upon the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter. ^20:18 What he labored for will he restore and will not swallow it down. According to the substance that he has gotten, he will not rejoice.

^20:19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house and he will not build it up. ^20:20 Because he knew no quietness within him, he will not save any of that in which he delights. ^20:21 There was nothing left that he did not devour, therefore his prosperity will not endure.

^20:22 In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be in straits. The hand of everyone who is in misery will come upon him. ^20:23 When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him and will rain it upon him while he is eating. ^20:24 He will flee from the iron weapon and the bow of brass will pass him through. ^20:25 He draws it forth and it comes out of his body, yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors are upon him. ^20:26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures. A fire not blown will devour him. It will consume what is left in his tent. ^20:27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity and the earth will rise up against him. ^20:28 The increase of his house will depart, flowed away in the day of his wrath.

^20:29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God and the heritage appointed to him by God.

[Job 21] TOC

^21:1 Then Job answered and said, ^21:2 Hear diligently my speech, And let this be your^* consolations. ^21:3 Allow me and I also will speak and after I have spoken, mock on. ^21:4 As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient? ^21:5 Mark me and be astonished and lay your^* hand upon your^* mouth.

^21:6 Even when I remember, I am troubled and horror takes hold on my flesh. ^21:7 Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, grow mighty in power? ^21:8Their seed is established with them in their sight and their offspring before their eyes. ^21:9 Their houses are safe from fear, nor is the rod of God upon them. ^21:10Their bull breeds and does not fail. Their cow brings forth safely and does not miscarry.^21:11 They send forth their little ones like a flock and their children dance. ^21:12 They sing to the timbrel and harp and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

^21:13 They spend their days in prosperity and in a moment they go down to Sheol.

^21:14 And they say to God, Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of your ways. ^21:15 What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray to him?

^21:16 Behold, is their prosperity not in their hand. (The counsel of the wicked is far from me.) ^21:17 How often is it that the lamp of the profane is put out, that their calamity comes upon them, that God distributes sorrows in his anger, ^21:18 that they are as stubble before the wind and as chaff that the storm carries away?

^21:19 You^* say, God lays up his wickedness for his sons. Let him recompense it to himself that he may know it. ^21:20 Let his own eyes see his destruction and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. ^21:21 For what does he care for his house after him when the number of his months is cut off?

^21:22 Shall any teach God knowledge, seeing he judges those who are high? ^21:23 One man dies in his full strength, being entirely at ease and quiet. ^21:24 His pails are full of milk and the marrow of his bones is moistened. ^21:25 And another man dies in bitterness of soul and never tastes of good. ^21:26 They lie down alike in the dust and the worm covers them.

^21:27 Behold, I know your^* thoughts and the devices with which you^* would wrong me. ^21:28 For you^* say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent in which the wicked dwelt?

^21:29 Have you^* not asked wayfaring men? And do you^* not know their evidences, ^21:30 that the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath? ^21:31 Who will declare his way to his face? And who will repay him what he has done?

^21:32 Yet he will be borne to the grave and men will keep watch over the tomb. ^21:33 The clods of the valley will be sweet to him. And all men will draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.

^21:34 How then you^* comfort me in vain, seeing in your^* answers there remains falsehood?

[Job 22] TOC

^22:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, ^22:2 Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. ^22:3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or is it gain to him that you make your ways perfect? ^22:4Is it for your fear of him that he reproves you, that he enters with you into judgment?

^22:5 Is not your wickedness great? Neither is there any end to your iniquities. ^22:6 For you have taken pledges from your brother freely and stripped the naked of their clothing. ^22:7 You have not given water to the weary to drink and you have withheld bread from the hungry. ^22:8 But as for the mighty man, he had the land. And the honorable man, he dwelt in it. ^22:9 You have sent widows away empty and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

^22:10 Therefore snares are all around you and sudden fear troubles you, ^22:11 or darkness, so that you cannot see and abundance of waters cover you.

^22:12 Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! ^22:13And you say, What does God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? ^22:14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he does not see and he walks on the vault of heaven.

^22:15 Will you keep the old way which wicked men have trodden? ^22:16 Who were snatched away before their time, whose foundation was poured out as a stream, ^22:17 who said to God, Depart from us, and What can the Almighty do for us? ^22:18 Yet he filled their houses with good things. But the counsel of the wicked is far from me. ^22:19 The righteous see it and are glad. And the innocent laugh them to scorn, ^22:20 saying, Surely those who rose up against us are cut off and the remnant of them, the fire has consumed.

^22:21 Acquaint now yourself with him and be at peace. By this good will come to you. ^22:22 I beseech you, receive the law from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. ^22:23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up, you put away unrighteousness far from your tents. ^22:24 Then you will lay up gold as dust and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. ^22:25 Yes, the Almighty will be your treasure and precious silver to you. ^22:26 For then will you delight yourself in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

^22:27 You will make your prayer to him and he will hear you and you will pay your vows. ^22:28 You will also decree a thing and it will be established to you. And light will shine upon your ways.

^22:29 When they cast you down, you will say, There is lifting up and he will save the humble man.^22:30 He will deliver even him who is not innocent. Yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.

[Job 23] TOC

^23:1 Then Job answered and said, ^23:2 Even today my complaint is rebellious. My stroke is heavier than my groaning. ^23:3 O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!

^23:4 I would set my case in order before him and fill my mouth with arguments. ^23:5 I would know the words which he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. ^23:6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would give heed to me. ^23:7 There the upright might reason with him. So I should be delivered forever from my judge.

^23:8 Behold, I go before, but he is not there and backward, but I cannot perceive him, ^23:9 on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

^23:10 But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out as gold. ^23:11 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way and not turned aside. ^23:12 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.

^23:13 But he is in one mind and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.^23:14 For he performs what is appointed for me. And many such things are with him.

^23:15 Therefore I am terrified at his presence. When I consider, I am afraid of him. ^23:16 For God has made my heart faint and the Almighty has terrified me, ^23:17 because I was not cut off before the darkness, nor did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

[Job 24] TOC

^24:1 Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do those who know him not see his days?

^24:2 There are men who remove the landmarks. They take away flocks violently and feed them. ^24:3They drive away the donkey of the fatherless. They take the widow's ox for a pledge. ^24:4 They turn the needy out of the way. The poor of the earth all hide themselves.

^24:5 Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, they go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food. The wilderness yields them bread for their sons. ^24:6They cut their fodder in the field and they glean the vineyard of the wicked. ^24:7 They lie all night naked without clothing and have no covering in the cold.^24:8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.

^24:9 There are men who pluck the fatherless from the breast and take a pledge of the poor, ^24:10 so that they go about naked without clothing and being hungry they carry the sheaves. ^24:11 They make oil within the walls of these men. They tread their winepresses and suffer thirst. ^24:12 From out of the populous city men groan and the soul of the wounded cries out. Yet God does not regard the unseemliness.

^24:13 These are of those who rebel against the light. They do not know the ways of it, nor abide in the paths of it. ^24:14 The murderer rises with the light. He kills the poor and needy. And in the night he is as a thief. ^24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, No eye will see me. And he disguises his face.

^24:16 In the dark they dig through houses. They shut themselves up in the daytime. They do not know the light. ^24:17 For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness. For they know the terrors of the thick darkness.

^24:18 Swiftly they pass away upon the face of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth. They do not turn into the way of the vineyards. ^24:19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters, and Sheol those who have sinned. ^24:20 The womb will forget him. The worm will feed sweetly on him. He will be no more remembered. And unrighteousness will be broken as a tree.

^24:21 He devours the barren who do not bear and does no good to the widow. ^24:22 Yet God prolongs the mighty by his power. He rises up who has no assurance of life. ^24:23 God gives them to be in security and they rest in it. And his eyes are upon their ways. ^24:24 They are exalted.

Yet a little while and they are gone. Yes, they are brought low. They are taken out of the way as all others and are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.

^24:25 And if it is not so now, who will prove me a liar and make my speech worth nothing?

[Job 25] TOC

^25:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,^25:2 Dominion and fear are with him. He makes peace in his high places. ^25:3 Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom does his light not arise? ^25:4How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of a woman? ^25:5 Behold, even the moon has no brightness. And the stars are not pure in his sight. ^25:6 How much less man, who is a worm! And the son of man, who is a worm!

[Job 26] TOC

^26:1 Then Job answered and said, ^26:2 How you have helped him who is without power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! ^26:3 How you have counseled him who has no wisdom and plentifully declared sound-knowledge!

^26:4 To whom have you uttered words? And whose spirit came out from you?

^26:5 Those who are deceased tremble beneath the waters and the inhabitants of it. ^26:6 Sheol is naked before God and Abaddon has no covering. ^26:7 He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth upon nothing.

^26:8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds and the cloud is not burst under them. ^26:9 He encloses the face of his throne and spreads his cloud upon it. ^26:10 He has described a boundary upon the face of the waters, to the confines of light and darkness.

^26:11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke. ^26:12 He stirs up the sea with his power and by his understanding he slays through Rahab. ^26:13 By his Spirit the heavens are garnished. His hand has pierced the swift serpent.

^26:14 Behold, these are but the end of his ways. And how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?

[Job 27] TOC

^27:1 And Job again took up his discourse and said, ^27:2 As God lives, who has taken away my right and the Almighty, who has distressed my soul, ^27:3(For my life is yet whole in me. And the spirit of God is in my nostrils.) ^27:4 surely my lips will not speak unrighteousness, nor will my tongue utter deceit.

^27:5 Far be it from me that I should justify you^*. Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.^27:6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart will not reproach me so long as I live.

^27:7 Let my enemy be as the wicked and let he who rises up against me be as the unrighteous. ^27:8For what is the hope of the profane, though he gets him gain, when God takes away his soul? ^27:9 Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him? ^27:10Will he delight himself in the Almighty and call upon God at all times?

^27:11 I will teach you^* concerning the hand of God. What is with the Almighty I will not conceal.^27:12 Behold, all you^* yourselves have seen it. Why then have you^* become altogether vain?

^27:13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God and the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty. ^27:14 If his sons be multiplied, it is for the sword. And his offspring will not be satisfied with bread.

^27:15 Those who remain of him will be buried in death and his widows will make no lamentation.

^27:16 Though he heaps up silver as the dust and prepares garments as the clay, ^27:17 he may prepare it, but the just will put it on and the innocent will divide the silver. ^27:18 He builds his house as the moth and as a booth which the keeper makes.

^27:19 He lies down rich, but he will not be gathered to his fathers. He opens his eyes and he is not. ^27:20 Terrors overtake him like waters. A tempest steals him away in the night. ^27:21 The east wind carries him away and he departs and it whirlwinds him out of his place.

^27:22 For God will hurl at him and not spare. He would gladly flee out of his hand. ^27:23 Men will clap their hands at him and will hiss him out of his place.

[Job 28] TOC

^28:1 Surely there is a mine for silver and a place for gold which they refine. ^28:2 Iron is taken out of the earth and copper is molten out of the stone. ^28:3 Man sets an end to darkness and searches out to the furthest bound the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness. ^28:4 He breaks open a shaft away from where men journey, paths forgotten by the foot. They hang afar from men; they swing to and fro.

^28:5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread and underneath it is turned up as it were by fire. ^28:6 The stones of it are the place of sapphires and it has dust of gold.

^28:7 No bird of prey knows that path, nor has the falcon’s eye seen it. ^28:8 The proud beasts have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed by it.

^28:9 He puts forth his hand upon the flinty rock. He overturns the mountains by the roots. ^28:10 He cuts out channels among the rocks and his eye sees every precious thing.

^28:11 He binds the streams that they do not trickle. And the thing that is hid he brings forth to light. ^28:12But where will wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

^28:13 Man does not know the price of it, nor is it found in the land of the living. ^28:14 The deep says, It is not in me. And the sea says, It is not with me.

^28:15 It cannot be gotten for gold, nor will silver be weighed for the price of it. ^28:16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

^28:17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor will it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. ^28:18 No mention will be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies. ^28:19The topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it, nor will it be valued with pure gold.

^28:20 Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?

^28:21 Since it is hid from the eyes of all living and kept closed from the birds of the heavens. ^28:22Destruction and Death say, We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.

^28:23 God understands the way of it and he knows the place of it. ^28:24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees under the whole heaven, ^28:25 to make a weight for the wind. Yes, he distributes the waters by measure. ^28:26 When he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder, ^28:27 then he saw it and declared it. He established it, yes and searched it out.

^28:28 And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding.

[Job 29] TOC

^29:1 And Job again took up his discourse and said, ^29:2 O that I were as in the months of long-ago, as in the days when God watched over me, ^29:3 when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness, ^29:4 as I was in the ripeness of my days, when the friendship of God was upon my tent,^29:5 when the Almighty was yet with me and my sons were about me, ^29:6 when my steps were washed with butter and the rock poured out streams of oil to me,^29:7 when I went forth to the gate to the city, when I prepared my seat in the street.

^29:8 The young men saw me and hid themselves and the aged rose up and stood. ^29:9 The rulers refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth. ^29:10 The voice of the ranking men was hushed and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. ^29:11For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me and when the eye saw me, it testified to me.

^29:12 Because I delivered the poor who cried, also the fatherless who had none to help him. ^29:13 The blessing of him who was ready to perish came upon me and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

^29:14 I put on righteousness and it clothed me. My justice was as a robe and a diadem.

^29:15 I was eyes to the blind and I was feet to the lame. ^29:16 I was a father to the needy and I searched out the case of he whom I did not know. ^29:17 And I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.

^29:18 Then I said, I will die in my nest and I will multiply my days as the sand. ^29:19 My root is spread out to the waters and the dew lays all night upon my limbs. ^29:20 My glory is fresh in me and my bow is renewed in my hand.

^29:21 To me men gave ear and waited and kept silence for my counsel. ^29:22 After my words they spoke not again and my speech distilled upon them.^29:23 And they waited for me as for the rain. And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

^29:24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence and they did not cast down the light of my countenance. ^29:25 I chose out their way and sat as chief and dwelt as a king in the army, as a man who comforts the mourners.

[Job 30] TOC

^30:1 But now, those who are younger than I mock me, whose fathers I despised to set with the dogs of my flock.

^30:2 Yes, the strength of their hands, to what should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age has perished. ^30:3 They are barren with want and famine. They gnaw the dry ground in the gloom of waste and desolation. ^30:4 They pluck mallows by the bushes and the roots of the juniper are their food.

^30:5 They are driven forth from the midst of men. They cry out after them as after a thief, ^30:6 so that they dwell in frightful valleys, in holes of the earth and of the rocks. ^30:7 Among the bushes they bray, under the nettles they are gathered together. ^30:8 They are sons of fools, yes, sons of base men. They were scourged out of the land.

^30:9 And now I have become their song, Yes, I am a parable to them. ^30:10 They abhor me. They stand far away from me and do not refrain to spit in my face. ^30:11 For he has loosed his cord and afflicted me. And they have cast off the bridle before me.

^30:12 Upon my right hand rise the rabble. They thrust aside my feet and they cast up against me their ways of destruction. ^30:13 They mar my path. They set forward my calamity, even men who have no helper.^30:14 As through a wide breach they come. In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves upon me. ^30:15Terrors are turned upon me. They chase my honor as the wind and my welfare is passed away as a cloud.

^30:16 And now my soul is poured out within me. Days of affliction have taken hold upon me. ^30:17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me and the pains that gnaw me take no rest. ^30:18 By the great force my garment is disfigured. It binds me about as the collar of my coat. ^30:19 He has cast me into the mud and I have become like dust and ashes.

^30:20 I cry to you and you do not answer me. I stand up and you gaze at me. ^30:21 You have turned to be cruel to me. With the might of your hand you persecute me. ^30:22 You lift me up to the wind. You cause me to ride upon it and you disintegrate me in the storm. ^30:23 For I know that you will bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living.

^30:24 However does not a man stretch out the hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help? ^30:25 Did I not weep for him who was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?

^30:26 When I looked for good, then evil came. And when I waited for light, there came darkness.^30:27 My heart is troubled and does not rest. Days of affliction have come upon me. ^30:28 I go mourning without the sun. I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

^30:29 I am a brother to jackals and a companion to ostriches. ^30:30 My skin is black, and falls from me. And my bones are burned with heat. ^30:31 Therefore my harp has turned to mourning and my pipe into the voice of those who weep.

[Job 31] TOC

^31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes. How then should I look upon a virgin? ^31:2 For what is the portion from God above and the heritage from the Almighty on high? ^31:3 Is it not calamity to the unrighteous and disaster to the workers of wickedness?^31:4 Does he not see my ways and number all my steps?

^31:5 If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit ^31:6 (let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity); ^31:7if my step has turned out of the way and my heart walked after my eyes and if any spot has clung to my hands, ^31:8 then let me sow and let another eat, yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out.

^31:9 If my heart has been enticed to a woman and I have laid wait at my neighbor's door, ^31:10 then let my wife grind to another and let others bow down upon her. ^31:11 For that is a heinous crime, yes, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. ^31:12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction and would root out all my increase.

^31:13 If I have despised the case of my man-servant or of my maid-servant when they contended with me, ^31:14 what then shall I do when God rises up? And when he visits, what shall I answer him?^31:15Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?

^31:16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,^31:17 or have eaten my morsel alone and the fatherless has not eaten of it ^31:18 (no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father and her I have guided from my mother's womb); ^31:19 if I have seen any perish for lack of clothing, or that the needy had no covering; ^31:20 if his loins have not blessed me and if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;^31:21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate, ^31:22 then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade and my arm be broken from the bone. ^31:23 For calamity from God is a terror to me and I can do nothing because of his majesty.

^31:24 If I have made gold my hope and have said to the fine gold, You are my confidence; ^31:25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great and because my hand had gotten much; ^31:26 if I have beheld the sun when it shone, or the moon walking in brightness, ^31:27 and my heart has been secretly enticed and my mouth has kissed my hand ^31:28 (this also is an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have denied the God that is above); ^31:29 if I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him ^31:30 (yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse); ^31:31 if the men of my tent have not said, Who can find one who has not been filled with his food? ^31:32 (the traveler has not lodged in the street, but I have opened my doors to the traveler);^31:33 if like Adam I have covered my transgressions by hiding my iniquity in my bosom ^31:34 because I feared the great multitude and the contempt of families terrified me so that I kept my silence and did not go out of the door.

^31:35 O that I had someone to hear me (Behold, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me) and that I had the indictment which my adversary has written! ^31:36 Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder. I would bind it to me as a crown. ^31:37 I would declare to him the number of my steps. I would go near to him as a prince.

^31:38 If my land cries out against me and the furrows of it weep together; ^31:39 if I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused the owners of it to lose their lives, ^31:40 let thistles grow instead of wheat and cockle instead of barley.

The words of Job are ended.

[Job 32] TOC

^32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. ^32:2 Then the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled. His anger was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God. ^32:3 His anger was also kindled against his three friends because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job.

^32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. ^32:5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his anger was kindled.

^32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young and you^* are very old. Therefore I held back and dared not show you^* my opinion.

^32:7 I said, Days should speak and multitude of years should teach wisdom. ^32:8 But there is a spirit in man and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. ^32:9 It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

^32:10 Therefore I said, Listen to me, I also will show my opinion. ^32:11 Behold, I waited for your^* words, I listened for your^* reasonings, while you^* searched out what to say. ^32:12 Yes, I attended to you^*. And behold, there was none who convinced Job, or who answered his words among you^*.

^32:13 Beware lest you^* say, We have found wisdom. God may vanquish him, not man. ^32:14 For he has not directed his words against me. Neither will I answer him with your^* speeches. ^32:15 They are amazed, they answer no more. They have not a word to say.

^32:16 And shall I wait because they do not speak, because they stand still and answer no more? ^32:17 I also will answer my part. I also will show my opinion, ^32:18 for I am full of words. The spirit within me compels me. ^32:19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent. Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst. ^32:20 I will speak that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

^32:21 Do not let me, I beseech you^*, respect any man's person. Neither will I give flattering titles to any man. ^32:22 For I do not know to give flattering titles, else my maker would soon take me away.

[Job 33] TOC

^33:1 However, Job, I beseech you, hear my speech and listen to all my words. ^33:2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth. ^33:3 My words will utter the uprightness of my heart and what my lips know they will speak sincerely. ^33:4 The Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

^33:5 If you can, answer you me. Set your words in order before me. Stand forth. ^33:6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I also am formed out of the clay. ^33:7 Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, nor will my pressure be heavy upon you.

^33:8 Surely you have spoken in my hearing and I have heard the voice of your words, saying, ^33:9 I am clean, without transgression. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me. ^33:10 You say, Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy. ^33:11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.

^33:12 Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man. ^33:13 Why do you strive against him because he does not give account of any of his matters?

^33:14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man does not regard it. ^33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed.

^33:16 Then he opens the ears of men and seals their instruction ^33:17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. ^33:18 He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword.

^33:19 He also is chastened with pain upon his bed and with continual strife in his bones, ^33:20 so that his life abhors bread and his soul dainty food. ^33:21 His flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen. And his bones that were not seen stick out.

^33:22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit and his life to the destroyers.

^33:23 If there is with him a messenger, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him, ^33:24 then God is gracious to him and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. ^33:25 His flesh will be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth.

^33:26 He prays to God and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy and he restores to man his righteousness. ^33:27 He sings before men and says, I have sinned and perverted what was right and it did not profit me. ^33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit and my life will behold the light.

^33:29 Behold, all these things God works twice, yes three times, with a man, ^33:30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

^33:31 Mark well, O Job, listen to me. Keep silent and I will speak. ^33:32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you. ^33:33 If not, listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you.

[Job 34] TOC

^34:1 Moreover Elihu answered and said, ^34:2 Hear my words, you^* wise men and listen to me, you^* who have knowledge. ^34:3 For the ear tries words as the palate tastes food. ^34:4 Let us choose for us what is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

^34:5 For Job has said, I am righteous and God has taken away my right. ^34:6 Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.

^34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water, ^34:8 saying, I have not sinned, nor committed unrighteousness, nor had fellowship with workers of wickedness to go with the profane. ^34:9 For you should not say, There will be no visitation to a man; visitation is to him from the Lord.

^34:10 Therefore listen to me, you^* men of understanding. Far be it from me to sin before the Lord and pervert righteousness before the Almighty.^34:11 For the work of a man he will render to him and cause every man to find according to his ways. ^34:12Yes, certainly God will not do wrong. Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

^34:13 Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who has disposed the whole world? ^34:14 If he sets his heart upon himself, if he gathers his spirit and his breath to himself, ^34:15 all flesh will perish together and man will turn again to dust.

^34:16 If now you are understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of words. ^34:17 Behold he who hates lawlessness and who destroys evil men, who is forever righteousness, ^34:18 who says to a king, You are worthless, to ranking men, You^* are wicked, ^34:19 who does not respect the persons of rulers, nor regards the rich more than the poor. For they all are the work of his hands.

^34:20 In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away and the mighty are taken away without hand.

^34:21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a man and he sees all his goings. ^34:22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom where the workers of wickedness may hide themselves. ^34:23 For he needs no further to consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment.

^34:24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out and sets others in their stead. ^34:25Therefore he takes knowledge of their works and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

^34:26 He slaps them as wicked men in the open sight of others ^34:27 because they turned aside from following him and would not have regard in any of his ways, ^34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him and he heard the cry of the afflicted.

^34:29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hides his face, who then can behold him? It is the same whether to a nation, or to a man, ^34:30 that the profane man not reign, that there is none to ensnare the people.

^34:31 For has any said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more; ^34:32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done unrighteousness, I will do it no more? ^34:33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

^34:34 Men of understanding will say to me, yes, every wise man who hears me, ^34:35 Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without wisdom. ^34:36 But surely not.

Learn you Job not to still give an answer like the foolish, ^34:37 so that we may not add to our sins and he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.

[Job 35] TOC

^35:1 Moreover Elihu answered and said, ^35:2 What is this you think in judgment? Who are you that you said, I am righteousness before the Lord? ^35:3 That you said, What advantage will it be to you? And, What profit shall I have more than if I had sinned?^35:4 I will answer you and your companions with you.

^35:5 Look to the heavens and see. And behold the skies, which are higher than you. ^35:6 If you have sinned, what do you effect against him? And if your transgressions be multiplied, what do you to him? ^35:7If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive of your hand?

^35:8 Your wickedness is a man as you are and your righteousness is a son of man. ^35:9 Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help because of the arm of the mighty.

^35:10 But none says, Where is God my maker who gives songs in the night, ^35:11 who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens? ^35:12 They cry there, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.

^35:13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, nor will the Almighty regard it. ^35:14 How much less when you say that you do not behold him. The case is before him and you wait for him!

^35:15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, nor does he regard transgression well, ^35:16 so Job opens his mouth in vanity. He multiplies words without knowledge.

[Job 36] TOC

^36:1 Elihu also proceeded and said, ^36:2 Allow me a little and I will show you. For I have yet words for God. ^36:3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar and will bestow righteousness to my maker. ^36:4 (For truly my words are not false.) He who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

^36:5 Behold, God is mighty and does not despise. He is mighty in strength of understanding. ^36:6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right. ^36:7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but he sets them forever with kings upon the throne and they are exalted.

^36:8 And if they are bound in fetters and be taken in the cords of afflictions, ^36:9 then he shows them their work and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. ^36:10 He also opens their ear to instruction and commands that they return from wickedness.

^36:11 If they listen and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.^36:12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and they will die without knowledge.

^36:13 But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They do not cry for help when he binds them.^36:14 They die in youth and their life perishes among the unclean.

^36:15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear in oppression. ^36:16 Yes, he would have allured you out of distress into a broad place, where there is no constraint and what is set on your table would be full of fatness.

^36:17 But you have fulfilled the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold, ^36:18 and there will be wrath upon the impious because of the ungodliness of bribes which the unrighteous receive.

^36:19 Will your cry not avail in distress, or all the forces of strength? ^36:20 Do not desire the night, when peoples are cut off in their place. ^36:21 Take heed. Do not turn to wickedness, for you have fixed on this because of affliction.

^36:22 Behold, God does loftily in his power. Who is a teacher like him? ^36:23 Who has enjoined him his way? Or who can say, You have worked unrighteousness? ^36:24 Remember that you magnify his work, of which men have sung. ^36:25 All men have looked on it. Man beholds it afar off.

^36:26 Behold, God is great and we do not know him. The number of his years is unsearchable. ^36:27For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor, ^36:28 which the skies flow and drop upon man abundantly.

^36:29 Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? ^36:30Behold, he spreads his light around him and he covers the bottom of the sea. ^36:31 For by these he judges the peoples. He gives food in abundance.

^36:32 He covers his hands with the lightning and gives it a command that it strike the mark. ^36:33 The noise of it tells concerning him. The cattle also concerning the storm that comes up.

[Job 37] TOC

^37:1 Yes, at this my heart trembles and is moved out of its place.

^37:2 Hear, O, hear the noise of his voice and the rumbling that goes out of his mouth. ^37:3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven and his lightning to the ends of the earth. ^37:4 After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.

^37:5 God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things which we cannot comprehend.^37:6For he says to the snow, Fall on the earth, likewise to the shower of rain and to the showers of his mighty rain.

^37:7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.

^37:8 Then the beasts go into coverts and remain in their dens. ^37:9 Out of the chamber of the south comes the storm and cold out of the north. ^37:10 By the breath of God ice is given and the breadth of the waters is constrained. ^37:11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning, ^37:12 and it is turned all around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them upon the face of the habitable world.

^37:13 He causes it to come, whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness.

^37:14 Listen to this, O Job. Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. ^37:15 Do you know how God lays his charge upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? ^37:16 Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? ^37:17 How your garments are warm when the earth is still because of the south wind? ^37:18 Can you with him spread out the sky, which is strong as a molten mirror?

^37:19 Teach us what we will say to him. We cannot set in array because of darkness. ^37:20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

^37:21 And now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes and clears them. ^37:22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. God has upon him awesome majesty.

^37:23 O the Almighty, we cannot find him out. He is excellent in power. And in justice and abundant righteousness he will not afflict. ^37:24 Men therefore fear him. He does not regard any who are wise of heart.

[Job 38] TOC

^38:1 Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ^38:2 Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ^38:3 Gird up now your loins like a man, for I will demand of you and declare you to me.

^38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. ^38:5Who determined the measures of it, if you know? Or who stretched the line upon it? ^38:6 Upon what were the foundations of it fastened? Or who laid the cornerstone of it ^38:7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

^38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors when it broke forth, like it had gone forth out of the womb, ^38:9when I made clouds the garment of it and thick darkness a swaddling-band for it, ^38:10 and marked out for it my bound and set bars and doors, ^38:11 and said, This far you will come, but no farther and here your proud waves will be stayed?

^38:12 Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dayspring to know its place ^38:13 that it might take hold of the ends of the earth and the wicked be shaken out of it? ^38:14 It is changed as clay under the seal and all things stand forth as a garment.

^38:15 And from the wicked their light is withheld and the high arm is broken.

^38:16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?^38:17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? ^38:18Have you comprehended the earth in its breadth? Declare, if you know it all.

^38:19 Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is the place of it ^38:20 that you should take it to the bound of it and that you should discern the paths to the house of it? ^38:21 You know, for you were born then and the number of your days is great!

^38:22 Have you entered the treasuries of the snow, or have you seen the treasures of the hail, ^38:23 which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

^38:24 By what way is the light divided, or the east wind scattered upon the earth? ^38:25 Who has cleft a channel for the water flood, or the way for the lightning of the thunder, ^38:26 to cause it to rain on a land where no man is, on the wilderness, in which there is no man, ^38:27 to satisfy the waste and desolate ground and to cause the tender grass to spring forth?

^38:28 Has the rain a father? Or who has bore the drops of dew? ^38:29 Out of whose womb came the ice? And the frost of heaven, who has engendered it? ^38:30 The waters hide themselves and become like stone and the face of the deep is frozen.

^38:31 Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? ^38:32 Can you lead forth the constellations in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her train? ^38:33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish the dominion of it on the earth?

^38:34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you? ^38:35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, Here we are? ^38:36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind? ^38:37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the jugs of heaven ^38:38 when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cleave fast together?

^38:39 Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions ^38:40 when they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? ^38:41 Who provides for the raven his prey when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?

[Job 39] TOC

^39:1 Do you know the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or can you mark when the female-deers do birth-calves? ^39:2 Can you number the months that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they bring forth? ^39:3 They bow themselves. They bring forth their young. They cast out their pains. ^39:4 Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go forth and do not return again.

^39:5 Who has sent out the wild donkey free? Or who has loosed the bonds of the swift donkey ^39:6whose home I have made the wilderness and the salt land his dwelling-place? ^39:7 He scorns the commotion of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver. ^39:8 The range of the mountains is his pasture and he searches after every green thing.

^39:9 Will the wild-ox be content to serve you? Or will he abide by your crib? ^39:10 Can you bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys after you? ^39:11 Will you trust him because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labor? ^39:12 Will you confide in him that he will bring home your seed and gather the grain of your threshing-floor?

^39:13 The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love? ^39:14 For she leaves her eggs on the ground and warms them in the dust. ^39:15 And she forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may trample them.^39:16 She deals hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor be in vain, she is without fear, ^39:17 because God has deprived her of wisdom, nor has he imparted understanding to her.^39:18 The time she lifts up herself on high she scorns the horse and his rider.

^39:19 Have you given the horse his might? Have you clothed his neck with the quivering mane? ^39:20Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome. ^39:21 He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men.

^39:22 He mocks at fear and is not dismayed. Neither does he turn back from the sword. ^39:23 The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin. ^39:24 He swallows the ground with fierceness and rage, nor does he believe that it is the voice of the trumpet. ^39:25 As often as the trumpet sounds he says, Aha! And he smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains and the shouting.

^39:26 Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south? ^39:27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes her nest on high? ^39:28 She dwells on the cliff and makes her home upon the point of the cliff and the stronghold. ^39:29 From there she spies out the prey. Her eyes behold it afar off. ^39:30 Her young ones also suck up blood. And where the slain are, there is she.

[Job 40] TOC

^40:1 Moreover Jehovah answered Job and said,^40:2Shall he who quibbles contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.

^40:3 Then Job answered Jehovah and said, ^40:4Behold, I am of small account. What shall I answer you? I lay my hand upon my mouth. ^40:5 I have spoken once and I will not answer, yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.

^40:6 Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ^40:7 Gird up your loins now like a man. I will demand of you and declare you to me.^40:8 Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?

^40:9 Or have you an arm like God? And can you thunder with a voice like him? ^40:10 Deck yourself now with excellency and dignity and array yourself with honor and majesty. ^40:11 Pour forth the overflowing of your anger and look upon everyone who is proud and humble him.

^40:12 Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand. ^40:13 Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place. ^40:14 Then I will also confess of you that your own right hand can save you.

^40:15 Behold now behemoth {extremely large animal; possibly a dinosaur}, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox. ^40:16 Behold now, his strength is in his loins and his force is in the muscles of his belly. ^40:17 He moves his tail like a cedar. The muscles of his thighs are knit together.

^40:18 His bones are as tubes of brass. His limbs are like bars of iron.

^40:19 He is a beginning of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword. ^40:20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. ^40:21 He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed and the fen. ^40:22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook encompass him about.

^40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he does not tremble. He is confident though a Jordan swell even to his mouth. ^40:24 Shall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?

[Job 41] TOC

^41:1 Can you draw out leviathan with a fishhook, or press down his tongue with a cord? ^41:2 Can you put a rope into his nose, or pierce his jaw through with a hook? ^41:3 Will he make many supplications to you? Or will he speak soft words to you? ^41:4 Will he make a covenant with you, that you should take him for a servant everlasting?

^41:5 Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your maidens? ^41:6 Will the bands make traffic of him? Will they part him among the merchants? ^41:7 Can you fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish-spears? ^41:8 Lay your hand upon him. Remember the battle and do so no more.

^41:9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain. Will not a man be cast down even at the sight of him? ^41:10None is so fierce that he dare stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me?

^41:11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Under the whole heaven is mine.

^41:12 I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, nor his mighty strength, nor his graceful frame. ^41:13Who can strip off his outer garment? Who will come within his jaws? ^41:14 Who can open the doors of his face? All around his teeth is terror. ^41:15 His strong scales are his pride, shut up together like a close seal.^41:16 One is so near to another that no air can come between them. ^41:17 They are joined one to another. They stick together, so that they cannot be parted.

^41:18 His sneezes flash forth light and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. ^41:19 Out of his mouth go burning torches and sparks of fire leap forth. ^41:20Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot and burning rushes. ^41:21 His breath kindles coals and a flame goes forth from his mouth. ^41:22 In his neck abides strength and terror dances before him. ^41:23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm upon him. They are hardly shaken.

^41:24 His heart is as firm as a stone, Yes, firm as the nether millstone.

^41:25 When he raises himself up the mighty are afraid. Because of consternation they are beside themselves. ^41:26 If a man lays at him with the sword it cannot avail, nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. ^41:27 He counts iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. ^41:28 The arrow cannot make him flee. Sling-stones are turned into stubble with him. ^41:29Clubs are counted as stubble. He laughs at the rushing of the javelin.

^41:30 His underparts are like sharp earthen vessels. He spreads out as a threshing-wagon upon the mud. ^41:31 He makes the deep to boil like a pot. He makes the sea like a pot of ointment. ^41:32 He makes a path to shine after him. A man would think the deep to be gray-haired.

^41:33 Upon earth there is not his like who is made without fear. ^41:34 He beholds everything that is high.

He is king over all the sons of pride.

[Job 42] TOC

^42:1 Then Job answered Jehovah and said, ^42:2 I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of your can be restrained. ^42:3 Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

^42:4 Hear, I beseech you and I will speak, I will ask of you and declare you to me. ^42:5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. ^42:6 Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.

^42:7 And it was so, that, after Jehovah had spoken these words to Job, Jehovah said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends. For you^* have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.

^42:8 Now therefore, take to you^* seven bullocks and seven rams. And go to my servant Job and offer up for yourselves a burnt-offering. And my servant Job will pray for you^*, for him I will accept, that I not deal with you^* after your^* senselessness. For you^* have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.

^42:9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did just-as Jehovah commanded them and Jehovah accepted Job.

^42:10 And Jehovah turned back the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends. And Jehovah gave Job twice as much as he had before.

^42:11 Then there came to him all his brothers and all his sisters and all those who had been of his acquaintance before and ate bread with him in his house. And they sympathized with him and comforted him concerning all the evil that Jehovah had brought upon him. Each man also gave him a piece of money and each one a ring of gold.

^42:12 So Jehovah 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 female-donkeys. ^42:13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.

^42:14 And he called the name of the first, Jemimah and the name of the second, Keziah and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. ^42:15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job. And their father gave them inheritance among their brothers.

^42:16 And after this Job lived a hundred and forty years and saw his sons and his sons' sons, even four generations. ^42:17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

[Psalm 1] TOC

^1:1 The man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers is fortunate, ^1:2 because his delight is in the law of Jehovah and on his law he meditates day and night.

^1:3 And he will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. And whatever he does will prosper.

^1:4 The wicked are not so, because they are like the chaff which the wind drives away. ^1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

^1:6 Because Jehovah knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

[Psalm 2] TOC

^2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples meditate vain things? ^2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against Jehovah and against his anointed, saying, ^2:3Let us break their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.

^2:4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will mock them. ^2:5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath and distress them in his great displeasure.

^2:6 Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. ^2:7 I will tell of the decree. Jehovah said to me, You are my Son, this day I have fathered you. ^2:8 Ask of me and I will give you the nations as your inheritance and the outermost parts of the earth as your possession. ^2:9 You will smash them with a rod of iron, you will smash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

^2:10 Now therefore be wise, O you^* kings. Be instructed, you^* judges of the earth. ^2:11 Serve Jehovah with fear and rejoice with trembling. ^2:12Kiss the Son, lest he is angry and you^* perish in the way, because his wrath will soon be kindled. All those who take refuge in him are fortunate.

[Psalm 3] TOC

^3:1 Jehovah, how my adversaries are increased! Many are those who rise up against me. ^3:2 Many there are who say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah {a pause in speech or singing}.

^3:3 But you, O Jehovah, are a shield on my behalf, my glory and he who lifts up of my head. ^3:4 I cry to Jehovah with my voice and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah. ^3:5 I laid down and slept. I awoke, because Jehovah sustains me. ^3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people who have set themselves against me all around.

^3:7 Arise, O Jehovah. Save me, O my God. Because you have struck all my enemies upon the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked.

^3:8 Salvation belongs to Jehovah. Your blessing be upon your people. Selah.

[Psalm 4] TOC

^4:1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have enlarged me in distress. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer. ^4:2 O you^* sons of men, how long will my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you^* love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah.

^4:3 But know that Jehovah has set apart for himself he who is holy. Jehovah will hear when I call to him.

^4:4 Tremble and do not sin. Speak with your^* own heart upon your^* bed and be still. Selah. ^4:5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your^* trust in Jehovah.

^4:6 There are many who say, Who will show us good? Jehovah, lift you up the light of your countenance upon us. ^4:7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and their new wine are increased. ^4:8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, because you, Jehovah, alone make me dwell in safety.

[Psalm 5] TOC

^5:1 Listen to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation. ^5:2 Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, because I pray to you. ^5:3 O Jehovah, in the morning you will hear my voice. I will direct to you and will keep watch in the morning.

^5:4 Because you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil will not journey with you. ^5:5 The arrogant will not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of wickedness. ^5:6 You will destroy those who speak lies. Jehovah abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

^5:7 But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will worship toward your holy temple in your fear.

^5:8 Lead me, O Jehovah, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face. ^5:9 Because there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their inward part is destruction. Their throat is an open sepulcher. They deceive with their tongue.

^5:10 Hold them guilty, O God. Let them fall by their own counsels. Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions. Because they have rebelled against you.

^5:11 But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them shout for joy everlasting, because you defend them. Let those also who love your name be joyful in you. ^5:12 Because you will bless the righteous man, O Jehovah. You will encompass him with favor as with a shield. Selah.

[Psalm 6] TOC

^6:1 O Jehovah, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor discipline me in your hot displeasure. ^6:2 Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah, because I am withered away. O Jehovah, heal me, because my bones are troubled.

^6:3 My soul also is greatly troubled. And you, O Jehovah, how long? ^6:4 Return, O Jehovah, deliver my soul. Save me for your loving kindness' sake. ^6:5Because in death there is no remembrance of you. Who will give you thanks in Sheol ?

^6:6 I am weary with my groaning. Every night I make my bed to swim. I water my couch with my tears. ^6:7 My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries.

^6:8 Depart from me, all you^* workers of wickedness, because Jehovah has heard the voice of my weeping. ^6:9Jehovah has heard my supplication. Jehovah will receive my prayer. ^6:10 All my enemies will be put to shame and greatly troubled. They will turn back. They will be put to shame suddenly.

[Psalm 7] TOC

^7:1 O Jehovah my God, I take refuge in you. Save me from all those who pursue me and deliver me, ^7:2 lest they tear my soul like a lion, tearing it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

^7:3 O Jehovah my God, if I have done this, if there is unrighteousness in my hands, ^7:4 if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me, (yes, I have delivered him without cause who was my adversary),^7:5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it. Yes, let him tread my life down to the earth and lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

^7:6 Arise, O Jehovah, in your anger. Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries and awake for me the justice you have commanded. ^7:7And let the congregation of the peoples encompass you about and return on high over them.

^7:8 Jehovah will judge the peoples. Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness and to my integrity that is in me.

^7:9 O let the evil of the wicked man come to an end, but establish the righteous man. For the righteous God tries the minds and hearts.

^7:10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. ^7:11 God is a righteous judge. Yes, a God who has indignation every day.

^7:12 If a man does not repent, he will flash his sword. He has bent his bow and made it ready. ^7:13 He has also prepared for him the instruments of death. He makes his arrows fiery.

^7:14 Behold the wicked man, he travails with wickedness. Yes, he has conceived mischief and brought out falsehood. ^7:15 He has made a pit and dug it and has fallen into the ditch which he made. ^7:16 His mischief will return upon his own head and his violence will come down upon his own scalp.

^7:17 I will give thanks to Jehovah according to his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of Jehovah Most High.

[Psalm 8] TOC

^8:1 O Jehovah, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory upon the heavens!

^8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing-babes you have perfected praise, because of your adversaries, that you might make the enemy and the avenger cease.

^8:3 Because I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have established, ^8:4 what is man that you remember him? And the son of man that you care for him? ^8:5 Yet you have made him but a little lower than messengers and crowned him with glory and honor.

^8:6 You make him to have dominion over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet. ^8:7 All sheep and oxen, yes and the beasts of the field, ^8:8 the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

^8:9 O Jehovah, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!

[Psalm 9] TOC

^9:1 I will give thanks to Jehovah with my whole heart. I will show forth all your marvelous works. ^9:2I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O you Most High. ^9:3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish at your presence.^9:4 Because you have maintained my right and my cause. You sit in the throne judging righteously.

^9:5 You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name everlasting and forever. ^9:6 The enemy have come to an end. They are desolate forever and the cities which you have overthrown. The very memory of them has perished, ^9:7 but Jehovah will endure everlasting.

He has prepared his throne for judgment, ^9:8 and he will judge the world in righteousness. He will minister justice to the peoples in uprightness.

^9:9 Jehovah will also be a high tower for the oppressed, a high tower in times of trouble. ^9:10 And those who know your name will put their trust in you, because you, Jehovah, have not forsaken those who seek you.

^9:11 Sing praises to Jehovah, who dwells in Zion. Declare among the people his practices. ^9:12 Because he who makes inquiry for blood remembers them. He does not forget the cry of the poor.

^9:13 Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah. Behold my affliction from those who hate me, you who lifts me up from the gates of death ^9:14 that I may show forth all your praise. I will rejoice in your salvation in the gates of the daughter of Zion.

^9:15 The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken. ^9:16 Jehovah has made himself known. He has executed justice. The wicked man is snared in the work of his own hands. A meditation. Selah. ^9:17Wicked men will be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.

^9:18 Because a needy man will not always be forgotten, nor the expectation of the poor perish forever.

^9:19 Arise, O Jehovah, do not let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight. ^9:20 Put them in fear, O Jehovah. Let the nations know themselves to be but men. Selah.

[Psalm 10] TOC

^10:1 Why do you stand afar off, O Jehovah? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

^10:2 The poor man is hotly-pursued in the pride of the wicked man. Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived. ^10:3 Because the wicked man boasts of his heart's desire. And the greedy man renounces, yes, despises Jehovah.

^10:4 The wicked man, in the pride of his countenance, says, He will not require it. All his thoughts are, There is no God.

^10:5 His ways are profane at all times. Your judgments are far above out of his sight. As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them. ^10:6 He says in his heart, I will not be shaken. I will not be in adversity to all generations.

^10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.

^10:8 He sits in the lurking-places of the villages. He murders the innocent man in the covert places. His eyes are secretly set against the poor man. ^10:9 He lurks in secret as a lion in his covering. He lies in wait to catch the poor man. He catches the poor man when he draws him in his net. ^10:10 He crouches, he bows down and helpless men fall by his strong men.

^10:11 He says in his heart, God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it.

^10:12 Arise, O Jehovah, O God, lift up your hand. Do not forget the poor.

^10:13 Why does the wicked man despise God and say in his heart, You will not require it?

^10:14 You have seen. Because you behold mischief and spite, to repay with your hand. The poor man commits himself to you. You have been the helper of the fatherless. ^10:15 Break you the arm of the sinner and the evil man. His wickedness will be sought and will not be found.

^10:16 Jehovah is King everlasting and forever. The nations have perished out of his land. ^10:17 Jehovah, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear,^10:18 to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more terrify.

[Psalm 11] TOC

^11:1 I take refuge in Jehovah. How will you^* say to my soul, Flee like a bird to your^* mountain.

^11:2 Because, behold, the wicked bend the bow. They make ready their arrow upon the string that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. ^11:3 Because the foundations are destroyed, what can a righteous man do?

^11:4 Jehovah is in his holy temple. Jehovah's throne is in heaven. His eyes, behold, his eyelids try, the sons of men. ^11:5 Jehovah tries the righteous man. But his soul hates the wicked man and he who loves violence. ^11:6 He will rain snares upon sinners. Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.

^11:7 Because Jehovah is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright man will behold his face.

[Psalm 12] TOC

^12:1 Help, Jehovah, because the holy man ceases, because the faithful fail from among the sons of men.

^12:2 They speak falsehood everyone with his neighbor. They speak with a flattering lip and with a double heart. ^12:3 Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks great things, ^12:4 who have said, We prevail with our tongue will. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?

^12:5 Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, says Jehovah. I will set him into the safety he breathes for.

^12:6 The words of Jehovah are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, purified seven times. ^12:7 You will keep them, O Jehovah. You will preserve them from this generation everlasting.

^12:8 The wicked walk on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

[Psalm 13] TOC

^13:1 How long, O Jehovah? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?^13:2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

^13:3 Consider and answer me, O Jehovah my God. Lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the death, ^13:4 lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him, lest my adversaries rejoice because I am shaken.

^13:5 But I have trusted in your loving kindness. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. ^13:6 I will sing to Jehovah because he has dealt bountifully with me.

[Psalm 14] TOC

^14:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.

They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none that does good. ^14:2 Jehovah looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God. ^14:3 They are all gone aside. They are morally-corrupt together. There is none who does good, no, not one.

^14:4 Have all the workers of wickedness no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon Jehovah?

^14:5 They were in great fear there, because God is in the generation of the righteous. ^14:6 You^* put to shame the counsel of the poor because Jehovah is his refuge.

^14:7 O that the salvation of Israel came out of Zion! When Jehovah brings back the captivity of his people, then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.

[Psalm 15] TOC

^15:1 Jehovah, who will journey in your tabernacle? Who will dwell in your holy hill?

^15:2 He who walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart, ^15:3 he who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor, ^15:4 in whose eyes those who reject God are despised, but who honors those who fear Jehovah, he that swears to his own hurt and changes not, ^15:5 he who puts not his money out to interest, nor takes a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will not be shaken everlasting.

[Psalm 16] TOC

^16:1 Preserve me, O God, because I take refuge in you. ^16:2 You, my soul, have said to Jehovah, You are my Lord. I have no good beyond you.

^16:3 As for the holy ones who are in the earth, they are the excellent in whom is all my delight.

^16:4 Their sorrows will be multiplied who give gifts for another god. Their drink-offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names upon my lips.

^16:5 Jehovah is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup. You maintain my lot. ^16:6 The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a fine heritage. ^16:7 I will praise Jehovah, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.

^16:8 I beheld Jehovah always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. ^16:9Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices. My flesh also will dwell in hope.

^16:10 Because you will not leave my soul to Sheol, nor will you allow your holy man to see corruption.

^16:11 You made known to me the path of life. You will fill me of joy with your countenance.

[Psalm 17] TOC

^17:1 Hear the righteous, O Jehovah, attend to my cry. Listen to my prayer, that does not go out from pretending lips. ^17:2 Let my justice come out from your presence. Let your eyes look upon uprightness.

^17:3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me and find nothing. I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

^17:4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept from the ways of a violent man.^17:5My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

^17:6 I have called upon you, because you will answer me, O God. Incline your ear to me and hear my speech. ^17:7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, O you who saves by your right hand those who take refuge from those who rise up.

^17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings, ^17:9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who encompass me around.

^17:10 They are enclosed in their own fat. They speak proudly with their mouth. ^17:11 They have now encompassed us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast down to the earth. ^17:12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

^17:13 Arise, O Jehovah, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, ^17:14 from men by your hand, O Jehovah, from men of the world whose portion is in this life and whose belly you fill with your treasure. They are satisfied with sons and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

^17:15 As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness. I will be satisfied, when I awake, with your form.

[Psalm 18] TOC

^18:1 I love you, O Jehovah, my strength. ^18:2Jehovah is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.

^18:3 I will call upon Jehovah, who is worthy to be praised. So I will be saved from my enemies.

^18:4 The cords of death encompassed me and the torrents of wickness made me afraid. ^18:5 The cords of Sheol were all around me. The snares of death came upon me.

^18:6 I called upon Jehovah in my distress and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple and my cry before him came into his ears.

^18:7 Then the earth shook and quaked. The foundations also of the mountains trembled and were shaken because he was angry.

^18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils and fire out of his mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it. ^18:9 He also bowed the heavens and came down and thick darkness was under his feet.

^18:10 And he rode upon a cherub and flew. Yes, he soared upon the wings of the wind.

^18:11 He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion all around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

^18:12 At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. ^18:13Jehovah also thundered in the heavens and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire.^18:14 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them, Yes, lightnings shot out and confused them.

^18:15 Then the channels of waters appeared and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Jehovah, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

^18:16 He sent from on high, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. ^18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, because they were too mighty for me.

^18:18 They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but Jehovah was my support. ^18:19 He also brought me forth into a large place. He delivered me because he delighted in me.

^18:20 Jehovah has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands he has recompensed me. ^18:21 Because I have kept the ways of Jehovah and have not wickedly departed from my God.

^18:22 Because all his ordinances were before me and I put not away his statutes from me. ^18:23 I was also perfect with him and I kept myself from my iniquity.

^18:24 Therefore Jehovah has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

^18:25 You will show yourself merciful with the merciful. You will show yourself perfect with the perfect man. ^18:26 You will show yourself pure with the pure.And with the perverse you will show yourself contrary.

^18:27 Because you will save the afflicted people, but the haughty eyes you will bring down. ^18:28 Because you will light my lamp. Jehovah my God will lighten my darkness. ^18:29 Because by you I run upon a troop and by my God I leap over a wall.

^18:30 As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Jehovah is tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

^18:31 Because who is God, except Jehovah? And who is a rock, besides our God, ^18:32 the God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect? ^18:33 He makes my feet like the feet of female-deers and sets me upon my high places. ^18:34 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of brass.

^18:35 You have also given me the shield of your salvation and your right hand has held me up and your gentleness has made me great. ^18:36 You have enlarged my steps under me and my feet have not slipped.

^18:37 I will pursue my enemies and overtake them. Neither will I turn again till they are consumed. ^18:38 I will kill^* them through, so that they will not be able to rise. They will fall under my feet.

^18:39 For you have girded me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

^18:40 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.^18:41 They cried, but there was none to save, even to Jehovah, but he answered them not.

^18:42 Then I beat them small as the dust before the wind. I cast them out as the mud of the streets.

^18:43 You have delivered me from the strifes of the people. You have made me the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me. ^18:44 As soon as they hear of me they will obey me. The foreigners will submit themselves to me. ^18:45The foreigners will fade away and will come trembling out of their borders.

^18:46 Jehovah lives and my rock is blessed and exalted be the God of my salvation, ^18:47 even the God who executes vengeance for me and subdues peoples under me. ^18:48 He rescues me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.

^18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, among the Gentiles and will sing praises to your name. ^18:50 He gives great deliverance to his king and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his seed, until everlasting.

[Psalm 19] TOC

^19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God and the expanse shows his handiwork. ^19:2 Day to day pours out speech and night to night shows knowledge. ^19:3There is no speech nor language in which their voice is not heard.

^19:4 Their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. He has set a tabernacle for the sun in them, ^19:5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

^19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens and his circuit to the ends of it and there is nothing hid from the heat of it.

^19:7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making a simple man wise. ^19:8 The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes. ^19:9 The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring forever. The ordinances of Jehovah are true and righteous altogether. ^19:10 They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold. Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb. ^19:11 Moreover by them your servant is warned. There is great reward in keeping them.

^19:12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me from hidden sins. ^19:13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Do not let them have dominion over me. Then I will be upright and I will acquit him from great transgression.

^19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Jehovah, my rock and my redeemer.

[Psalm 20] TOC

^20:1 Jehovah answer you in the day of trouble. The name of the God of Jacob set you up on high, ^20:2send you help from the sanctuary and strengthen you out of Zion, ^20:3 remember all your offerings and accept your burnt-sacrifice (Selah), ^20:4 grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your counsel.

^20:5 We will triumph in your salvation and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. Jehovah fulfill all your petitions.

^20:6 Now I know that Jehovah saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

^20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God. ^20:8 They are bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright.

^20:9 Save, Jehovah! Let the King answer us when we call.

[Psalm 21] TOC

^21:1 The king will joy in your strength, O Jehovah. And in your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! ^21:2 You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.

^21:3 Because you meet him with the blessings of goodness. You set a crown of fine gold on his head.^21:4 He asked life from you. You gave it him, even length of days everlasting and forever.

^21:5 His glory is great in your salvation. Honor and majesty you lay upon him. ^21:6 Because you make him to be blessing forever. You rejoiced over him with joy in your presence.

^21:7 Because the king trusts in Jehovah. And through the loving kindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.

^21:8 Your hand will find out all your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you. ^21:9You will make them as a fiery furnace in the time of your anger. Jehovah will swallow them up in his wrath and the fire will devour them. ^21:10 You will destroy their fruit from the earth and their seed from among the sons of men. ^21:11 Because they intended evil against you. They conceived a device which they are not able to perform. ^21:12 Because you will make them turn their back. You will make ready with your bowstrings against their face.

^21:13 Be exalted, O Jehovah, in your strength. We will sing and praise your power.

[Psalm 22] TOC

^22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, far from helping me and the words of my groaning? ^22:2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; and in the night, and there is no silence for me. ^22:3 But you are holy, O you who inhabit the praises of Israel.

^22:4 Our fathers trusted in you. They trusted and you delivered them. ^22:5 They cried to you and were delivered. They trusted in you and were not put to shame.

^22:6 But I am a worm and no man, a reproach of men and despised by the people. ^22:7 All those who see me laugh me to scorn. They shoot out the lip. They shake the head, saying, ^22:8 He trusted on Jehovah. Let him deliver him. Let him rescue him, because he delights in him.

^22:9 Because you are he who took me out of the womb. You made me trust upon my mother's breasts.^22:10 I was cast upon you from the womb. You are my God since my mother bore me.

^22:11 Do not be far from me, because trouble is near, because there is none to help. ^22:12 Many bulls have encompassed me. Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me around. ^22:13 They opened wide their mouth upon me, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

^22:14 I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is melted within me. ^22:15 My strength is dried up like an earthen vessel and my tongue clings to my jaws and you have set me into the dust of death.

^22:16 Because dogs have encompassed me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They pierced my hands and my feet. ^22:17 I may count all my bones. They look and stare upon me. ^22:18 They part my garments among them and they cast a lot upon my raiment.

^22:19 But be not far off, O Jehovah. O you my helper, you hasten to help me. ^22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword, the only one of me from the power of the dog. ^22:21 Save me from the lion's mouth, yes, from the horns of the wild-oxen. You have answered me.

^22:22 I will declare your name to my brothers. I will praise you in the midst of the congregation. ^22:23You^* who fear Jehovah, praise him. All you^* the seed of Jacob, glorify him and stand in awe of him, all you^* the seed of Israel.

^22:24 Because he has not despised nor made abominable the affliction of the afflicted, neither has he hid his face from him, but when he cried to him, he heard.

^22:25 From you comes my praise in the great assembly. I will pay my vows before those who fear him. ^22:26 The meek will eat and be satisfied. They will praise Jehovah who seek after him. Let your^* heart live forever.

^22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Jehovah and all the kinfolk of the nations will worship before you. ^22:28 Because the kingdom is Jehovah's and he is the ruler over the nations.

^22:29 All the fat ones of the earth will eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust will bow before him, even he who cannot keep his soul alive.^22:30 A seed will serve him. It will be told of the Lord to the next generation. ^22:31 They will come and will declare his righteousness to a people that will be born, that he has done it.

[Psalm 23] TOC

^23:1 Jehovah is my shepherd, I will not want. ^23:2He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. ^23:3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

^23:4 Even, because I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

^23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil. My cup runs over.

^23:6 Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of Jehovah forever.

[Psalm 24] TOC

^24:1 The earth is Jehovah's and the fullness of it, the world and those who dwell in it. ^24:2 Because he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods.

^24:3 Who will ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who will stand in his holy place?

^24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.

^24:5 He will receive a blessing from Jehovah and righteousness from the God of his salvation. ^24:6 This is the generation of those who seek after him, who seek your face, even Jacob. Selah.

^24:7 Lift up your^* heads, O you^* gates and be lifted up, you^* doors everlasting and the King of glory will come in.

^24:8 Who is the King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty; Jehovah mighty in battle.

^24:9 Lift up your^* heads, O you^* gates. Yes, lift them up, you^* everlasting doors and the King of glory will come in.

^24:10 Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

[Psalm 25] TOC

^25:1 To you, O Jehovah, I lift up my soul.

^25:2 O my God, in you I have trusted. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies triumph over me. ^25:3 Yes, none who wait for you will be put to shame. They will be put to shame who deal treacherously without cause.

^25:4 Show me your ways, O Jehovah. Teach me your paths. ^25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me. Because you are the God of my salvation. I wait all the day on you.

^25:6 Remember, O Jehovah, your tender mercies and your loving kindness. Because they are from everlasting.

^25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. According to your loving kindness you remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Jehovah.

^25:8 Good and upright is Jehovah. Therefore he will instruct sinners in the way. ^25:9 The meek he will guide in justice and the meek he will teach his way.^25:10 All the paths of Jehovah are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

^25:11 For your name's sake, O Jehovah, pardon my iniquity, because it is great.

^25:12 What man is he who fears Jehovah? Him he will instruct in the way that he will choose. ^25:13 His soul will dwell at ease and his seed will inherit the land.

^25:14 The friendship of Jehovah is with those who fear him and he will show them his covenant. ^25:15 My eyes are ever toward Jehovah, because he will pluck my feet out of the net.

^25:16 Turn to me and have mercy upon me, because I am desolate and afflicted. ^25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged. O bring me out of my distresses. ^25:18 Consider my affliction and my travail and forgive all my sins.

^25:19 Consider my enemies, because they are many. And they hate me with cruel hatred.

^25:20 O keep my soul and deliver me. Do not let me be put to shame, because I take refuge in you. ^25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for you.

^25:22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all of his troubles.

[Psalm 26] TOC

^26:1 Judge me, O Jehovah, because I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in Jehovah without wavering. ^26:2 Examine me, O Jehovah and prove me. Try my heart and my mind. ^26:3 Because your loving kindness is before my eyes and I have walked in your truth.

^26:4 I have not sat with men of falsehood, nor will I go in with pretenders. ^26:5 I hate the assembly of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.

^26:6 I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will encompass your altar, O Jehovah, ^26:7 that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard and tell of all your wondrous works. ^26:8 Jehovah, I love the dwelling of your house and the place where your glory dwells.

^26:9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood, ^26:10 in whose hands is wickedness and their right hand is full of bribes.

^26:11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me and be merciful to me. ^26:12 My foot stands in an even place. I will praise Jehovah in the congregations.

[Psalm 27] TOC

^27:1 Jehovah is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

^27:2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. ^27:3 Though an army should encamp against me, my heart will not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.

^27:4 One thing I have asked of Jehovah, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah and to inquire in his temple.

^27:5 Because in the day of trouble he will hide me in his shelter. He will hide me in the covering of his tabernacle He will lift me up upon a rock.

^27:6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies all around me. And I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to Jehovah.

^27:7 Hear, O Jehovah, when I cry with my voice. Have mercy also upon me and answer me. ^27:8 My heart said to you, I have sought your face. O Jehovah, I will seek your face.

^27:9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Cast me not off, nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.^27:10 Because my father and my mother forsake me, then Jehovah will take me up.

^27:11 Teach me your way, O Jehovah and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies. ^27:12 Deliver me not over to the will of my adversaries. Because false witnesses have risen up against me and such as breathe out cruelty.

^27:13 I believe that I will see the goodness of Jehovah in the land of the living. ^27:14 Wait for Jehovah. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Jehovah.

[Psalm 28] TOC

^28:1 To you, O Jehovah, I will call. My rock, do not be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I become like those who go down into the pit. ^28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle.

^28:3 Do not draw me away with the wicked and with the workers of wickedness, who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.

^28:4 Give them according to their work and according to the wickedness of their practices. Give them after the operation of their hands. Render to them their recompense, ^28:5 because they do not regard the works of Jehovah, nor the operation of his hands. He will break them down and not build them up.

^28:6 Praise Jehovah, because he has heard the voice of my supplications. ^28:7 Jehovah is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise him.

^28:8 Jehovah is their strength and he is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed. ^28:9 Save your people and bless your inheritance. Be also their shepherd and bear them up everlasting.

[Psalm 29] TOC

^29:1 Give to Jehovah, O you^* sons of the mighty, give to Jehovah glory and strength. ^29:2Give to Jehovah the glory due to his name. Worship Jehovah in holy array.

^29:3 The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Jehovah upon many waters.

^29:4 The voice of Jehovah is powerful. The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty.

^29:5 The voice of Jehovah breaks the cedars. Yes, Jehovah breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. ^29:6He makes them also to skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild-ox.

^29:7 The voice of Jehovah splits the flames of fire.

^29:8 The voice of Jehovah shakes the wilderness. Jehovah shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

^29:9 The voice of Jehovah makes the female-deers to birth-calves and strips the forests bare. And in his temple everything says, Glory.

^29:10 Jehovah sat as King at the Flood. Yes, Jehovah sits as King everlasting. ^29:11 Jehovah will give strength to his people. Jehovah will bless his people with peace.

[Psalm 30] TOC

^30:1 I will lift you up, O Jehovah, because you have raised me up and have not made my foes to rejoice over me. ^30:2 O Jehovah my God, I cried to you and you have healed me.

^30:3 O Jehovah, you have brought up my soul from Sheol. You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

^30:4 Sing praise to Jehovah, O you^* his holy ones and give thanks to his holy memorial. ^30:5 Because his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may abide for the night, but joy is in the morning.

^30:6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, I will not be shaken everlasting. ^30:7 You, Jehovah, had made my mountain to stand strong from your favor. You hid your face; I was troubled. ^30:8 I cried to you, O Jehovah and I made supplication to Jehovah.

^30:9 What profit is there in my blood when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise you? Shall it declare your truth?

^30:10 Hear, O Jehovah and have mercy upon me. Jehovah, be my helper. ^30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing. You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, ^30:12 to the end that my glory may sing praise to you and not be silent.

O Jehovah my God, I will give thanks to you everlasting.

[Psalm 31] TOC

^31:1 I take refuge in you, O Jehovah. Do not let me be put to shame everlasting. Deliver me in your righteousness. ^31:2 Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.

^31:3 Because you are my rock and my fortress. Therefore for your name's sake lead me and guide me. ^31:4 Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, because you are my stronghold.

^31:5 I commend my spirit into your hand. You have redeemed me, O Jehovah, you, God of truth.

^31:6 I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in Jehovah.

^31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities, ^31:8 and you have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a large place.

^31:9 Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah, because I am in distress. My eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body. ^31:10 Because my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity and my bones are wasted away.

^31:11 I have become a reproach because of all my adversaries, yes, to my neighbors exceedingly and a fear to my acquaintances. Those who saw me outside fled from me. ^31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.

^31:13 Because I have heard the slander of many. Terror was on every side, while they took counsel together against me. They devised to take away my life.

^31:14 But I trusted in you, O Jehovah. I said, You are my God. ^31:15 My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.

^31:16 Make your face to shine upon your servant. Save me in your loving kindness. ^31:17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Jehovah, because I have called upon you.

Let the wicked be put to shame. Let them be silent in Sheol. ^31:18 Let the lying lips be dumb, which arrogantly speak against the righteous man, with pride and contempt.

^31:19 O how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you before the sons of men!

^31:20 In the covert of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

^31:21 Praise Jehovah, because he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city. ^31:22 As for me, I said in my haste, I am cut off from before your eyes. Nevertheless you heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to you.

^31:23 O love Jehovah, all you^*, his holy ones. Jehovah preserves the faithful and plentifully repays he who deals proudly. ^31:24 Be strong and let your^* heart take courage, all you^* who hope in Jehovah.

[Psalm 32] TOC

^32:1 Those whose transgression is forgiven are fortunate, whose sin is covered. ^32:2 The man to whom Jehovah does not reckon sin and in whose spirit there is no deceit is fortunate.

^32:3 Because I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long. ^32:4 Because day and night your hand was heavy upon me. My moisture was changed as with the drought of summer. Selah.

^32:5 I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

^32:6 On this, let everyone who is devout pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow they will not reach to him.^32:7 You are my hiding-place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will encompass me around with songs of deliverance. Selah.

^32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you will go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

^32:9 Do not become as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding, whose trappings must be a bit and bridle to hold them in, else they will not come near to you.

^32:10 Many sorrows will be to the wicked, but he who trusts in Jehovah, loving kindness will encompass him around.

^32:11 Be glad in Jehovah and rejoice, you^*, righteous ones. And shout for joy, all you^* who are upright in heart.

[Psalm 33] TOC

^33:1 Rejoice in Jehovah, O you^* righteous ones. Praise is becoming for the upright. ^33:2 Give thanks to Jehovah with the harp. Sing praises to him with the psaltery of ten strings. ^33:3 Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

^33:4 Because the word of Jehovah is right and all his work is done in faithfulness. ^33:5 He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of Jehovah.

^33:6 The heavens made were by the word of Jehovah and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. ^33:7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap. He lays up the depths in storehouses.

^33:8 Let all the earth fear Jehovah. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. ^33:9 Because he spoke and it was done. He commanded and it stood fast.

^33:10 Jehovah brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He disallows the thoughts of the peoples. ^33:11 The counsel of Jehovah stands fast everlasting, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

^33:12 The nation whose God is Jehovah is fortunate, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

^33:13 Jehovah looks from heaven. He beholds all the sons of men. ^33:14 From the place of his dwelling he looks forth upon all the inhabitants of the earth;^33:15 he who fashions the hearts of them all, who considers all their works.

^33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. ^33:17 A horse is a vain thing for safety, nor does he deliver any by his great power.

^33:18 Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon those who fear him, upon those who hope in his loving kindness, ^33:19 to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.

^33:20 Our soul has waited for Jehovah. He is our help and our shield. ^33:21 Because our heart will rejoice in him because we have trusted in his holy name.

^33:22 Let your loving kindness, O Jehovah, be upon us, just-as we have hoped in you.

[Psalm 34] TOC

^34:1 I will praise Jehovah at all times. His praise will continually be in my mouth. ^34:2 My soul will make its boast in Jehovah. The humble will hear of it and be glad. ^34:3 O magnify Jehovah with me and let us exalt his name together.

^34:4 I sought Jehovah and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. ^34:5 They looked to him and were radiant and their faces will never be confounded.

^34:6 This poor man cried and Jehovah heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. ^34:7 The messenger of Jehovah encamps all around those who fear him and delivers them.

^34:8 O taste and see that Jehovah is good. The man who takes refuge in him is fortunate. ^34:9 O fear Jehovah, you^* his, holy ones, because there is no want to those who fear him.

^34:10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek Jehovah will not want any good thing.

^34:11 Come, you^* children, listen to me. I will teach you^* the fear of Jehovah. ^34:12 What man is he who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? ^34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. ^34:14 Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.

^34:15 The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. ^34:16(The face of Jehovah is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.)

^34:17 They cried and Jehovah heard and delivered them out of all their troubles. ^34:18 Jehovah is near to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are of a crushed spirit.

^34:19 The afflictions of the righteous are many, but Jehovah delivers him out of them all. ^34:20 He keeps all his bones. Not one of them is broken.

^34:21 Evil will kill the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

^34:22 Jehovah redeems the soul of his servants and none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

[Psalm 35] TOC

^35:1 Contend, O Jehovah, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. ^35:2 Take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for my help. ^35:3 Draw out the spear also and stop the way against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation.

^35:4 Let them be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and confounded who devise my hurt. ^35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind and the messenger of Jehovah driving them on. ^35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery and the messenger of Jehovah pursuing them.

^35:7 Because without cause they have hid their net for me in a pit. Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.

^35:8 Let destruction come upon him, he will not know and let his net that he has hid catch himself. Let him fall in it with destruction.

^35:9 And my soul will be joyful in Jehovah. It will rejoice in his salvation. ^35:10 All my bones will say, Jehovah, who is like you, who delivers a poor man from him who is too strong for him, yes, a poor and needy man from him who robs him?

^35:11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up, they ask me of things that I do not know. ^35:12 They reward me evil for good, bereaving my soul.

^35:13 But as for me, when they were sick my clothing was sackcloth. I humbled my soul with fasting and my prayer returned into my own bosom.^35:14 I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as he who weeps for his mother.

^35:15 But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered themselves together. The slayers gathered themselves together against me and I did not know it. They tore me and ceased not. ^35:16 Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

^35:17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my only one from the lions. ^35:18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.

^35:19 Do not let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me. Neither let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.

^35:20 Because they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land. ^35:21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, Aha, aha, our eye has seen it.

^35:22 You have seen it, O Jehovah. Do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me. ^35:23 Stir up yourself and awake to the justice to me, to my cause, my God and my Lord. ^35:24 Judge me, O Jehovah my God, according to your righteousness and do not let them rejoice over me.

^35:25 Do not let them say in their heart, Aha, so would we have it. Do not let them say, We have swallowed him up. ^35:26 Let them be put to shame and confounded together who rejoice at my hurt. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who have become great against me.

^35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, Jehovah become great, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. ^35:28 And my tongue will talk of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

[Psalm 36] TOC

^36:1 The transgression of the wicked man says within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes. ^36:2 Because he flatters himself in his own eyes, that his iniquity will not be found out and be hated.

^36:3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good. ^36:4He devises iniquity upon his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He does not reject evil.

^36:5 Your loving kindness, O Jehovah, is in the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. ^36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are a great deep. O Jehovah, you preserve man and beast.

^36:7 How precious is your loving kindness, O God and the sons of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.

^36:8 They will be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house and you will make them drink of the river of your pleasures. ^36:9 Because the fountain of life is with you. We will see light in your light.

^36:10 O prolong your loving kindness to those who know you and your righteousness to the upright in heart.

^36:11 Do not let the foot of pride come against me and do not let the hand of sinners drive me away. ^36:12The workers of unrighteousness have fallen there. They are thrust down and will not be able to rise.

[Psalm 37] TOC

^37:1 Do not inflame yourself because of evildoers, nor be envious against those who work unrighteousness. ^37:2 Because they will soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb.

^37:3 Trust in Jehovah and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on his faithfulness. ^37:4 Delight yourself also in Jehovah and he will give you the desires of your heart.

^37:5 Commit your way to Jehovah. Trust also in him and he will do it. ^37:6 And he will make your righteousness to go forth as the light and your justice as the noon-day.

^37:7 Rest in Jehovah and wait patiently for him. Do not inflame yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked devices.

^37:8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath. Do not inflame yourself, it leads only to evil-doing. ^37:9 Because evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for Jehovah, they will inherit the land.

^37:10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will not be. Yes, you will diligently consider his place and he will not be.

^37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and will delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

^37:12 The wicked man plots against the righteous man and gnashes upon him with his teeth. ^37:13 The Lord will laugh at him, because he sees that his day is coming.

^37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill such as are upright in the way. ^37:15Their sword will enter into their own heart and their bows will be broken.

^37:16 Better is a little that the righteous man has than the abundance of many wicked men. ^37:17 Because the arms of the wicked will be broken, but Jehovah upholds the righteous. ^37:18 Jehovah knows the days of the perfect and their inheritance will be everlasting.

^37:19 They will not be put to shame in the time of evil and in the days of famine they will be satisfied.

^37:20 Because the wicked will perish and the enemies of Jehovah are as the fat of lambs: they will disintegrate; they will disintegrate away into smoke.^37:21 The wicked man borrows and pays not again, but the righteous man deals graciously and gives.

^37:22 Because such as are blessed by him will inherit the land and those who are cursed by him will be cut off.

^37:23 A man's goings are established by Jehovah and he delights in his way. ^37:24 Because if he falls, he will not be utterly cast down, because Jehovah upholds him with his hand.

^37:25 I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen a righteous man forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. ^37:26 All the day long he deals graciously and lends and his seed is blessed.

^37:27 Depart from evil and do good and dwell everlasting. ^37:28 Because Jehovah loves justice and does not forsake his holy ones. They are preserved everlasting, but the seed of the wicked will be cut off.

^37:29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

^37:30 The mouth of a righteous man talks of wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. ^37:31 The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps will slide.

^37:32 A wicked man watches a righteous man and seeks to kill him. ^37:33 Jehovah will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

^37:34 Wait for Jehovah and keep his way and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When sinners are cut off, you will see it.

^37:35 I have seen a wicked man in great power and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil. ^37:36 But I passed by, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

^37:37 Keep as the perfect man and behold the upright, because there is a happy end to the man of peace.

^37:38 As for transgressors, they will be destroyed together. The end of the wicked will be cut off. ^37:39But the salvation of the righteous is from Jehovah. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble, ^37:40 and Jehovah helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from sinners and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.

[Psalm 38] TOC

^38:1 O Jehovah, rebuke me not in your wrath, nor discipline me in your hot displeasure. ^38:2 Because your arrows stick fast in me and your hand presses me severely. ^38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, nor is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

^38:4 Because my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. ^38:5 My wounds are loathsome and rot-away, because of my folly.

^38:6 I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all the day long. ^38:7 Because my loins are filled with burning and there is no soundness in my flesh.^38:8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned because of the roaring of my heart.

^38:9 Lord, all my desire is before you and my groaning is not hid from you. ^38:10 My heart throbs, my strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.

^38:11 Those I love and my friends stand apart from my plague and my kinsmen stand afar off. ^38:12Those also who seek after my life lay snares for me. And those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things and meditate deceits all the day long.

^38:13 But I do not hear like a deaf man. And I am as a mute man who does not open his mouth. ^38:14 Yes, I am as a man who hears not and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

^38:15 Because I hope in you, O Jehovah. You will answer, O Lord my God.

^38:16 Because I said, Lest they rejoice over me. When my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me.^38:17 Because I am ready to fall and my sorrow is continually before me. ^38:18 Because I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.

^38:19 But my enemies are lively and are strong and those who hate me wrongfully are multiplied.^38:20 They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow the good thing.

^38:21 Do not forsake, O Jehovah. O my God, do not be far from me. ^38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

[Psalm 39] TOC

^39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I do not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked man is before me. ^39:2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good and my sorrow was stirred.

^39:3 My heart was hot within me. While I was musing the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: ^39:4 Jehovah, make me to know my end and the measure of my days, what it is. Let me know how frail I am. ^39:5 Behold, you have made my days as the width of hands and my life-time is as nothing before you. Surely every man at his best condition is altogether vanity. Selah.

^39:6 Surely every man walks in a shadow. Surely they are in an uproar in vain. He heaps up and does not know who will gather them.

^39:7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. ^39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

^39:9 I was mute. I did not open my mouth, because you did it. ^39:10 Remove your stroke away from me. I am consumed by the blow of your hand.

^39:11 When you have disciplined a man with rebukes for iniquity, you make his desires to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

^39:12 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah and listen to my cry. Do not keep silent at my tears, because I am a stranger with you, a traveler, as all my fathers were.^39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go from here and be no more.

[Psalm 40] TOC

^40:1 I waited patiently for Jehovah and he inclined to me and heard my cry. ^40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the muddy clay and he set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. ^40:3 And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many will see it and fear and will trust in Jehovah.

^40:4 The man is fortunate who makes Jehovah his trust and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

^40:5 Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which you have done and your thoughts which are toward us. They cannot be set in order to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

^40:6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared for me. Whole burnt-offering and sacrifice for sin you did not require. ^40:7Then I said, Behold, I have come as it is written of me in the scroll of a book.

^40:8 I delight to do your will, O my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.

^40:9 I have proclaimed good news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not refrain my lips. O Jehovah, you know. ^40:10 I have not hid your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.

^40:11 Do not withhold your tender mercies from me, O Jehovah. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me, ^40:12 because innumerable evils have encompassed me around. My 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 has failed me. ^40:13 Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me. Make haste to help me, O Jehovah.

^40:14 Let them be put to shame and humiliated together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt. ^40:15 Let them be desolate because of their shame who say to me, Aha, aha.

^40:16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, Jehovah is great.

^40:17 But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer. Make no delay, O my God.

[Psalm 41] TOC

^41:1 He who considers a poor man is fortunate. Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil. ^41:2Jehovah will preserve him and keep him alive and he will be fortunate upon the earth. And you do not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

^41:3 Jehovah will support him upon the bed of languishing. You will make all his bed in his sickness.

^41:4 I said, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me. Heal my soul, because I have sinned against you.

^41:5 My enemies speak evil against me, saying, When will he die and his name perish? ^41:6 And if he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers wickness to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.

^41:7 All who hate me whisper together against me. Against me they devise my hurt. ^41:8 A wicked speech, they say, clings firm to him. And now that he lies he will rise up no more.

^41:9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

^41:10 But you, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me and raise me up that I may repay them. ^41:11 I know that you delight in me by this, because my enemy does not triumph over me. ^41:12 And as for me, you uphold me in my integrity and set me before your face everlasting.

^41:13 Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting. Truly and Truly.

[Psalm 42] TOC

^42:1 As the male-deer pants after the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, O God. ^42:2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? ^42:3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, Where is your God?

^42:4 These things I remember and pour out my soul within me, because I went with the crowd and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holy day.

^42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you in an uproar within me? Hope in God, because I will yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

^42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan and the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.

^42:7 Deep calls to deep at the voice of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have gone over me. ^42:8 Yet Jehovah will command his loving kindness in the daytime and in the night his song will be with me, even a prayer to the God of my life.

^42:9 I will say to God my rock, Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? ^42:10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me; while they continually say to me, Where is your God?

^42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you in an uproar within me? Hope in God, because I will yet praise him, the help of my countenance and my God.

[Psalm 43] TOC

^43:1 Judge me, O God and plead my cause against a profane nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

^43:2 Because you are the God of my strength. Why have you cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

^43:3 O send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill and to your tabernacles. ^43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy and I will praise you upon the harp, O God, my God.

^43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you in an uproar within me? Hope in God, because I will yet praise him, the help of my countenance and my God.

[Psalm 44] TOC

^44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the days of long-ago. ^44:2 You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.

^44:3 Because they did not get the land in possession by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm and the light of your countenance, because you were favorable to them.

^44:4 You are my King, O God. Command deliverance for Jacob. ^44:5 Through you we will push down our adversaries. Through your name we will tread them under who rise up against us.

^44:6 Because I will not trust in my bow, nor will my sword save me. ^44:7 Because you have saved us from our adversaries and have put them to shame who hate us.

^44:8 We have made our boast all the day long in God and we will give thanks to your name everlasting. Selah.

^44:9 But now you have cast off and brought us to dishonor and do not go forth with our armies. ^44:10You make us to turn back from the adversary. And those who hate us take spoil for themselves.

^44:11 You have made us like sheep for food and have scattered us among the nations. ^44:12 You sell your people for no wealth and have not increased by their price.

^44:13 You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a ridicule to those who are all around us. ^44:14 You make us a proverb among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.

^44:15 All the day long my dishonor is before me and the shame of my face has covered me, ^44:16 from the voice of him who reproaches and blasphemes, because of the enemy and the avenger.

^44:17 All this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten you, nor have we dealt falsely in your covenant. ^44:18 Our heart is not turned back, nor have our steps declined from your way, ^44:19 that you have greatly broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death.

^44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread forth our hands to a strange god, ^44:21 will not God search this out? Because he knows the secrets of the heart.

^44:22 We are killed all the day long because of belief upon you. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

^44:23 Awake, why do you sleep, O Lord? Arise, cast not off forever. ^44:24 Why do you hide your face and forget our affliction and our oppression?

^44:25 Because our soul is bowed down to the dust; our body clings to the ground. ^44:26 Rise up for our help and redeem us for your loving kindness' sake.

[Psalm 45] TOC

^45:1 My heart overflows with a good matter. I speak the things which I have made concerning the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. ^45:2 You are fairer than the sons of men. Favor is poured into your lips. Therefore God has blessed you everlasting.

^45:3 Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one, your glory and your majesty. ^45:4 And in your majesty ride on prosperously because of truth and gentleness and righteousness. And your right hand will teach you awesome things.

^45:5 Your arrows are sharp. The peoples fall under you. They are in the heart of the king's enemies.

^45:6 Your throne, O God, is everlasting and forever. A scepter of straightness is the scepter of your kingdom. ^45:7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.

^45:8 All your garments smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. ^45:9 Kings' daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

^45:10 Listen, O daughter and consider and incline your ear. Forget also your own people and your father's house. ^45:11 So will the king desire your beauty, because he is your lord and bow to him.^45:12 And the daughter of Tyre will adore him with a gift. The rich among the people will entreat your favor. ^45:13 Inside, the king's daughter is all glorious. Her clothing is embroidered with gold.

^45:14 She will be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, will be brought to you. ^45:15 They will be led with gladness and rejoicing. They will enter into the king's palace. ^45:16 Instead of your fathers will be your sons, whom you will make rulers in all the earth.

^45:17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples will give you thanks everlasting and forever.

[Psalm 46] TOC

^46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

^46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth changes and though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas, ^46:3 though the waters of it roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with the swelling of it. Selah.

^46:4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

^46:5 God is in the midst of her. She will not be shaken. God will help her and that right early. ^46:6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were shaken, he uttered his voice, the earth melted. ^46:7 Jehovah of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

^46:8 Come, behold the works of Jehovah, what desolations he has made in the earth. ^46:9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two. He burns the chariots in the fire.

^46:10 Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. ^46:11 Jehovah of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

[Psalm 47] TOC

^47:1 O clap your^* hands, all you^* peoples. Shout to God with the voice of triumph. ^47:2 Because Jehovah Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.

^47:3 He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet. ^47:4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

^47:5 God has gone up with a shout, Jehovah with the sound of a trumpet. ^47:6 Sing praise to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

^47:7 Because God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding. ^47:8 God reigns over the nations. God sits upon his holy throne.

^47:9 The nobles of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. Because the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted.

[Psalm 48] TOC

^48:1 Great is Jehovah and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain. ^48:2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

^48:3 God has made himself known in her palaces for a refuge. ^48:4 Because behold, the kings assembled themselves. They passed by together.

^48:5 They saw it, then were they amazed. They were dismayed, they hastened away. ^48:6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in childbirth.

^48:7 You break the ships of Tarshish with the east wind. ^48:8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God, God will establish it everlasting. Selah.

^48:9 We have thought on your loving kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple. ^48:10 As is your name, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness.

^48:11 Let Mount Zion be glad. Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. ^48:12 Walk about Zion and go all around her. Number the towers of it, ^48:13 mark well her ramparts, consider her palaces, that you^* may tell it to the generation following. ^48:14 Because this God is our God everlasting and forever. He will be our guide even to death.

[Psalm 49] TOC

^49:1 Hear this, all you^* peoples. Listen, all you^* inhabitants of the world, ^49:2 both low and high, rich and poor together. ^49:3 My mouth will speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart will be of understanding.

^49:4 I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my dark saying upon the harp. ^49:5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels encompasses me about?

^49:6 Those who trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, ^49:7 none can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him ^49:8 (for the redemption of their life is costly and it fails everlasting), ^49:9 that he should still live always, that he should not see corruption.^49:10 Because he will see it.

Wise men die. The fool and the stupid alike perish and leave their wealth to others. ^49:11 Their inward thought is that their houses are everlasting, their dwelling-places to all generations. They call their lands after their own names.

^49:12 Even a man in splendor does not abide. He is like the beasts that perish. ^49:13 This way of theirs is their stupidity. Yet men approve their sayings after them. Selah.

^49:14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd and the upright will have dominion over them in the morning. And their beauty will be for Sheol to consume, that there is no dwelling for it.

^49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, because he will receive me. Selah.

^49:16 Do not be afraid because a man is made rich, because the glory of his house is increased. ^49:17 Because when he dies he will carry nothing away. His glory will not descend after him.

^49:18 Because while he lived he blessed his soul (and men praise you, when you do well for yourself),^49:19 he will go to the generation of his fathers. They will never see the light.

^49:20 A man who is in splendor and does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.

[Psalm 50] TOC

^50:1 The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down of it. ^50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone forth.

^50:3 Our God comes and does not keep silence. A fire devours before him and it whirlwinds much all around him. ^50:4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people.

^50:5 Gather my holy ones together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. ^50:6And the heavens will declare his righteousness, because God is judge himself. Selah.

^50:7 Hear, O my people and I will speak, O Israel and I will testify to you, I am God, even your God.^50:8 I will not reprove you for your sacrifices and your burnt-offerings being continually before me. ^50:9I will take no bull out of your house, nor male-goats out of your folds.

^50:10 Because every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills. ^50:11 I know all the birds of the mountains and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

^50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, because the world is mine and the fullness of it. ^50:13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

^50:14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High. ^50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will glorify me.

^50:16 But to the wicked man God says, What have you to do to declare my statutes and that you have taken my covenant in your mouth, ^50:17 since you hate instruction and cast my words behind you?

^50:18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him and have been partaker with adulterers. ^50:19 You give your mouth to evil and your tongue frames deceit. ^50:20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.

^50:21 These things you have done and I kept silence. You thought that I was altogether such a one as yourself. But I will reprove you and set them in order before your eyes.

^50:22 Now consider this, you^* who forget God, lest I tear you^* in pieces and there is none to deliver:^50:23 Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me. And to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God.

[Psalm 51] TOC

^51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. ^51:2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. ^51:3 Because I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me.

^51:4 Against you, you only, I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified when you speak and may prevail when you are criticized.

^51:5 Behold, I was brought out in iniquity and my mother conceived me in sin.

^51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts and in the hidden part you will make me to know wisdom.

^51:7 Purify me with hyssop and I will be clean. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. ^51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

^51:9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. ^51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me.

^51:11 Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me. ^51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.

^51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will be turned to you.

^51:14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation. And my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

^51:15 O Lord, open you my lips and my mouth will show forth your praise. ^51:16 Because you delight not in sacrifice, else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt-offering.

^51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and crushed heart, O God, you will not despise.

^51:18 Do good in your good pleasure to Zion. Build you the walls of Jerusalem. ^51:19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt-offering and in whole burnt-offering. Then they will offer bullocks upon your altar.

[Psalm 52] TOC

^52:1 Why boast you yourself in mischief, O mighty man? The loving kindness of God is continual. ^52:2 Your tongue devises wickedness, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

^52:3 You love evil more than good and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. ^52:4 You love all devouring words, O you deceitful tongue.

^52:5 God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up and pluck you out of your tent and root you out of the land of the living. Selah.

^52:6 The righteous also will see and fear and will laugh at him, saying, ^52:7 Behold, this is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

^52:8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the loving kindness of God everlasting and forever. ^52:9 I will give you thanks everlasting, because you have done it. And I will hope in your name in the presence of your holy ones, because it is good.

[Psalm 53] TOC

^53:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they and have done abominable unrighteousness. There is none who does good. ^53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any who understood, who seek after God. ^53:3 Every one of them has gone back. They are morally-corrupt all together. There is none who does good, no, not one.

^53:4 Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon God?

^53:5 They were in great fear there, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you. You have put them to shame because God has rejected them.

^53:6 O that the salvation of Israel came out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of his people, then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.

[Psalm 54] TOC

^54:1 Save me, O God, by your name and judge me in your might. ^54:2 Hear my prayer, O God. Listen to the words of my mouth. ^54:3 Because strangers have risen up against me and violent men have sought after my soul. They have not set God before them. Selah.

^54:4 Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is of those who uphold my soul. ^54:5 He will reward the evil to my enemies. Destroy them in your truth.

^54:6 I will sacrifice to you with a free-will offering. I will give thanks to your name, O Jehovah, because it is good. ^54:7 Because he has delivered me out of all trouble and my eye has seen it upon my enemies.

[Psalm 55] TOC

^55:1 Listen to my prayer, O God and do not hide yourself from my supplication. ^55:2 Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint and moan, ^55:3 from the voice of the enemy, from the oppression of the wicked. Because they shake down iniquity upon me and they persecute me in anger.

^55:4 My heart is greatly pained within me and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. ^55:5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me and horror has overwhelmed me.

^55:6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away and be at rest. ^55:7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah. ^55:8 I would hasten myself to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.

^55:9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongue, because I have seen violence and strife in the city. ^55:10 Day and night they go about it, upon the walls of it. Iniquity and mischief also are in the midst of it. ^55:11Wickedness is in the midst of it. Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.

^55:12 Because it was not an enemy who reproached me. Then I could have borne it. Neither was it he who hated me that magnified himself against me. Then I would have hid myself from him.

^55:13 But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend. ^55:14 We took sweet counsel together. We walked in the house of God with the crowd.

^55:15 Let death come suddenly upon them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. Because wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.

^55:16 As for me, I will call upon God and Jehovah will save me. ^55:17 Evening and morning and at noonday, I will complain and moan. And he will hear my voice.

^55:18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, because there were many by me.

^55:19 God will hear and respond to them, (even he who abides of long-ago), Selah, men who have no changes and who do not fear God. ^55:20 He has put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him. He has profaned his covenant.

^55:21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. ^55:22 (Cast your burden upon Jehovah and he will sustain you. He will not allow the righteous man to be shaken everlasting.)

^55:23 But you, O God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.

[Psalm 56] TOC

^56:1 Be merciful to me, O God, because man would swallow me up. Fighting all the day long he oppresses me. ^56:2 My enemies would swallow me up all the day long, because they are many who fight proudly against me.

^56:3 I am afraid in the day, I will put my trust in you. ^56:4 I will praise his word in God. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

^56:5 All the day long they pervert my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil. ^56:6 They gather themselves together. They hide themselves. They mark my steps, even as they have waited for my soul.

^56:7 Shall they escape by wickedness? Cast down the peoples, in anger, O God. ^56:8 You number my wanderings. Put my tears into your skin-container. Are they not in your book? ^56:9 Then will my enemies turn back in the day that I call. This I know, that God is for me.

^56:10 I will praise his word in God. I will praise his word in Jehovah. ^56:11 I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

^56:12 Your vows are upon me, O God. I will render thank offerings to you. ^56:13 Because you have delivered my soul from death and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

[Psalm 57] TOC

^57:1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, because my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until calamities have passed by. ^57:2 I will cry to God Most High, to God who performs for me.

^57:3 He will send from heaven and save me from the reproach of him who would swallow me up. Selah. God will send forth his loving kindness and his truth.

^57:4 My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue is a sharp sword.

^57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, your glory above all the earth.

^57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They have dug a pit before me. They are fallen into the midst of it themselves. Selah.

^57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises. ^57:8 Awake up, my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp. I myself will awake right early.

^57:9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.^57:10 Because your loving kindness is great to the heavens and your truth to the skies.

^57:11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, your glory above all the earth.

[Psalm 58] TOC

^58:1 Do you^* indeed speak righteousness in silence? Do you^* judge in uprightness, O you^* sons of men?

^58:2 No! You^* work wickedness in heart. You^* weigh out the violence of your^* hands in the earth.^58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb. They go-astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

^58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops her ear, ^58:5 which listens not to the voice of charmers, charming ever so wisely.

^58:6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Jehovah. ^58:7 Let them melt away as water that runs with haste. When he aims his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off, ^58:8 as a snail which melts and passes away, as the untimely birth of a woman, that has not seen the sun.

^58:9 Before your^* pots can feel the thorns, he will take them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike.

^58:10 A righteous man will rejoice because he sees the vengeance. He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, ^58:11 so that men will say, Truly there is a reward for the righteous man. Truly there is a God who judges in the earth.

[Psalm 59] TOC

^59:1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.^59:2Deliver me from the workers of wickedness and save me from the bloodthirsty men. ^59:3 Because behold, they lie in wait for my soul.

The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Jehovah. ^59:4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault. Awake to help me and behold.

^59:5 Even you, O Jehovah God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise to visit all the nations. Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

^59:6 They return at evening. They howl like a dog and go all around the city. ^59:7 Behold, they pour out words with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, because they say, Who hears?

^59:8 But you, O Jehovah, will mock them. You will laugh all the nations to scorn.

^59:9 O my strength, I will give heed to you, because God is my high tower. ^59:10 My God with his loving kindness will meet me. God will let me look upon my enemies.

^59:11 Kill them not, lest my people forget. Scatter them by your power and bring them down, O Lord our shield, ^59:12 for the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips. Let them even be taken in their pride and on the cursing and lying which they speak.

^59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, so that they will be no more. And let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah.

^59:14 And at evening let them return, let them howl like a dog and go all around the city. ^59:15 They will wander up and down for food and abide all night if they are not satisfied.

^59:16 But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. Because you have been my high tower and a refuge in the day of my distress. ^59:17 To you, O my strength, I will sing praises. Because God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

[Psalm 60] TOC

^60:1 O God you have cast us off. You have broken us down. You have been angry. O restore us again. ^60:2 You have made the land to tremble. You have torn it. Heal the breaking of it, because it shakes.

^60:3 You have shown your people hard things. You have made us to drink the wine of staggering.^60:4 You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

^60:5 That your beloved ones may be delivered, save with your right hand and answer us.

^60:6 God has spoken in his holiness. I will rejoice. I will divide Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth. ^60:7 Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is the defense of my head. Judah is my scepter.

^60:8 Moab is my wash pot. I will cast my shoe upon Edom. Philistia, shout because of me. ^60:9 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who has led me to Edom?

^60:10 Have you not, O God, cast us off? And you do not go forth, O God, with our armies. ^60:11 Give us help against the adversary, for vain is the help of man. ^60:12 Through God we will do valiantly, for he it is who will tread down our adversaries.

[Psalm 61] TOC

^61:1 Hear my cry, O God. Attend to my prayer.^61:2From the end of the earth I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

^61:3 Because you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy. ^61:4 I will dwell in your tabernacle everlasting. I will take refuge in the covert of your wings. Selah.

^61:5 Because you, O God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. ^61:6 You will prolong the king's life. His years will be as generation to generation. ^61:7 He will abide before God everlasting.

O prepare loving kindness and truth that they may preserve him. ^61:8 So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.

[Psalm 62] TOC

^62:1 My soul waits in silence for God only. My salvation is from him. ^62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my high tower. I will not be greatly shaken.

^62:3 How long will you^* set upon a man, that you^* may kill, all of you^*, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? ^62:4 They only consult to thrust him down from his dignity. They delight in lies. They praise with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

^62:5 My soul, wait in silence for God only, because my expectation is from him. ^62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my high tower. I will not be shaken. ^62:7 My salvation and my glory is with God. The rock of my strength and my refuge, is in God.

^62:8 Trust in him at all times, you^* the people. Pour out your^* heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.

^62:9 Surely men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lie. They will go up in the balances. They are together lighter than vanity.

^62:10 Do not trust in oppression and do not become vain in robbery. Because if riches increase, do not set your^* heart on it.

^62:11 God has spoken once, twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God. ^62:12 Also to you, O Lord, belongs loving kindness, because you render to every man according to his work.

[Psalm 63] TOC

^63:1 O God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where is no water. ^63:2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory. ^63:3 Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips will praise you.

^63:4 So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name. ^63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. And my mouth will praise you with joyful lips ^63:6 when I remember you upon my bed and meditate on you in the night-watches.

^63:7 Because you have been my help and in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. ^63:8 My soul follows close after you. Your right hand upholds me.

^63:9 But those who seek my soul to destroy it, will go into the lower parts of the earth. ^63:10 They will be given over to the power of the sword. They will be a portion for foxes.

^63:11 But the king will rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will glory, because the mouth of those who speak lies will be stopped.

[Psalm 64] TOC

^64:1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. ^64:2 Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of the workers of wickedness, ^64:3 who have flashed their tongue like a sword and have aimed their arrows, even bitter words, ^64:4 that they may shoot in secret places at a blameless man. Suddenly do they shoot at him and do not fear.

^64:5 They encourage themselves in an evil purpose. They speak of laying snares secretly. They say, Who will see them?

^64:6 They search out iniquities, saying, We have accomplished a diligent search. And the inward part of man and the heart are deep.

^64:7 But God will shoot at them. They will suddenly be wounded with an arrow. ^64:8 So they will be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them. All who see them will wag the head.

^64:9 And all men will fear. And they will declare the work of God and will wisely consider of his doing. ^64:10 A righteous man will be glad in Jehovah and will take refuge in him. And all the upright in heart will glory.

[Psalm 65] TOC

^65:1 Praise waits for you, O God, in Zion. And the vow will be performed to you. ^65:2 O you who hear prayer, all flesh will come to you. ^65:3 Iniquities prevail against me. As for our transgressions, you will forgive them.

^65:4 The man is fortunate whom you choose and cause to approach, that he may dwell in your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.

^65:5 You will answer us in righteousness by awesome things, O God of our salvation, you who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of those who are from afar off upon the sea, ^65:6 who by his strength sets firm the mountains, being girded about with might, ^65:7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves and the commotion of the peoples.

^65:8 They who also dwell in the outermost parts are afraid at your signs. You make the risings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

^65:9 You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. You provide them grain because you have so prepared the earth. ^65:10 You water its furrows abundantly. You settle the ridges of it. You make it soft with showers. You bless the springing of it.

^65:11 You crown the year with your goodness and your paths drop fatness. ^65:12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness and the hills are girded with joy. ^65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys also are covered over with grain. They shout for joy; they also sing.

[Psalm 66] TOC

^66:1 Shout to God, all the earth. ^66:2Sing forth the glory of his name. Make his praise glorious. ^66:3 Say to God, How awesome are your works! Through the greatness of your power your enemies will submit themselves to you.

^66:4 All the earth will worship you and will sing to you. They will sing to your name. Selah.

^66:5 Come and see the works of God, awesome in actions toward the sons of men. ^66:6 He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river on foot. We rejoiced in him there.

^66:7 He rules by his might forever. His eyes observe the nations. Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

^66:8 O bless our God, you^* peoples and make the voice of his praise to be heard, ^66:9 who holds our soul in life and does not allow our feet to slip.^66:10 Because you, O God, have proved us. You have tried us as silver is tried.

^66:11 You brought us into the net. You laid a great burden upon our loins. ^66:12 You caused men to ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water. But you brought us out into a wealthy place.

^66:13 I will come into your house with burnt-offerings. I will pay you my vows, ^66:14 which my lips uttered and my mouth spoke, when I was in distress. ^66:15 I will offer to you burnt-offerings of fat ones, with the incense of rams. I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

^66:16 Come and hear, all you^* who fear God and I will declare what he has done for my soul. ^66:17 I cried to him with my mouth and he was extolled with my tongue.

^66:18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear. ^66:19 But truly God has heard. He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

^66:20 Kneel to God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.

[Psalm 67] TOC

^67:1 God be merciful to us and bless us and cause his face to shine upon us (Selah), ^67:2 that your way may be known upon earth, your salvation among all nations.

^67:3 Let the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you. ^67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy. Because you will judge the peoples with equity and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

^67:5 Let the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you.

^67:6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us. ^67:7 God will bless us and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

[Psalm 68] TOC

^68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered. Let also those who hate him flee before him. ^68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

^68:3 But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.

^68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name. Lift up praise for him who rides through the deserts. His name is Jehovah and be rejoiced before him.

^68:5 A father of the fatherless and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy dwelling. ^68:6 God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners into prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

^68:7 O God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness (Selah) ^68:8 the earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God, Sinai at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

^68:9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance when it was weary. ^68:10Your congregation dwelt in it. You, O God, prepared for the poor from your goodness.

^68:11 The Lord gave the word. Great was the company of those who proclaimed it.

^68:12 Kings of armies fled quickly and she who remained at home divided the spoil. ^68:13 Though you^* lie between two boundaries, it is as the wings of a dove covered with silver and her pinions with yellow gold. ^68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was as it snows in Zalmon.

^68:15 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a high mountain is the mountain of Bashan.^68:16 Why do you^* look-enviously, you^* high mountains, at the mountain which God has desired for his abode? Yes, Jehovah will dwell in it forever.

^68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary.

^68:18 You have ascended on high. You have led captivity captive. You have received gifts among men, yes, among the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell with them.

^68:19 Praise the Lord, who bears our burden daily, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.

^68:20 God is to us a God of deliverance and escape from death belongs to Jehovah the Lord.

^68:21 But God will kill^* through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of him who still goes in his guiltiness.

^68:22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan. I will bring again from the depths of the sea,^68:23 that you may smash your foot in blood, that the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from enemies.

^68:24 They have seen your traveling, O God, even the traveling of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.^68:25 The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the maidens playing with timbrels. ^68:26 Praise God in the congregations, the lord of the fountain of Israel.

^68:27 There is little Benjamin their ruler, the rulers of Judah and their council, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali.

^68:28 Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, O God, what you have worked for us.^68:29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring presents to you.

^68:30 Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, trampling under foot the pieces of silver. He has scattered the peoples that delight in war.

^68:31 Rulers will come out of Egypt. Ethiopia will hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

^68:32 Sing to God, you^* kingdoms of the earth. O sing praises to the Lord (Selah), ^68:33 to him who rides upon the heaven of heavens, which are of long-ago. Behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.

^68:34 Bestow strength to God. His excellency is over Israel and his strength is in the skies.

^68:35 O God, awesome out of your holy places, the God of Israel, he gives strength and power to his people. Praise God.

[Psalm 69] TOC

^69:1 Save me, O God, because the waters have come in to my soul. ^69:2 I sink in deep mud where there is no standing. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

^69:3 I am weary with my crying. My throat is dried. My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

^69:4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who would cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I did not take away.

^69:5 O God, you know my folly and my sins are not hid from you. ^69:6 Do not let those who wait for you, be put to shame through me, O Lord Jehovah of hosts. Do not let those who seek you, be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.

^69:7 Because for your sake I have borne reproach, shame has covered my face. ^69:8 I have become a stranger to my brothers and an alien to my mother's sons.

^69:9 Because the zeal of your house has eaten me up and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen upon me.

^69:10 When I wept in my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. ^69:11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a parable to them. ^69:12 Those who sit at the gate talk of me and I am the song of the drunkards.

^69:13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Jehovah. Answer me in the truth of your salvation in an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your loving kindness,.

^69:14 Deliver me out of the mud and do not let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me and out of the deep waters. ^69:15 Do not let the water flood overwhelm me, nor let the deep swallow me up. And do not let the pit shut its mouth upon me.

^69:16 Answer me, O Jehovah, because your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies turn to me, ^69:17 and do not hide your face from your servant, because I am in distress. Answer me speedily. ^69:18 Draw near to my soul and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies.

^69:19 You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before you. ^69:20Reproach has broken my heart and I am full of heaviness. And I looked for some to take pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.^69:21 They also gave me gall for my food and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

^69:22 Let their table be a trap before them, and to those at peace, let it be a snare.

^69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see and bow down their back continually.

^69:24 Pour out your indignation upon them and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them. ^69:25 Let their dwelling be desolate. Let none dwell in their tents.

^69:26 Because they persecute he whom you have struck and they tell of the sorrow of those whom you have wounded. ^69:27 Add iniquity to their iniquity and do not let them come into your righteousness.

^69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life and not be written with the righteous.

^69:29 But I am poor and sorrowful. Let your salvation, O God, set me up on high. ^69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song and will extol him with thanksgiving, ^69:31 and it will please Jehovah better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs.

^69:32 The meek have seen it and are glad. You^* who seek after God, let your^* heart live. ^69:33 Because Jehovah hears the needy and does not despise his prisoners.

^69:34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in it. ^69:35 Because God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah. And they will abide there and have it in possession. ^69:36 The seed also of his servants will inherit it and those who love his name will dwell in it.

[Psalm 70] TOC

^70:1 Hasten, O God, to deliver me. Make haste to help me, O Jehovah. ^70:2 Let them be put to shame and confounded who seek after my soul. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt. ^70:3 Let them be turned back because of their shame who say, Aha, aha.

^70:4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. And let such as love your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

^70:5 But I am poor and needy. Make haste to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer, O Jehovah. Do not delay.

[Psalm 71] TOC

^71:1 I take refuge in you, O Jehovah. Do not let me be put to shame everlasting. ^71:2 Deliver me in your righteousness and rescue me. Bow down your ear to me and save me. ^71:3 Be to me a rock of dwelling to which I may continually resort. You have given commandment to save me, because you are my rock and my fortress.

^71:4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of a wicked man, out of the hand of an unrighteous and cruel man.

^71:5 Because you are my hope, O Lord Jehovah, my trust from my youth. ^71:6 I have been held up by you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother's guts. My praise will be continually of you.

^71:7 I am as a wonder to many, but you are my strong refuge. ^71:8 My mouth will be filled with your praise and with your honor all the day.

^71:9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age. Forsake me not when my strength fails.

^71:10 Because my enemies speak concerning me and those who watch for my soul take counsel together,^71:11 saying, God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, because there is none to deliver.

^71:12 O God, do not be far from me. O my God, make haste to help me. ^71:13 Let them be put to shame and be consumed who are adversaries to my soul. Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt.

^71:14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. ^71:15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all the day, because I do not know the numbers.

^71:16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Jehovah. I will make mention of your righteousness, yours only!

^71:17 O God, you have taught me from my youth and I have declared your wondrous works until now.

^71:18 Yes, even when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have declared your strength to a generation, your might to everyone who is to come.

^71:19 Your righteousness also, O God, is very high, you who have done great things. O God, who is like you? ^71:20 You, who have shown us many and great troubles, will revive us again and will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. ^71:21 Increase my greatness and turn again and comfort me.

^71:22 I will also praise you with the psaltery, even your truth, O my God. I will sing praises to you with the harp, O you Holy One of Israel. ^71:23 My lips will shout for joy because I sing praises to you and my soul, which you have redeemed.

^71:24 My tongue also will talk of your righteousness all the day long. Because they are put to shame, because they are confounded, who seek my hurt.

[Psalm 72] TOC

^72:1 Give the king your judgments, O God and your righteousness to the king's son. ^72:2 He will judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice.

^72:3 The mountains will bring peace to the people and the hills, in righteousness. ^72:4 He will judge the poor of the people.

He will save the sons of the needy and will break in pieces the oppressor. ^72:5 They will fear you while the sun endures and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

^72:6 He will come down like rain upon the mowed grass, as showers that water the earth. ^72:7 In his days righteousness will flourish and abundance of peace, till the moon is no more.

^72:8 He will also have dominion from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

^72:9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust.

^72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will render tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. ^72:11 Yes, all kings will fall down before him. All nations will serve him.

^72:12 Because he will deliver a needy man when he cries and a poor man, who has no helper. ^72:13 He will have pity on a poor and needy man and he will save the souls of the needy.

^72:14 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. And their blood will be precious in his sight, ^72:15 and they will live. And to him will be given of the gold of Sheba. And men will pray for him continually. They will praise him all the day long.

^72:16 There will be abundance of grain in the earth upon the top of the mountains. The fruit of it will shake like Lebanon. And they from the city will flourish like the grass of the earth.

^72:17 His name will endure everlasting. His name will be continued as long as the sun. And men will call him fortunate. All nations will call him fortunate.

^72:18 Praise Jehovah God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. ^72:19 And praise his glorious name everlasting. And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Truly and Truly.

^72:20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

[Psalm 73] TOC

^73:1 Surely God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. ^73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.

^73:3 Because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ^73:4 Because there are no pains in their death, but their strength is firm.

^73:5 They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. ^73:6 Therefore pride is as a chain around their neck. Violence covers them as a garment.

^73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish.

^73:8 They scoff and utter oppression in wickedness. They speak loftily. ^73:9 They have set their mouth in the heavens and their tongue walks through the earth.

^73:10 Therefore his people return here and waters of a full cup are drained by them.

^73:11 And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?

^73:12 Behold, these are the wicked and those who prosper of old. They have possessed wealth.

^73:13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocence, ^73:14 I have been plagued for all the day long and rebukes every morning.

^73:15 If I had said, I will speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of your sons.

^73:16 When I thought how I might understand this, it was too painful for me, ^73:17 until I went into the sanctuary of God and considered their latter end.

^73:18 Surely you set them in slippery places. You cast them down to destruction. ^73:19 How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

^73:20 As a dream from awakening, O Lord, when you waken, you will despise their form.

^73:21 Because my soul was grieved and I was pricked in my heart. ^73:22 So I was stupid and ignorant. I was a beast before you.

^73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. ^73:24 You will guide me with your counsel and afterward receive me to glory.

^73:25 Whom have I in heaven? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you. ^73:26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my everlasting portion.

^73:27 Because behold, those who are far from you will perish. You have destroyed all those who play the prostitute from you.

^73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

[Psalm 74] TOC

^74:1 O God, why have you cast off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?

^74:2 Remember your congregation, which you bought them of long-ago, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance and Mount Zion, at which you have dwelt.

^74:3 Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary. ^74:4Your adversaries have roared in the midst of your assembly. They have set up their ensigns for signs.

^74:5 They seemed as men who lifted up axes upon a thicket of trees. ^74:6 And now they break down all the carved work of it with hatchet and hammers.

^74:7 They have set your sanctuary on fire. They have profaned the dwelling-place of your name to the ground. ^74:8 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.

^74:9 We do not see our signs. There is no more any prophet, nor any among us who knows how long. ^74:10 How long, O God, will the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?

^74:11 Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Remove it from the midst of your bosom.

^74:12 Yet God is my King of long-ago, working salvation in the midst of the earth. ^74:13 You divided the sea by your strength.

You break the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters. ^74:14 You break the heads of the leviathan in pieces. You gave him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. ^74:15 You split fountain and flood. You dried up mighty rivers.

^74:16 The day is yours; the night is also yours. You have prepared the light and the sun. ^74:17 You have set all the borders of the earth. You have made summer and winter.

^74:18 Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O Jehovah and that a foolish people has blasphemed your name.

^74:19 O do not deliver the soul of your turtle-dove to the wild beast. Do not forget the life of your poor forever.

^74:20 Have respect to the covenant, because the dark places of the earth are full of the dwellings of violence.

^74:21 O do not let he who is oppressed return ashamed. Let a poor and needy man praise your name.

^74:22 Arise, O God, plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man reproaches you all the day.

^74:23 Do not forget not the voice of your adversaries. The uproar of those who rise up against you ascends continually.

[Psalm 75] TOC

^75:1 We give thanks to you, O God. We give thanks, for your name is near. Men tell of your wondrous works.

^75:2 When I will find the set time, I will judge in uprightness; ^75:3 when the earth and all the inhabitants of it are dissolved. I have set up the pillars of it. Selah.

^75:4 I said to the boastful, Do not boast and to the wicked, Do not lift up the horn. ^75:5 Do not lift up your^* horn on high. Do not speak arrogantly. ^75:6 Because neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes lifting up.

^75:7 Because God is the judge. He put one down and lifts another up.

^75:8 Because in the hand of Jehovah there is a cup and the wine foams. It is full of mixture and he pours out of the same, surely to the dregs of it. All the wicked of the earth will drain them and drink them.

^75:9 But I will declare everlasting. I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

^75:10 All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of a righteous man will be lifted up.

[Psalm 76] TOC

^76:1 God is known in Judah. His name is great in Israel. ^76:2 His covering is in Salem also and his dwelling-place in Zion.

^76:3 He broke the arrows of the bow there, the shield and the sword and the battle. Selah.

^76:4 You are more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.

^76:5 The stouthearted are made a spoil. They have slept their sleep and none of the men of might have found their hands. ^76:6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.

^76:7 You, even you, are to be feared. And who may stand in your sight when once you are angry?^76:8 You caused sentence to be heard from heaven. The earth feared and was still ^76:9 when God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

^76:10 Surely the inward thought of man will praise you, even the residue of inward thought will observe a festival to you.

^76:11 Vow and pay to Jehovah your^* God. Let all who are all around him bring presents to him who ought to be feared.

^76:12 He will cut off the spirit of rulers. He is fearful to the kings of the earth.

[Psalm 77] TOC

^77:1 I will cry to God with my voice, even to God with my voice and he will listen to me.

^77:2 I sought the Lord in the day of my trouble. My hand was stretched out in the night and did not slack. My soul refused to be comforted. ^77:3 I remember God and I am in an uproar. I complain and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah.

^77:4 You have held my eyelids watching. I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

^77:5 I have considered the days of long-ago, the years of ancient times. ^77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night. I meditate with my own heart and my spirit makes diligent search.

^77:7 Will the Lord cast off everlasting? And will he be favorable no more? ^77:8 Has his loving kindness ceased forever? Does his promise come to an end in this generation? ^77:9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he shut up his tender mercies in anger? Selah.

^77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity, the change of the right hand of the Most High. ^77:11 I will make mention of the deeds of Jehovah, because I will remember your wonders of long-ago. ^77:12 I will meditate also upon all your work and talk on your deeds.

^77:13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary. Who is a great god like God? ^77:14 You are the God who does wonders. You have made known your strength among the peoples. ^77:15 You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

^77:16 The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you. They were afraid. The depths also trembled. ^77:17The clouds poured out water. The skies sent out a sound. Your arrows also went abroad.

^77:18 The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lightened the world. The earth trembled and shook.

^77:19 Your way was in the sea and your paths in the great waters. And your footsteps were not known. ^77:20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

[Psalm 78] TOC

^78:1 Listen, O my people, to my law. Incline your^* ears to the words of my mouth. ^78:2 I will open my mouth in parables. I will pour out dark sayings of long-ago, ^78:3 which we have heard and known and our fathers have told us.

^78:4 We will not hide them from their sons, telling to the generation to come the praises of Jehovah and his strength and his wondrous works that he has done.

^78:5 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 sons, ^78:6 that the generation to come might know, even the sons who should be born, who should arise and tell to their sons, ^78:7 that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments, ^78:8 and might not be as their fathers: a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set their heart aright and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

^78:9 The sons of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

^78:10 They did not keep the covenant of God and refused to walk in his law. ^78:11 And they forgot his deeds and his wondrous works that he had shown them.

^78:12 He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. ^78:13He divided the sea and caused them to pass through. And he made the waters to stand as a heap.

^78:14 He led them with a cloud in the daytime also and all the night with a light of fire. ^78:15 He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them to drink abundantly as out of the depths.

^78:16 He brought streams also out of the rock and caused waters to run down like rivers. ^78:17 Yet they went on to still sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert.

^78:18 And they challenged God in their heart by asking food according to their desire. ^78:19 Yes, they spoke against God. They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

^78:20 Behold, he killed^* the rock, so that waters gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?

^78:21 Therefore Jehovah heard and was angry. And a fire was kindled against Jacob and anger also went up against Israel, ^78:22 because they did not believe in God and did not trust in his salvation.

^78:23 Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, ^78:24 and he rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them food from heaven.

^78:25 Man ate the bread of the mighty. He sent them food to the full.

^78:26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens and by his power he guided the south wind.^78:27 He also rained meat upon them as the dust and winged birds as the sand of the seas.

^78:28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp all around their dwellings. ^78:29 So they ate and were well filled and he gave them their own desire.

^78:30 They were not estranged from what they desired. Their food was yet in their mouths ^78:31 when the anger of God went up against them and killed of the fattest of them and killed^* down the young men of Israel.

^78:32 For all this, they still sinned and did not believe in his wondrous works. ^78:33 Therefore he consumed their days in vanity and their years in terror.

^78:34 When he killed them, then they inquired after him and they returned and sought God earnestly. ^78:35 And they remembered that God was their rock and the Most High God their redeemer.

^78:36 But they deceived him with their mouth and lied to him with their tongue. ^78:37 For their heart was not right with him, nor were they faithful in his covenant.

^78:38 But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity and did not destroy. Yes, he turned his anger away much and did not stir up all his wrath. ^78:39 And he remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away and does not come again.

^78:40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert! ^78:41 And they turned again and challenged God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

^78:42 They did not remember his hand, nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary, ^78:43how he set his signs in Egypt and his wonders in the field of Zoan, ^78:44 and turned their rivers into blood and their streams, so that they could not drink.

^78:45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them and frogs, which destroyed them. ^78:46He also gave their increase to the caterpillar and their labor to the locust.

^78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore trees with frost. ^78:48 He also gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

^78:49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath and indignation and trouble, a discharge of messengers of evil.

^78:50 He made a path for his anger. He spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence, ^78:51 and killed^* all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.

^78:52 But he led forth his own people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

^78:53 And he led them safely, so that they did not fear, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

^78:54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, to this mountain, which his right hand had gained. ^78:55 He also drove out the nations before them and allotted them for an inheritance by line and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

^78:56 Yet they challenged and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies, ^78:57 but turned back and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were turned aside like a deceitful bow. ^78:58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

^78:59 When God heard, he was angry and greatly rejected Israel, ^78:60 so that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men, ^78:61and delivered their strength into captivity and their glory into the adversary's hand.

^78:62 He also gave his people over to the sword and was angry with his inheritance. ^78:63 Fire devoured their young men and their virgins had no marriage-song. ^78:64 Their priests fell by the sword and their widows made no lamentation.

^78:65 Then the Lord awoke as out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts because of wine. ^78:66 And he killed^* his adversaries backward. He put them to a everlasting reproach.

^78:67 Moreover he refused the tent of Joseph and chose not the tribe of Ephraim, ^78:68 but chose the tribe of Judah, the Mount Zion which he loved. ^78:69And he built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established everlasting.

^78:70 He also chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds. ^78:71 He brought him from following the ewe-lambs that have their young, to be the shepherd of Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance.

^78:72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

[Psalm 79] TOC

^79:1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

^79:2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food to the birds of the heavens, the flesh of your holy ones to the beasts of the earth. ^79:3They have shed their blood like water all around Jerusalem and there was none to bury them.

^79:4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and ridicule to those who are all around us.

^79:5 How long, O Jehovah? Will you be angry forever? Shall your jealousy burn like fire?

^79:6 Pour out your wrath upon the nations that do not know you and upon the kingdoms that do not call upon your name. ^79:7 Because they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling.

^79:8 Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, because we are brought very low. ^79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. And deliver us and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.

^79:10 Why should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of your servants which is shed be known among the nations in our sight.

^79:11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. Preserve those who are appointed to death according to the greatness of your power, ^79:12and render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, O Lord, ^79:13 so we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks forever. We will show forth your praise to all generations.

[Psalm 80] TOC

^80:1 Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit above the cherubim, shine forth.

^80:2 Stir up your might before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh and come to save us. ^80:3Turn us again, O God and cause your face to shine and we will be saved.

^80:4 O Jehovah God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? ^80:5 You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in large measure.

^80:6 You make us hatred to our neighbors and our enemies laugh among themselves.

^80:7 Turn us again, O God of hosts and cause your face to shine and we will be saved.

^80:8 You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations and planted it. ^80:9 You prepared a place before it and it took deep root and filled the land. ^80:10 The mountains were covered with the shadow of it and the branches of it were like cedars of God. ^80:11 It sent out its limbs to the sea and its offshoots to the River.

^80:12 Why have you broken down its walls, so that all those who pass by the way pluck it? ^80:13 The boar out of the wood ravages it and the wild beasts of the field feed on it.

^80:14 Turn again, we beseech you, O God of hosts. Look down from heaven, and behold and visit this vine, ^80:15 and the stock which your right hand planted and the branch that you made strong for yourself. ^80:16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down. They perish at the rebuke of your countenance.

^80:17 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself, ^80:18 so we will not go back from you.

Revive you us and we will call upon your name.^80:19 Turn us again, O Jehovah God of hosts, cause your face to shine and we will be saved.

[Psalm 81] TOC

^81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength. Shout to the God of Jacob. ^81:2 Raise a song and bring here the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

^81:3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast-day. ^81:4 Because it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

^81:5 He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard a language that I did not know. ^81:6 I removed his shoulder from the burden. His hands were freed from the basket.

^81:7 You called in trouble and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

^81:8 Hear, O my people and I will testify to you, O Israel, if you would listen to me! ^81:9 There will be no strange god in you, nor will you worship any foreign god.

^81:10 I am Jehovah your God who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

^81:11 But my people listened not to my voice and Israel would have none of me. ^81:12 So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart, that they might walk in their own counsels.

^81:13 O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! ^81:14 I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their adversaries. ^81:15 (The haters of Jehovah pretend obedience to him, but their time is everlasting.)

^81:16 He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat. And I would satisfy you with honey out of the rock.

[Psalm 82] TOC

^82:1 God stands in the congregation of God. He judges among the gods. ^82:2 How long will you^* judge unjustly and respect the persons of the wicked? Selah.

^82:3 Judge the poor man and the orphan. Do justice to the afflicted and destitute man. ^82:4 Rescue the poor and needy man. Deliver him from the hand of the wicked man.

^82:5 They do not know, nor do they understand. They walk to and fro in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

^82:6 I said, You^* are gods and all of you^* sons of the Most High. ^82:7 Nevertheless you^* will die like men and fall like one of the rulers.

^82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth, because you will inherit all the nations.

[Psalm 83] TOC

^83:1 O God, do not keep your silence. Do not hold your peace and do not be still, O God. ^83:2 Because behold, your enemies make a commotion and those who hate you have lifted up the head.

^83:3 They take crafty counsel against your people and consult together against your hidden ones. ^83:4They have said, Come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

^83:5 Because they have consulted together with one consent. They make a covenant against you: ^83:6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagarites {Hagarenes}, ^83:7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre, ^83:8Assyria also is joined with them; they have helped the sons of Lot. Selah.

^83:9 Do to them as to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon, ^83:10 who perished at En-dor, who became as manure for the earth. ^83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, yes, all their rulers like Zebah and Zalmunna, ^83:12 who said, Let us take to ourselves in possession the dwellings of God.

^83:13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, as stubble before the wind, ^83:14 as the fire that burns the forest and as the flame that sets the mountains on fire. ^83:15 So pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.

^83:16 Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, O Jehovah.

^83:17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever. Yes, let them be confounded and perish, ^83:18that they may know that you alone, whose name is Jehovah, are the Most High over all the earth.

[Psalm 84] TOC

^84:1 How beloved are your tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts! ^84:2 My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of Jehovah. My heart and my flesh cry out to the living God.

^84:3 Yes, the sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young, even your altars, O Jehovah of hosts, my King and my God.

^84:4 Those who dwell in your house are fortunate. They will still be praising you. Selah.

^84:5 The man whose strength is in you is fortunate, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.^84:6 Passing through the valley of weeping they make it a place of springs. Yes, the early rain covers it with blessings.

^84:7 They go from strength to strength; each one of them appears before God in Zion.

^84:8 O Jehovah God of hosts, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. Selah.

^84:9 Behold, O God our shield and look upon the face of your anointed. ^84:10 Because a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

^84:11 Because Jehovah God is a sun and a shield. Jehovah will give favor and glory. He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly.

^84:12 O Jehovah of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

[Psalm 85] TOC

^85:1 Jehovah, you have been favorable to your land. You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.^85:2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah.

^85:3 You have taken away all your wrath. You have turned from the fierceness of your anger.

^85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation and cause your indignation toward us to cease. ^85:5 Will you be angry with us everlasting? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? ^85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

^85:7 Show us your loving kindness, O Jehovah and grant us your salvation.

^85:8 I will hear what God, Jehovah, will speak, Because he will speak peace to his people and to his holy ones. But do not let them turn again to folly. ^85:9Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

^85:10 Mercy and truth are met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. ^85:11Truth springs out of the earth and righteousness has looked down from heaven.

^85:12 Yes, Jehovah will give what is good and our land will yield its increase. ^85:13 Righteousness will go before him and will make his footsteps a path.

[Psalm 86] TOC

^86:1 Bow down your ear, O Jehovah, and answer me, because I am poor and needy. ^86:2 Preserve my soul, because I am devout. O you my God, save your servant who trusts in you.

^86:3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, because I cry all the day long to you. ^86:4 Rejoice the soul of your servant, because, I lift up my soul to you, O Lord.

^86:5 Because you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive and abundant in loving kindness to all those who call upon you.

^86:6 Listen, O Jehovah, to my prayer and listen to the voice of my supplications. ^86:7 I will call upon you in the day of my trouble, because you will answer me.

^86:8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor like your works. ^86:9 All nations whom you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord and they will glorify your name.

^86:10 Because you are great and do wondrous things. You alone are God.

^86:11 Teach me your way, O Jehovah, I will walk in your truth. Unite my heart to fear your name. ^86:12I will praise you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart and I will glorify your name everlasting.

^86:13 Because great is your loving kindness toward me and you have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.

^86:14 O God, the proud have risen up against me and a company of violent men have sought after my soul and have not set you before them.

^86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth. ^86:16 O turn to me and have mercy upon me. Give your strength to your servant and save the son of your handmaid.

^86:17 Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, Jehovah, have helped me and comforted me.

[Psalm 87] TOC

^87:1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. ^87:2Jehovah loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. ^87:3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah.

^87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among those who know me. Behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This man was born there.

^87:5 Yes, of Zion it will be said, this and that man was born in her and the Most High himself will establish her. ^87:6 Jehovah will count when he writes up the peoples: This man was born there. Selah.

^87:7 Those who sing as well as those who dance will say, All my fountains are in you.

[Psalm 88] TOC

^88:1 O Jehovah, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. ^88:2 Let my prayer enter into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry.

^88:3 Because my soul is full of troubles and my life draws near to Sheol. ^88:4 I am reckoned with those who go down into the pit. I am as a man who has no help, ^88:5 cast off among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more and they are cut off from your hand.

^88:6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, in dark places, in the depths. ^88:7 Your wrath lays hard upon me and you have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah.

^88:8 You have put my acquaintances far from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am shut up and I cannot come forth.

^88:9 My eye wastes away because of affliction. I have called daily upon you, O Jehovah, I have spread forth my hands to you.

^88:10 Will you show wonders to the dead? Shall those who are deceased arise and praise you? Selah.

^88:11 Shall your loving kindness be declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in destruction? ^88:12Shall your wonders be known in the dark and your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

^88:13 But to you, O Jehovah, I have cried and in the morning my prayer will come before you. ^88:14Jehovah, why do you cast off my soul? Why do you hide your face from me? ^88:15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your terrors I am confounded. ^88:16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me. Your terrors have cut me off.

^88:17 They came all around me like water all the day long. They encompassed me around together.^88:18 You have put beloved and friend far from me and my acquaintances into darkness.

[Psalm 89] TOC

^89:1 I will sing of the loving kindness of Jehovah everlasting. I will make known your faithfulness to all generations with my mouth. ^89:2 Because I have said, Mercy will be built up everlasting. Your faithfulness you will establish in the very heavens.

^89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen. I have sworn to David my servant: ^89:4 Your seed I will establish everlasting and build up your throne to all generations. Selah.

^89:5 And the heavens will praise your wonders, O Jehovah, your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

^89:6 Because who in the clouds can be compared to Jehovah? Who among the sons of the mighty is like Jehovah, ^89:7 a God very awesome in the council of the holy ones and to be feared above all those who are all around him?

^89:8 O Jehovah God of hosts, who is a mighty one like you, O Jehovah? And your faithfulness is all around you.

^89:9 You rule the pride of the sea. When the waves of it arise, you still them. ^89:10 You have broken Rahab in pieces, as a wounded man. You have scattered your enemies with the arm of your strength.

^89:11 The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours, the world and the fullness of it; you have founded them. ^89:12 The north and the south, you have created them. Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.

^89:13 You have a mighty arm. Strong is your hand and high is your right hand.

^89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

^89:15 The people who know the shout of you are fortunate. O Jehovah, they walk in the light of your countenance. ^89:16 They rejoice all the day in your name and they are exalted in your righteousness.

^89:17 Because you are the glory of their strength and in your favor our horn will be exalted. ^89:18 Because our shield belongs to Jehovah and our king to the Holy One of Israel.

^89:19 Then you spoke in a vision to your holy ones and said, I have laid help upon a mighty man. I have exalted a chosen man out of the people.

^89:20 I have found David my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil, ^89:21 with whom my hand will be established. My arm also will strengthen him.

^89:22 The enemy will not exact from him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him. ^89:23 And I will beat down his adversaries before him and kill^* those who hate him, ^89:24 but my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him and in my name will his horn be exalted.

^89:25 I will also set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.

^89:26 He will cry to me, You are my Father, my God and the rock of my salvation. ^89:27 I also will make him firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

^89:28 I will keep my loving kindness for him everlasting. And my covenant will stand fast with him.^89:29 I will also make his seed to endure forever and his throne as the days of heaven.

^89:30 If his sons forsake my law and do not walk in my ordinances, ^89:31 if they break my statutes and do not keep my commandments, ^89:32 then I will visit their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, ^89:33 but my loving kindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail.

^89:34 I will not break my covenant, nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips.

^89:35 I have sworn once by my holiness; I will not lie to David. ^89:36 His seed will endure everlasting and his throne as the sun before me. ^89:37 It will be established everlasting as the moon and as the faithful witness in the sky. Selah.

^89:38 But you have cast off and rejected. You have been angry with your anointed. ^89:39 You have spurned the covenant of your servant. You have profaned his crown to the ground. ^89:40 You have broken down all his hedges. You have brought his strongholds to ruin.

^89:41 All who pass by the way rob him. He has become a reproach to his neighbors. ^89:42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have made all his enemies to rejoice.

^89:43 Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword and have not made him to stand in the battle.

^89:44 You have made his brightness to cease and cast his throne down to the ground. ^89:45 The days of his youth you have shortened. You have covered him with shame. Selah.

^89:46 How long, O Jehovah? Will you hide yourself forever? Shall your wrath burn like fire? ^89:47O remember how short my time is, for what vanity you have created all the sons of men!

^89:48 What man is he who will live and not see death, who will deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.

^89:49 Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses, which you swore to David in your faithfulness?

^89:50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants, how I bear in my bosom all the mighty peoples, ^89:51 with which your enemies have reproached, O Jehovah, with which they have reproached the footsteps of your anointed.

^89:52 Praise Jehovah everlasting. Truly and Truly.

[Psalm 90] TOC

^90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling-place in all generations. ^90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or you had ever formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

^90:3 You turn man to destruction and say, Return, you^* the sons of men. ^90:4 Because a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night.

^90:5 You carry them away as with a flood. They are as a sleep. They are like grass which grows up in the morning. ^90:6 In the morning it flourishes and grows up. In the evening it is cut down and withers.

^90:7 Because we are consumed in your anger and in your wrath are we troubled. ^90:8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

^90:9 Because all our days are passed away in your wrath. We bring our years to an end as a sigh.

^90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten, or even by reason of strength eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, because it is soon gone and we fly away.

^90:11 Who knows the power of your anger and your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?

^90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.

^90:13 Return, O Jehovah. How long? And relent concerning your servants. ^90:14 O satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

^90:15 Make us glad according to the days in which you have afflicted us and the years in which we have seen evil.

^90:16 Let your work appear to your servants and your glory upon their sons. ^90:17 And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us. And establish the work of our hands upon us, yes, the work of our hands establish it.

[Psalm 91] TOC

^91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty

^91:2 I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. ^91:3 Because he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

^91:4 He will cover you with his pinions and under his wings will you take refuge. His truth is a shield and a buckler.

^91:5 You will not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day, ^91:6 for the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.

^91:7 A thousand will fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. ^91:8 You will only behold with your eyes and see the reward of the wicked.

^91:9 Because you, O Jehovah, are my refuge! You have made the Most High your dwelling.

^91:10 There will no evil befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent, ^91:11 because he will give his messengers charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. ^91:12 They will bear you up in their hands, lest you smash your foot against a stone.

^91:13 You will tread upon the lion and adder. The young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

^91:14 Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high because he has known my name.

^91:15 He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. ^91:16 I will satisfy him with long life and show him my salvation.

[Psalm 92] TOC

^92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks to Jehovah and to sing praises to your name, O Most High, ^92:2 to show forth your loving kindness in the morning and your faithfulness every night, ^92:3 with an instrument of ten strings and with the psaltery, with a meditation resounding upon the harp.

^92:4 Because you, Jehovah, have made me glad through your work. I will triumph in the works of your hands.

^92:5 How great are your works, O Jehovah! Your thoughts are very deep. ^92:6 A stupid man does not know, nor does a fool understand this.

^92:7 When the wicked spring up like the grass and when all the workers of unrighteousness flourish, it is that they will be destroyed forever, ^92:8 but you, O Jehovah, are on high everlasting.

^92:9 Because behold, your enemies, O Jehovah, for behold, your enemies will perish. All the workers of wickedness will be scattered.

^92:10 But you have exalted my horn like the wild ox's. I am anointed with fresh oil, ^92:11 and my eye has seen my enemies. My ears have heard of the evildoers who rise up against me.

^92:12 A righteous man will flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. ^92:13 Men who are planted in the house of Jehovah will flourish in the courts of our God.

^92:14 They will still bring forth fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green ^92:15 to show that Jehovah is upright. He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in him.

[Psalm 93] TOC

^93:1 Jehovah reigns! He is clothed with majesty. Jehovah is clothed with strength; he has girded himself with it.

The world also is established that it cannot be shaken.

^93:2 Your throne is established of old. You are from everlasting.

^93:3 The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their waves. ^93:4 Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, Jehovah on high is mighty.

^93:5 Your testimonies are very sure. Holiness is lovely to your house, O Jehovah, forever.

[Psalm 94] TOC

^94:1 O Jehovah, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth. ^94:2 Lift up yourself, judge of the earth. Render to the proud a recompense.

^94:3 Jehovah, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph? ^94:4 They pour out words, they speak arrogantly. All the workers of wickedness boast of themselves.

^94:5 They break in pieces your people, O Jehovah and afflict your heritage. ^94:6 They kill the widow and the traveler and murder the fatherless.

^94:7 And they say, Jehovah will not see, nor will the God of Jacob consider.

^94:8 Consider, you^* the stupid among the people and you^* fools, when will you^* be wise? ^94:9 He who planted the ear, will he not hear? He who formed the eye, will he not see?

^94:10 He who disciplines the nations, will he not correct, even he who teaches man knowledge?

^94:11 Jehovah knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

^94:12 The man whom you discipline is fortunate, O Jehovah and teach out of your law, ^94:13 that you may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for a wicked man.

^94:14 Because Jehovah will not cast off his people, nor will he forsake his inheritance. ^94:15 Because judgment will return to righteousness and all the upright in heart will follow it.

^94:16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of wickedness?

^94:17 Unless Jehovah had been my help, my soul would have soon dwelt in silence. ^94:18 When I said, My foot slips, your loving kindness, O Jehovah, held me up. ^94:19 Your comforts delight my soul in the multitude of my thoughts within me.

^94:20 Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with you, which frames mischief by statute? ^94:21 They gather themselves together against the soul of a righteous man and condemn innocent blood.

^94:22 But Jehovah has been my high tower and my God, the rock of my refuge.

^94:23 And he has brought upon them their own wickedness and will cut them off in their own wickedness. Jehovah our God will cut them off.

[Psalm 95] TOC

^95:1 O come, let us sing to Jehovah. Let us shout to the rock of our salvation. ^95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanks-giving. Let us shout to him with songs.

^95:3 Because Jehovah is a great God and a great King above all gods. ^95:4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his.^95:5 The sea is his and he made it. And his hands formed the dry land.

^95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before Jehovah our maker. ^95:7 Because he is our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

Today, O that you^* would hear his voice! ^95:8Harden not your^* heart, as in the provocation, as the day of trial in the wilderness, ^95:9 where your^* fathers challenged me, proved me and saw my work.

^95:10 Forty years long I was grieved with that generation and said, It is a people that do go-astray in their heart and they have not known my ways. ^95:11Therefore I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

[Psalm 96] TOC

^96:1 O sing to Jehovah a new song. Sing to Jehovah, all the earth. ^96:2 Sing to Jehovah, bless his name. Show forth his salvation from day to day. ^96:3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

^96:4 Because great is Jehovah and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. ^96:5 Because all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Jehovah made the heavens. ^96:6 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

^96:7 Give to Jehovah, you^* kindred of the peoples. Give to Jehovah glory and strength. ^96:8Give to Jehovah the glory due to his name. Bring an offering and come into his courts. ^96:9 O worship Jehovah in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth.

^96:10 Say among the nations, Jehovah reigns! The world also is established that it cannot be shaken. He will judge the peoples with uprightness.

^96:11 Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar and the fullness of it. ^96:12 Let the field rejoice and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the wood will sing for joy ^96:13 before Jehovah, because he comes. Because he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

[Psalm 97] TOC

^97:1 Jehovah reigns! Let the earth rejoice. Let the multitude of isles be glad. ^97:2 Clouds and darkness are all around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

^97:3 A fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. ^97:4 His lightnings lightened the world. The earth saw and trembled. ^97:5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Jehovah, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

^97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness and all the peoples have seen his glory.

^97:7 Let all those be put to shame who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols. Bow yourselves to him, all you^* gods.

^97:8 Zion heard and was glad and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of your judgments, O Jehovah. ^97:9 Because you, Jehovah, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.

^97:10 O you^* who love Jehovah, hate evil.

He preserves the souls of his holy ones. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

^97:11 Light is sown for the righteous man and gladness for the upright in heart.

^97:12 Be glad in Jehovah, you^* righteous and give thanks to the memory of his holiness.

[Psalm 98] TOC

^98:1 O sing to Jehovah a new song, because he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm, has worked salvation for him. ^98:2 Jehovah has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

^98:3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

^98:4 Shout to Jehovah, all the earth. Break forth and sing for joy, yes, sing praises.

^98:5 Sing praises to Jehovah with the harp. With the harp and the voice of melody, ^98:6 with trumpets and sound of cornet, shout before the King Jehovah.

^98:7 Let the sea roar and the fullness of it, the world and those who dwell in it. ^98:8 Let the floods clap their hands. Let the hills sing for joy together ^98:9before Jehovah, because he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with uprightness.

[Psalm 99] TOC

^99:1 Jehovah reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits above the cherubim, let the earth be moved. ^99:2Jehovah is great in Zion and he is high above all the peoples.

^99:3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he.

^99:4 The king’s strength also loves justice. You establish uprightness. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.

^99:5 Exalt Jehovah our God and worship at his footstool. Holy is he.

^99:6 Moses and Aaron among his priests and Samuel among those who call upon his name, they called upon Jehovah and he answered them.

^99:7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.

^99:8 You answered them, O Jehovah our God. You were a God who forgave them, though you took vengeance on their practices.

^99:9 Exalt Jehovah our God and worship at his holy hill. Because Jehovah our God is holy.

[Psalm 100] TOC

^100:1 Shout to Jehovah, all you^* lands. ^100:2 Serve Jehovah with gladness. Come before his presence with singing.

^100:3 Know that Jehovah, he is God. It is he who has made us and we are his. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

^100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. ^100:5 Because Jehovah is good. His loving kindness is everlasting and his faithfulness to all generations.

[Psalm 101] TOC

^101:1 I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, O Jehovah, I will sing praises. ^101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

^101:3 I will set no wicked speech before my eyes. I hate the work of those who turn aside. It will not cleave to me. ^101:4 A perverse heart will depart from me. I will know no evil thing.

^101:5 He who slanders his neighbor secretly, I will destroy him. He who has a high look and a proud heart I will not endure.

^101:6 My eyes will be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will minister to me.

^101:7 He who works deceit will not dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood will not be established before my eyes.

^101:8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to cut off all the workers of wickedness from the city of Jehovah.

[Psalm 102] TOC

^102:1 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah and let my cry come to you. ^102:2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me. Answer me speedily in the day when I call.

^102:3 Because my days consume away like smoke and my bones are burned as a firebrand. ^102:4 My heart is struck like grass and withered, because I forget to eat my bread. ^102:5 Because of the voice of my groaning my bones cling to my flesh.

^102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places. ^102:7 I watch and have become like a sparrow that is alone upon the house-top.

^102:8 My enemies reproach me all the day. Those who are mad against me curse by me. ^102:9 Because I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping, ^102:10 because of your indignation and your wrath. Because you have taken me up and cast me away.

^102:11 My days are like a shadow that declines and I am withered like grass.

^102:12 But you, O Jehovah, will abide everlasting and your memorial to all generations. ^102:13 You will arise and have mercy upon Zion, because it is time to have pity upon her, yes, the set time has come. ^102:14 Because your servants take pleasure in her stones and have pity upon her dust.

^102:15 So the nations will fear the name of Jehovah and all the kings of the earth your glory.^102:16 Because Jehovah has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.

^102:17 He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer.

^102:18 This will be written for the generation to come. And a people which will be created will praise Jehovah.

^102:19 Because he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven Jehovah beheld the earth, ^102:20 to hear the sighing of the prisoner, to loose those who are appointed to death, ^102:21 that men may declare the name of Jehovah in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem, ^102:22 when the peoples are gathered together and the kingdoms to serve Jehovah.

^102:23 He humbled my strength in the way. He shortened my days. ^102:24 I said, O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.

^102:25 You laid of old the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands. ^102:26 They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will grow old like a garment. As a raiment you will change them and they will be changed, ^102:27 but you are the same and your years will have no end.

^102:28 The sons of your servants will continue and their seed will be established before you.

[Psalm 103] TOC

^103:1 Praise Jehovah, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name.

^103:2 Praise Jehovah, O my soul and do not forget all his benefits, ^103:3 who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, ^103:4 who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, ^103:5 who satisfies your desire with good things and your youth is renewed like the eagle.

^103:6 Jehovah executes righteous acts and judgments for all who are oppressed. ^103:7 He made known his ways to Moses, his practices to the sons of Israel. ^103:8 Jehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness.

^103:9 He will not always contend, nor will he keep it everlasting. ^103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

^103:11 Because as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him. ^103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

^103:13 Like as a father pities his sons, So Jehovah pities those who fear him. ^103:14 Because he knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.

^103:15 As for man, his days are as grass, as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. ^103:16 Because the wind passes over it and it has gone and the place of it will know it no more.

^103:17 But the loving kindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him and his righteousness to son's sons, ^103:18 to such as keep his covenant and to those who remember his precepts to do them.

^103:19 Jehovah has established his throne in the heavens and his kingdom rules over all.

^103:20 Praise Jehovah, you^* his messengers, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, listening to the voice of his word.

^103:21 Praise Jehovah, all you^* his hosts, you^* ministers of his, who do his pleasure. ^103:22 Praise Jehovah, all you^* his works in all places of his dominion.

Praise Jehovah, O my soul.

[Psalm 104] TOC

^104:1 Praise Jehovah, O my soul.

O Jehovah my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, ^104:2 who covers yourself with light as with a garment, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, ^104:3 who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters, who makes the clouds his chariot, who walks upon the wings of the wind, ^104:4 who makes his messengers spirits, his ministers a flame of fire, ^104:5 who laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be shaken everlasting and forever.

^104:6 You covered it with the deep as with a raiment. The waters stood above the mountains. ^104:7At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hastened away.

^104:8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place which you had founded for them. ^104:9You have set a bound that they may not pass over, that they do not turn again to cover the earth.

^104:10 He sends forth springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains. ^104:11 They give drink to every beast of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

^104:12 The birds of the heavens have their dwelling by them. They sing among the branches. ^104:13 He waters the mountains from his chambers. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works.

^104:14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle and herbage for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth, ^104:15 and wine that gladdens the heart of man and oil to make his face to shine and bread that strengthens man's heart.

^104:16 The trees of Jehovah are full, the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted, ^104:17 where the birds make their nests. As for the stork, the fir trees are her house. ^104:18 The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock-baggers.

^104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows his going down. ^104:20 You make darkness and it is night, during which all the beasts of the forest creep forth.

^104:21 The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God. ^104:22 The sun arises; they get away and lie down in their dens.

^104:23 Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until the evening.

^104:24 O Jehovah, how great are your works! You have made them all in wisdom. The earth is full of your riches.

^104:25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable creeping things, both small and great beasts. ^104:26 There go the ships. There is leviathan, whom you have formed to play in it.

^104:27 These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season. ^104:28 You give to them, they gather. You open your hand, they are satisfied with good.

^104:29 You hide your face, they are troubled. You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

^104:30 You send forth your Spirit, they are created and you renew the face of the ground.

^104:31 Let the glory of Jehovah endure everlasting. Let Jehovah rejoice in his works, ^104:32 who looks on the earth and it trembles. He touches the mountains and they smoke.

^104:33 I will sing to Jehovah as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.^104:34 Let your meditation be sweet to him. I will rejoice in Jehovah.

^104:35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth and let the wicked be no more.

Praise Jehovah, O my soul. Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 105] TOC

^105:1 O give thanks to Jehovah, call upon his name. Make known among the peoples his practices.^105:2 Sing to him, sing praises to him. Talk of all his marvelous works.

^105:3 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Jehovah rejoice. ^105:4 Seek Jehovah and his strength. Seek his face continually.

^105:5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,^105:6 O you^* seed of Abraham his servant, you^* sons of Jacob, his chosen. ^105:7 He is Jehovah our God. His judgments are in all the earth.

^105:8 He has remembered his covenant everlasting, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, ^105:9 which he made with Abraham and his oath to Isaac, ^105:10 and confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, to Israel for an everlasting covenant, ^105:11 saying, To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your^* inheritance, ^105:12 when they were but a few men in number, yes, very few and travelers in it.

^105:13 And they went about from nation to nation, From one kingdom to another people. ^105:14 He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, ^105:15 saying, Touch not my anointed men and do my prophets no harm.

^105:16 And he called for a famine upon the land. He broke the whole staff of bread. ^105:17 He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a servant.

^105:18 They hurt his feet with fetters. He was placed in iron. ^105:19 Until the time that his word happened, the word of Jehovah tried him.

^105:20 The king sent and released him, even the ruler of peoples and let him go free. ^105:21 He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his substance,^105:22 to bind his rulers at his pleasure and teach his elders wisdom.

^105:23 Israel also came into Egypt and Jacob traveled in the land of Ham.

^105:24 And he increased his people greatly and made them stronger than their adversaries. ^105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.

^105:26 He sent Moses his servant and Aaron whom he had chosen. ^105:27 They set among them his signs and wonders in the land of Ham.

^105:28 He sent darkness and made it dark. And they rebelled against his words.

^105:29 He turned their waters into blood and killed their fish. ^105:30 Their land swarmed with frogs in the chambers of their kings.

^105:31 He spoke and there came swarms of flies and lice in all their borders.

^105:32 He gave them hail for rain and flaming fire in their land. ^105:33 He also killed^* their vines and their fig trees and broke the trees of their borders.

^105:34 He spoke and the locust came and the grasshopper and that without number, ^105:35 and ate up every herb in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground.

^105:36 He also killed^* all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

^105:37 And he brought them forth with silver and gold and there was not a feeble soul among his tribes. ^105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed, because the fear of them had fallen upon them.

^105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering and fire to give light in the night. ^105:40 They asked and he brought quails and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

^105:41 He opened the rock and waters gushed out. They ran in the dry places like a river.

^105:42 Because he remembered his holy word and Abraham his servant. ^105:43 And he brought out his people with joy and his chosen with singing.

^105:44 And he gave them the lands of the nations and they took the labor of the peoples in possession,^105:45 that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 106] TOC

^106:1 Praise Jehovah. O give thanks to Jehovah, because he is good, because his loving kindness is everlasting. ^106:2 Who can utter the mighty acts of Jehovah, or show forth all his praise?

^106:3 Those who keep justice are fortunate and he who does righteousness at all times.

^106:4 Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor that you bear to your people. O visit me with your salvation, ^106:5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.

^106:6 We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly.

^106:7 Our fathers did not understand your wonders in Egypt. They did not remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.

^106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

^106:9 He also rebuked the Red Sea and it was dried up. So he led them through the depths as through a wilderness. ^106:10 And he saved them from the hand of him who hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

^106:11 And the waters covered their adversaries; there was not one of them left. ^106:12 Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.

^106:13 They soon forgot his works. They did not wait for his counsel, ^106:14 but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and challenged God in the desert. ^106:15And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.

^106:16 They also envied Moses in the camp and Aaron the holy ones of Jehovah. ^106:17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.

^106:18 And a fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the wicked men.

^106:19 They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a molten image. ^106:20 Thus they changed their glory for the likeness of an ox that eats grass.

^106:21 They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, ^106:22 wondrous works in the land of Ham and fearful things by the Red Sea.

^106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy.

^106:24 Yes, they despised the desirable land. They did not believe his word, ^106:25 but murmured in their tents and did not listen to the voice of Jehovah.

^106:26 Therefore he swore to them, that he would overthrow them in the wilderness, ^106:27 and that he would overthrow their seed among the nations and scatter them in the lands.

^106:28 They also joined themselves to Baal of Peor {Baal-peor} and ate the sacrifices of the dead.^106:29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their practices and the plague broke in upon them.

^106:30 Then Phinehas stood up and executed judgment and so the plague was restrained. ^106:31 And that was reckoned to him for righteousness to generation and generation until everlasting.

^106:32 They also angered him at the waters of Meribah, so that it went ill with Moses because of them, ^106:33 because they were rebellious against his spirit and he spoke ill-advisedly with his lips.

^106:34 They did not destroy the peoples, as Jehovah commanded them, ^106:35 but mingled themselves with the nations and learned their works,^106:36 and served their idols, which became a snare to them.

^106:37 Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, ^106:38 and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. And the land was polluted with blood.

^106:39 Thus they were defiled with their works and played the prostitute in their practices.

^106:40 Therefore the wrath of Jehovah was kindled against his people and he detested his inheritance. ^106:41 And he gave them into the hand of the nations. And those who hated them, ruled over them. ^106:42Their enemies also oppressed them and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

^106:43 Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their counsel and were brought low in their iniquity.

^106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress when he heard their cry. ^106:45 And he remembered his covenant for them and relented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. ^106:46 He also made them to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.

^106:47 Save us, O Jehovah our God and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name and to triumph in your praise.

^106:48 Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, Truly. Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 107] TOC

^107:1 O give thanks to Jehovah. Because he is good, because his loving kindness is everlasting. ^107:2 Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary, ^107:3 and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

^107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city of dwelling. ^107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

^107:6 Then they cried to Jehovah in their trouble and he delivered them out of their distresses. ^107:7 He also led them by a straight way, that they might go to a city of dwelling.

^107:8 O that men would praise Jehovah for his loving kindness and for his wonderful works to the sons of men!

^107:9 Because he satisfies the longing soul and he fills the hungry soul with good, ^107:10 even those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron, ^107:11 because they rebelled against the words of God and scorned the counsel of the Most High.

^107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down and there was none to help.

^107:13 Then they cried to Jehovah in their trouble and he saved them out of their distresses. ^107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bonds apart.

^107:15 O that men would praise Jehovah for his loving kindness and for his wonderful works to the sons of men!

^107:16 Because he has broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron apart. ^107:17 Fools are afflicted because of their transgression and because of their iniquities. ^107:18 Their soul abhors all manner of food and they draw near to the gates of death.

^107:19 Then they cry to Jehovah in their trouble and he saves them out of their distresses. ^107:20 He sends his word and heals them and delivers them from their destructions.

^107:21 O that men would praise Jehovah for his loving kindness and for his wonderful works to the sons of men! ^107:22 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare his works with singing.

^107:23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters, ^107:24 these men see the works of Jehovah and his wonders in the deep.

^107:25 For he commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of it. ^107:26 They mountain up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.^107:27 They reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man and are at their wits' end.

^107:28 Then they cry to Jehovah in their trouble and he brings them out of their distresses. ^107:29 He makes the storm a calm, so that the waves of it are still. ^107:30 Then they are glad because they are quiet, so he brings them to their desired haven.

^107:31 O that men would praise Jehovah for his loving kindness and for his wonderful works to the sons of men! ^107:32 Let them also exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the seat of the elders.

^107:33 He turns rivers into a wilderness and water springs into a thirsty ground, ^107:34 a fruitful land into a salt desert, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.

^107:35 He turns a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry land into water springs. ^107:36 And he makes the hungry to dwell there, that they may prepare a city of dwelling, ^107:37 and sow fields and plant vineyards and get fruits of increase.

^107:38 He also blesses them, so that they are multiplied greatly and he does not allow their cattle to decrease.

^107:39 Again, they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, trouble and sorrow. ^107:40He pours contempt upon nobles and makes them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

^107:41 Yet he sets a needy man on high from affliction and makes him families like a flock. ^107:42The upright will see it and be glad. And all unrighteousness will stop her mouth.

^107:43 He who is wise will give heed to these things and they will consider the loving kindnesses of Jehovah.

[Psalm 108] TOC

^108:1 My heart is fixed, O God, I will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory. ^108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp. I myself will awaken the dawn.

^108:3 I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, among the peoples and I will sing praises to you among the nations.

^108:4 Because your loving kindness is great above the heavens and your truth is to the skies.

^108:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens and your glory above all the earth. ^108:6 That your beloved may be delivered, save with your right hand and answer us.

^108:7 God has spoken in his holiness. I will rejoice. I will divide Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth. ^108:8 Gilead is mine. Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is the defense of my head. Judah is my scepter.

^108:9 Moab is my wash pot. I will cast my shoe upon Edom. I will shout over Philistia.

^108:10 Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who has led me to Edom? ^108:11 Have you not cast us off, O God? And you do not go forth, O God, with our armies. ^108:12 Give us help against the adversary, for vain is the help of man.

^108:13 Through God we will do valiantly, for he it is who will tread down our adversaries.

[Psalm 109] TOC

^109:1 Do not hold your peace, O God of my praise, ^109:2 because they have opened against me the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue. ^109:3 They have also encompassed me about with words of hatred and fought against me without a cause.

^109:4 They are my adversaries instead of my love, but I make prayer. ^109:5 And they have rewarded me evil for good and hatred for my love.

^109:6 Set a wicked man over him and let an adversary stand at his right hand. ^109:7 When he is judged, let him come out guilty and let his prayer be turned into sin. ^109:8 Let his days be few and let another take his office.

^109:9 Let his sons be fatherless and his wife a widow. ^109:10 Let his sons be vagabonds and beg and let them seek out of their desolate places. ^109:11 Let a creditor exact all that he has and let strangers make spoil of his labor.

^109:12 Let there be none to prolong kindness to him, nor let there be any to have pity on his fatherless sons. ^109:13 Let his posterity be cut off. Let their name be blotted out in the following generation.

^109:14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with Jehovah and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.

^109:15 Let them be before Jehovah continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth, ^109:16 because he did not remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man and the broken in heart, to kill.

^109:17 Yes, he loved cursing and it came to him. And he did not delight in blessing and it was far from him.

^109:18 He also clothed himself with cursing as with his garment and it came into his inward parts like water and like oil into his bones. ^109:19 Let it be to him as the garments with which he covers himself and for the belt with which he is girded continually.

^109:20 This is the reward of my adversaries from Jehovah and of those who speak evil against my soul.

^109:21 But deal with me, O Jehovah the Lord, for your name's sake. Because your loving kindness is good, deliver me, ^109:22 because I am poor and needy and my heart is wounded within me.

^109:23 I have gone like the shadow when it declines. I am tossed up and down as the locust. ^109:24 My knees are weak through fasting and my flesh fails of fatness.

^109:25 I also have become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.

^109:26 Help me, O Jehovah my God. O save me according to your loving kindness, ^109:27 that they may know that this is your hand, that you, Jehovah, have done it.

^109:28 Let them curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.

^109:29 Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor and let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.

^109:30 I will give great thanks to Jehovah with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among the multitude.^109:31 Because he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.

[Psalm 110] TOC

^110:1 Jehovah says to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.

^110:2 Jehovah will send forth the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies. ^110:3 Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning you have the dew of your youth.

^110:4 Jehovah has sworn and will not repent. You are a everlasting priest after the order of Melchizedek.

^110:5 The Lord at your right hand will strike through kings in the day of his wrath. ^110:6 He will judge among the nations. He will fill with dead bodies. He will strike through the head in many countries. ^110:7 He will drink of the brook in the way, therefore he will lift up the head.

[Psalm 111] TOC

^111:1 Praise Jehovah. I will give thanks to Jehovah with my whole heart, in the council of the upright and in the congregation.

^111:2 The works of Jehovah are great, sought out by all those who have pleasure in it.

^111:3 His work is honor and majesty and his righteousness endures everlasting.

^111:4 He has made his wonderful works to be remembered. Jehovah is gracious and merciful.

^111:5 He has given food to those who fear him. He will ever be mindful of his everlasting covenant.

^111:6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

^111:7 The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure. ^111:8 They are established everlasting and forever. They are done in truth and uprightness.

^111:9 He has sent redemption to his people. He has commanded his everlasting covenant. Holy and reverend is his name.

^111:10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom and all who act accordingly have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever.

[Psalm 112] TOC

^112:1 Praise Jehovah. The man is fortunate who fears Jehovah, who delights greatly in his commandments. ^112:2 His seed will be mighty upon earth. The generation of the upright will be blessed.

^112:3 Wealth and riches are in his house and his righteousness endures forever. ^112:4 To the upright there arises light in the darkness. He is gracious and merciful and righteous.

^112:5 It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment,^112:6 because he will never be moved. The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

^112:7 He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah. ^112:8 His heart is established, he will not be afraid, even until he looks over his adversaries.

^112:9 He has scattered, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.

^112:10 A wicked man will see it and be grieved. He will gnash with his teeth and melt away. The desire of wicked men will perish.

[Psalm 113] TOC

^113:1 Praise Jehovah. Praise him, O you^* servants of Jehovah. Praise the name of Jehovah. ^113:2 Praised is the name of Jehovah from this time forth and everlasting. ^113:3 From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same Jehovah's name is to be praised.

^113:4 Jehovah is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens. ^113:5 Who is like Jehovah our God who has his seat on high, ^113:6 and yet looks upon the low things in heaven and in the earth.

^113:7 He raises up a poor man out of the dust and lifts up a needy man from the dunghill, ^113:8 that he may set him with nobles, even with the nobles of his people. ^113:9 He makes the barren woman to keep house, a joyful mother of sons.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 114] TOC

^114:1 When Israel went forth out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,^114:2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

^114:3 The sea saw it and fled. The Jordan was driven back. ^114:4 The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs.

^114:5 What is it to you, O you the sea, that you flee? You Jordan, that you turn back? ^114:6 You^* mountains, that you^* skip like rams, you^* little hills, like lambs?

^114:7 Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, ^114:8 who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

[Psalm 115] TOC

^115:1 Not to us, O Jehovah, not to us, but to your name give glory. Upon your loving kindness and upon your truth's sake.

^115:2 Why should the nations say, Where is their God now? ^115:3 But our God is in the heavens. He has done whatever he pleased.

^115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ^115:5 They have mouths, but they do not speak. They have eyes, but they do not see. ^115:6 They have ears, but they do not hear. They have noses, but they do not smell. ^115:7 They have hands, but they do not handle. They have feet, but they do not walk, nor do they speak through their throat.

^115:8 Those who make them will be like them. Yes, everyone who trusts in them.

^115:9 O Israel, trust in Jehovah. He is their help and their shield. ^115:10 O house of Aaron, trust in Jehovah. He is their help and their shield.^115:11 You^* who fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah. He is their help and their shield.

^115:12 Jehovah has been mindful of us. He will bless, he will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.

^115:13 He will bless those who fear Jehovah, both small and great. ^115:14 Jehovah increase you^* more and more, you^* and your^* sons.

^115:15 Blessed are you^* of Jehovah who made heaven and earth.

^115:16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah, but the earth he has given to the sons of men.

^115:17 The dead do not praise Jehovah, nor any who go down into silence, ^115:18 but we will praise Jehovah from this time forth and everlasting.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 116] TOC

^116:1 I love Jehovah because he hears my voice and my supplications. ^116:2 Because he has inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call as long as I live.

^116:3 The cords of death encompassed me and the pains of Sheol found me. I found trouble and sorrow. ^116:4 Then I called upon the name of Jehovah. O Jehovah, I beseech you, deliver my soul.

^116:5 Gracious is Jehovah and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful. ^116:6 Jehovah preserves the simple. I was brought low and he saved me.

^116:7 Return to your rest, O my soul, because Jehovah has dealt bountifully with you. ^116:8 Because you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from falling.

^116:9 I will walk before Jehovah in the land of the living.

^116:10 I believed, because I have spoken, but I was greatly afflicted. ^116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.

^116:12 What shall I render to Jehovah for all his benefits toward me? ^116:13 I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of Jehovah. ^116:14 I will pay my vows to Jehovah, yes, in the presence of all his people.

^116:15 Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his holy ones.

^116:16 O Jehovah, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds.

^116:17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of Jehovah. ^116:18 I will pay my vows to Jehovah, yes, in the presence of all his people, ^116:19 in the courts of Jehovah's house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 117] TOC

^117:1 O praise Jehovah, all you^* Gentiles, laud him, all you^* peoples.

^117:2 Because his loving kindness is great toward us and the truth of Jehovah is everlasting.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 118] TOC

^118:1 O give thanks to Jehovah, because he is good, because his loving kindness is everlasting.

^118:2 Let Israel now say that his loving kindness is everlasting.

^118:3 Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness is everlasting.

^118:4 Let those now who fear Jehovah say that his loving kindness is everlasting.

^118:5 I called upon Jehovah out of my distress. Jehovah answered me upon a large place. ^118:6Jehovah is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do to me? ^118:7 Jehovah is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look upon those who hate me.

^118:8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah than to put confidence in man. ^118:9 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah than to put confidence in nobles.

^118:10 All nations encompassed me around. I will cut them off in the name of Jehovah. ^118:11 They encompassed me around, yes, they encompassed me around. I will cut them off in the name of Jehovah.^118:12 They encompassed me around like bees. They are quenched as the fire of thorns. I will cut them off in the name of Jehovah.

^118:13 You thrust greatly at me that I might fall, but Jehovah helped me.

^118:14 Jehovah is my strength and song and he has become my salvation. ^118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous.

The right hand of Jehovah does valiantly. ^118:16The right hand of Jehovah is exalted. The right hand of Jehovah does valiantly.

^118:17 I will not die, but live and declare the works of Jehovah. ^118:18 Jehovah has disciplined me greatly, but he has not given me over to death.

^118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Jehovah.^118:20 This is the gate of Jehovah. The righteous will enter into it. ^118:21 I will give thanks to you, because you have answered me and have become my salvation.

^118:22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. ^118:23 This is from Jehovah. It is marvelous in our eyes.

^118:24 This is the day which Jehovah has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

^118:25 Save now, we beseech you, O Jehovah. O Jehovah, we beseech you, send now prosperity.

^118:26 He who comes in the name of Jehovah is blessed. We have blessed you^* out of the house of Jehovah.

^118:27 Jehovah is God and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar. ^118:28 You are my God and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.

^118:29 O give thanks to Jehovah, because he is good, because his loving kindness is everlasting.

[Psalm 119] TOC

^119:1 Those who are perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah are fortunate. ^119:2 Those who keep his testimonies, that seek him with the whole heart are fortunate. ^119:3 Yes, they do no unrighteousness. They walk in his ways. ^119:4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should observe them diligently.

^119:5 O that my ways were established to observe your statutes! ^119:6 Then I will not be put to shame when I have respect for all your commandments. ^119:7I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart when I learn your righteous judgments. ^119:8 I will observe your statutes. O forsake me not utterly.

^119:9 With what will a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word. ^119:10I have sought you with my whole heart. O do not let me wander from your commandments. ^119:11 I have laid your word up in my heart that I might not sin against you.

^119:12 Praise you, O Jehovah. Teach me your statutes. ^119:13 I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth with my lips. ^119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies as much as in all riches.^119:15I will meditate on your precepts and have respect for your ways. ^119:16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.

^119:17 Deal bountifully with your servant that I may live, so I will observe your word. ^119:18 Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. ^119:19 I am a traveler in the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me. ^119:20 My soul breaks for the longing that it has to your ordinances at all times.

^119:21 You have rebuked the proud, who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.

^119:22 Take away from me reproach and contempt, because I have kept your testimonies. ^119:23Rulers also sat and talked against me, but your servant meditated on your statutes.

^119:24 Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. ^119:25 My soul clings to the dust. Give me life according to your word. ^119:26 I declared my ways and you answered me. Teach me your statutes. ^119:27 Make me to understand the way of your precepts, so I will meditate on your wondrous works.

^119:28 My soul melts for heaviness. Strengthen me according to your word. ^119:29 Remove from me the way of falsehood and grant me your law graciously.

^119:30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness. I have set your ordinances. ^119:31 I cling to your testimonies. O Jehovah, put me not to shame. ^119:32 I will run the way of your commandments because you will enlarge my heart.

^119:33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of your statutes and I will keep it to the end. ^119:34 Give me understanding and I will keep your law, yes, I will observe it with my whole heart. ^119:35 Make me to go in the path of your commandments, because I do delight in it. ^119:36 Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to covetousness.

^119:37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity and give me life in your ways. ^119:38 Confirm to your servant your word, which is for the fear of you. ^119:39Turn away my reproach of which I am afraid, because your ordinances are good. ^119:40 Behold, I have longed after your precepts. Give me life in your righteousness.

^119:41 Let your loving kindnesses also come to me, O Jehovah, even your salvation, according to your word. ^119:42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, because I trust in your word.

^119:43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, because I have hoped in your ordinances.^119:44 So shall I observe your law continually everlasting and forever. ^119:45 And I will walk at liberty, because I have sought your precepts.

^119:46 I also will speak of your testimonies before kings and will not be put to shame. ^119:47 And I will delight myself in your commandments, which I have loved. ^119:48 I will also lift up my hands to your commandments, which I have loved and I will meditate on your statutes.

^119:49 Remember the word to your servant, because you have made me to hope. ^119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, because your word has revived me.

^119:51 The proud scoff at me greatly, yet I have not swerved from your law. ^119:52 I have remembered your everlasting ordinances, O Jehovah and have comforted myself. ^119:53 Hot indignation has taken hold upon me because of the wicked who forsake your law.

^119:54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. ^119:55 I have remembered your name, O Jehovah, in the night and have observed your law. ^119:56 I have had this because I have kept your precepts.

^119:57 Jehovah is my portion; I have said that I would observe your words. ^119:58 I entreated your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word. ^119:59 I thought on my ways and turned my feet to your testimonies. ^119:60 I made haste and delayed not, to observe your commandments.

^119:61 The cords of the wicked have wrapped me around, but I have not forgotten your law.

^119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you because of your righteous ordinances. ^119:63 I am a companion of all those who fear you and of those who observe your precepts.

^119:64 The earth, O Jehovah, is full of your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes. ^119:65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Jehovah, according to your word.

^119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, because I have believed in your commandments.

^119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I observe your word. ^119:68 You are good and do good. Teach me your statutes.

^119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me. I will keep your precepts with my whole heart. ^119:70Their heart is like fat like grease, but I delight in your law.

^119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. ^119:72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.

^119:73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. ^119:74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have hoped in your word.^119:75 I know, O Jehovah, that your judgments are righteous and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

^119:76 I beseech you, let your loving kindness be for my comfort according to your word to your servant. ^119:77 Let your tender mercies come to me that I may live, because your law is my delight.

^119:78 Let the proud be put to shame, because they have overthrown me wrongfully.

I will meditate on your precepts. ^119:79 Let those who fear you turn to me and they will know your testimonies. ^119:80 Let my heart be perfect in your statutes that I am not put to shame.

^119:81 My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word. ^119:82 My eyes fail for your word, while I say, When will you comfort me? ^119:83 Because I have become like a wine-skin in the smoke. Yet I do not forget your statutes.

^119:84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me? ^119:85 The proud have dug pits for me, who are not according to your law. ^119:86 All your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me. ^119:87 They had almost consumed me upon earth, but I did not forsake your precepts. ^119:88 Revive me according to your loving kindness, so I will observe the testimony of your mouth.

^119:89 Everlasting, O Jehovah, your word is settled in heaven. ^119:90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth and it abides. ^119:91They abide this day according to your ordinances, because all things are your servants.

^119:92 Unless your law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction. ^119:93 I will never forget your precepts, because you have given me life with them. ^119:94 I am yours. Save me, because I have sought your precepts. ^119:95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your testimonies.

^119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection. Your commandment is exceedingly broad. ^119:97 O how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

^119:98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, because they are everlasting with me. ^119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, because your testimonies are my meditation. ^119:100 I understand more than the aged because I have kept your precepts.

^119:101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. ^119:102 I have not turned aside from your ordinances, because you have taught me.

^119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, than honey to my mouth! ^119:104 Through your precepts I get understanding. Therefore I hate every false way.

^119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. ^119:106 I have sworn and have confirmed it, that I will observe your righteous ordinances.

^119:107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, O Jehovah, according to your word. ^119:108 I beseech you, accept the free-will offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah and teach me your ordinances. ^119:109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget your law. ^119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone-astray from your precepts.

^119:111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage everlasting, because they are the rejoicing of my heart.

^119:112 I have inclined my heart to perform your everlasting statutes, even to the end.

^119:113 I hate those who are of a double mind, but I love your law. ^119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. ^119:115 Depart from me, you^* evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

^119:116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live and do not let me be ashamed of my hope.^119:117 Hold me up and I will be safe and will have respect for your statutes continually.

^119:118 You have tossed-aside all those who go astray from your statutes, because their deceit is falsehood. ^119:119You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.

^119:120 My flesh trembles for fear of you and I am afraid of your judgments. ^119:121 I have done justice and righteousness. Do not leave me to my oppressors.^119:122 Be a surety for your servant for good. Do not let the proud oppress me. ^119:123 My eyes fail for your salvation and for your righteous word.

^119:124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness and teach me your statutes. ^119:125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

^119:126 It is time for Jehovah to work. They have made void your law. ^119:127 Therefore I love your commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold.^119:128 Therefore I esteem all precepts concerning all things to be right. I hate every false way.

^119:129 Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. ^119:130 The opening of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. ^119:131 I opened wide my mouth and panted, because I longed for your commandments.

^119:132 Turn to me and have mercy upon me, as you used to do to those who love your name. ^119:133Establish my footsteps in your word and do not let any wickedness have dominion over me.

^119:134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.

^119:135 Make your face to shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes. ^119:136 Streams of water run down my eyes, because they do not observe your law.

^119:137 You are righteous, O Jehovah and upright are your judgments. ^119:138 You have commanded your testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.

^119:139 My zeal has consumed me, because my adversaries have forgotten your words. ^119:140 Your word is very pure, therefore your servant loves it.

^119:141 I am small and despised. I do not forget your precepts. ^119:142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness and your law is truth. ^119:143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me. Your commandments are my delight.

^119:144 Your testimonies are everlasting righteous. Give me understanding and I will live. ^119:145 I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, O Jehovah. I will keep your statutes. ^119:146 I have called to you. Save me and I will observe your testimonies.

^119:147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning and cried. I hoped in your words. ^119:148 My eyes anticipated the night-watches that I might meditate on your word.

^119:149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Give me life, O Jehovah, according to your ordinances.

^119:150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.

^119:151 You are near, O Jehovah and all your commandments are truth. ^119:152 Of long-ago I have known from your testimonies because you have founded them everlasting.

^119:153 Consider my affliction and deliver me, because I do not forget your law. ^119:154 Plead my cause and redeem me. Give me life according to your word.

^119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked, because they do not seek your statutes.

^119:156 Great are your tender mercies, O Jehovah. Give me life according to your ordinances.

^119:157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I have not swerved from your testimonies. ^119:158 I beheld the treacherous and was grieved because they do not observe your word.

^119:159 Consider when I love your precepts. Give me life, O Jehovah, according to your loving kindness.

^119:160 The total of your word is truth and every one of your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

^119:161 Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

^119:162 I rejoice at your word, as he who finds great spoil. ^119:163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.

^119:164 Seven times a day I praise you because of your righteous ordinances.

^119:165 Those who love your law have great peace and they have no occasion of stumbling. ^119:166 I have hoped for your salvation, O Jehovah and have done your commandments. ^119:167 My soul has observed your testimonies and I love them exceedingly. ^119:168I have observed your precepts and your testimonies, because all my ways are before you.

^119:169 Let my cry come near before you, O Jehovah. Give me understanding according to your word. ^119:170 Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word. ^119:171 Let my lips pour out praise, because you teach me your statutes.^119:172Let my tongue sing of your word, because all your commandments are righteousness. ^119:173 Let your hand be ready to help me, because I have chosen your precepts.

^119:174 I have longed for your salvation, O Jehovah and your law is my delight. ^119:175 Let my soul live and it will praise you. And let your ordinances help me. ^119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, because I do not forget your commandments.

[Psalm 120] TOC

^120:1 I cried to Jehovah in my distress and he answered me. ^120:2 Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

^120:3 What will be given to you and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue? ^120:4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

^120:5 Woe is me, that I journey in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! ^120:6 My soul has long had her dwelling with him who hates peace. ^120:7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

[Psalm 121] TOC

^121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where will my help come? ^121:2 My help is from Jehovah, who made heaven and earth.

^121:3 He will not allow your foot to slip. He who keeps you will not slumber. ^121:4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

^121:5 Jehovah is your keeper. Jehovah is your shade upon your right hand. ^121:6 The sun will not kill^* you by day, nor the moon by night. ^121:7 Jehovah will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul.

^121:8 Jehovah will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and everlasting.

[Psalm 122] TOC

^122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of Jehovah.

^122:2 Our feet are standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. ^122:3 Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together, ^122:4 where the tribes go up, even the tribes of Jehovah, for an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to the name of Jehovah. ^122:5 Because there thrones are set for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

^122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They will prosper who love you. ^122:7 Peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces.

^122:8 For my brothers and companions' sakes I will now say, Peace be within you. ^122:9 For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek your good.

[Psalm 123] TOC

^123:1 I lift up my eyes to you, O you who sit in the heavens. ^123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are to Jehovah our God, until he has mercy upon us.

^123:3 Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah, have mercy upon us, because we are exceedingly filled with contempt. ^123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease and with the contempt of the proud.

[Psalm 124] TOC

^124:1 If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, let Israel now say, ^124:2 if it had not been Jehovah who was on our side when men rose up against us, ^124:3 then they would have swallowed us up alive when their wrath was kindled against us, ^124:4then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul, ^124:5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.

^124:6 Praise Jehovah, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. ^124:7 Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken and we have escaped.

^124:8 Our help is in the name of Jehovah, who made heaven and earth.

[Psalm 125] TOC

^125:1 Those who trust in Jehovah are as Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken, but abides everlasting.^125:2 As the mountains are all around Jerusalem, so Jehovah is all around his people from this time forth and until forever.

^125:3 Because the scepter of wickedness will not rest upon the lot of the righteous, that the righteous not put forth their hands to wickedness.

^125:4 Do good, O Jehovah, to those who are good and to those who are upright in their hearts.

^125:5 But as for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of wickedness.

Peace be upon Israel.

[Psalm 126] TOC

^126:1 When Jehovah brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.

^126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, Jehovah has done great things for them.^126:3Jehovah has done great things for us. We are glad.

^126:4 Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, as the streams in the South. ^126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. ^126:6 He who goes forth and weeps, bearing seed for sowing, will doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves.

[Psalm 127] TOC

^127:1 Unless Jehovah builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, the watchman wake but in vain.

^127:2 It is vain for you^* to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil, for so he gives sleep to his beloved.

^127:3 Behold, sons are a heritage of Jehovah and the fruit of the womb is a reward. ^127:4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of youth.

^127:5 The man who has his quiver full of them is fortunate. They will not be put to shame because they speak with their enemies in the gate.

[Psalm 128] TOC

^128:1 All who fear Jehovah are fortunate, who walk in his ways. ^128:2 Because you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be fortunate and it will be well with you. ^128:3 Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house, your sons like olive plants all around your table.

^128:4 Behold, because the man will be blessed thus who fears Jehovah. ^128:5 Jehovah bless you out of Zion and see you the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. ^128:6 Yes, see you your son's sons.

Peace be upon Israel.

[Psalm 129] TOC

^129:1 Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say, ^129:2 Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me. ^129:3 The plowers plowed upon my back. They made long their furrows.

^129:4 Jehovah is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.

^129:5 Let them be put to shame and turned backward, all those who hate Zion. ^129:6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up, ^129:7 with which the reaper fills not his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.^129:8 Neither do those who go by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you^*. We praise you in the name of Jehovah.

[Psalm 130] TOC

^130:1 Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Jehovah. ^130:2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

^130:3 If you, Jehovah, should note iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? ^130:4 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.

^130:5 I wait for Jehovah. My soul waits and I hope in his word, ^130:6 my soul for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, watchmen for the morning.

^130:7 O Israel, hope in Jehovah, because there is loving kindness with Jehovah and plentiful redemption is with him. ^130:8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

[Psalm 131] TOC

^131:1 Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor have I walked in grand things, or in things too wonderful for me.

^131:2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child with his mother. Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

^131:3 O Israel, hope in Jehovah from this time forth and everlasting.

[Psalm 132] TOC

^132:1 Jehovah, remember for David all his affliction, ^132:2 how he swore to Jehovah and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: ^132:3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed, ^132:4 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids, ^132:5 until I find out a place for Jehovah, a tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob.

^132:6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of the wood. ^132:7 We will go into his tabernacles. We will worship at his footstool.

^132:8 Arise, O Jehovah, into your resting-place, you and the ark of your strength. ^132:9 Let your priest be clothed with righteousness and let your holy ones shout for joy. ^132:10 For your servant David's sake do not turn away the face of your anointed.

^132:11 Jehovah has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: From the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne. ^132:12 If your sons will keep my covenant and my testimony that I will teach them, their sons also will sit upon your throne forever.

^132:13 Because Jehovah has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his dwelling. ^132:14 This is my resting place forever. I will dwell here, for I have desired it.^132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread. ^132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation and her holy ones will shout aloud for joy.

^132:17 I will make the horn of David to bud there. I have made ready a lamp for my anointed. ^132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but upon himself his crown will flourish.

[Psalm 133] TOC

^133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

^133:2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that came down upon the skirt of his garments, ^133:3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down upon the mountains of Zion. Because there Jehovah commanded the blessing, even life everlasting.

[Psalm 134] TOC

^134:1 Behold, praise Jehovah, all you^* servants of Jehovah, who stand by night in the house of Jehovah. ^134:2 Lift up your^* hands to the sanctuary and praise Jehovah. ^134:3 Jehovah bless you out of Zion, even he who made heaven and earth.

[Psalm 135] TOC

^135:1 Praise Jehovah. Praise the name of Jehovah. Praise, O you^* servants of Jehovah, ^135:2you^* who stand in the house of Jehovah, in the courts of the house of our God. ^135:3 Praise Jehovah, because Jehovah is good. Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant. ^135:4 Because Jehovah has chosen Jacob to himself, Israel for his own possession.

^135:5 Because I know that Jehovah is great and that our Lord is above all gods.

^135:6 Whatever Jehovah pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all depths, ^135:7 who causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain, who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries, ^135:8 who killed^* the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast, ^135:9 who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants, ^135:10 who killed^* many nations and killed mighty kings– ^135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan and all the kingdoms of Canaan–^135:12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel his people.

^135:13 Your name, O Jehovah, is everlasting, your memorial, O Jehovah, throughout all generations.^135:14 Because Jehovah will judge his people and will relent concerning his servants.

^135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

^135:16 They have mouths, but they do not speak. They have eyes, but they do not see. ^135:17 They have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.

^135:18 Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.

^135:19 O house of Israel, praise Jehovah. O house of Aaron, praise Jehovah. ^135:20 O house of Levi, praise Jehovah. You^* who fear Jehovah, praise Jehovah. ^135:21 Praise Jehovah out of Zion, who dwells at Jerusalem.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 136] TOC

^136:1 O give thanks to Jehovah, because he is good, because his loving kindness is everlasting.

^136:2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his loving kindness is everlasting.

^136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:4 to him who alone does great wonders, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:6 to him who spread forth the earth above the waters, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:7 to him who made great lights, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:8 the sun to rule by day, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:9 the moon and stars to rule by night, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:10 to him who killed^* Egypt in their firstborn, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:11 and brought out Israel from among them, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:12 with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:13 to him who divided the Red Sea apart, because loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:14 and made Israel to pass through the midst of it, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:17 to him who killed^* great kings, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:18 and killed famous kings, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:20 and Og king of Bashan, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:21 and gave their land for a heritage, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:22 even a heritage to Israel his servant, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:23 who remembered us in our low estate, for his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:24 and has delivered us from our adversaries, because his loving kindness is everlasting,

^136:25 who gives food to all flesh, because his loving kindness is everlasting.

^136:26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, because his loving kindness is everlasting.

[Psalm 137] TOC

^137:1 We sat down there by the rivers of Babylon, yes, we wept when we remembered Zion. ^137:2 We hung up our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.

^137:3 Because those who led us captive there required of us songs and those who wasted us, gladness, saying, Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.

^137:4 How will we sing Jehovah's song in a foreign land?

^137:5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget. ^137:6 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

^137:7 Remember, O Jehovah, the day of Jerusalem against the sons of Edom, who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation of it.

^137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who is to be destroyed, he will be fortunate who rewards you as you have served us. ^137:9 He will be fortunate who takes and smashes your little ones against the rock.

[Psalm 138] TOC

^138:1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart. I will sing praises to you before the gods. ^138:2 I will worship toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name because your loving kindness and for your truth. Because you have magnified your word above all your name.

^138:3 You answered me in the day that I called. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

^138:4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, O Jehovah, because they have heard the words of your mouth. ^138:5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of Jehovah, because great is the glory of Jehovah.

^138:6 Because Jehovah is high, yet he has respect to the lowly. But he knows the haughty from afar.

^138:7 Because I walk in the midst of trouble, you will give me life. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies and your right hand will save me. ^138:8 Jehovah will perfect what is on my behalf. Your loving kindness, O Jehovah, is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of your own hands.

[Psalm 139] TOC

^139:1 O Jehovah, you have searched and known me. ^139:2 You know my sitting down and my rising up. You understand my thought afar off. ^139:3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

^139:4 Because there is not a word in my tongue, but behold, O Jehovah, you know it altogether. ^139:5 You have beset me behind and before and laid your hand upon me.

^139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. It is high, I cannot attain to it.

^139:7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

^139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there.

^139:9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the outermost parts of the sea, ^139:10 your hand will lead me even there and your right hand will hold me.

^139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness will overwhelm me and the light around me will be night,^139:12 even the darkness does not hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness and the light are both alike to you.

^139:13 Because you formed my inward parts. You covered me in my mother's womb.

^139:14 I will give thanks to you, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works and that my soul knows right well.

^139:15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, curiously worked in the lowest parts of the earth. ^139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance and in your book they were all written, even the days that were formed, when as yet there was none of them.

^139:17 How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the total of them! ^139:18 I count them; they are more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

^139:19 Surely you will kill the wicked, O God. Depart from me therefore, you^* bloodthirsty men.^139:20 For they speak against you wickedly and your enemies take it in vain.

^139:21 Do I not hate them, O Jehovah, who hate you? And am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? ^139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

^139:23 Search me, O God and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts, ^139:24 and see if there is any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting.

[Psalm 140] TOC

^140:1 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man, ^140:2 and men who devise mischievous things in their heart. They gather themselves continually together for war. ^140:3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent. Adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

^140:4 Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of a wicked man. Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to thrust aside my steps. ^140:5 The proud have hid a snare for me and cords. They have spread a net by the wayside. They have set snares for me. Selah.

^140:6 I said to Jehovah, You are my God. Listen to the voice of my supplications, O Jehovah.

^140:7 O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

^140:8 Do not grant, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked man. Do not further his evil device. They exalt themselves. Selah.

^140:9 As for the head of those who encompass me around, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.^140:10 Let burning coals shake down upon them. Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, from where they will not rise.

^140:11 An evil speaker will not be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

^140:12 I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the afflicted man and justice for the needy.^140:13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

[Psalm 141] TOC

^141:1 Jehovah, I have called upon you. Make haste to me. Listen to my voice when I call to you.^141:2 Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

^141:3 Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. ^141:4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work wickedness. And do not let me eat of their dainties.

^141:5 Let a righteous man kill^* me, as a kindness. And let him reprove me, as oil upon the head. Do not let my head disallow it. Because my prayer will continue even in their wickedness.

^141:6 Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. And they will hear my words, because they are sweet. ^141:7 Like plowing and furrowing the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol. ^141:8Because my eyes are to you, O Jehovah the Lord. I take refuge in you. Do not leave my soul destitute.

^141:9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me and from the traps of the workers of wickedness. ^141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass over.

[Psalm 142] TOC

^142:1 I cry with my voice to Jehovah. I make supplication with my voice to Jehovah. ^142:2 I pour out my complaint before him. I show my trouble before him.

^142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have hidden a snare for me.

^142:4 Look on my right hand and see, for there is no man who knows me. Refuge has failed me. No man cares for my soul.

^142:5 I cried to you, O Jehovah. I said, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

^142:6 Attend to my cry, because I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors, because they are stronger than I.

^142:7 Bring my soul out of prison that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will encompass me around, because you will deal bountifully with me.

[Psalm 143] TOC

^143:1 Hear my prayer, O Jehovah. Listen to my supplications. Answer me in your faithfulness and in your righteousness. ^143:2 And do not enter into judgment with your servant. Because in your sight no man living is righteous.

^143:3 Because the enemy has persecuted my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me to dwell in dark places as those who have been long dead. ^143:4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.

^143:5 I remember the days of long-ago. I meditate on all your practices. I meditate on the work of your hands. ^143:6I spread forth my hands to you. My soul is as a weary land for you. Selah.

^143:7 Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah, my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit.

^143:8 Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, because I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, because I lift up my soul to you.

^143:9 Deliver me, O Jehovah, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.

^143:10 Teach me to do your will, because you are my God. Your Spirit is good, lead me in the land of uprightness.

^143:11 Revive me, O Jehovah, for your name's sake. Bring my soul out of trouble in your righteousness.

^143:12 And in your loving kindness cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict my soul, because I am your servant.

[Psalm 144] TOC

^144:1 Praise Jehovah, my rock, who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight, ^144:2 my loving kindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.

^144:3 Jehovah, what is man, that you take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that you make account of him? ^144:4 Man is like vanity. His days are as a shadow that passes away.

^144:5 Bow your heavens, O Jehovah and come down. Touch the mountains and they will smoke. ^144:6Cast forth lightning and scatter them. Send out your arrows and confuse them.

^144:7 Stretch forth your hand from above. Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hand of aliens, ^144:8 whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

^144:9 I will sing a new song to you, O God. I will sing praises to you upon a psaltery of ten strings.

^144:10 You are he who gives salvation to kings, who rescues David his servant from the hurtful sword.

^144:11 Rescue me and deliver me out of the hand of aliens, whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. ^144:12 That our sons will be as plants grown up in their youth and our daughters as cornerstones hewn according to the fashion of a palace, ^144:13 our garners are full, affording all manner of store, our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields, ^144:14 our oxen are well laden, no breaking in and no going forth and no outcry in our streets, ^144:15 the people who are in such a case are fortunate.

The people whose God is Jehovah are fortunate.

[Psalm 145] TOC

^145:1 I will extol you, my God, O King and I will bless your name everlasting and forever. ^145:2 Every day I will bless you and I will praise your name everlasting and forever.

^145:3 Great is Jehovah and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable. ^145:4 One generation will laud your works to another and will declare your mighty acts.

^145:5 I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your honor and of your wondrous works.

^145:6 And men will speak of the might of your fearful acts and I will declare your greatness. ^145:7 They will pour out the memory of your great goodness and will sing of your righteousness.

^145:8 Jehovah is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great loving kindness. ^145:9 Jehovah is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works.

^145:10 All your works will give thanks to you, O Jehovah and your holy ones will praise you.

^145:11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom and talk of your power, ^145:12 to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.

^145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion is throughout all generations.

^145:14 Jehovah upholds all who fall and raises up all those who are bowed down. ^145:15 The eyes of all wait for you and you give them their food in due season. ^145:16 You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

^145:17 Jehovah is righteous in all his ways and gracious in all his works. ^145:18 Jehovah is near to all those who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.

^145:19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry and will save them.^145:20 Jehovah preserves all those who love him, but he will destroy all the wicked.

^145:21 My mouth will speak the praise of Jehovah. And let all flesh bless his holy name everlasting and forever.

[Psalm 146] TOC

^146:1 Praise Jehovah.

Praise Jehovah, O my soul. ^146:2 While I live I will praise Jehovah. I will sing praises to my God while I have any being.

^146:3 Do not put your^* trust in nobles, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. ^146:4 His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth. His thoughts perish in that very day.

^146:5 He who has the God of Jacob for his help is fortunate, whose hope is in Jehovah his God, ^146:6who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, who keeps truth everlasting, ^146:7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. Jehovah releases the prisoners.

^146:8 Jehovah opens the eyes of the blind. Jehovah raises up those who are bowed down. Jehovah loves the righteous.

^146:9 Jehovah preserves the travelers. He upholds the fatherless and widow. But the way of the wicked he turns upside down.

^146:10 Jehovah will reign everlasting, your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 147] TOC

^147:1 Praise Jehovah, because it is good to sing praises to our God. Because it is pleasant and praise is becoming.

^147:2 Jehovah builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. ^147:3 He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds. ^147:4 He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by names.

^147:5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. ^147:6 Jehovah upholds the meek. He brings the wicked down to the ground.

^147:7 Sing to Jehovah with thanksgiving. Sing praises upon the harp to our God, ^147:8 who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains. ^147:9He gives to the beast his food and to the young ravens which cry.

^147:10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. ^147:11Jehovah takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.

^147:12 Praise Jehovah, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion. ^147:13 Because he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your sons within you.^147:14 He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.

^147:15 He sends out his commandment upon earth. His word runs very swiftly. ^147:16 He gives snow like wool. He scatters the hoar-frost like ashes. ^147:17 He casts forth his ice like morsels. Who can stand before his cold? ^147:18 He sends out his word and melts them. He causes his wind to blow and the waters flow.

^147:19 He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. ^147:20 He has not dealt so with any nation. And as for his ordinances, they have not known them.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 148] TOC

^148:1 Praise Jehovah.

Praise you^* Jehovah from the heavens. Praise him in the heights. ^148:2 Praise him, all his messengers. Praise him, all his host. ^148:3 Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all you^* stars of light. ^148:4 Praise him, you^* heavens of heavens and you^* waters that are above the heavens.

^148:5 Let them praise the name of Jehovah. Because he commanded and they were created. ^148:6 He has also established them everlasting and forever. He has made a decree which will not pass away.

^148:7 Praise Jehovah from the earth, you^* sea creatures and all depths, ^148:8 fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormy wind, fulfilling his word, ^148:9mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars,^148:10 beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds, ^148:11 kings of the earth and all peoples, rulers and all judges of the earth, ^148:12 both young men and virgins, old men and sons.

^148:13 Let them praise the name of Jehovah, because his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.

^148:14 And he has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his holy ones, even of the sons of Israel, a people near to him. Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 149] TOC

^149:1 Praise Jehovah.

Sing to Jehovah a new song and his praise in the assembly of the holy ones. ^149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him who made him. Let the sons of Zion be joyful in their King. ^149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance. Let them sing praises to him with timbrel and harp.

^149:4 Because Jehovah takes pleasure in his people. He will beautify the meek with salvation. ^149:5 Let the holy ones rejoice in glory. Let them sing for joy upon their beds.

^149:6 The high praises of God are in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand ^149:7 to execute vengeance upon the nations and punishments upon the peoples, ^149:8 to bind their kings with chains and their ranking men with fetters of iron, ^149:9 to execute upon them the written judgment. All his holy ones have this honor.

Praise Jehovah.

[Psalm 150] TOC

^150:1 Praise Jehovah.

Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him in the expanse of his power. ^150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts. Praise him according to his excellent greatness.

^150:3 Praise him with horn and trumpet-blast. Praise him with psaltery and harp. ^150:4 Praise him with timbrel and dance. Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe. ^150:5 Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with alarming like cymbals.

^150:6 Let everything that has breath praise Jehovah.

Praise Jehovah.

[Proverbs 1] TOC

^1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, King of Israel, ^1:2 to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding, ^1:3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness and justice and uprightness, ^1:4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion, ^1:5 that the wise man may hear and increase in learning and that the man of understanding may attain to sound-wisdom, ^1:6 to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their dark sayings.

^1:7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. The foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

^1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother. ^1:9 Because they will be a wreath of charm to your head and chains about your neck.

^1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. ^1:11 If they say, Come with us. Let us lay wait for blood. Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. ^1:12 Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol and whole, as those who go down into the pit.^1:13 We will find all precious substance. We will fill our houses with spoil. ^1:14 You will cast your lot among us. We will all have one bag.

^1:15 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Restrain your foot from their path. ^1:16 Because their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed blood. ^1:17 Because the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird,^1:18and these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

^1:19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain. It takes away the life of the owners of it.

^1:20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the broad places. ^1:21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, at the entrance of the gates, in the city. She utters her words:

^1:22 How long, you^* simple ones, will you^* love simplicity? And scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? ^1:23 Turn back at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you^*. I will make my words known to you^*.

^1:24 Because I have called and you^* have refused, I have stretched out my hand and no man has regarded, ^1:25 but you^* have made all my counsel void and want none of my reproof, ^1:26 I also will laugh at your^* calamity. I will mock when your^* fear comes,^1:27 when your^* fear comes as a storm and your^* calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you^*.

^1:28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me, ^1:29 because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Jehovah.

^1:30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. ^1:31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices.

^1:32 Because the backsliding of the simple will kill them and the careless ease of fools will destroy them.

^1:33 But he who listens to me will dwell securely and will be quiet without fear of evil.

[Proverbs 2] TOC

^2:1 My son, if you will receive my words and lay up my commandments with you, ^2:2 so as to incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding, ^2:3 because, if you cry after discernment and lift up your voice for understanding, ^2:4 if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, ^2:5 then you will understand the fear of Jehovah and find the knowledge of God.

^2:6 Because Jehovah gives wisdom. Out of his mouth is knowledge and understanding. ^2:7 He lays up sound-wisdom for the upright, a shield to those who walk in integrity, ^2:8 that he may guard the paths of justice and preserve the way of his holy ones. ^2:9Then you will understand righteousness and justice and uprightness, yes, every good path.

^2:10 Because wisdom will enter into your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul, ^2:11discretion will watch over you, understanding will keep you, ^2:12 to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things, ^2:13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, ^2:14 who rejoice to do evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, ^2:15 who are crooked in their ways and wayward in their paths, ^2:16 to deliver you from the strange woman, even from the foreign woman who flatters with her words, ^2:17 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God ^2:18 (because her house inclines to death and her paths to the dead; ^2:19 none who go to her return again, nor do they attain to the paths of life), ^2:20 that you may walk in the way of good men and keep the paths of the righteous.

^2:21 Because the upright will dwell in the land and the perfect will remain in it. ^2:22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

[Proverbs 3] TOC

^3:1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments. ^3:2 Because length of days and years of life and peace, they will add to you.

^3:3 Do not let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart, ^3:4 so you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

^3:5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. ^3:6Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will direct your paths.

^3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and depart from evil. ^3:8 It will be health to your navel and marrow to your bones.

^3:9 Honor Jehovah with your substance and with the first-fruits of all your increase, ^3:10 so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.

^3:11 My son, do not despise the chastening of Jehovah, nor be weary of his reproof. ^3:12 Because whom Jehovah loves he reproves and he whips every son whom he receives.

^3:13 The man who finds wisdom is fortunate, and the man who gets understanding. ^3:14 Because the gain of it is better than the gain of silver and the profit of it than fine gold. ^3:15 She is more precious than rubies and none of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

^3:16 Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor. ^3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. ^3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her. And everyone who retains her is fortunate.

^3:19 Jehovah founded the earth by wisdom. He established the heavens by understanding. ^3:20 The depths were broken up and the skies drop down the dew by his knowledge.

^3:21 My son, do not let them depart from your eyes. Keep sound-wisdom and discretion, ^3:22 so they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.

^3:23 Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble. ^3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. ^3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the desolation of the wicked, because it comes. ^3:26 Because Jehovah will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being taken.

^3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. ^3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, Go and come again and tomorrow I will give, when you have it by you.

^3:29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you.

^3:30 Do not contend with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

^3:31 Do not envy the man of violence and choose none of his ways. ^3:32 Because the perverse man is an abomination to Jehovah, but his friendship is with the upright.

^3:33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of a wicked man, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

^3:34 Surely the Lord is opposed to the arrogant, but he gives favor to the lowly.

^3:35 The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.

[Proverbs 4] TOC

^4:1 Hear sons, the instruction of a father and attend to know understanding. ^4:2 Because I give you^* good doctrine. Do not forsake my law.

^4:3 Because I was a son to my father, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. ^4:4 And he taught me and said to me, Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments and live.

^4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding. Do not forget, nor decline from the words of my mouth. ^4:6Do not forsake her and she will preserve you. Love her and she will keep you.

^4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing. Get wisdom, yes, get understanding with all your substance.

^4:8 Exalt her and she will promote you. She will bring you to honor when you embrace her.

^4:9 She will give to your head a wreath of beauty and of charm; she will deliver a crown of beauty to you.

^4:10 Hear, O my son and receive my sayings and the years of your life will be many. ^4:11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in paths of uprightness. ^4:12 When you go, your steps will not be restricted. And if you run, you will not stumble.

^4:13 Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, because she is your life.

^4:14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked and do not advance in the way of evil men. ^4:15 Avoid it. Do not pass by it. Turn from it and pass on.

^4:16 Because they do not sleep unless they do evil. And their sleep is taken away unless they cause you to fall. ^4:17 Because they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

^4:18 But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.

^4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness. They do not know at what they stumble.

^4:20 My son, attend to my words. Incline your ear to my sayings. ^4:21 Do not let them depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. ^4:22 Because they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh.

^4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, because out of it are the things of life.

^4:24 Put away from you a wayward mouth and put perverse lips far from you.

^4:25 Let your eyes look right on and let your eyelids look straight before you. ^4:26 Make the path of your feet level and let all your ways be established.^4:27 Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

[Proverbs 5] TOC

^5:1 My son, attend to my wisdom. Incline your ear to my understanding, ^5:2 that you may preserve discretion and that your lips may keep knowledge.

^5:3 Because the lips of a strange woman drop honey and her mouth is smoother than oil. ^5:4 But in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

^5:5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps take hold on Sheol, ^5:6 so that she does not find the level path of life. Her ways are unstable and she does not know.

^5:7 Now therefore, you^* the sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

^5:8 Remove your way far from her and do not come near the door of her house, ^5:9 lest you give your honor to others and your years to the cruel, ^5:10lest strangers be filled with your strength and your labors be in the house of an alien, ^5:11 and you mourn at your latter end when your flesh and your body are consumed, ^5:12 and say, How I have hated instruction and my heart despised reproof. ^5:13 Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! ^5:14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the assembly and congregation.

^5:15 Drink waters out of your own cistern and flowing waters out of your own well. ^5:16 Should your springs be dispersed abroad and streams of water in the streets? ^5:17 Let them be for yourself alone and not for strangers with you.

^5:18 Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth: ^5:19 a loving female-deer and a pleasant doe. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times and be ravished always with her love.

^5:20 For why should you, my son, be ravished with an strange woman and embrace the bosom of a foreigner?

^5:21 Because the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah and he makes level all his paths.

^5:22 His own iniquities will take a wicked man and he will be held with the cords of his sin. ^5:23 He will die for lack of instruction. And he will go astray in the greatness of his folly.

[Proverbs 6] TOC

^6:1 My son, if you have become a surety for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands for a stranger, ^6:2 you are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.

^6:3 Do this now, my son and deliver yourself, because you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself and behave-proudly to neighbor. ^6:4 Do not give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. ^6:5 Deliver yourself as a roe-deer from the hand and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

^6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways and be wise. ^6:7 Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, ^6:8 provides her bread in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.

^6:9 How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? ^6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,^6:11 so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.

^6:12 A worthless person, a man of wickedness, is he who walks with a perverse mouth, ^6:13 who winks with his eyes, who speaks with his feet, who makes signs with his fingers, ^6:14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who sows discord. ^6:15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. Suddenly he will be broken and that without remedy.

^6:16 There are six things which Jehovah hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to him: ^6:17haughty eyes, a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood, ^6:18 a heart that devises wicked purposes, feet that are swift in running to mischief,^6:19 a false witness who breathes-out lies and he who sows discord among brothers.

^6:20 My son, keep the commandment of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother. ^6:21Bind them continually upon your heart. Tie them about your neck. ^6:22 When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. And when you awake, it will talk with you.

^6:23 Because the commandment is a lamp and the law is light and reproofs of instruction are the way of life, ^6:24 to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the stranger's tongue.

^6:25 Do not desire after her beauty in your heart, nor let her take you with her eyelids. ^6:26 A man comes to the last piece of bread because of the price of a prostitute, but the adulteress hunts for the precious life.

^6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? ^6:28 Or can a man walk upon hot coals and his feet not be scorched?

^6:29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished. ^6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself because he is hungry. ^6:31 Yet if he is found, he will restore sevenfold. He will give all the substance of his house.

^6:32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who would destroy his own soul does it. ^6:33 He will get wounds and dishonor and his reproach will not be wiped away.

^6:34 Because jealousy is a man's fury and he will not spare in the day of vengeance. ^6:35 He will not regard any ransom, nor will he be satisfied, because you give many gifts.

[Proverbs 7] TOC

^7:1 My son, keep my words and lay up my commandments with you. ^7:2 Keep my commandments and live and my law as the apple of your eye. ^7:3 Bind them upon your fingers. Write them upon the tablet of your heart.

^7:4 Say to wisdom, You are my sister and call understanding your kinswoman, ^7:5 that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreign woman who flatters with her words.

^7:6 Because I looked forth through my lattice at the window of my house, ^7:7 and I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding ^7:8 passing through the street near her corner. And he went the way to her house, ^7:9 in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

^7:10 And behold, a woman attired like a prostitute and with a guarded heart met him there. ^7:11 She is loud and headstrong. Her feet do not abide in her house. ^7:12 Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places and lies in wait at every corner.

^7:13 So she caught him and kissed him. She said to him with an impudent face, ^7:14 Sacrifices of peace-offerings are with me. I have paid my vows this day.^7:15 Therefore I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face and I have found you. ^7:16 I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. ^7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

^7:18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning. Let us solace ourselves with love. ^7:19 Because the man is not at home. He has gone a long journey.^7:20 He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.

^7:21 She causes him to yield with her much fair speech. She forces him along with the flattering of her lips.

^7:22 He goes after her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, ^7:23 till an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hastens to the snare. And he does not know that it is for his life.

^7:24 Now therefore, you^* sons, listen to me and attend to the words of my mouth. ^7:25 Do not let your heart decline to her ways. Do not go-astray in her paths. ^7:26 Because she has cast down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty host.

^7:27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

[Proverbs 8] TOC

^8:1 Does not wisdom cry out and understanding put forth her voice? ^8:2 She stands on the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet. ^8:3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she cries aloud:

^8:4 To you^*, O men, I call. And my voice is to the sons of men. ^8:5 O you^* simple, understand prudence, and you^* fools, be of an understanding heart.

^8:6 Hear, because I will speak excellent things. And the opening of my lips will be in uprightness. ^8:7 Because my mouth will utter truth. And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

^8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. ^8:9 They are all straightforward to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge.

^8:10 Receive my instruction and not silver and knowledge rather than choice gold. ^8:11 Because wisdom is better than rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

^8:12 I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling and find out knowledge and discretion.

^8:13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil. I hate: pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth.

^8:14 Counsel is mine and sound-wisdom. I am understanding; I have might.

^8:15 Kings reign and rulers decree justice by me. ^8:16 Rulers rule by me and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

^8:17 I love those who love me and those who seek me diligently will find me. ^8:18 Riches and honor are with me, durable wealth and righteousness. ^8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold and my revenue better than choice silver.

^8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, ^8:21 that I may cause those who love me to inherit substance and that I may fill their treasuries.

^8:22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of long-ago. ^8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was, ^8:24 when there were no depths. I was brought out when there were no fountains abounding with water, ^8:25 before the mountains were settled, before the hills. I was brought out ^8:26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

^8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,^8:28 when he made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep became strong, ^8:29 when he gave to the sea its boundary that the waters should not transgress his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, ^8:30 then I was by him, a master workman. And I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him, ^8:31 rejoicing in his habitable earth. And my delight was with the sons of men.

^8:32 Now therefore, you^* sons, listen to me. For those who keep my ways are fortunate. ^8:33 Hear instruction and be wise and do not refuse it.

^8:34 The man who hears me is fortunate, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. ^8:35 Because he who finds me finds life and will obtain favor of Jehovah.

^8:36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.

All those who hate me love death.

[Proverbs 9] TOC

^9:1 Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out her seven pillars. ^9:2 She has killed her beasts. She has mingled her wine. She has also furnished her table.

^9:3 She has sent forth her maidens. She cries out upon the highest places of the city:

^9:4 He who is simple, let him turn in here. As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, ^9:5Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

^9:6 Forsake you^* simpleness and live and advance in the way of understanding.

^9:7 He who disciplines a scoffer gets himself reviling. And he who reproves a wicked man gets himself a bruise. ^9:8 Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate you.

Reprove a wise man and he will love you. ^9:9Give opportunity to a wise man and he will be yet wiser. Teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.

^9:10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. ^9:11 Because by me your days will be multiplied and the years of your life will be increased.

^9:12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

^9:13 The foolish woman is clamorous, simple and knows nothing. ^9:14 And she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ^9:15 to call to those who pass by, who go right on their ways:

He who is simple, let him turn in here. ^9:16 And as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, ^9:17 Stolen waters are sweet and bread in secret is pleasant.

^9:18 But he does not know because the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

[Proverbs 10] TOC

^10:1 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

^10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

^10:3 Jehovah will not allow the soul of a righteous man to famish, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

^10:4 He who works with a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

^10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son. He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

^10:6 Blessings are upon the head of a righteous man, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

^10:7 The memory of a righteous man is praised, but the name of the wicked will rot.

^10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a pouring fool will fall.

^10:9 He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be known.

^10:10 He who winks with the eye causes sorrow. And a fool will fall from his lips.

^10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

^10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.

^10:13 Wisdom is found in the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

^10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a foolish man is a present destruction.

^10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

^10:16 The labor of a righteous man produces life. The fruit of a wicked man is to sin.

^10:17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof goes-astray.

^10:18 He who hides hatred is from lying lips. And he who utters a slander is a fool.

^10:19 Transgression is not lacking in the multitude of words, but he who refrains his lips does wisely.

^10:20 The tongue of a righteous man is choice silver. The heart of the wicked is little.

^10:21 The lips of a righteous man feeds many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

^10:22 The blessing of Jehovah, it makes rich and he adds no sorrow with it.

^10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief and so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

^10:24 The fear of a wicked man will come upon him. And the desire of the righteous will be granted.

^10:25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked man is no more, but the righteous man is an everlasting foundation.

^10:26 As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

^10:27 The fear of Jehovah prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.

^10:28 The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

^10:29 The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of wickedness.

^10:30 A righteous man will not be shaken everlasting, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

^10:31 The mouth of a righteous man brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

^10:32 The lips of a righteous man knows what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverseness.

[Proverbs 11] TOC

^11:1 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah, but a just weight is his delight.

^11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom.

^11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous will destroy them.

^11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

^11:5 The righteousness of the perfect will direct his way, but the wicked man will fall by his own wickedness.

^11:6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be taken in their own greed.

^11:7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish and the hope of the wickedness perishes.

^11:8 A righteous man is delivered out of trouble and a wicked man comes instead of him.

^11:9 The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

^11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

^11:11 The city is exalted by the blessing of the upright, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

^11:12 He who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

^11:13 He who goes around as a gossiper reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

^11:14 Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

^11:15 He will suffer for it who is a surety for a stranger, but he who hates being a striker of deals is secure.

^11:16 A gracious woman obtains honor and aggressive men obtain riches.

^11:17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

^11:18 A wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness has a sure reward.

^11:19 He who is steadfast in righteousness comes to life and he who pursues evil comes to his own death.

^11:20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah, but such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

^11:21 Hand in hand, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.

^11:22 A ring of gold in a swine's snout, is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.

^11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

^11:24 There is he who scatters and increases yet more and there is he who withholds more than is proper, but only to want.

^11:25 The generous soul will be made prosperous and he who waters will also be watered himself.

^11:26 The people will curse he who withholds grain, but a blessing will be upon the head of him who sells it.

^11:27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it will come to him.

^11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish as the green leaf.

^11:29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind. And a foolish man will be servant to a wise man of heart.

^11:30 The fruit of a righteous man is a tree of life and he who is wise wins souls.

^11:31 Behold, a righteous man will be recompensed in the earth, also the wicked man and the sinner!

[Proverbs 12] TOC

^12:1 He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

^12:2 A good man will obtain favor of Jehovah, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.

^12:3 A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.

^12:4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but she who makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

^12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are just. The counsels of the wicked are deceit.

^12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

^12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are not, but the house of the righteous will stand.

^12:8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

^12:9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

^12:10 A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

^12:11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues vanities is void of understanding.

^12:12 A wicked man desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous gives.

^12:13 A wicked man is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come out of trouble.

^12:14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth and the actions of a man's hands will be rendered to him.

^12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

^12:16 A fool's anger is instantly known, but a prudent man conceals shame.

^12:17 He who breathes-out truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.

^12:18 There is he who speaks rashly like the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health.

^12:19 The lips of truth will be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

^12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy is to the counselors of peace.

^12:21 There will no mischief happen to a righteous man, but the wicked will be filled with evil.

^12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah, but those who deal truly are his delight.

^12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

^12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put under forced-labor.

^12:25 Heaviness in the heart of a man makes it droop, but a good word makes it glad.

^12:26 A righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked makes them go-astray.

^12:27 The slothful man roasts not what he took in hunting, but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

^12:28 Life is in the way of righteousness and in the pathway of it there is no death.

[Proverbs 13] TOC

^13:1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.

^13:2 A man will eat good by the fruit of his mouth, but the soul of the treacherous, violence.

^13:3 He who guards his mouth keeps his life. He who opens wide his lips will have destruction.

^13:4 The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing, but the soul of the diligent will be made fat.

^13:5 A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.

^13:6 Righteousness guards he who is upright in the way, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

^13:7 There is he who makes himself rich, yet has nothing and he who makes himself poor, yet has great wealth.

^13:8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor hears no threatening.

^13:9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

^13:10 Through pride a vain man causes contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

^13:11 Wealth from vanity will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will have increase.

^13:12 Prolonged hope makes the heart sick, but it is a tree of life when the desire comes.

^13:13 He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

^13:14 The law of a wise man is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

^13:15 Good understanding gives favor, but the way of the transgressor is hard.

^13:16 Every prudent man works with knowledge, but a fool flaunts folly.

^13:17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador is health.

^13:18 Poverty and shame are to him who refuses correction, but he who regards reproof will be honored.

^13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

^13:20 Walk with wise men and you will be wise. But the companion of fools will be evil for it.

^13:21 Evil pursues sinners, but the righteous will be recompensed with good.

^13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his son's sons and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

^13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor, but when there no justice, it is swept away.

^13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him chastens him promptly.

^13:25 A righteous man eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked will want.

[Proverbs 14] TOC

^14:1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman plucks it down with her own hands.

^14:2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Jehovah, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

^14:3 A rod of pride is in the mouth of a fool, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

^14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but by the strength of the ox is much increase.

^14:5 A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes-out lies.

^14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds it not, but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.

^14:7 Go into the presence of a foolish man and you will not perceive the lips of knowledge.

^14:8 The wisdom of a prudent man is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

^14:9 Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good will.

^14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness and a stranger does not share with its joy.

^14:11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

^14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it are the ways of death.

^14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful and the end of gladness is heaviness.

^14:14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways and a good man from his own fruits.

^14:15 A simple man believes every word, but the prudent man looks well to his going.

^14:16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is confident.

^14:17 He who is soon angry will do folly. And a man of wicked devices is hated.

^14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

^14:19 The evil bow down before the good and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

^14:20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich man has many friends.

^14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor, he is fortunate.

^14:22 Do they not go-astray, those who devise evil? But mercy and truth are to those who devise good.

^14:23 There is profit in all labor, but the talk of the lips tends only to poverty.

^14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches. The folly of fools is still folly.

^14:25 A true witness delivers souls, but he who breathes-out lies causes deceit.

^14:26 Strong confidence is in the fear of Jehovah and his sons will have a place of refuge.

^14:27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

^14:28 The king's glory is in the multitude of people, but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

^14:29 He who is slow to anger is of great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly.

^14:30 A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh, but envy is the rottenness of the bones.

^14:31 He who oppresses a poor man reproaches his maker, but he who has mercy on a needy man honors him.

^14:32 An evil man is thrust down in his evil-doing, but a righteous man has hope in his death.

^14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the inward part of fools is made known.

^14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

^14:35 The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath will be to him who causes shame.

[Proverbs 15] TOC

^15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a grievous word stirs up anger.

^15:2 The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.

^15:3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

^15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it is a breaking of the spirit.

^15:5 A fool despises his father's correction, but he who regards reproof gets prudence.

^15:6 Much treasure is in the house of a righteous man, but in the revenues of a wicked man is trouble.

^15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the foolish, not so.

^15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

^15:9 The way of a wicked man is an abomination to Jehovah, but he loves he who follows after righteousness.

^15:10 There is grievous correction for him who forsakes the way. He who hates reproof will die.

^15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah, also the hearts of the sons of men!

^15:12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved. He will not go to the wise.

^15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

^15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

^15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

^15:16 Better is little with the fear of Jehovah, than great treasure and trouble with it.

^15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

^15:18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but he who is slow to anger appeases strife.

^15:19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is made a highway.

^15:20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

^15:21 Folly is joy to him who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding makes his going straight.

^15:22 Where there is no counsel, plans are disappointed, but they are established in the multitude of counselors.

^15:23 A man has joy in the answer of his mouth and a word in due season, how good it is!

^15:24 To the wise man the way of life is upward, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

^15:25 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud, but he will establish the border of the widow.

^15:26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah, but pleasant words are pure.

^15:27 He who is greedy of gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

^15:28 The heart of a righteous man meditates to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

^15:29 Jehovah is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

^15:30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news make the bones fat.

^15:31 The ear that listens to the reproof of life will abide among the wise.

^15:32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

^15:33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom and before honor is humility.

[Proverbs 16] TOC

^16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

^16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the spirits.

^16:3 Commit your works to Jehovah and your purposes will be established.

^16:4 Jehovah has made everything for its own end, yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

^16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah. Hand in hand, he will not be unpunished.

^16:6 Iniquity is atoned for by mercy and truth and men depart from evil by the fear of Jehovah.

^16:7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

^16:8 Better is a little, with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

^16:9 A man's heart devises his way, but Jehovah directs his steps.

^16:10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king. His mouth will not transgress in judgment.

^16:11 A just balance and scales are Jehovah's. All the weights of the bag are his work.

^16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, because the throne is established by righteousness.

^16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings and they love he who speaks right.

^16:14 The wrath of a king is messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

^16:15 Life is in the light of the king's countenance and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

^16:16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

^16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

^16:18 Pride is before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

^16:19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

^16:20 He who gives heed to the word will find good and whoever trusts in Jehovah, he is fortunate.

^16:21 The wise in heart will be called prudent and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

^16:22 Understanding is a well-spring of life to him who has it, but the correction of fools is folly.

^16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

^16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: Sweet to the soul and health to the bones.

^16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it are the ways of death.

^16:26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, because his mouth urges him.

^16:27 A worthless man devises mischief and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

^16:28 A perverse man scatters abroad strife and a whisperer separates companions.

^16:29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

^16:30 He who shuts his eyes devises perverse things. He who moves his lips completes evil things.

^16:31 The gray-haired is a crown of glory. It will be found in the way of righteousness.

^16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

^16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing of it is of Jehovah.

[Proverbs 17] TOC

^17:1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.

^17:2 A servant who deals wisely will have rule over a son who causes shame and will have part in the inheritance among the brothers.

^17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.

^17:4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar listens to a mischievous tongue.

^17:5 He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity will not be unpunished.

^17:6 Son's sons are the crown of old men and the glory of sons are their fathers.

^17:7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a noble.

^17:8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.

^17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates companions.

^17:10 A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

^17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

^17:12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.

^17:13 He who rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

^17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarreling.

^17:15 He who justifies a wicked man and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

^17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

^17:17 A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.

^17:18 A man void of understanding strikes hands and becomes a surety in the presence of his neighbor.

^17:19 He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.

^17:20 He who has a wayward heart finds no good and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.

^17:21 He who begets a fool, it is to his sorrow and the father of a fool has no joy.

^17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

^17:23 A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.

^17:24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

^17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

^17:26 Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to kill^* nobles for uprightness.

^17:27 He who spares his words has knowledge and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

^17:28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.

[Proverbs 18] TOC

^18:1 He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses and rages against all sound-wisdom.

^18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

^18:3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes and with disgrace, reproach.

^18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a pouring forth brook.

^18:5 To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.

^18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention and his mouth calls for stripes.

^18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction and his lips are the snare of his soul.

^18:8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels and they go down into the innermost parts.

^18:9 He who is also slack in his work is a brother to him that is a destroyer.

^18:10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it and is safe.

^18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city and as a high wall in his own imagination.

^18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty and before honor is humility.

^18:13 He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

^18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?

^18:15 The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

^18:16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

^18:17 He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.

^18:18 The lot causes contentions to cease and decides between the mighty.

^18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

^18:20 A man's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be satisfied with the increase of his lips.

^18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat the fruit of it.

^18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from Jehovah.

^18:23 A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.

^18:24 He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

[Proverbs 19] TOC

^19:1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

^19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good. And he who hastens with his feet sins.

^19:3 The folly of a man subverts his way and his heart rages against Jehovah.

^19:4 Wealth adds many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend.

^19:5 A false witness will not be unpunished and he who breathes-out lies will not escape.

^19:6 Many will entreat the favor of a noble man and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

^19:7 All the brothers of a poor man regard him inferior, how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues with words, but they are gone.

^19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding will find good.

^19:9 A false witness will not be unpunished and he who breathes-out lies will perish.

^19:10 Luxurious living is not becoming for a fool, much less a servant to have rule over rulers.

^19:11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

^19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion, but his favor is as dew upon the grass.

^19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

^19:14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.

^19:15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep and the idle soul will suffer hunger.

^19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul. He who is careless of his ways will die.

^19:17 He who has pity upon a poor man lends to Jehovah and he will repay him his good deed.

^19:18 Chasten your son because there is hope and do not let your soul spare for his crying.

^19:19 A man of great wrath will bear the penalty, because if you deliver him, you must do it yet again.

^19:20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.

^19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that will stand.

^19:22 What makes a man to be desired is his kindness and a poor man is better than a liar.

^19:23 The fear of Jehovah is life to a man and he will abide satisfied. He will not be visited with evil.

^19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

^19:25 Strike a scoffer and a simple man will learn prudence. And reprove he who has understanding and he will understand knowledge.

^19:26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame and brings reproach.

^19:27 To error from the words of knowledge, cease, my son, to hear instruction.

^19:28 A worthless witness mocks at justice and the mouth of the wicked swallows wickedness.

^19:29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers and stripes for the back of fools.

[Proverbs 20] TOC

^20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler and whoever straying by it is not wise.

^20:2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

^20:3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

^20:4 The sluggard will not plow because of the winter. Therefore he will beg in harvest and have nothing.

^20:5 Purpose in the heart of man is deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

^20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?

^20:7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity, his sons after him are fortunate.

^20:8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

^20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean. I am pure from my sin?

^20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

^20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his practices, whether his work be pure and whether it is right.

^20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, Jehovah has made even both of them.

^20:13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread.

^20:14 It is bad, it is bad, says the buyer, but when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

^20:15 There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

^20:16 Take his garment because it is a surety for a stranger and hold him in pledge for foreigners.

^20:17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

^20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel and make war with wise guidance.

^20:19 He who goes about as a gossiper reveals secrets. Therefore do not associate with he who opens his lips wide.

^20:20 He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in blackness of darkness.

^20:21 An inheritance gotten hastily at the beginning will not be praised in the end.

^20:22 Do not say, I will recompense evil. Wait for Jehovah and he will save you.

^20:23 Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah and a false balance is not good.

^20:24 A man's goings are of Jehovah, how then can man understand his way?

^20:25 It is a snare to a man to say rashly, It is holy. And to make inquiry after vows.

^20:26 A wise king scatters the wicked and brings the wheel over them.

^20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all his innermost parts.

^20:28 Kindness and truth preserve the king and his throne is upheld by kindness.

^20:29 The glory of young men is their strength and the beauty of old men is the gray-hair.

^20:30 Stripes that wound cleanse away evil and strokes the innermost parts.

[Proverbs 21] TOC

^21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as streams of water. He turns it wherever he will.

^21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the hearts.

^21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

^21:4 A high look and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

^21:5 The thoughts of a diligent man lead only to abundance, but everyone who is hasty, only to want.

^21:6 The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.

^21:7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.

^21:8 The way of him who is laden with guilt is exceedingly crooked, but as for a pure man, his work is right.

^21:9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

^21:10 The soul of a wicked man desires evil. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

^21:11 When a scoffer is punished, a simple man is made wise and when a wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.

^21:12 A righteous man considers the house of the wicked: the wicked are overthrown to ruin.

^21:13 He who stops his ears at the cry of a poor man, he will also cry, but will not be heard.

^21:14 A gift in secret pacifies anger and a present in the bosom, strong wrath.

^21:15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of wickedness.

^21:16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

^21:17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

^21:18 A wicked man is a ransom for a righteous man and the treacherous dealer for the upright.

^21:19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and angry woman.

^21:20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of a wise man, but a foolish man swallows it up.

^21:21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness and honor.

^21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the strength of the confidence of it.

^21:23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

^21:24 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name. He works in the arrogance of pride.

^21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, because his hands refuse to labor.

^21:26 There is he who covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.

^21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. Much more when he brings it with a wicked mind!

^21:28 A false witness will perish, but the man who hears will speak so as to endure.

^21:29 A wicked man hardens his face, but as for an upright man, he establishes his ways.

^21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah.

^21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but victory is from Jehovah.

[Proverbs 22] TOC

^22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.

^22:2 The rich and the poor meet together. Jehovah is the maker of them all.

^22:3 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and suffer for it.

^22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and honor and life.

^22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of a perverse man. He who keeps his soul will be far from them.

^22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go and even when he is old he will not depart from it.

^22:7 The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender.

^22:8 He who sows unrighteousness will reap calamity and the rod of his wrath will fail.

^22:9 He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, because he gives of his bread to the poor.

^22:10 Cast out the scoffer and contention will go out, yes, strife and reproach will cease.

^22:11 He who loves pureness of heart, for the favor of his lips, the king will be his friend.

^22:12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the treacherous man.

^22:13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside. I will be slain in the streets.

^22:14 The mouth of a strange women is a deep pit. He who is indignant of Jehovah will fall in it.

^22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.

^22:16 He who oppresses a poor man to his increase and he who gives to a rich man, comes only to want.

^22:17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise and apply your heart to my knowledge. ^22:18 Because it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if they are established together upon your lips.

^22:19 That your trust may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to you this day, even to you.

^22:20 Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, ^22:21 to make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may carry back words of truth to those who send you?

^22:22 Do not rob a poor man, because he is poor, nor oppress an afflicted man in the gate. ^22:23 Because Jehovah will plead their cause and despoil of life those who despoil them.

^22:24 Make no friendship with a man who is given to anger and you will not go with a wrathful man, ^22:25 lest you learn this ways and get a snare for your soul.

^22:26 Be not one of those who strike hands, or of those who are sureties for debts. ^22:27 If you have not wherewith to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

^22:28 Do not remove the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.

^22:29 See a man diligent in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before insignificant men.

[Proverbs 23] TOC

^23:1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently he who is before you, ^23:2 and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. ^23:3 Do not be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.

^23:4 Do not weary yourself to be rich. Cease out of your own wisdom. ^23:5 Will you set your eyes upon what is not? Because it certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward heaven.

^23:6 Do not eat the bread of an evil eye, nor desire his dainties. ^23:7 Because as he thinks within himself, so is he. Eat and drink, he says to you, but his heart is not with you. ^23:8 The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up and lose your sweet words.

^23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, because he will despise the wisdom of your words.

^23:10 Do not remove the ancient landmark. And do not enter into the fields of the fatherless, ^23:11 because their Redeemer is strong. He will plead their cause against you.

^23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge.

^23:13 Do not withhold correction from the child, because if you beat him with the rod, he will not die. ^23:14 You will beat him with the rod and will deliver his soul from Sheol.

^23:15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine. ^23:16 Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak in uprightness.

^23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be in the fear of Jehovah all the day long. ^23:18 Because surely there is a reward and your hope will not be cut off.

^23:19 Hear, my son and be wise and advance your heart in the way.

^23:20 Do not be among drunkards, among gluttonous eaters of flesh. ^23:21 Because the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

^23:22 Listen to your father who fathered you and do not despise your mother because she is old.

^23:23 Buy the truth and do not sell it, yes, wisdom and instruction and understanding.

^23:24 The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice and he who begets a wise son will have joy of him. ^23:25 Let your father and your mother be glad and let her who bore you rejoice.

^23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways. ^23:27 Because a prostitute is a deep ditch and an strange woman is a narrow well.^23:28 Yes, she lies in wait as a robber and increases the treacherous among men.

^23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?^23:30 Those who abide long at the wine. Those who go to seek out mixed wine.

^23:31 Do not look upon the wine because it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. ^23:32 At the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.

^23:33 Your eyes will behold strange things and your heart will utter perverse things. ^23:34 Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies upon the top of a mast.

^23:35 They have stricken me, you will say and I was not hurt. They have beaten me and I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

[Proverbs 24] TOC

^24:1 Do not be envious against evil men, nor desire to be with them. ^24:2 Because their heart meditates oppression and their lips talk of mischief.

^24:3 Through wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established, ^24:4 and by knowledge the chambers are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

^24:5 A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases might.

^24:6 Because by wise guidance you will make your war and in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

^24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool. He opens not his mouth in the gate.

^24:8 He who devises to do evil, men will call him a mischief-maker.

^24:9 The thought of folly is sin. And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

^24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

^24:11 Deliver those who are carried away to death and hold back those who are slipping away to be slain.^24:12 If you say, Behold, we did not know this, Does not he who weighs the hearts consider it? And he who keeps your soul, does he not know it? And will not he render to every man according to his work?

^24:13 My son, eat honey, because it is good and the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste, ^24:14 so the knowledge of wisdom is to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward and your hope will not be cut off.

^24:15 Lay not in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place. ^24:16 Because a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

^24:17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls and do not let your heart be glad when he is overthrown, ^24:18lest Jehovah see it and it displease him and he turn away his wrath from him.

^24:19 Do not be furious because of evildoers, nor be envious at the wicked. ^24:20 Because there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

^24:21 My son, fear Jehovah and the king and do not associate with those who are given to change.^24:22 Because their calamity will rise suddenly and the destruction from them both, who knows it?

^24:23 These also are from the wise:

To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.

^24:24 He who says to a wicked man, You are righteous, peoples will curse him, nations will defy him. ^24:25 But to those who rebuke him will be a delight and a good blessing will come upon them.

^24:26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

^24:27 Prepare your work outside and make it ready for you in the field and afterwards build your house.

^24:28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause and deceive not with your lips.

^24:29 Do not say, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.

^24:30 I went by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.

^24:31 And behold, it was all grown over with thorns. The face of it was covered with nettles and the stone wall of it was broken down.

^24:32 Then I beheld and considered well. I saw and received instruction: ^24:33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,^24:34 so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.

[Proverbs 25] TOC

^25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

^25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

^25:3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

^25:4 Take away the dross from the silver and there comes forth a vessel for the refiner. ^25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king and his throne will be established in righteousness.

^25:6 Do not put yourself forward in the presence of the king and stand not in the place of great men. ^25:7Because it is better that it is said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the noble, whom your eyes have seen.

^25:8 Do not go forth hastily to strive. What will you do in the end of it when your neighbor has put you to shame? ^25:9 Debate your case with your neighbor himself and disclose not the secret of another, ^25:10 lest he who hears it revile you and your evil report not turn back.

^25:11 A timely word spoken is apples of gold in a lattice-work of silver.

^25:12 An earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is reproving a wise one upon an obedient ear.

^25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

^25:14 Clouds and wind without rain, is he who boasts himself of his gifts falsely.

^25:15 A ruler is persuaded by long-suffering and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

^25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you are filled with it and vomit it.

^25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he is weary of you and hate you.

^25:18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.

^25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is a broken tooth and a foot out of joint.

^25:20 As he who takes off a garment in cold weather and vinegar upon soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

^25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. ^25:22Because you will heap coals of fire upon his head and Jehovah will reward you.

^25:23 The north wind brings forth rain. So does a backbiting tongue, an indignant countenance.

^25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

^25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

^25:26 A troubled fountain and a corrupted spring, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

^25:27 It is not good to eat much honey, so for men to search out their own glory is grievous.

^25:28 He whose spirit is without restraint is a city that is broken down and without walls.

[Proverbs 26] TOC

^26:1 As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honor is not becoming for a fool.

^26:2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not come.

^26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey and a rod for the back of fools.

^26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like to him. ^26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he is wise in his own conceit.

^26:6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet and drinks injury.

^26:7 The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

^26:8 As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

^26:9 As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

^26:10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool and he who hires those who pass by.

^26:11 As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.

^26:12 See a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.

^26:13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

^26:14 The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.

^26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.

^26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.

^26:17 He who passes by and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.

^26:18 As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows and death, ^26:19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not amusing?

^26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

^26:21 As coals are to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

^26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels and they go down into the innermost parts.

^26:23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

^26:24 He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him. ^26:25 Because he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

^26:26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness will be openly shown before the assembly.

^26:27 He who digs a pit will fall in it and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

^26:28 A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded and a flattering mouth works ruin.

[Proverbs 27] TOC

^27:1 Do not boast in yourself of tomorrow, because you do not know what a day may bring forth.

^27:2 Let another man praise you and not your own mouth, a stranger and not your own lips.

^27:3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.

^27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?

^27:5 Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden.

^27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are abundant.

^27:7 The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

^27:8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his place.

^27:9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, so too the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

^27:10 Do not forsake your own friend and your father's friend. And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far off.

^27:11 My son, be wise and make my heart glad, that I may answer he who reproaches me.

^27:12 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself. The simple pass on and suffer for it.

^27:13 Take his garment that it is a surety for a stranger and hold him in pledge who is a surety for a strange woman.

^27:14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be considered a curse to him.

^27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. ^27:16 He who would restrain her restrains the wind and his right hand encounters oil.

^27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

^27:18 He who keeps the fig tree will eat the fruit of it and he who regards his master will be honored.

^27:19 As in water face is to face, so the heart of a man is to a man.

^27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied and the eyes of man are never satisfied.

^27:21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold and a man is tried by his praise.

^27:22 Though you should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.

^27:23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks and look well to your herds. ^27:24 Because riches are not everlasting. And does the crown endure to all generations?

^27:25 The hay is carried and the tender grass shows itself and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. ^27:26 The lambs are for your clothing and the goats are the cost of the field. ^27:27 And then will be goats' milk enough for your food; for the food of your household and maintenance for your maidens.

[Proverbs 28] TOC

^28:1 A wicked man flees when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

^28:2 For the transgression of a land many are the rulers of it. But by men of understanding and knowledge the state will be prolonged.

^28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

^28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

^28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Jehovah understand all things.

^28:6 Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.

^28:7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

^28:8 He who multiplies his substance by interest and increase, gathers it for him who has pity on the poor.

^28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

^28:10 He who causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall himself into his own pit. But the perfect will inherit good.

^28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but a poor man who has understanding searches him out.

^28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

^28:13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

^28:14 The man who fears always is fortunate, but he who hardens his heart will fall into mischief.

^28:15 A roaring lion and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

^28:16 The ruler who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

^28:17 A man who is laden with the blood of any person will flee to the pit. Let no man hold him.

^28:18 He who walks uprightly will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall at once.

^28:19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows after vanity will have poverty enough.

^28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not be unpunished.

^28:21 To have respect of persons is not good, nor that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

^28:22 He who has an evil eye hastens after riches and does not know that want will come upon him.

^28:23 He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

^28:24 He who robs his father or his mother and says, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.

^28:25 He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah will be made fat.

^28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely, he will be delivered.

^28:27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many a curse.

^28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

[Proverbs 29] TOC

^29:1 He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck will suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.

^29:2 When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people sigh.

^29:3 He who loves wisdom delights his father, but he who keeps company with prostitutes wastes his substance.

^29:4 The king establishes the land by justice, but he who takes heave-offerings overthrows it.

^29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his steps.

^29:6 There is a snare in the transgression of an evil man, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

^29:7 A righteous man takes knowledge of the cause of the poor. A wicked man has no such understanding to know.

^29:8 Scoffers breathe against a city, but wise men turn away wrath.

^29:9 If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, whether he is angry or laugh, there will be no rest.

^29:10 Bloodthirsty men hate he who is perfect, but the upright seek his soul.

^29:11 A fool utters all his anger, but a wise man keeps it back and calms it.

^29:12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his servants are wicked.

^29:13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together. Jehovah enlightens the eyes of them both.

^29:14 The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.

^29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.

^29:16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their fall.

^29:17 Discipline your son and he will give you rest, yes, he will give a delicacy to your soul.

^29:18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint, but he who keeps the law, he is fortunate.

^29:19 A servant will not be disciplined by words, because though he understands, he will not give heed.

^29:20 See a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

^29:21 He who brings up his servant gently from childhood will have him become a son at the last.

^29:22 An angry man stirs up strife and a wrathful man abounds in transgression.

^29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is of a lowly spirit will obtain honor.

^29:24 He who is partner with a thief, hates his own soul; he hears the oath at trial and utters nothing.

^29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah will be safe.

^29:26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice is from Jehovah.

^29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to a wicked man.

[Proverbs 30] TOC

^30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

^30:2 Surely I am more stupid than any man and have not the understanding of a man, ^30:3 and I have not learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy.

^30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name and what is his son’s name, surely you know?

^30:5 Every word of God is tried. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. ^30:6 Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you and you are found a liar.

^30:7 Two things I have asked of you, deny me not before I die: ^30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, ^30:9 lest I am full and deny you and say, Who is Jehovah? or lest I am poor and steal and use the name of my God profanely.

^30:10 Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you and you are held guilty.

^30:11 There is a generation who curses their father and does not praise their mother. ^30:12 There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

^30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes and their eyelids are lifted up. ^30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are swords and their jaw teeth, knives, to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among men.

^30:15 The leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give.There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four that do not say, Enough: ^30:16 Sheol and the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water and the fire that does not say, Enough.

^30:17 The eye that mocks at his father and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out and the young eagles will eat it.

^30:18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not know: ^30:19The 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 maiden.

^30:20 So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, I have done no wickedness.

^30:21 For three things the earth trembles and for four, which it cannot bear: ^30:22 For a servant when he is king and a fool when he is filled with food, ^30:23 under a hateful woman when she is married and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

^30:24 There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: ^30:25 The ants are not a strong people, yet they prepare their food in the summer, ^30:26 the rock-baggers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks,^30:27 the locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands, ^30:28 the lizard takes hold with her hands, yet she is in kings’ palaces.

^30:29 There are three things which are stately in their march, yes, four which are stately in going: ^30:30The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and turns not away from any, ^30:31 the greyhound, also the male-goat and the king against whom there is no rising up.

^30:32 If you have been foolish in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth.

^30:33 Because the churning of milk brings forth butter and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood, so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.

[Proverbs 31] TOC

^31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother instructed him.

^31:2 What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? ^31:3 Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to what destroys kings.

^31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? ^31:5 Lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.

^31:6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish and wine to the bitter in soul. ^31:7 Let him drink and forget his need and remember his misery no more.

^31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate. ^31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously and minister justice to the poor and needy.

^31:10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. ^31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. ^31:12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

^31:13 She seeks wool and flax and works willingly with her hands. ^31:14 She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.

^31:15 She also rises while it is yet night and gives food to her household and their task to her maidens.

^31:16 She considers a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard with the fruit of her hands.

^31:17 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. ^31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.

^31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff {a tool} and her hands hold the spindle.

^31:20 She stretches out her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

^31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, because all her household are clothed with scarlet.

^31:22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

^31:23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

^31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them and delivers belts to the merchant.

^31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.

^31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

^31:27 She looks well to the traveling of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

^31:28 Her sons rise up and call her fortunate. Her husband also and he praises her.

^31:29 Many daughters have done worthily, but you excel them all.

^31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she will be praised.

^31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.

[Ecclesiastes 1] TOC

^1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. ^1:2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity. ^1:3 What profit has man from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?

^1:4 One generation goes and another generation comes, but the earth abides everlasting. ^1:5 The sun also arises and the sun goes down and hastens to its place where it arises. ^1:6 The wind goes toward the south and turns around to the north. It turns around continually in its course and the wind returns again to its circuits. ^1:7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from where the rivers come, they go there again.

^1:8 All things are full of weariness, man cannot utter it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

^1:9 What has been is what will be and what has been done is what will be done. And there is no new thing under the sun. ^1:10 Is there a thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? It has been a thing of old, in the ages which were before us.

^1:11 There is no remembrance of the former things, nor will there be any remembrance of the latter that are to come, among those who will come after.

^1:12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ^1:13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven. It is a great task that God has given to the sons of men to be exercised by it.

^1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

^1:15 What is crooked cannot be made straight and what is wanting cannot be numbered.

^1:16 I spoke with my own heart, saying, Behold, I have become great and have increased wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. ^1:17And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and foolishness. I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

^1:18 Because in much wisdom is much grief and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

[Ecclesiastes 2] TOC

^2:1 I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove you with gladness, therefore enjoy pleasure. And behold, this also was vanity. ^2:2 I said of laughter, It is mad and from gladness, What does it do?

^2:3 I searched in my heart how to prolong my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding me with wisdom) and how to take hold of foolishness, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

^2:4 I made great works for me. I built houses for me. I planted vineyards for me. ^2:5 I made gardens for me and parks and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. ^2:6 I made pools of water for me, to water the forest from there where trees were reared.

^2:7 I bought men-servants and maid-servants and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. ^2:8 I also gathered silver and gold and the treasure of kings and of the provinces for me. ^2:9 I got for me male-singers and female-singers and the luxuries of the sons of men and a wife and wives.

So I was great and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

^2:10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy. Because my heart rejoiced because of all my labor and this was my portion from all my labor.

^2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had worked and on the labor that I had labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

^2:12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom and madness and foolishness. Because what can the man do who comes after the king? Even what has been done long ago.

^2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excels foolishness as far as light excels darkness. ^2:14 The wise man's eyes are in his head and the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

^2:15 Then I said in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it will happen even to me and why then was I more wise? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

^2:16 Because of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no everlasting remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how the wise man dies even as the fool!

^2:17 So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me. Because all is vanity and a striving after wind.

^2:18 And I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will be after me. ^2:19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all my labor in which I have labored and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

^2:20 Therefore I turned around to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.

^2:21 Because there is a man whose labor is with wisdom and with knowledge and with skillfulness, yet he will leave it to a man who has not labored in it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

^2:22 Because what has a man of all his labor and of the striving of his heart in which he labors under the sun? ^2:23 Because all his tasks are but sorrows and his travail is grief, yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

^2:24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. ^2:25 Because who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, without him?

^2:26 Because to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he gives tasks to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

[Ecclesiastes 3] TOC

^3:1 There is a season for everything and a time for every purpose under heaven:

^3:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,

^3:3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,

^3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

^3:5 a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

^3:6 a time to seek and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,

^3:7 a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,

^3:8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

^3:9 What profit has he who works in that in which he labors? ^3:10 I have seen the tasks which God has given to the sons of men to be humbled by it.

^3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Also he has set the everlasting in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

^3:12 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live.^3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy good in all his labor. It is the gift of God.

^3:14 I know that, whatever God does, it will be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it. And God has done it that men should fear before him.

^3:15 What is, has been long ago and what is to be, has long ago been. And God seeks again what has passed away.

^3:16 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.

^3:17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous man and the wicked man, because there is a time for every purpose and for every work there.

^3:18 I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them and that they may see that they themselves are beasts.

^3:19 Because what befalls the sons of men befalls beasts, even one thing befalls them; as the one dies, so dies the other. Yes, they all have one breath and man has no preeminence above the beasts; because all is vanity.

^3:20 All go to one place. All are from the dust and all turn to dust again. ^3:21 Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?

^3:22 Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works, because that is his portion. Because who will bring him back to see what will be after him?

[Ecclesiastes 4] TOC

^4:1 Then I returned and saw 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.

^4:2 Therefore I praised the dead who have long been dead more than the living who are yet alive. ^4:3Yes, better than them both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

^4:4 Then I saw all labor and every skillful work, that a man is envied for this by his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

^4:5 The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh.

^4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.

^4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.^4:8 There is one man who is alone and he has not a second, yes, he has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end of all his labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with riches. And he says, whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yes, it is a great task.

^4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. ^4:10 Because if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. ^4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth, but how can one be warm alone? ^4:12 And if a man prevails against he who is alone, two will withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

^4:13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who does not know how to receive admonition any more. ^4:14 Because he came forth out of prison to be king, yes, he was born poor even in his kingdom.

^4:15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, who stood up instead of him. ^4:16 There was no end of all the people, even of all those whom he was over. Yet those who come after will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

[Ecclesiastes 5] TOC

^5:1 Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, for to draw near to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools. For they do not know that they do evil.

^5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth and do not let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God. Because God is in heaven and you upon earth. Therefore let your words be few. ^5:3 Because a dream comes the greatness of the task and a fool's voice with a multitude of words.

^5:4 When you vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it, because he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. ^5:5 It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. ^5:6 Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger, that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? ^5:7 Because there are vanities in the multitude of dreams and in many words. But fear God.

^5:8 If you see the oppression of a poor man and the violent robbery of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter. Because a man higher than the high is observing and there are higher men than they. ^5:9 Moreover the abundance of the land is for all. The king himself is served by the field.

^5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. ^5:11 When goods increase, they are increased who eat them. And what advantage is there to the owner of it, except the beholding of them with his eyes?

^5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the fullness of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

^5:13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun; riches were kept by its owner to his evil. ^5:14 And those riches perish by an evil task. And if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. ^5:15 As he came out from his mother's womb, naked will he go again as he came and will take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. ^5:16 And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so he will go. And what profit has he that he labored for the wind? ^5:17 All his days also he eats in gloom and he is greatly troubled and has depression and anger.

^5:18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and to be fitting is for a man to eat and to drink and to enjoy good in all his labor in which he labors under the sun all the days of his life which God has given him, because this is his portion.

^5:19 Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth and has given him power to eat of it and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labor– this is the gift of God. ^5:20 Because he will not remember much the days of his life, because God answers him in the joy of his heart.

[Ecclesiastes 6] TOC

^6:1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is heavy upon men: ^6:2 A man to whom God gives riches, wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity and it is an evil disease.

^6:3 If a man fathers a hundred sons and lives many years so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good and moreover he has no burial, I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. ^6:4 Because it comes in vanity and departs in darkness and the name of it is covered with darkness.^6:5 Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it, this one has rest rather than the other. ^6:6 Yes, though he lives twice a thousand years and yet has seen no good, do not all go to one place?

^6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not filled.

^6:8 Because what advantage has the wise man more than the fool? What has the poor man, who knows how to walk before the living?

^6:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

^6:10 Whatever has been, the name of it was given long ago and it is known that he is man. Neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.

^6:11 Because there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? ^6:12 Because who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

[Ecclesiastes 7] TOC

^7:1 A good name is better than precious oil and the day of death, than the day of birth.

^7:2 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.

^7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter, because by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.

^7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of gladness.

^7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools. ^7:6 Because as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.

^7:7 Surely oppression makes the wise man foolish and a bribe destroys the understanding.

^7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

^7:9 Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry, because anger rests in the bosom of fools.

^7:10 Do not say, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? Because you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

^7:11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun. ^7:12 Because wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense. But the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

^7:13 Consider the work of God. Because who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?

^7:14 Be joyful in the day of prosperity and consider in the day of adversity. Yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

^7:15 All this I have seen in my days of vanity. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evil-doing.

^7:16 Do not be over-righteous, nor show yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? ^7:17 Do not much wrong, nor be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

^7:18 It is good that you should take hold of this, yes, also do not withdraw your hand from that. Because he who fears God will come out from them all.

^7:19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

^7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth that does good and does not sin.

^7:21 Also do not take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you. ^7:22 Because also your own heart knows many times that you yourself likewise have cursed others.

^7:23 All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me. ^7:24 What is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

^7:25 I turned about and my heart was set to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the reason of things and to know that wickedness is stupidity and that stupidity is madness.

^7:26 And I find more bitter than death, the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are chains. He who pleases God will escape from her, but the sinner will be taken by her.

^7:27 Behold, I have found this, says the Preacher, laying one thing to another, to find out the account,^7:28 which my soul still seeks, but I have not found: among a thousand I have found one man, but among all those I have not found a woman. ^7:29 Behold, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.

[Ecclesiastes 8] TOC

^8:1 Who is as the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face to shine and the hardness of his face is changed.

^8:2 I say, Keep the king's command and that because of the oath of God. ^8:3 Do not be hasty to go out of his presence. Persist not in an evil matter, because he does whatever pleases him. ^8:4 For the king's word has power and who may say to him, What are you doing? ^8:5 He who keeps a commandment will know no evil thing. And a wise man's heart discerns the time and decision.

^8:6 Because to every purpose there is a time and decision, although the distress of man is great upon him. ^8:7 Because he does not know what will be, because who can tell him how it will be?

^8:8 There is no man who has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, nor has he power over the day of death. And there is no discharge in war. Neither will wickedness deliver he who is given to it.

^8:9 All this I have seen and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.

^8:10 So I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy and they were praised in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity.

^8:11 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.

^8:12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his days, yet surely I know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before him. ^8:13 But it will not be well with a wicked man, neither will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he did not fear before God.

^8:14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked, again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.

^8:15 Then I commended joy, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat and to drink and to be cheerful. For that will abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

^8:16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done upon the earth (because also there is he who sees sleep with his eyes neither day nor night), ^8:17 then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. Because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he will not find it. Yes moreover, though a wise man thinks to know it, yet he will not be able to find it.

[Ecclesiastes 9] TOC

^9:1 This I laid to my heart for all, even to explore all this, that the righteous and the wise and their works, are in the hand of God. No man understands, either love or hatred. All is before them.

^9:2 All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous man and to the wicked man, to the good man and to the clean man and to the unclean man, to him who sacrifices and to him who does not sacrifice, as is the good man, so is the sinner and he who swears, as he who fears an oath. ^9:3This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all.

Yes 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.

^9:4 Because to him who is joined with all the living there is hope, because a living dog is better than a dead lion. ^9:5 Because the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything, nor have they anymore a reward, because the memory of them is forgotten. ^9:6 As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, has perished long ago, nor have they anymore a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.

^9:7 Go your way, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because God has already accepted your works. ^9:8 Let your garments be always white and do not let your head lack oil. ^9:9Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity. Because that is your portion in life and in your labor in which you labor under the sun.

^9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might, because there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you go.

^9:11 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 favor to men of skill, but time and chance happens to them all. ^9:12 Because man also does not know 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 falls suddenly upon them.

^9:13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun this way and it seemed great to me. ^9:14 There was a little city and few men within it. And there came a great king against it and besieged it and built great ramparts against it. ^9:15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man. And he delivered the city by his wisdom, yet no man remembered that same poor man. ^9:16Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

^9:17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.

^9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

[Ecclesiastes 10] TOC

^10:1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor, so a little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor.

^10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.

^10:3 Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

^10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place, because healing rest great offenses.

^10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were, an error which proceeds from the ruler: ^10:6 Folly is set in great dignity and the rich sit in a low place. ^10:7 I have seen servants upon horses and rulers walking like servants upon the earth.

^10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it and he who breaks through a wall, a serpent will bite him. ^10:9 He who hews out stones will be hurt with them and he who splits wood is endangered by them.

^10:10 If the iron is blunt and he does not sharpen the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right.

^10:11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage in the charmer.

^10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow himself up. ^10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

^10:14 A fool also multiplies words; yet man does not know what will be and what will be after him, who can tell him?

^10:15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them, for he does not know how to go to the city.

^10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child and your rulers feast in the morning! ^10:17 You are fortunate, O land, when your king is the son of noble men and your rulers feast in due season, for strength and not for drunkenness!

^10:18 The roof sinks from laziness and the house leaks through idleness of the hands.

^10:19 A feast is made for laughter and wine gladdens the life and money answers all things.

^10:20 Do not revile the king, no, not in your thought and do not revile the rich in your bedroom. Because a bird of the heavens will carry the voice and what has wings will tell the matter.

[Ecclesiastes 11] TOC

^11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, because you will find it after many days. ^11:2 Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight, because you do not know what evil will be upon the earth.

^11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, it will be there.

^11:4 He who observes the wind will not sow and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

^11:5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, even so you do not know the work of God who does it all.

^11:6 Sow your seed in the morning and do not withhold your hand in the evening, because you do not know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be good alike.

^11:7 Truly the light is sweet and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the sun.

^11:8 Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, because they will be many. All that comes is vanity.

^11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth and let your heart cheer you up in the days of your youth and walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes. But know, that upon all these things God will bring you into judgment. ^11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart and put away evil from your flesh, because youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

[Ecclesiastes 12] TOC

^12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near, when you will say, I have no pleasure in them, ^12:2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, ^12:3 in the day when the keepers of the house will tremble and the strong men will bow themselves down and the grinders cease because they are few and those who look out of the windows will be darkened, ^12:4 and the doors will be shut in the street, when the sound of the grinding is low and he will rise up at the voice of a bird and all the daughters of music will be brought low, ^12:5 yes, they will be afraid of height and terrors will be in the way and the almond tree will blossom and the grasshopper will be a burden and desire will fail, because man goes to his everlasting home and the mourners go about the streets, ^12:6 before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, ^12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

^12:8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity.

^12:9 And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. ^12:10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words and what was written uprightly– words of truth.

^12:11 The words of the wise are as cattle-prods and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies. They have been given from one shepherd.

^12:12 And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

^12:13 This is the end of the matter, all has been heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole of man. ^12:14 Because God will bring every work with every hidden thing, whether good or evil into judgment.

[Song of Solomon 1] TOC

^1:1 The Song of songs, which is Solomon's. ^1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, because your love is better than wine.

^1:3 Your oils have a good fragrance. Your name is oil poured forth. Therefore the virgins love you.

^1:4 Draw to me, we will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will make mention of your love more than of wine. They love you in uprightness.

^1:5 I am black, but becoming, O you^* daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. ^1:6 Do not look upon me, because I am blackish, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother's sons were furious at me. They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.

^1:7 Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where do you feed your flock, where you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be as she who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?

^1:8 If you do not know, O you fairest among women, go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed your kids beside the shepherds' tents.

^1:9 I have compared you, O my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots. ^1:10 Your cheeks are lovely with circlets of hair, your neck with strings of jewels.^1:11We will make you circlets of gold with studs of silver.

^1:12 While the king sat at his table, my nard sent forth its fragrance. ^1:13 My beloved is to me a bundle of myrrh that lies between my breasts.

^1:14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of En-gedi. ^1:15 Behold, you are fair, my love, behold you are fair. Your eyes are doves. ^1:16 Behold, you are fair, my beloved, yes, pleasant. Also our couch is green. ^1:17 The beams of our house are cedars, our rafters are firs.

[Song of Solomon 2] TOC

^2:1 I am a rose of Sharon. A lily of the valleys. ^2:2As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.

^2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste. ^2:4 He brought me to the banquet house and his banner over me was love.

^2:5 Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples, because I am sick from love. ^2:6 His left hand is under my head and his right hand embraces me.

^2:7 I swear to you^*, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roe-deers, or by the female-deers of the field, that you^* do not stir up, nor awake my love, until it pleases.

^2:8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.^2:9 My beloved is like a roe-deer or a young male-deer. Behold, he stands behind our wall. He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice.

^2:10 My beloved spoke and said to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away. ^2:11 For behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. ^2:12 The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. ^2:13 The fig tree ripens her green figs and the vines are in blossom. They give forth their fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one and come away. ^2:14O my dove, who are in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the steep place, let me see your countenance; let me hear your voice. Because sweet is your voice and your countenance is becoming.

^2:15 Take for us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards. For our vineyards are in blossom.

^2:16 My beloved is mine and I am his. He feeds among the lilies. ^2:17 Until the day breathes cool and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved and be like a roe-deer or a young male-deer upon the mountains of spice {Bether}.

[Song of Solomon 3] TOC

^3:1 I sought he whom my soul loves by night on my bed. I sought him, but I did not find him. ^3:2 I said, I will rise now and go around the city. I will seek he whom my soul loves in the streets and in the broad ways. I sought him, but I did not find him.^3:3 The watchmen who go about the city found me. I said, Did you^* see he whom my soul loves?

^3:4 It was but a little that I passed from them when I found he whom my soul loves. 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 who conceived me.

^3:5 I swear to you^*, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roe-deers, or by the female-deers of the field, that you^* do not stir up, nor awake my love, until it pleases.

^3:6 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? ^3:7 Behold, it is the bed of Solomon. Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel. ^3:8 They all handle the sword and are expert in war. Every man has his sword upon his thigh, because of fear in the night.

^3:9 King Solomon made himself a palanquin {i.e. a carried vessel for one person} of the wood of Lebanon. ^3:10 He made the pillars of it from silver, the bottom of it from gold, the seat of it from purple, the midst of it being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.

^3:11 Go forth, O you^* daughters of Zion and behold king Solomon with the crown with which his mother has crowned him in the day of his marriage and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

[Song of Solomon 4] TOC

^4:1 Behold, you are fair, my love, behold, you are fair. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is as a flock of goats that lie along the side of Mount Gilead. ^4:2 Your teeth are like a flock of ewe-lambs that are newly shorn, which have come up from the washing, of which every one has twins and none is bereaved among them. ^4:3 Your lips are like a thread of scarlet and your mouth is becoming. Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil. ^4:4Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, on which there hangs a thousand bucklers, all the shields of the mighty men. ^4:5 Your two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a roe-deer, which feed among the lilies. ^4:6 Until the day is cool and the shadows flee away, I will walk to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. ^4:7 You are all fair, my love and there is no spot in you.

^4:8 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. ^4:9 You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck. ^4:10 How fair is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine and the fragrance of your oils than all manner of spices! ^4:11 Your lips, O my bride, drop the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue and the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

^4:12 A garden shut up is my sister, my bride, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. ^4:13 Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits, henna with nard plants, ^4:14 nard and saffron, cane and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. ^4:15 You are a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters and flowing streams from Lebanon.

^4:16 Awake, O north wind and come, you south, breathe upon my garden, that the spices of it may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his precious fruits.

[Song of Solomon 5] TOC

^5:1 I have 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, yes. Drink abundantly, O beloved.

^5:2 I was asleep, but my heart awoke. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks, saying, 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. ^5:3 I have put off my garment, how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?

^5:4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door and my gut was moved for him. ^5:5 I rose up to open to my beloved and my hands drops with myrrh and my fingers with liquid myrrh, upon the handles of the bolt.

^5:6 I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had withdrawn himself and had gone. My soul had failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him. I called him, but he gave me no answer. ^5:7 The watchmen who go about the city found me. They killed^* me, they wounded me. The keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

^5:8 I swear to you^*, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you^* find my beloved, that you^* tell him that I am sick from love. ^5:9 What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you do so swear to us?

^5:10 My beloved is white and reddish, the chief among ten thousand. ^5:11 His head is the most fine gold. His locks are bushy, black as a raven. ^5:12 His eyes are like doves beside the water-brooks, washed with milk, fitly set. ^5:13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, banks of sweet herbs. His lips are lilies, dropping liquid myrrh. ^5:14 His hands are rings of gold set with beryl. His gut is gleaming ivory overlaid with sapphires. ^5:15 His legs are pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. ^5:16 His mouth is most sweet. Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

[Song of Solomon 6] TOC

^6:1 Where has your beloved gone, O you fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you? ^6:2 My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lilies. ^6:3 I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. He feeds among the lilies.

^6:4 You are fair, O my love, as Tirzah, becoming as Jerusalem, awe-inspiring as an army with banners. ^6:5 Turn away your eyes from me, for they have behaved-proudly against me. Your hair is as a flock of goats that lie along the side of Gilead. ^6:6 Your teeth are like a flock of ewe-lambs, which have come up from the washing, of which every one has twins and none is bereaved among them. ^6:7 Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.

^6:8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines and virgins without number. ^6:9 My dove, my undefiled, is but one. She is the only one of her mother. She is the choice one of her who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her fortunate, yes, the queens and the concubines saw her and they praised her.^6:10 Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awe-inspiring as an army with banners?

^6:11 I went down into the garden of nuts, to see the green plants of the valley, to see whether the vine budded and the pomegranates were in flower. ^6:12Before I was aware, my soul set me among the chariots of my noble people.

^6:13 Return, return, O Shulammite {Shunammite}, return, return, that we may look upon you. Why will you^* look upon the Shulammite {Shunammite}, as upon the dance of two armies?

[Song of Solomon 7] TOC

^7:1 How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O noble's daughter! Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skillful workman.^7:2 Your body is a round goblet, no mingled wine is wanting. Your waist is a heap of wheat set about with lilies. ^7:3 Your two breasts are like two fawns that are twins of a roe-deer. ^7:4 Your neck is like the tower of ivory. Your eyes, the pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looks toward Damascus. ^7:5 Your head upon you is like Carmel and the hair of your head like purple. The king is held captive in your flowing-hair. ^7:6 How fair and how pleasant you are, O love, for delights!

^7:7 This your stature is like to a palm tree and your breasts to its clusters. ^7:8 I said, I will climb up into the palm tree. I will take hold of the branches of it. Let your breasts be as clusters of the vine and the smell of your breath like apples, ^7:9 and your mouth like the best wine, that goes down smoothly for my beloved, gliding through the lips and teeth.

^7:10 I am my beloved's and his desire is toward me. ^7:11 Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field. Let us lodge in the villages. ^7:12 Let us get up early to the vineyards. Let us see whether the vine has budded, its blossom is open, the pomegranates are in flower. There I will give you my love. ^7:13 The love-apples give forth fragrance. And all manner of precious fruits, new and old, are at our doors, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.

[Song of Solomon 8] TOC

^8:1 If only you were as my brother, who sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find you outside, I would kiss you. Yes and none would despise me. ^8:2 I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house, who would instruct me. I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate. ^8:3 His left hand under my head and his right hand should embrace me.

^8:4 I swear to you^*, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you^* do not stir up, nor awake my love, until it pleases.

^8:5 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple tree I awoke you. There your mother was in travail with you. There she who brought you forth was in travail

^8:6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. Because love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as Sheol. The flashes of it are flashes of fire, a flame of Jehovah.

^8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it. If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

^8:8 We have a little sister and she has no breasts. What will we do for our sister in the day when she will be spoken for? ^8:9 If she is a wall, we will build upon her a turret of silver. And if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar. ^8:10 I am a wall and my breasts like the towers. Then I was in his eyes as one who found peace.

^8:11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon. He let out the vineyard to keepers. Every one for the fruit of it was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. ^8:12My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. You, O Solomon, will have the thousand and those who keep the fruit of it, two hundred.

^8:13 You who dwell in the gardens, the companions listen for your voice. Cause me to hear it. ^8:14 Make haste, my beloved and be like to a roe-deer or to a young male-deer upon the mountains of spices.

[Isaiah 1] TOC

^1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

^1:2 Hear, O heavens and listen, O earth, for Jehovah has spoken. I have nourished and brought up sons and they have rebelled against me.

^1:3 The ox knows his owner and the donkey his master's crib, but Israel does not know; my people does not consider.

^1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Jehovah. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have gone away backward.

^1:5 Why will you^* still be stricken, that you^* revolt more and more? The whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. ^1:6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and fresh stripes. They have not been closed nor bound up nor soothed with oil.

^1:7 Your^* country is desolate. Your^* cities are burned with fire. Your^* land– strangers devour it in your^* presence and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. ^1:8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a shed in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

^1:9 Unless Jehovah of hosts had left to us a seed, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like Gomorrah. ^1:10 Hear the word of Jehovah, you^* rulers of Sodom, listen to the law of our God, you^* people of Gomorrah.

^1:11 What to me is the multitude of your^* sacrifices? says Jehovah. I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. And I do not delight in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or of male-goats. ^1:12 When you^* come to appear before me, who has required this at your^* hand– to trample my courts?

^1:13 Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies– I cannot bear wickedness and the solemn assembly. ^1:14 Your^* new moons and your^* appointed feasts my soul hates. They are a encumbrance to me. I am weary of bearing them.

^1:15 And when you^* spread forth your^* hands, I will hide my eyes from you^*. Yes, when you^* make many prayers, I will not hear; your^* hands are full of blood.

^1:16 Wash you^*, make you^* clean, put away the evil of your^* practices from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. ^1:17 Learn to do good. Seek justice, make the oppressed fortunate, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

^1:18 Come now and let us reason together, says Jehovah, though your^* sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they will be as wool.

^1:19 If you^* are willing and obedient, you^* will eat the good of the land. ^1:20 But if you^* refuse and rebel, you^* will be devoured with the sword, for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken it.

^1:21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

^1:22 Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water. ^1:23 Your rulers are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They judge not the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come to them.

^1:24 Therefore says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of my adversaries and avenge me of my enemies. ^1:25 And I will turn my hand upon you and thoroughly purge away your dross and will take away all your tin. ^1:26And I will restore your judges as at the first and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the city of righteousness, a faithful town.

^1:27 Zion will be redeemed with justice and her converts with righteousness.

^1:28 But the destruction of transgressors and sinners will be together and those who forsake Jehovah will be consumed. ^1:29 For they will be ashamed of the oaks which you^* have desired and you^* will be confounded for the gardens that you^* have chosen. ^1:30 For you^* will be as an oak whose leaf fades and as a garden that has no water. ^1:31 And the strong man will be as flax and his work as a spark. And they will both burn together and none will quench them.

[Isaiah 2] TOC

^2:1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

^2:2 And it will happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house will be established on the top of the mountains and will be exalted above the hills and all nations will flow to it. ^2:3 And many peoples will go and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion will go forth the law and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.

^2:4 And he will judge between the nations and will decide concerning many peoples and they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.

^2:5 O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of Jehovah. ^2:6 For you have forsaken your people the house of Jacob, because they are filled with things from the east and are practicing witchcraft of like the Philistines. And they strike hands with the children of foreigners.

^2:7 And their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures. Their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.

^2:8 Their land is also full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, what their own fingers have made, ^2:9 and so the common man bows down and the great man degrades himself. Therefore do not forgive them.

^2:10 Enter into the rock and hide you in the dust, from before the terror of Jehovah and from the glory of his majesty. ^2:11 The lofty looks of man will be brought low and the haughtiness of men will be bowed down and Jehovah alone will be exalted in that day.

^2:12 For there will be a day of Jehovah of hosts upon all that is proud and haughty and upon all that is lifted up and it will be brought low, ^2:13 and upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and upon all the oaks of Bashan, ^2:14 and upon all the high mountains and upon all the hills that are lifted up, ^2:15 and upon every lofty tower and upon every fortified wall, ^2:16 and upon all the ships of Tarshish and upon all desirable imagery.

^2:17 And the loftiness of man will be bowed down and the haughtiness of men will be brought low and Jehovah alone will be exalted in that day. ^2:18And the idols will utterly pass away. ^2:19 And men will go into the caves of the rocks and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of Jehovah and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily.

^2:20 Men will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold in that day, which have been made for them to worship, to the moles and to the bats, ^2:21to go into the caverns of the rocks and into the clefts of the ragged rocks, from before the terror of Jehovah and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily.

^2:22 Cease you^* from man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for how is he to be accounted of?

[Isaiah 3] TOC

^3:1 For, behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and staff, the whole support of bread and the whole support of water, ^3:2 the mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the prophet and the diviner and the elder, ^3:3 the captain of fifty and the honorable man and the counselor and the expert craftsman and the skillful enchanter.

^3:4 And I will give sons to be their rulers and babes will rule over them. ^3:5 And the people will be oppressed, every one by another and every one by his neighbor. The child himself will behave-proudly against the old man and the base against the honorable.

^3:6 When a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, You have clothing, be our ruler and let this ruin be under your hand, ^3:7in that day he will lift up his voice, saying, I will not be a healer, for in my house is neither bread nor clothing. You^* will not make me ruler of the people.

^3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined and Judah has fallen, because their tongue and their practices are against Jehovah, to provoke the eyes of his glory. ^3:9 The show of their countenance witnesses against them and they declare their sin as Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have done evil to themselves.

^3:10 Say you^* of the righteous, that it is well, for they will eat the fruit of their practices. ^3:11 Woe to the wicked! It is ill with him, for what his hands have done will be done to him.

^3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors and women rule over them. O my people, those who advance you, are making you go-astray and destroy the way of your paths.

^3:13 Jehovah stands up to contend and stands to judge the peoples. ^3:14 Jehovah will enter into judgment with the elders of his people and the rulers of it. It is you^* who have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of a poor man is in your^* houses. ^3:15 What do you^* mean that you^* crush my people and grind the face of the poor? says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

^3:16 Moreover Jehovah said, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go and making a tinkling with their feet, ^3:17 therefore the Lord will kill^* with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion and Jehovah will lay bare their secret parts.

^3:18 In that day, the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets and the hair nets and the crescents, ^3:19 the pendants and the bracelets and the mufflers, ^3:20 the bonnets and the ankle chains and the sashes and the perfume-boxes and the amulets,^3:21 the rings and the nose-jewels, ^3:22 the festival robes and the cloaks and the shawls and the satchels, ^3:23the hand-mirrors and the fine linen and the turbans and the veils.

^3:24 And it will happen, that instead of sweet spices there will be rottenness and instead of a belt, a rope and instead of well set hair, baldness and instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth, branding instead of beauty. ^3:25 Your men will fall by the sword and your mighty in the war. ^3:26 And her gates will lament and mourn and she will be desolate and sit upon the ground.

[Isaiah 4] TOC

^4:1 And seven women will take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel. Only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.

^4:2 In that day the branch of Jehovah will be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the land will be excellent and glory for those who have escaped from Israel.

^4:3 And it will happen, that he who is left in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem, will be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem, ^4:4 when the Lord will have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and will have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst of it, by the spirit of justice and by the spirit of burning.

^4:5 And Jehovah will create over the whole dwelling of Mount Zion and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night, for over all the glory, a covering. ^4:6And there will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat and for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain.

[Isaiah 5] TOC

^5:1 Let me sing for my well-beloved a song of my beloved concerning his vineyard. My well-beloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill. ^5:2 And he dug it and gathered out the stones of it and planted it with the choicest vine and built a tower in the midst of it and also hewed out a winepress in it. And he looked that it should bring forth grapes and it brought out wild grapes.

^5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I beseech you^*, between me and my vineyard. ^5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, it brought out wild grapes?

^5:5 And now I will tell you^* what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away the hedge of it and it will be eaten up. I will break down the wall of it and it will be trodden down. ^5:6 And I will lay it waste. It will not be pruned nor hoed, but there will come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

^5:7 For the vineyard of Jehovah of hosts is the house of Israel and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. And he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression, for righteousness, but, behold, a cry.

^5:8 Woe to those who join house to house, who lay field to field, till there is no room and you^* are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land! ^5:9 In my ears says Jehovah of hosts, of a truth many houses will be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant. ^5:10 For ten acres of vineyard will yield one 9-gallon container and a homer of seed will yield but a 10-gallon container.

^5:11 Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, who abide late into the night, till wine inflame them! ^5:12And the harp and the lute, the tambourine and the pipe and wine, are in their feasts, but they do not regard the work of Jehovah, nor have they considered the operation of his hands.

^5:13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity for lack of knowledge and their honorable men are famished and their multitude are parched with thirst.

^5:14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire and opened its mouth without measure. And their glory and their multitude and their pomp and he who rejoices among them, descend into it. ^5:15 And the common man is bowed down and the great man is debased and the eyes of the lofty are humbled, ^5:16 but Jehovah of hosts is exalted in justice and God the Holy One is made holy in righteousness. ^5:17 Then the lambs will feed as in their pasture and wanderers will eat the waste places of the fat ones.

^5:18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood and sin as it were with a cart rope, ^5:19who say, Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it. And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!

^5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

^5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!

^5:22 Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine and men of strength to mingle strong drink, ^5:23 who justify the wicked for rewards and take away the justice of the righteous man from him!

^5:24 Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness and their blossom will go up as dust, because they have rejected the law of Jehovah of hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

^5:25 Therefore the anger of Jehovah is kindled against his people and he has stretched forth his hand against them and has struck them. And the mountains tremble and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets.

For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

^5:26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far and will whistle for them from the end of the earth, and behold, they will come with speed swiftly. ^5:27 None will be weary nor stumble among them. None will slumber nor sleep, nor will the belt of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken, ^5:28 whose arrows are sharp and all their bows bent. Their horses' hoofs will be accounted as flint and their wheels as a whirlwind.

^5:29 Their roaring will be like a lioness. They will roar like young lions. Yes, they will roar and lay hold of the prey and carry it away safe and there will be none to deliver. ^5:30 And they will roar against them in that day like the roaring of the sea. And if a man looks to the land, behold, darkness and distress and the light is darkened in the clouds of it.

[Isaiah 6] TOC

^6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up and his train filled the temple. ^6:2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings, with two he covered his face and with two he covered his feet and with two he flew.

^6:3 And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. ^6:4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who cried and the house was filled with vapor.

^6:5 Then I said, Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts. ^6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. ^6:7And he touched my mouth with it and said, Behold, this has touched your lips and your iniquity is taken away and your sin forgiven.

^6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then I said, Behold, send me.

^6:9 And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear indeed, but do not understand and see you^* indeed, but do not perceive. ^6:10 Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn and be healed.

^6:11 Then I said, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until cities be waste without inhabitant and houses without man and the land become utterly waste, ^6:12 and Jehovah has removed men far away and the forsaken places be many in the midst of the land. ^6:13 And if there is yet a tenth in it, it also will in turn be eaten up. As a terebinth and as an oak, whose stock remains when they are felled, so the holy seed is the stock of it.

[Isaiah 7] TOC

^7:1 And it happened in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, King of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. ^7:2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is allied with Ephraim. And his heart trembled and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.

^7:3 Then Jehovah said to Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the launder's field. ^7:4 And say to him, Take heed and be quiet. Do not fear, nor let your heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and of the son of Remaliah. ^7:5 Because Syria, Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, have purposed evil against you, saying, ^7:6Let us go up against Judah and besiege it and let us make a breach in it for us and set up a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeel, ^7:7 the Lord Jehovah says thus: It will not stand, nor will it happen.

^7:8 For the head of Syria is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin. And within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken in pieces, so that is will not be a people. ^7:9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If you^* will not believe, surely you^* will not be established.

^7:10 And Jehovah spoke again to Ahaz, saying,^7:11Ask you a sign of Jehovah your God, ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. ^7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, nor will I challenge Jehovah.

^7:13 And he said, Hear now, O house of David. Is it a small thing for you^* to weary men, that you^* will weary my God also?

^7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you^* a sign: Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a son and will call his name Immanuel.

^7:15 Butter and honey will he eat, when he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good. ^7:16 For before the child will know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you abhor will be forsaken.

^7:17 Jehovah will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah– even} the king of Assyria.

^7:18 And it will happen in that day, that Jehovah will whistle for the fly that is in the outermost part of the rivers of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. ^7:19 And they will come and will rest all of them in the desolate valleys and in the clefts of the rocks and upon all thorn-hedges and upon all pastures. ^7:20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor what is hired in the parts beyond the River, even with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet and it will also consume the beard.

^7:21 And it will happen in that day, that a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep. ^7:22 And it will happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they will give he will eat butter. For everyone who is left in the midst of the land will eat butter and honey.

^7:23 And it will happen in that day, that every place where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silver coins, will be for briers and thorns.^7:24 Men will come there with arrows and with bow, because all the land will be briers and thorns. ^7:25 And all the hills that were dug with the mattock, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but it will be for the sending forth of oxen and for the treading of sheep.

[Isaiah 8] TOC

^8:1 And Jehovah said to me, You take a great tablet and write upon it with the pen of a man, To Make Haste to Plunder! Hurry to the Spoil! ^8:2 And I will testify through the faithful witnesses: Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. ^8:3And I went to the prophetess and she conceived and bore a son.

Then Jehovah said to me, Call his name Make Haste to Plunder! Hurry to the Spoil! ^8:4 For before the child will have knowledge to cry, My father, and, My mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.

^8:5 And Jehovah spoke to me yet again, saying,^8:6 Inasmuch as this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son, ^8:7 now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up upon them the waters of the River, strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will come up over all its channels and go over all its banks, ^8:8 and it will sweep onward into Judah. It will overflow and pass through; it will reach even to the neck. And the stretching out of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.

^8:9 Make an uproar, O you^* peoples and be broken in pieces. And listen, all you^* of far countries. Gird yourselves and be broken in pieces. Gird yourselves and be broken in pieces. ^8:10 Take counsel together and it will be brought to nothing. Speak the word and it will not stand, for God is with us.

^8:11 For Jehovah spoke thus to me with a strong hand and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, ^8:12 Do not say, A conspiracy, concerning all of which this people will say, A conspiracy, nor fear their fear, nor be in dread of it. ^8:13 Jehovah of hosts, him you^* will sanctify and let him be your^* fear and let him be your^* dread.

^8:14 And he will be for a sanctuary, but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a net and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ^8:15 And many will stumble on it and fall and be broken and be snared and be taken.

^8:16 Bind you up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples. ^8:17 And I will wait for Jehovah, who hides his face from the house of Jacob and I will be a man who has trusted in him.

^8:18 Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Jehovah of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion.

^8:19 And when they will say to you^*, Seek for those who have familiar spirits and for the wizards, who chirp and who mutter, should not a people seek for their God? On behalf of the living seek to the dead?

^8:20 Seek to the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. ^8:21 And they will pass through it, greatly distressed and hungry. And it will happen that, when they will be hungry, they will be angry and curse by their king and by their God and turn their faces upward. ^8:22 And they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish and into thick darkness to be driven away.

[Isaiah 9] TOC

^9:1 But there will be no gloom to her who was in constraint. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. ^9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light has shone.

^9:3 You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They joy before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. ^9:4 For the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian. ^9:5 Because every boot of the one trampling is with shaking, and the garments of war rolled in blood, will be for burning, for fuel of fire.

^9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.

^9:7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from hereafter until everlasting. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.

^9:8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob and it has lighted upon Israel. ^9:9 And all the people will know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart, ^9:10 The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone, the sycamores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.

^9:11 Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin and will stir up his enemies, ^9:12 the Syrians in front and the Philistines behind and they will devour Israel with open mouth.

For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

^9:13 Yet the people have not turned to him who killed^* them, nor have they sought Jehovah of hosts.^9:14 Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day. ^9:15 The elder and the honorable man, he is the head. And the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail. ^9:16 For those who lead this people make them go-astray and those who are led by them are destroyed.

^9:17 Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, nor will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows. For everyone is profane and an evildoer and every mouth does senselessness.

For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

^9:18 For wickedness burns as the fire. It devours the briers and thorns. Yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest and they roll upward in a column of smoke. ^9:19 Through the wrath of Jehovah of hosts is the land burnt up and the people are as the fuel of fire; no man spares his brother.

^9:20 And he will snatch on the right hand and be hungry. And he will eat on the left hand and they will not be satisfied. They will eat every man the flesh of his own arm– ^9:21 Manasseh, Ephraim and Ephraim, Manasseh and together they will be against Judah.

For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

[Isaiah 10] TOC

^10:1 Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees and to the writers who write perverseness,^10:2 to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil and that they may make the fatherless their prey!

^10:3 And what will you^* do in the day of visitation and in the desolation which will come from far? To whom will you^* flee for help? And where will you^* leave your^* glory? ^10:4 They will only bow down under the prisoners and will fall under the slain.

For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

^10:5 Ho, Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation! ^10:6 I will send him against a profane nation and against the people of my wrath. I will give him a charge, to take the spoil and to take the prey and to tread them down like the mud of the streets.

^10:7 However he does not so reason, nor does his heart so think, but it is in his heart to destroy and to cut off nations not a few. ^10:8 For he says, Are not my rulers all of them kings? ^10:9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus? ^10:10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, whose graven images excelled those of Jerusalem and of Samaria, ^10:11 shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

^10:12 Therefore it will happen, that, when the Lord has performed his whole work upon Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the glory of his high looks.

^10:13 For he has said, I have done it by the strength of my hand and by my wisdom, for I have understanding. And I have removed the bounds of the peoples and have robbed their treasures. And like a valiant man I have brought down those who sit on thrones. ^10:14 And my hand has found as a nest the riches of the peoples. And like a gathering of eggs that are forsaken, I have gathered all the earth. And there was none that moved the wing, or that opened the mouth, or chirped.

^10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against he who hews with it? Shall the saw magnify itself against he who wields it? As if a rod should wield those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up he who is not wood.

^10:16 Therefore will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, send among his fat ones, leanness and under his glory there will be kindled a burning like the burning of fire. ^10:17 And the light of Israel will be for a fire and his Holy One for a flame and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day. ^10:18 And he will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, both soul and body. And it will be as when a banner-bearer faints. ^10:19 And the remnant of the trees of his forest will be few, so that a child may write them.

^10:20 And it will happen in that day, that the remnant of Israel and those who are escaped of the house of Jacob, will no more again lean upon him who killed^* them, but will lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. ^10:21 A remnant will return, even the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. ^10:22 For though your people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them will return. A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. ^10:23 For a full end and that determined, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, will make in the midst of all the earth.

^10:24 Therefore the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, says thus O my people who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian, though he slays you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you, according to the manner of Egypt. ^10:25 For yet a very little while and the indignation will be accomplished and my anger is to his destruction.

^10:26 And Jehovah of hosts will stir up against him a scourge as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb. And his rod will be over the sea and he will lift it up according to the manner of Egypt. ^10:27And it will happen in that day, that his burden will depart from your shoulder and his yoke from your neck and the yoke will be destroyed because of fatness.

^10:28 He has come to Aiah. He has passed through Migron. At Michmash he lays up his baggage. ^10:29They have gone over the pass. They have taken up their lodging at Geba. Ramah trembles. Gibeah of Saul has fled.

^10:30 Cry aloud with your voice, O daughter of Gallim! Listen, O Laishah! O you poor Anathoth!^10:31 Madmenah is a fugitive. The inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety. ^10:32 This very day he will halt at Nob. He shakes his hand at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

^10:33 Behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, will lop off the branches with terror. And the high of stature will be hewn down and the lofty will be brought low.^10:34 And he will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron and Lebanon will fall by a mighty one.

[Isaiah 11] TOC

^11:1 And there will come out a shoot out of the stock of Jesse. And a branch out of his roots will bear fruit. ^11:2 And the Spirit of Jehovah will rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah. ^11:3 And his delight will be in the fear of Jehovah. And he will not judge according to the sight of his eyes, nor decide according to the hearing of his ears, ^11:4 but with righteousness he will judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.

And he will kill^* the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. ^11:5 And righteousness will be the belt of his waist and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

^11:6 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion and the fatten one together and a little child will lead them. ^11:7 And the cow and the bear will feed; their young ones will lie down together. And the lion will eat straw like the ox. ^11:8And the nursing child will play on the hole of the adder and the weaned child will put his hand on the adder's den.

^11:9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters cover the sea.

^11:10 And there will be a root of Jesse in that day and he who arises to rule over the Gentiles. In him will the Gentiles hope and his resting place will be glorious.

^11:11 And it will happen in that day, that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, who will remain, from Assyria and from Egypt and from Pathros and from Cush and from Elam and from Shinar and from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. ^11:12 And he will set up an ensign for the nations and will assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. ^11:13 Also the envy of Ephraim will depart and those who besiege Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will not envy Judah and Judah will not besiege Ephraim. ^11:14 And they will fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west. Together they will despoil the sons of the east. They will put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab and the sons of Ammon will obey them.

^11:15 And Jehovah will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea. And with his scorching wind he will wave his hand over the River and will kill^* it into seven streams and cause men to march over dry shod. ^11:16 And there will be a highway for the remnant of his people, who will remain, from Assyria, like as there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

[Isaiah 12] TOC

^12:1 And you will say in that day, I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, for though you were angry with me. Your anger is turned away and you comfort me. ^12:2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid, for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song and he has become my salvation.^12:3 Therefore with joy you^* will draw water out of the wells of salvation.

^12:4 And you^* will say in that day, Give thanks to Jehovah. Call upon his name. Declare his practices among the peoples. Make mention that his name is exalted. ^12:5 Sing to Jehovah, for he has done excellent things. Let this be known in all the earth.^12:6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

[Isaiah 13] TOC

^13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

^13:2 Set up an ensign upon the bare mountain. Lift up the voice to them. Wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. ^13:3 I have commanded my consecrated ones, yes, I have called my mighty men for my anger, even my proudly rejoicing ones.

^13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as of a great people! The noise of a commotion of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Jehovah of hosts is mustering the army for the battle. ^13:5 They come from a far country, from the outermost part of heaven, even Jehovah and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

^13:6 Wail you^*, for the day of Jehovah is at hand. It will come as destruction from the Almighty. ^13:7Therefore all hands will be feeble and every heart of man will melt. ^13:8 And they will be dismayed. Pains and sorrows will take hold. They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth. They will look in amazement one at another, their faces, faces of flame.

^13:9 Behold, the day of Jehovah comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy the sinners of it out of it.^13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations of it will not give their light. The sun will be darkened in its going forth and the moon will not cause its light to shine.

^13:11 And I will punish the world for the evil and the wicked for their iniquity. And I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease and will humble the haughtiness of the terrible. ^13:12 I will make a man more rare than fine gold, even a man than the pure gold of Ophir. ^13:13 Therefore I will make the heavens to tremble and the earth will be shaken out of its place, in the wrath of Jehovah of hosts and in the day of his fierce anger.

^13:14 And it will happen, that as the chased roe-deer and as sheep that no man gathers, they will turn every man to his own people and will flee every man to his own land. ^13:15 Everyone who is found will be thrust through and everyone who is taken will fall by the sword. ^13:16 Their infants also will be dashed in pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be rifled and their wives ravished.

^13:17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, who will not regard silver and as for gold, they will not delight in it. ^13:18 And their bows will smash the young men in pieces. And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye will not spare children.

^13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. ^13:20 It will never be inhabited, nor will it be dwelt in from generation to generation. Neither will the Arabian pitch tent there, nor will shepherds make their flocks to lie down there. ^13:21 But wild beasts of the desert will lie there and their houses will be full of doleful creatures. And ostriches will dwell there and wild goats will dance there. ^13:22 And wolves will cry in their castles and jackals in the pleasant palaces. And her time is near to come and her days will not be prolonged.

[Isaiah 14] TOC

^14:1 For Jehovah will have compassion on Jacob and will yet choose Israel and set them in their own land. And the traveler will join himself with them and they will cling to the house of Jacob. ^14:2 And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place. And the house of Israel will possess them in the land of Jehovah for servants and for handmaids. And they will take them captive whose captives they were and they will rule over their oppressors.

^14:3 And it will happen in the day that Jehovah will give you rest from your sorrow and from your trouble and from the hard service in which you were made to serve, ^14:4 that you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon and say, How has the oppressor ceased, the golden city ceased

^14:5 Jehovah has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers, ^14:6 who killed^* the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, who ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.

^14:7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet. They break forth into singing. ^14:8 Yes, the fir trees rejoice at you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you are laid low, no hewer has come up against us.

^14:9 Sheol from beneath is moved for you, to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the dead for you, even all the chief ones of the earth. It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. ^14:10 They will all answer and say to you, Have you also become weak as we? Have you become like us? ^14:11Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the noise of your viols. The worm is spread under you and worms cover you.

^14:12 How you are fallen from heaven, O daystar, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! ^14:13 And you said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God and I will sit upon the mountain of congregation, in the outermost parts of the north. ^14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will make myself like the Most High.^14:15 Yet you will be brought down to Sheol, to the utmost parts of the pit.

^14:16 Those who see you will gaze at you. They will consider you, saying, Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms, ^14:17 who made the world as a wilderness and overthrew the cities of it, who did not let loose his prisoners to their home?

^14:18 All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, each one in his own house. ^14:19 But you are cast forth away from your sepulcher like an abominable branch, clothed with the slain, who are thrust through with the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, as a dead body trodden under foot.^14:20 You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land. You have slain your people. The seed of evildoers will not be named everlasting.

^14:21 Prepare you^* slaughter for his sons for the iniquity of their fathers, that they do not rise up and possess the earth and fill the face of the world with cities. ^14:22 And I will rise up against them, says Jehovah of hosts and cut off from Babylon name and remnant and son and son's son, says Jehovah. ^14:23 I will also make it a possession for the porcupine and pools of water. And I will sweep it with the broom of destruction, says Jehovah of hosts.

^14:24 Jehovah of hosts has sworn, saying, Surely, as I have thought, so will it happen and as I have purposed, so will it stand, ^14:25 that I will break the Assyrian in my land and tread him under foot upon my mountains. Then will his yoke depart from them and his burden depart from their shoulder.

^14:26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. ^14:27 For Jehovah of hosts has purposed and who will annul it? And his hand is stretched out and who will turn it back?

^14:28 In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.

^14:29 Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you, because the rod that killed^* you is broken. For out of the serpent's root will come out an adder and his fruit will be a fiery flying serpent. ^14:30 And the firstborn of the poor will feed and the needy will lie down in safety. And I will kill your root with famine and your remnant will be slain.

^14:31 Howl, O gate, cry, O city. You are melted away, O Philistia, all of you. For there comes a smoke out of the north and there is no straggler in his ranks.

^14:32 What then will a man answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah has founded Zion and in her will the afflicted of his people take refuge.

[Isaiah 15] TOC

^15:1 The burden of Moab. For in a night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. For in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. ^15:2 They have gone up to the house and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. On all their heads is baldness. Every beard is cut off. ^15:3 In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth. On their housetops and in their broad places, everyone wails, weeping abundantly. ^15:4 And Heshbon cries out and Elealeh. Their voice is heard even to Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud. His soul trembles within him.

^15:5 My heart cries out for Moab. Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah {Third Eglath}. For they go up with weeping by the ascent of Luhith. For they raise up a cry of destruction in the way of Horonaim.^15:6 For the waters of Nimrim will be desolate, for the grass is withered away. The tender grass fails. There is no green thing.

^15:7 Therefore the abundance they have gotten and what they have laid up, they will carry away over the brook of the willows. ^15:8 For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab, the wailing of it to Eglaim and the wailing of it to Beer-elim. ^15:9 For the waters of Dimon are full of blood. For I will bring yet more upon Dimon, a lion upon those of Moab who escape and upon the remnant of the land.

[Isaiah 16] TOC

^16:1 Send you^* the lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion. ^16:2 For it will be that, as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so will the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.

^16:3 Give counsel, execute justice, make your shade as the night in the midst of the noonday. Hide the outcasts. Do not betray the fugitive. ^16:4 Let my outcasts dwell with you. As for Moab, be a covert to him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortioner is brought to nothing. Destruction ceases. The oppressors are consumed out of the land.

^16:5 And a throne will be established in loving kindness and he will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging and seeking justice and swift to do righteousness.

^16:6 We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud, even of his arrogance and his pride and his wrath. His boastings are nothing. ^16:7Therefore Moab will wail for Moab, everyone will wail. You^* will mourn for the raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth, utterly stricken. ^16:8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah. The lords of the nations have broken down the choice branches of it, which reached even to Jazer, which wandered into the wilderness. Its shoots were spread abroad. They passed over the sea.

^16:9 Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I will water you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh. For upon your summer fruits and upon your harvest the battle shout has fallen. ^16:10 And gladness is taken away and joy out of the fruitful field. And there will be no singing nor joyful noise in the vineyards. No treader will tread out wine in the presses. I have made the new wine shout to cease.

^16:11 Therefore my heart roars like a harp for Moab and my inward parts for Kir-heres. ^16:12 And it will happen, when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself upon the high place and will come to his sanctuary to pray, that he will not prevail.

^16:13 This is the word that Jehovah spoke concerning Moab in time past. ^16:14 But now Jehovah has spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of a hireling, the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt, with all his great multitude. And the remnant will be very small and of no account.

[Isaiah 17] TOC

^17:1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city and it will be a ruinous heap. ^17:2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken. They will be for flocks, which will lie down and none will make them afraid. ^17:3 And the fortress will cease from Ephraim and the kingdom from Damascus. And the remnant of Syria, they will be as the glory of the sons of Israel, says Jehovah of hosts.

^17:4 And it will happen in that day, that the glory of Jacob will be made thin and the fatness of his flesh will grow lean. ^17:5 And it will be as when the harvestman gathers the standing grain and his arm reaps the ears. Yes, it will be as when he gleans ears in the valley of Rephaim. ^17:6 Yet there will be gleanings left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree– two or three berries in the top of the uppermost branch, four or five in the outmost branches of a fruitful tree, says Jehovah, the God of Israel.

^17:7 In that day men will look to their maker and their eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. ^17:8 And they will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, nor will they have respect for what their fingers have made, either the Asherim {pole-images} or the sun-images.

^17:9 In that day their strong cities will be as the forsaken places in the woodland and on the mountain top, which were forsaken from before the sons of Israel and it will be a desolation. ^17:10 For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not been mindful of the rock of your strength.

Therefore you plant pleasant plants and set it with foreign slips. ^17:11 In the day of your planting you hedge it in and in the morning you make your seed to blossom. But the harvest flees away in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.

^17:12 Ah, the uproar of many peoples, who roar like the roaring of the seas and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing of mighty waters!^17:13 The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters, but he will rebuke them. And they will flee far off and will be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind and like the whirling dust before the storm. ^17:14 At eventide, behold, terror, and before the morning they are not. This is the portion of those who despoil us and the lot of those who rob us.

[Isaiah 18] TOC

^18:1 Ah, the land of the rustling of wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, ^18:2 that sends ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, saying, You^* go swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people fearful from their beginning onward, a nation mighty and trampled down, whose land the rivers divide!

^18:3 All you^* inhabitants of the world and you^* dwellers on the earth, when an ensign is lifted up on the mountains, see you^* and when the trumpet is blown, hear you^*.

^18:4 For thus Jehovah has said to me, I will be still and I will behold in my dwelling-place, like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. ^18:5 For before the harvest, when the blossom is over and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the sprigs with pruning-hooks and he will take away and cut down the spreading branches. ^18:6 They will be left together to the ravenous birds of the mountains and to the beasts of the earth. And the ravenous birds will summer upon them and all the beasts of the earth will winter upon them.

^18:7 In that time a present will be brought to Jehovah of hosts from a people tall and smooth, even from a people fearful from their beginning onward, a nation mighty and tramples down, whose land the rivers divide, to the place of the name of Jehovah of hosts, the Mount Zion.

[Isaiah 19] TOC

^19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, Jehovah rides upon a swift cloud and comes to Egypt. And the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence and the heart of Egypt will melt in the midst of it. ^19:2 And I will stir up the Egyptians against the Egyptians and they will fight each one against his brother and each one against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.

^19:3 And the spirit of Egypt will fail in the midst of it and I will destroy the counsel of it. And they will seek for the idols and for the charmers and for those who have familiar spirits and for the wizards.

^19:4 And I will give over the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord. And a fierce king will rule over them, says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

^19:5 And the waters will fail from the sea and the river will be wasted and become dry. ^19:6 And the rivers will become foul. The streams of Egypt will be diminished and dried up. The reeds and flags will wither away. ^19:7 The meadows by the Nile, by the brink of the Nile and all the sown fields of the Nile, will become dry, be driven away and be no more.

^19:8 And the fishermen will lament and all those who cast a hook into the Nile will mourn and those who spread nets upon the waters will languish. ^19:9Moreover those who work in combed flax and those who weave white cloth, will be confounded. ^19:10 And the pillars of Egypt will be broken in pieces. All those who work for hire will be grieved in soul.

^19:11 The rulers of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counselors of Pharaoh has become stupid. How will you^* say to Pharaoh, I am the son of wise men, the son of long-ago kings? ^19:12Where then are your wise men? And let them tell you now and let them know what Jehovah of hosts has purposed concerning Egypt. ^19:13 The rulers of Zoan have become fools. The rulers of Memphis are deceived. They have caused Egypt to go-astray, the chief of her tribes.

^19:14 Jehovah has mingled a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her and they have made Egypt go-astray in every work of it, as a drunken man wanders around in his vomit. ^19:15 Neither will there be for Egypt any work, which head or tail, palm-branch or rush, may do.

^19:16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women and they will tremble and fear because of the shaking of the hand of Jehovah of hosts, which he shakes over them.

^19:17 And the land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt. Everyone to whom mention is made of it will be afraid because of the purpose of Jehovah of hosts, which he purposes against it.

^19:18 In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear to Jehovah of hosts. One will be called The city of destruction.

^19:19 In that day will there be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar to Jehovah at the border of it. ^19:20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to Jehovah of hosts in the land of Egypt. For they will cry to Jehovah because of oppressors and he will send them a savior and a defender and he will deliver them.

^19:21 And Jehovah will be known to Egypt and the Egyptians will know Jehovah in that day. Yes, they will worship with sacrifice and offering and will vow a vow to Jehovah and will perform it. ^19:22And Jehovah will kill^* Egypt, slaying and healing and they will return to Jehovah. And he will be entreated by them and will heal them.

^19:23 In that day there will be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria. And the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. ^19:24 In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, ^19:25 in that Jehovah of hosts has blessed them, saying, Egypt my people is blessed and Assyria the work of my hands and Israel my inheritance.

[Isaiah 20] TOC

^20:1 In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him and he fought against Ashdod and took it, ^20:2 at that time Jehovah spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from your loins and put your shoe from your foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

^20:3 And Jehovah said, Just as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia, ^20:4 so will the king of Assyria lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

^20:5 And they will be dismayed and confounded because of Ethiopia their confidence and of Egypt their glory. ^20:6 And the inhabitant of this coast will say in that day, Behold, such is our trust, where we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria. And we, how will we escape?

[Isaiah 21] TOC

^21:1 The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from a terrible land. ^21:2 A grievous vision is declared to me. The treacherous man deals treacherously and the destroyer destroys. Go up, O Elam. Besiege, O Media, all the sighing of it I have made to cease.

^21:3 Therefore my loins are filled with anguish. Pains have taken hold upon me, as the pains of a woman in childbirth. I am pained so that I cannot hear. I am dismayed so that I cannot see. ^21:4 My heart wanders. Horror has frightened me. The twilight that I desired has been turned into trembling to me.

^21:5 They prepare the table, they set the watch, they eat, they drink. Rise up, you^* rulers, anoint the shield. ^21:6 For thus has the Lord said to me, Go, set a watchman. Let him declare what he sees. ^21:7 and when he sees a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of donkeys, a troop of camels, he will listen diligently with much heed.

^21:8 And he cried out as a lion, O Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime and am set in my confinement whole nights, ^21:9 and behold, here comes a troop of men, horsemen in pairs. And he answered and said, Fallen, fallen is Babylon. And all the graven images of her gods are broken to the ground. ^21:10 O my threshing and the grain of my floor! What I have heard from Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, I have declared to you^*.

^21:11 The burden of Duma.

He calls to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? ^21:12 The watchman said, The morning comes and also the night. If you^* will inquire, inquire; turn back; come.

^21:13 The burden upon Arabia.

In the forest in Arabia you^* will lodge, O you^* caravans of Dedanites. ^21:14 To him who was thirsty they brought water. The inhabitants of the land of Tema met the fugitives with their bread. ^21:15 For they fled away from the swords, from the drawn sword and from the bent bow and from the grievousness of war.

^21:16 For thus the Lord has said to me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, all the glory of Kedar will fail. ^21:17 And the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, will be few. For Jehovah, the God of Israel, has spoken it.

[Isaiah 22] TOC

^22:1 The burden of the valley of vision. What troubles you now, that you have entirely gone up to the housetops? ^22:2 O you that are full of shouts, a commotionuous city, a joyous town. Your slain are not slain with the sword, nor are they dead in battle. ^22:3All your rulers fled away together. They were bound by the archers. All who were found of you were bound together; they fled afar off.

^22:4 Therefore I said, Look away from me. I will weep bitterly. Labor not to comfort me for the destruction of the daughter of my people. ^22:5 For it is a day of trouble and of treading down and of perplexity, from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, in the valley of vision, a breaking down of the walls and a crying to the mountains.

^22:6 And Elam bore the quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen and Kir uncovered the shield. ^22:7And it happened, that your choicest valleys were full of chariots and the horsemen set themselves in array at the gate.

^22:8 And he took away the covering of Judah and you looked in that day to the armor in the house of the forest. ^22:9 And you^* saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many. And to fortify the wall, you^* gathered together the waters of the lower pool, ^22:10 and you^* numbered the houses of Jerusalem and you^* broke down the houses. ^22:11 You^* also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you^* did not look to him who had done this, nor had you^* respect to him who purposed it long ago.

^22:12 And in that day the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, called for weeping and for mourning and for baldness and for girding with sackcloth. ^22:13 And behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die. ^22:14 And Jehovah of hosts revealed himself in my ears, Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you^* till you^* die, says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

^22:15 The Lord says thus, Jehovah of hosts, Go, get you to this treasurer, even to Shebna, who is over the house, and say, ^22:16 What are you doing here? And whom have you here, that you have hewed you out here a sepulcher? Hewing him out a sepulcher on high, carving a dwelling for himself in the rock!

^22:17 Behold, Jehovah, like a strong man, will hurl you away violently. Yes, he will wrap you up closely. ^22:18 He will surely wind you round and round, tossing like a ball into a large country. There you will die and there the chariots of your glory will be, you shame of your lord's house. ^22:19 And I will thrust you from your office and you will be pulled down from your station.

^22:20 And it will happen in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah. ^22:21 And I will clothe him with your robe and strengthen him with your belt. And I will commit your government into his hand and he will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.^22:22 And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder and he will open and none will shut and he will shut and none will open.

^22:23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place and he will be for a throne of glory to his father's house. ^22:24 And they will hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the offshoot, every small vessel, from the cups even to all the flagons.

^22:25 In that day, says Jehovah of hosts, the nail that was fastened in a sure place will give way and it will be hewn down and fall. And the burden that was upon it will be cut off, for Jehovah has spoken it.

[Isaiah 23] TOC

^23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, you^* ships of Tarshish, for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. It is revealed to them from the land of Kittim. ^23:2 Be still, you^* inhabitants of the coast, you whom the merchants of Sidon, who pass over the sea, have replenished. ^23:3 And on great waters the seed of the Shihor, the harvest of the Nile, was her revenue and she was the mart of nations.

^23:4 Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins. ^23:5 When the report comes to Egypt, they will be greatly pained at the report of Tyre. ^23:6 Pass over to Tarshish. Wail, you^* inhabitants of the coast. ^23:7 Is this your^* joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days, whose feet carried her afar off to journey?

^23:8 Who has purposed this against Tyre, the giver of crowns, whose merchants are rulers, whose traders are the honored of the earth? ^23:9 Jehovah of hosts has purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.

^23:10 Pass through your land as the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish, there is no restraint any more.^23:11 He has stretched out his hand over the sea. He has shaken the kingdoms. Jehovah has given commandment concerning Canaan, to destroy the strongholds of it. ^23:12 And he said, You will no more rejoice, O you oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over to Kittim, even there will you have no rest.

^23:13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans. This people once was not. The Assyrian founded it for those who dwell in the wilderness. They set up their towers. They raised up the palaces of it. Then they made it a ruin. ^23:14 Howl, you^* ships of Tarshish, for your^* stronghold is laid waste.

^23:15 And it will happen in that day, that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. After the end of seventy years it will be to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute: ^23:16 Take a harp, go about the city, you prostitute who has been forgotten. Make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.

^23:17 And it happened after the end of seventy years, that Jehovah examined Tyre and she has repented of her gift, that she play the prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. ^23:18 And her merchandise and her pay will be holiness to Jehovah. It will not be treasured nor laid up, for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before Jehovah, to eat sufficiently and for durable clothing.

[Isaiah 24] TOC

^24:1 Behold, Jehovah makes the earth empty and makes it waste and turns it upside down and scatters abroad the inhabitants of it. ^24:2 And it will be, as with the people, so with the priest, as with the servant, so with his master, as with the maid, so with her mistress, as with the buyer, so with the seller, as with the creditor, so with the debtor, as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him.^24:3 The earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste, for Jehovah has spoken this word. ^24:4 The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.

^24:5 The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants of it, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.

^24:6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth and those who dwell in it are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men left. ^24:7 The new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted do sigh. ^24:8 The joy of tambourine ceases. The noise of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases. ^24:9 They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it. ^24:10 The waste city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that no man may come in. ^24:11 There is a crying in the streets because of the wine. All joy is darkened. The gladness of the land has gone. ^24:12 Desolation is left in the city and the gate is struck with destruction. ^24:13 For thus it will be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.

^24:14 These will lift up their voice. They will shout. For the majesty of Jehovah they cry aloud from the sea. ^24:15 Therefore glorify you^* Jehovah in the east, even the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, in the isles of the sea. ^24:16 From the outermost part of the earth we have heard songs. Glory to the righteous.

But I said, I pine away, I pine away. Woe is me! The treacherous have dealt treacherously, yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.

^24:17 Fear and the pit and the snare, are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth. ^24:18 And it will happen, that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare. For the windows on high are opened and the foundations of the earth tremble. ^24:19 The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently. ^24:20 The earth will stagger like a drunken man and will sway to and fro like a hammock. And the transgression of it will be heavy upon it and it will fall and not rise again.

^24:21 And it will happen in that day, that Jehovah will punish the host of the high ones on high and the kings of the earth upon the earth. ^24:22 And they will be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in the pit and will be shut up in the prison. And after many days they will be visited.

^24:23 Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for Jehovah of hosts will reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. And glory will be before his elders.

[Isaiah 25] TOC

^25:1 O Jehovah, you are my God. I will exalt you. I will praise your name. For you have done wonderful things, even counsels of old, in faithfulness and truth. ^25:2 For you have made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city. It will not be built everlasting.

^25:3 Therefore a strong people will glorify you, a city of oppressive nations will fear you. ^25:4 For you have been a stronghold to a poor man, a stronghold to a needy man in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the oppressors is as a storm against the wall. ^25:5 As the heat in a dry place you will bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the oppressors will be humbled.

^25:6 And in this mountain Jehovah of hosts will make to all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the dregs, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the dregs well refined. ^25:7 And he will destroy on this mountain the face of the covering that covers all peoples and the veil that is spread over all nations.

^25:8 He will swallow up death in victory and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from all faces. And he will take away the reproach of his people from all the earth. For Jehovah has spoken it.

^25:9 And it will be said in that day, Behold, this is our God. We have waited for him and he will save us. This is Jehovah. We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. ^25:10 For the hand of Jehovah will rest on this mountain.

And Moab will be trodden down in his place, even as straw is trodden down in the water of the dunghill. ^25:11 And he will spread forth his hands in the midst of it as he who swims spreads forth his hands to swim. But Jehovah will humble his pride together with the craft of his hands. ^25:12 And the high fortress of your walls he has brought down, laid low and brought to the ground, even to the dust.

[Isaiah 26] TOC

^26:1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city. He will appoint salvation for walls and ramparts. ^26:2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith may enter in. ^26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ^26:4 Trust in Jehovah forever, for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock.

^26:5 For he has brought down those who dwell on high. The lofty city, he lays it low. He lays it low even to the ground. He brings it even to the dust. ^26:6The foot will tread it down, even the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy.

^26:7 The way of the just is uprightness. You who are upright directs the path of the just. ^26:8 Yes, in the way of your judgments, O Jehovah, we have waited for you, to your name. Even to your memorial, is the desire of our soul.

^26:9 I have desired you with my soul in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me I will seek you earnestly. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

^26:10 Let favor be shown to a wicked man, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness he will deal wrongfully and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah. ^26:11 Jehovah, your hand is lifted up, yet they do not see. But they will see your zeal for the people and be put to shame. Yes, fire will devour your adversaries.

^26:12 Jehovah, you will set peace for us, for you have also worked all our works for us. ^26:13 O Jehovah our God, other lords besides you have had dominion over us, but by you only we will make mention of your name. ^26:14 Being dead, they will not live. Being deceased, they will not rise. Therefore you have visited and destroyed them and made all remembrance of them to perish. ^26:15 You have increased the nation, O Jehovah, you have increased the nation. You are glorified. You have enlarged all the borders of the land.

^26:16 Jehovah, in trouble they have visited you, they poured out a prayer when your chastening was upon them. ^26:17 As a woman with child, who draws near the time of her delivery, is in pain and cries out in her pains, so we have been before you, O Jehovah. ^26:18 We have been with child. We have been in pain. We have as it were brought out wind. We have not worked any deliverance in the earth, nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

^26:19 Your dead will live. My dead bodies will arise. Awake and sing, you^* who dwell in the dust, for your dew is as the dew of herbs and the earth will cast forth the dead. ^26:20 Come, my people, enter you into your chambers and shut your doors around you. Hide yourself for a little moment until the indignation have passed over.

^26:21 For, behold, Jehovah comes forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth also will disclose her blood and will no more cover her slain.

[Isaiah 27] TOC

^27:1 In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent and leviathan the crooked serpent and he will kill the monster that is in the sea.

^27:2 In that day is a vineyard of wine. Sing to it. ^27:3 I Jehovah am its keeper, I will water it every moment. Lest any hurt it, I will guard it night and day. ^27:4 Wrath is not in me. Who will give me briers and thorns in battle? I would march through them. I would burn them together. ^27:5 Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me. Yes, let him make peace with me. ^27:6In days to come Jacob will take root; Israel will blossom and bud. And they will fill the face of the world with fruit.

^27:7 Has he struck them as he killed^* those who killed^* them? Or are they slain according to the slaughter of those who were slain by them? ^27:8 In measure, in sending it forth, you contend with it. He has removed with his rough blast in the day of the east wind.

^27:9 Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be forgiven. And this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he makes all the stones of the altar like smashed chalk-stones, so that the Asherim {pole-images} and the sun-images will rise no more.

^27:10 For the fortified city is solitary, a dwelling deserted and forsaken like the wilderness. There the calf will feed and he will lie down there and consume the branches of it. ^27:11 When the limbs of it are withered, they will be broken off. The women will come and set them on fire, for it is a people of no understanding. Therefore he who made them will not have compassion upon them and he who formed them will show them no favor.

^27:12 And it will happen in that day, that Jehovah will beat off his fruit, from the flood of the River to the brook of Egypt. And you^* will be gathered one by one, O you^* sons of Israel. ^27:13 And it will happen in that day, that a great trumpet will be blown. And they will come who were ready to perish in the land of Assyria and those who were outcasts in the land of Egypt. And they will worship Jehovah in the holy mountain at Jerusalem.

[Isaiah 28] TOC

^28:1 Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley of those who are overcome with wine! ^28:2 Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one. As a tempest of hail, a destroying storm, as a tempest of mighty waters overflowing, he will cast down to the earth with the hand.

^28:3 The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden under foot. ^28:4 And the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, will be as the first-ripe fig before the summer, which, when he who looks upon it sees, while it is yet in his hand, he eats it up.

^28:5 In that day Jehovah of hosts will become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty, to the residue of his people, ^28:6 and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

^28:7 And even these reel with wine and wander around with strong drink. The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink. They are swallowed up of wine. They wander around with strong drink; they reel in vision; they stumble in judgment. ^28:8 For all tables are full of vomit, filthiness, no place clean.

^28:9 Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those who are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts?

^28:10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little. ^28:11 No, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue he will speak to this people, ^28:12to whom he said, This is the rest. Give rest to him who is weary. And this is the refreshing. Yet they would not hear.

^28:13 Therefore the word of Jehovah will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go and fall backward and be broken and snared and taken.

^28:14 Therefore hear the word of Jehovah, you^* scoffers, who rule this people that is in Jerusalem.^28:15 Because you^* have said, We have made a covenant with death and we are at agreement with Sheol. When the overflowing scourge will pass through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge and we have hid ourselves under falsehood.

^28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation. He who believes in him will never be shamed. ^28:17 And I will make justice the line and righteousness the plummet.

And the hail will sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters will overflow the hiding place. ^28:18And your^* covenant with death will be annulled and your^* agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overflowing scourge will pass through, then you^* will be trodden down by it. ^28:19 As often as it passes though, it will take you^*. For morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night. And it will be nothing but terror to understand the report. ^28:20For the bed is shorter than what a man can stretch himself on it and the covering narrower than what he can wrap himself in it.

^28:21 For Jehovah will rise up as in Mount Perazim. He will be angry as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his foreign work and work his work, his alien work.

^28:22 Now therefore be you^* not scoffers, lest your^* bonds are made strong. For I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth. ^28:23 Listen and hear my voice, listen and hear my speech.

^28:24 Does he who plows to sow plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground? ^28:25 When he has leveled the face of it, does he not cast abroad the chick-peas and scatter the cummin and put in the wheat in rows and the barley in the appointed place and the spelt in the border of it?

^28:26 For his God instructs him aright, and teaches him. ^28:27 For the chick-peas are not threshed with a sharp instrument, nor is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin, but the chick-peas are beaten out with a staff and the cummin with a rod.^28:28 Bread grain is ground, for he will not be always threshing it. And though the wheel of his cart and his horses scatter it, he does not grind it. ^28:29 This also comes forth from Jehovah of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

[Isaiah 29] TOC

^29:1 Ho Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! Add year to year. Let the feasts come round. ^29:2 Then I will distress Ariel and there will be mourning and lamentation and she will be to me as Ariel. ^29:3 And I will encamp against you all around and will lay siege against you with posted troops. And I will raise siege works against you.

^29:4 And you will be brought down and will speak out of the ground. And your speech will be low out of the dust and your voice will be as of he who has a familiar spirit, out of the ground. And your speech will whisper out of the dust. ^29:5 But the multitude of your foes will be like small dust and the multitude of the terrible ones as chaff that passes away. Yes, it will be in an instant suddenly

^29:6 She will be visited by Jehovah of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a devouring fire. ^29:7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her stronghold and that distress her, will be as a dream, a vision of the night.

^29:8 And it will be as when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats. But he awakes and his soul is empty. Or as when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks. But he awakes, and behold, he is faint and his soul has appetite. So will the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.

^29:9 Abide and wonder, take your^* pleasure and be blind. They are drunken, but not with wine. They stagger, but not with strong drink. ^29:10 For Jehovah has poured out upon you^* the spirit of deep sleep and has closed your^* eyes. The prophets and your^* heads, the seers, he has covered.

^29:11 And all vision has become to you^* as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to a man who is learned, saying, Read this, I beseech you. And he says, I cannot, for it is sealed. ^29:12 And the book is delivered to him who is not learned, saying, Read this, I beseech you. And he says, I am not learned.

^29:13 And the Lord said, Inasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but have removed their heart far from me, but in vain they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.

^29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder. I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of their prudent men will be hidden.

^29:15 Woe to those who hide deep their counsel from Jehovah and whose works are in the dark and who say, Who sees us? and, Who knows us?

^29:16 You^* turn things upside down! Shall the potter be esteemed as clay, that the thing made should say of him who made it, He did not make me, or the thing formed say of him who formed it, He has no understanding?

^29:17 Is it not yet a very little while and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field and the fruitful field will be esteemed as a forest? ^29:18 And in that day the deaf will hear the words of the book and the eyes of the blind will see out of obscurity and out of darkness. ^29:19 The meek also will increase their joy in Jehovah and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

^29:20 For the terrible one is brought to nothing and the scoffer ceases. And all those who watch for wickedness are cut off, ^29:21 who make a man an offender in his cause and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate and turn aside the just with a thing of nothing.

^29:22 Therefore Jehovah says thus, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob will not now be ashamed, nor will his face now grow pale. ^29:23 But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they will sanctify my name. Yes, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. ^29:24 They who also go-astray in spirit will come to understanding and those who murmur will receive instruction.

[Isaiah 30] TOC

^30:1 Woe to the rebellious sons, says Jehovah, who take counsel, but not of me and who make a league, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin, ^30:2 who set out to go down into Egypt and have not asked at my mouth, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt!

^30:3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh will be your^* shame and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt your^* confusion. ^30:4 For their rulers are at Zoan and their ambassadors have come to Hanes. ^30:5 They will all be ashamed because of a people who cannot profit them, who are not a help nor profit, but a shame and also a reproach.

^30:6 The burden of the beasts of the South.

Through the land of trouble and anguish, from where come the lioness and the lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches upon the shoulders of young donkeys and their treasures upon the humps of camels, to a people who will not profit them. ^30:7 For Egypt helps in vain and to no purpose. Therefore I have called her Rahab who sits still.

^30:8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it on a scroll, that it may be for the time to come until everlasting. ^30:9 For it is a rebellious people, lying sons, sons who will not hear the law of Jehovah, ^30:10 who say to the seers, Do not see and to the prophets, Do not prophesy to us right things. Speak to us smooth things. Prophesy deceits. ^30:11You^* get out of the way. Turn aside out of the path. Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

^30:12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, Because you^* despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on it, ^30:13therefore this iniquity will be to you^* as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly in an instant. ^30:14 And he will break it as a potter's vessel is broken, breaking it in pieces without sparing, so that there will not be found among the pieces of it a shard with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.

^30:15 For thus said the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, You^* will be saved in returning and rest. Your^* strength will be in quietness and in confidence. And you^* would not, ^30:16 but you^* said, No, for we will flee upon horses. Therefore you^* will flee. And you^* said, We will ride upon the swift. Therefore those who pursue you^* will be swift. ^30:17One thousand will flee at the threat of one. You^* will flee at the threat of five, till you^* are left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain and as an ensign on a hill

^30:18 And therefore Jehovah will wait, that he may be gracious to you^*. And therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you^*, for Jehovah is a God of justice. All those who wait for him are fortunate. ^30:19 For the people will dwell in Zion at Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When he will hear, he will answer you.

^30:20 And though the Lord give you^* the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be hidden anymore, but your eyes will see your teachers. ^30:21 And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you^* in it when you^* turn to the right hand and when you^* turn to the left.

^30:22 And you^* will defile the overlaying of your graven images of silver and the plating of your molten images of gold. You will cast them away as an unclean thing. You will say to it, You get away.

^30:23 And he will give the rain for your seed, with which you will sow the ground and bread of the increase of the ground and it will be fat and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed in large pastures. ^30:24 Likewise the oxen and the young donkeys that till the ground will eat savory fodder, which has been winnowed with the shovel and with the fork. ^30:25 And there will be upon every lofty mountain and upon every high hill, brooks and streams of waters, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.

^30:26 Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that Jehovah binds up the hurt of his people and heals the stroke of their wound.

^30:27 Behold, the name of Jehovah comes from far, burning with his anger and in thick rising smoke. His lips are full of indignation and his tongue is as a devouring fire, ^30:28 and his breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction. And a bridle that makes them go-astray will be in the jaws of the peoples.

^30:29 You^* will have a song as in the night when a holy feast is kept and gladness of heart, as he who goes with a pipe to come to the mountain of Jehovah, to the Rock of Israel. ^30:30 And Jehovah will cause his glorious voice to be heard and will show the coming down of his arm with the indignation of his anger and the flame of a devouring fire, with a blast and tempest and hailstones.

^30:31 For through the voice of Jehovah the Assyrian will be dismayed. He will kill^* him with his rod. ^30:32 And every stroke of the appointed staff, which Jehovah will lay upon him, will be with the sound of tambourine and harps. And he will fight with them in battles with the waving of his arm.^30:33 For a Topheth is prepared of old, yes, it is made ready for the king. He has made it deep and large. The pile of it is fire and much wood. The breath of Jehovah kindles it, like a stream of brimstone.

[Isaiah 31] TOC

^31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek Jehovah! ^31:2 Yet he also is wise and will bring evil and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers and against the help of those who work wickedness.

^31:3 Now the Egyptians are men and not God and their horses flesh and not spirit. And when Jehovah will stretch out his hand, both he who helps will stumble and he who is helped will fall and they will all be consumed together.

^31:4 For Jehovah says thus to me, As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, even if a multitude of shepherds are called forth against him, he will not be dismayed at their voice, nor humbled for the noise of them, so Jehovah of hosts will come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon the hill of it. ^31:5 As birds hovering, so Jehovah of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver. He will pass over and preserve.

^31:6 Turn to him from whom you^* have deeply revolted, O sons of Israel. ^31:7 For in that day they will cast away every man his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your^* own hands have made to you^* for a sin.

^31:8 And the Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man and the sword, not of men, will devour him. But he will flee from the sword and his young men will become subject to forced-labor. ^31:9 And his rock will pass away because of terror and his rulers will be dismayed at the ensign, says Jehovah, whose fire is in Zion and his furnace in Jerusalem.

[Isaiah 32] TOC

^32:1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule in justice. ^32:2 And a man will be as a hiding-place from the wind and a covert from the tempest, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a great rock in a weary land. ^32:3 And the eyes of those who see will not be dim and the ears of those who hear will listen. ^32:4 And the heart of the rash will understand knowledge and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. ^32:5 The fool will no more be called noble, nor the churl said to be bountiful.

^32:6 For the fool will do senselessness and his heart will work wickedness, to practice profaneness and to utter error against Jehovah, to make empty the soul of the hungry and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. ^32:7 And the instruments of the churl are evil. He devises wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks right. ^32:8 But a noble man devises noble things and he will rise up in noble things.

^32:9 Rise up, you^* women who are at ease. Hear my voice, you^* careless daughters. Listen to my speech. ^32:10 For you^* will be troubled days beyond a year, you^* careless women. For the vintage will fail; the ingathering will not come. ^32:11 Tremble, women who are at ease. Be troubled, you^* careless ones. Strip you^* and make you^* bare and gird sackcloth upon your^* loins. ^32:12 They will beat upon the breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

^32:13 Thorns and briers will come up on the land of my people, yes, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city. ^32:14 For the palace will be forsaken. The populous city will be deserted. The hill and the watch-tower will be for dens everlasting, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks, ^32:15 until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest.

^32:16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness will abide in the fruitful field. ^32:17And the work of righteousness will be peace and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence everlasting. ^32:18 And my people will abide in a peaceable dwelling and in safe dwellings and in quiet resting-places. ^32:19 But it will hail in the downfall of the forest and the city will be utterly laid low. ^32:20 You^* who sow beside all waters, who send forth the feet of the ox and the donkey are fortunate.

[Isaiah 33] TOC

^33:1 Woe to you who destroys and you were not destroyed and deal treacherously and they did not deal treacherously with you! When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed and when you have made an end of dealing treacherously, they will deal treacherously with you.

^33:2 O Jehovah, be gracious to us, we have waited for you. Be our arm every morning, also our salvation in the time of trouble. ^33:3 At the noise of the commotion the peoples have fled. At the lifting up of yourself the nations are scattered. ^33:4 And your^* spoil will be gathered as the caterpillar gathers. As locusts leap, men will leap upon it.

^33:5 Jehovah is exalted, for he dwells on high. He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. ^33:6And there will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of Jehovah is your treasure.

^33:7 Behold, their valiant ones cry outside. The ambassadors of peace weep bitterly. ^33:8 The highways lie waste. The wayfaring man ceases. The enemy has broken the covenant. He has despised the cities. He does not regard man. ^33:9 The land mourns and languishes. Lebanon is confounded and withers away. Sharon is like a desert and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.

^33:10 Now I will arise, says Jehovah. Now I will lift up myself. Now I will be exalted. ^33:11 You^* will conceive chaff. You^* will bring forth stubble. Your^* breath is a fire that will devour you^*. ^33:12 And the peoples will be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut down that are burned in the fire.

^33:13 Hear, you^* who are far off, what I have done and you^* who are near, acknowledge my might.

^33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the profane. Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings? ^33:15 He who walks righteously and speaks in uprightness. He who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes away his hands from taking a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil.

^33:16 He will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the munitions of rocks. His bread will be given. His waters will be sure. ^33:17 Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will behold a land that reaches afar. ^33:18 Your heart will meditate on the terror. Where is he who counted? Where is he who weighed the tribute? Where is he who counted the towers? ^33:19 You will not see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that you cannot comprehend, of a strange tongue that you cannot understand.

^33:20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities. Your eyes will see Jerusalem a quiet dwelling, a tent that will not be removed. The stakes of which will never be plucked up, nor will any of the cords of it be broken. ^33:21 But Jehovah will be with us there in majesty. A place of broad rivers and streams, in which will go no galley with oars, nor will a gallant ship pass by it.

^33:22 For Jehovah is our judge. Jehovah is our lawgiver. Jehovah is our king, he will save us. ^33:23Your tackles are loosed. They could not strengthen the foot of their mast. They could not spread the sail. Then the prey of a great spoil was divided. The lame took the prey. ^33:24 And the inhabitant will not say, I am sick. The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity.

[Isaiah 34] TOC

^34:1 Come near, you^* nations, to hear. And listen, peoples. Let the earth hear and the fullness of it, the world and all things that come out from it. ^34:2 For Jehovah has indignation against all the nations and wrath against all their host. He has utterly destroyed them. He has delivered them to the slaughter. ^34:3Their slain also will be cast out. And the stench of their dead bodies will come up and the mountains will be melted with their blood.

^34:4 And all the host of heaven will decay and the heavens will be rolled together as a scroll. And all their host will fade away as the leaf fades from the vine and as a fading leaf from the fig tree.

^34:5 For my sword has drunk its fill in heaven. Behold, it will come down upon Edom and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. ^34:6 The sword of Jehovah is filled with blood. It is made fat with fatness, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams, for Jehovah has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. ^34:7 And the wild oxen will come down with them and the bullocks with the bulls. And their land will be drunken with blood and their dust made fat with fatness. ^34:8 For Jehovah has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

^34:9 And the streams of Edom will be turned into pitch and the dust of it into brimstone. And the land of it will become burning pitch. ^34:10 It will not be quenched night nor day. The smoke of it will go up everlasting. From generation to generation it will lie waste. None will pass through it forever and forever.^34:11 But the pelican and the porcupine will possess it. And the owl and the raven will dwell in it. And he will stretch over it the line of confusion and the plummet of emptiness. ^34:12 They will call the nobles of it to the kingdom, but none will be there. And all its rulers will be nothing.

^34:13 And thorns will come up in its palaces, nettles and thistles in the fortresses of it. And it will be a dwelling of jackals, a court for ostriches. ^34:14And the wild beasts of the desert will meet with the wolves. And the wild goat will cry to his fellow. Yes, the screech owl will settle there and will find her a place of rest. ^34:15 There the dart-snake will make her nest and lay and hatch and gather under her shade. Yes, there the vultures will be gathered, each one with her mate.

^34:16 Seek out of the book of Jehovah and read. No one of these will be missing. None will want her mate. For my mouth, it has commanded and his Spirit, it has gathered them. ^34:17 And he has cast the lot for them and his hand has divided it to them by line. They will possess it everlasting. From generation to generation they will dwell in it.

[Isaiah 35] TOC

^35:1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. And the desert will rejoice and blossom as the rose.^35:2 It will blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God.^35:3 Strengthen you^* the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees. ^35:4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, do not fear. Behold, your^* God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you^*.

^35:5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. ^35:6 Then the lame man will leap as a male-deer and the tongue of the mute will sing. For waters in the wilderness will break out and streams in the desert. ^35:7 And the glowing sand will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water. In the dwelling of jackals, where they lay, will be grass with reeds and rushes.

^35:8 And a highway will be there and a way. And it will be called The way of holiness. The unclean will not pass over it, but it will be for the redeemed, the wayfaring men. Yes fools will not go-astray in it. ^35:9 No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous beast go up in it. They will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there.

^35:10 And the ransomed of Jehovah will return and come with singing to Zion. And everlasting joy will be upon their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy. And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

[Isaiah 36] TOC

^36:1 Now it happened in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. ^36:2 And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem to king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the launder's field.

^36:3 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah came out to him, who was over the household and Shebna the scribe and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder.

^36:4 And Rabshakeh said to them, Say you^* now to Hezekiah, Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: What confidence is this in which you trust?^36:5 I say, your counsel and strength for the war are but vain words. Now on whom do you trust that you have rebelled against me? ^36:6 Behold, you trust upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh King of Egypt to all who trust on him.

^36:7 But if you say to me, We trust in Jehovah our God. Is that not he whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, You^* will worship before this altar?

^36:8 Now therefore, I beseech you, give pledges to my master the king of Assyria and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders upon them. ^36:9 How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

^36:10 And have I now come up without Jehovah against this land to destroy it? Jehovah said to me, Go up against this land and destroy it.

^36:11 Then Eliakim and Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh, I beseech you, speak, to your servants in the Syrian language, for we understand it. And do not speak to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people who are on the wall.

^36:12 But Rabshakeh said, Has my master sent me to your master and to you, to speak these words, and not to the men who sit upon the wall, to eat their own manure and to drink their own urine with you^*?

^36:13 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language and said, Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. ^36:14 Thus says the king, Do not let Hezekiah deceive you^*, for he will not be able to deliver you^*. ^36:15 Neither let Hezekiah make you^* trust in Jehovah, saying, Jehovah will surely deliver us. This city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.

^36:16 Listen not to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria, Make your^* peace with me and come out to me and eat you^* everyone of his vine and everyone of his fig tree and drink you^* everyone the waters of his own cistern, ^36:17 until I come and take you^* away to a land like your^* own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

^36:18 Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you^*, saying, Jehovah will deliver us. Has any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? ^36:19 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? And have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?

^36:20 Who are they among all the gods of these countries that have delivered their country out of my hand, that Jehovah should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

^36:21 But they held their peace and answered him not a word. For the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

^36:22 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah came, who was over the household and Shebna the scribe and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

[Isaiah 37] TOC

^37:1 And it happened, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of Jehovah.

^37:2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household and Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

^37:3 And they said to him, Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble and of rebuke and of blasphemy, for the sons have come to the birth and there is not strength to bring forth. ^37:4 It may be Jehovah your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God and will rebuke the words which Jehovah your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.

^37:5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah. ^37:6 And Isaiah said to them, Thus you^* will say to your^* master, Jehovah says thus: Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. ^37:7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him and he will hear news and will return to his own land. And I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

^37:8 So Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish. ^37:9 And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He has come out to fight against you. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, ^37:10 Thus will you^* speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. ^37:11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly. And will you be delivered?

^37:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph and the sons of Eden who were in Telassar? ^37:13 Where is the king of Hamath and the king of Arpad and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena and Ivvah?

^37:14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. And Hezekiah went up to the house of Jehovah and spread it before Jehovah.

^37:15 And Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah, saying,

^37:16 O Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, who sit above the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ^37:17 Incline your ear, O Jehovah and hear. Open your eyes, O Jehovah and see and hear all the words of Sennacherib, who has sent to defy the living God.

^37:18 Of a truth, Jehovah, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the countries and their land, ^37:19and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they have destroyed them. ^37:20 Now therefore, O Jehovah our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are Jehovah, even you only.

^37:21 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, Because you have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, ^37:22 this is the word which Jehovah has spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and laughed you to scorn. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.

^37:23 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? And against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Even against the Holy One of Israel.

^37:24 You have defied the Lord by your servants and have said, I have come up to the height of the mountains with the multitude of my chariots, to the innermost parts of Lebanon. And I will cut down the tall cedars of it and the choice fir trees of it and I will enter into its farthest height, the forest of its fruitful field. ^37:25 I have dug and drunk water and with the sole of my feet I will dry up all the rivers of Egypt.

^37:26 Have you not heard how I have done it from afar and formed it of long-ago? Now I have made it occur, that it should be your to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps. ^37:27 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were as the grass of the field and as the green herb. As the grass on the housetops and as a field of grain before it is grown up.

^37:28 But I know your sitting down and your going out and your coming in and your raging against me. ^37:29 Because of your raging against me and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.

^37:30 And this will be the sign to you. You^* will eat this year what grows of itself and in the second year what springs of the same and in the third year sow you^* and reap and plant vineyards and eat the fruit of it. ^37:31 And the remnant that has escaped from the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. ^37:32 For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion those who will escape. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.

^37:33 Therefore Jehovah says thus concerning the king of Assyria, He will not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there. Neither will he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. ^37:34 By the way that he came, he will return by the same and he will not come to this city, says Jehovah. ^37:35 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.

^37:36 And the messenger of Jehovah went forth and killed^* in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand. And when men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.^37:37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went and returned and dwelt at Nineveh.

^37:38 And it happened, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons killed^* him with the sword and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned instead of him.

[Isaiah 38] TOC

^38:1 In those days Hezekiah was sick to death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, Jehovah says thus, Set your house in order, for you will die and not live.

^38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Jehovah, ^38:3 and said, O Jehovah, I beseech you, remember now how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart and have done what is good in your sight. And Hezekiah wept greatly.

^38:4 Then the word of Jehovah came to Isaiah, saying, ^38:5 Go and say to Hezekiah, Jehovah says thus, the God of David your father. I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add to your days fifteen years. ^38:6 And I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria and I will defend this city.

^38:7 And this will be the sign to you from Jehovah, that Jehovah will do this thing that he has spoken: ^38:8 Behold, I will cause the shadow on the steps, which has gone down on the dial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the dial on which it had gone down.

^38:9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah when he had been sick and was recovered of his sickness:

^38:10 I said, In the noontide of my days I will go into the gates of Sheol. I am deprived of the residue of my years. ^38:11 I said, I will not see Jehovah, even Jehovah in the land of the living. I will behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world. ^38:12 My dwelling is removed and is carried away from me as a shepherd's tent. I have rolled up, like a weaver, my life. He will cut me off from the loom. From day even to night you will make an end of me. ^38:13 I quieted myself until morning. As a lion, so he breaks all my bones. From day even to night will you make an end of me.

^38:14 Like a swallow or a crane, so I chattered. I moaned as a dove. My eyes fail with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed, be my surety.

^38:15 What shall I say? He has both spoken to me and himself has done it. I will go softly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul. ^38:16 O Lord, by these things men live and entirely in it is the life of my spirit. Therefore recover me and make me to live.

^38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness. But you have by love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption. For you have cast all my sins behind your back. ^38:18 For Sheol cannot praise you, death cannot celebrate you. Those who go down into the pit cannot hope for your truth.

^38:19 The living, the living, he will praise you, as I do this day. The father to the sons will make known your truth. ^38:20 Jehovah is ready to save me. Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of Jehovah.

^38:21 Now Isaiah had said, Let them take a cake of figs and lay it for a plaster upon the boil and he will recover. ^38:22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I will go up to the house of Jehovah?

[Isaiah 39] TOC

^39:1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and was recovered.

^39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and all the house of his armor and all that was found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah did not show them.

^39:3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah and said to him, What did these men say? And from where did they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country to me, even from Babylon. ^39:4 Then he said, What have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.

^39:5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, Hear the word of Jehovah of hosts: ^39:6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house and what your fathers have laid up in store until this day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says Jehovah. ^39:7 And of your sons who will go forth from you, whom you will beget, they will take away and they will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

^39:8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, The word of Jehovah which you have spoken is good. He said moreover, For there will be peace and truth in my days.

[Isaiah 40] TOC

^40:1 Comfort you^*, comfort my people, says your^* God. ^40:2 ^Speak comfortably to Jerusalem and cry to her, that her warfare has been completed, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins.

^40:3 The voice of a man crying out in the wilderness, Prepare the way of Jehovah, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

^40:4 Every valley will be exalted and every mountain and hill will be made low. And the crooked will become straight and the rough places smooth. ^40:5 And the glory of Jehovah will be revealed and all flesh will see it together. For the mouth of Jehovah has spoken it.

^40:6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass and all the goodness of it is as the flower of the field. ^40:7 The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of Jehovah blows upon it. Surely the people is grass. ^40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand everlasting.

^40:9 O you who tell good news to Zion, get up on a high mountain. O you who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up, do not be afraid, say to the cities of Judah, Behold, your^* God!

^40:10 Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him and his recompense before him.^40:11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those who have their young.

^40:12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and measured out heaven with the span and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?

^40:13 Who has known the mind of Jehovah, or being his counselor has taught him? ^40:14 He took counsel with whom. And who instructed him and taught him in the path of justice. And taught him knowledge and showed to him the way of understanding?

^40:15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket and are accounted as the small dust of the balance. Behold, he takes up the isles as a very little thing.^40:16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts of it sufficient for a burnt-offering. ^40:17 All the nations are as nothing before him. They are accounted by him as less than nothing and vanity.

^40:18 To whom then will you^* liken God? Or what likeness will you^* compare to him?

^40:19 The image, a workman has cast it and the goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. ^40:20 He who is too impoverished for such a heave-offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks for him a skillful workman to set up a graven image that will not be shaken.

^40:21 Have you^* not known? Have yet not heard? Has it not been told you^* from the beginning? Have you^* not understood from the foundations of the earth?

^40:22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth and the inhabitants of it are as grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens as a curtain and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in, ^40:23 who brings rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth as vanity. ^40:24 Yes, they have not been planted. Yes, they have not been sown. Yes, their stock has not taken root in the earth. Moreover he blows upon them and they wither and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.

^40:25 To whom then will you^* liken me, that I should be equal to him? says the Holy One. ^40:26 Lift up your^* eyes on high and see who has created these, who brings out their host by number. He calls them all by name, by the greatness of his might. And because he is strong in power, not one is lacking.

^40:27 Why do you say, O Jacob and speak, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah. And the justice due to me is passed away from my God?

^40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, nor is weary. There is no searching of his understanding. ^40:29 He gives power to the faint. And to him who has no might he increases strength.

^40:30 Even the youths will faint and be weary and the young men will utterly fall. ^40:31 But those who wait for Jehovah will renew their strength. They will mount up with pinions like eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint.

[Isaiah 41] TOC

^41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let us come near together to judgment. ^41:2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, calls him to his foot, gives nations before him and makes him rule over kings? He gives them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow. ^41:3 He pursues them and passes on safely, even by a way that he had not gone with his feet. ^41:4 Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first and with the last, I am he.

^41:5 The isles have seen and fear. The ends of the earth tremble, they draw near and come. ^41:6 They help every man his neighbor and says to his brother, Be of good courage.

^41:7 So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith, he who smooths with the hammer, he who slays the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good and he fastens it with nails, that it should not be shaken.

^41:8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend, ^41:9 you whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth and called from the corners of it and said to you, You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you away.

^41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

^41:11 1 Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be put to shame and confounded. Those who strive with you will be as nothing and will perish. ^41:12 You will seek them and will not find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing and as a thing of nothing. ^41:13 For I, Jehovah your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, Do not fear, I will help you.

^41:14 Do not fear, you worm Jacob and you^* men of Israel. I will help you, says Jehovah and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. ^41:15 Behold, I have made you as a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth. You will thresh the mountains and beat them small and will make the hills as chaff. ^41:16 You will winnow them and the wind will carry them away and the whirlwind will scatter them. And you will rejoice in Jehovah. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

^41:17 The poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue fails for thirst. I, Jehovah, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. ^41:18 I will open rivers on the bare heights and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water. ^41:19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia and the myrtle and the oil tree. I will set in the desert the fir tree, the pine and the box tree together, ^41:20 that they may see and know and consider and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah has done this and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

^41:21 Produce your^* case, says Jehovah. Bring forth your^* strong reasons, says the King of Jacob.^41:22 Let them bring forth and declare to us what will happen. Declare the former things, what they are, that we may consider them and know the latter end of them, or show us things to come.

^41:23 Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you^* are gods. Yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed and behold it together. ^41:24 Behold, you^* are of nothing and your^* work is of nothing. An abomination is he who chooses you^*.

^41:25 I have raised up him from the north and he has come, he who calls upon my name from the rising of the sun. And he will come upon rulers as upon mortar and as the potter treads clay.

^41:26 Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know and formerly, that we may say, He is right? Yes, there is none who declares. Yes, there is none who shows. Yes, there is none who hears your^* words.

^41:27 First to Zion. Behold, behold them and I will give to Jerusalem he who brings good news.

^41:28 And when I look, there is no man. Even among them there is no counselor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word. ^41:29 Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion.

[Isaiah 42] TOC

^42:1 Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights. I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. ^42:2 He will not cry, nor lift up his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street. ^42:3 A bruised reed he will not break and a dimly burning wick he will not quench, but he will bring forth justice in truth. ^42:4He will not fail nor be discouraged till he has set justice in the earth. And in his name Gentiles will hope.

^42:5 Thus says God, Jehovah, he who created the heavens and stretched them forth, he who spread abroad the earth and what comes out of it, he who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it, ^42:6 I, Jehovah, have called you in righteousness and will hold your hand and will keep you and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, ^42:7 to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon and those who sit in darkness out of the prison-house.

^42:8 I am Jehovah. That is my name and I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to graven images. ^42:9 Behold, the former things have happen and I declare new things. Before they spring forth I tell you^* of them. ^42:10 Sing to Jehovah a new song and his praise from the end of the earth, you^* who go down to the sea and all that is in it, the isles and the inhabitants of it. ^42:11 Let the wilderness and the cities of it lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing. Let them shout from the top of the mountains. ^42:12 Let them give glory to Jehovah and declare his praise in the islands. ^42:13 Jehovah will go forth as a mighty man. He will stir up his zeal like a man of war. He will cry, yes, he will shout aloud. He will do mightily against his enemies.

^42:14 I have for a long time held my peace. I have been still and refrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will gasp and pant together. ^42:15 I will lay waste mountains and hills and dry up all their herbs. And I will make the rivers islands and will dry up the pools.

^42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they do not know. I will lead them in paths that they do not know. I will make darkness light before them and crooked places straight. These things I will do and I will not forsake them.

^42:17 They will be turned back, they will be utterly put to shame, who trust in graven images, who say to molten images, You^* are our gods.

^42:18 Hear, you^* deaf and look, you^* blind, that you^* may see. ^42:19 Who is blind, but my servant, or deaf, as my messenger that I send? Who is blind as he who is at peace with me and blind as Jehovah's servant? ^42:20 You see many things, but you do not observe. His ears are open, but he does not hear.

^42:21 It pleased Jehovah, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable. ^42:22But this is a people robbed and plundered. They are all of them snared in holes and they are hid in prison-houses. They are for a prey and none delivers, for a spoil and none says, Restore.

^42:23 Who is there among you^* that will listen to this, that will listen and hear for the time to come?^42:24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil and Israel to the robbers? Did not Jehovah? He against whom we have sinned and in whose ways they would not walk, nor were they obedient to his law. ^42:25 Therefore he poured upon him the fierceness of his anger and the strength of battle. And it set him on fire all around, yet he did not know. And it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

[Isaiah 43] TOC

^43:1 But now Jehovah says thus who created you, O Jacob and he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name, You are mine. ^43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flame kindle upon you.

^43:3 For I am Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your stead. ^43:4 Since you have been precious in my sight and honorable and I have loved you, therefore I will give men instead of you and peoples instead of your life.

^43:5 Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east and gather you from the west. ^43:6I will say to the north, Give up and to the south, Do not keep back. Bring my sons from far and my daughters from the end of the earth, ^43:7 everyone who is called by my name and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made. ^43:8 Bring forth the blind people who have eyes and the deaf who have ears.

^43:9 Let all the nations be gathered together and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses that they may be justified, or let them hear and say, It is truth.

^43:10 You^* are my witnesses, says Jehovah and my servant whom I have chosen, that you^* may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, nor will there be after me.

^43:11 I, even I, am Jehovah and besides me there is no savior. ^43:12 I have declared and I have saved and I have shown and there was no strange god among you^*. Therefore you^* are my witnesses, says Jehovah and I am God. ^43:13 Yes, since the day was I am he and there is none that can deliver out of my hand. I will work and who can hinder it?

^43:14 Jehovah says thus, your^* Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your^* sake I have sent to Babylon and I will bring down all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. ^43:15 I am Jehovah, your^* Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your^* King.

^43:16 Jehovah says thus, who makes a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, ^43:17 who brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together; they will not rise; they are extinct; they are quenched as a wick): ^43:18 Do you^* not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. ^43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it will spring forth. Shall you^* not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

^43:20 The beasts of the field will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen, ^43:21 the people whom I formed for myself, that they might set forth my praise.

^43:22 Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, but you have been weary of me, O Israel. ^43:23 You have not brought me from your sheep for burnt-offerings, nor have you honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense. ^43:24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money, nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins. You have wearied me with your iniquities.

^43:25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and I will not remember your sins. ^43:26 Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Set forth your case that you may be justified. ^43:27 Your first father sinned and your teachers have transgressed against me. ^43:28Therefore I will profane the rulers of the sanctuary and I will make Jacob a curse and Israel a reviling.

[Isaiah 44] TOC

^44:1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant and Israel, whom I have chosen. ^44:2 Jehovah says thus who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: Do not fear, O Jacob my servant and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. ^44:3 For I will pour water upon him who is thirsty and streams upon the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit upon your seed and my blessing upon your offspring. ^44:4 And they will spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. ^44:5 One will say, I am Jehovah's and another will call himself by the name of Jacob and another will subscribe with his hand to Jehovah and surname himself by the name of Israel.

^44:6 Jehovah says thus, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God.

^44:7 And who, as I, will call and will declare it and set it in order for me, since I established the people of old? And let them declare the things that are coming and that will happen. ^44:8 Do not fear, nor be afraid. Have I not declared to you of old and shown it? And you^* are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Yes, there is no Rock. I do not know any.

^44:9 Those who fashion a graven image are all of them vanity. And the things that they delight in will not profit. And their own witnesses do not see, nor know, that they may be put to shame. ^44:10 Who has fashioned a god, or molded an image that is for no profit? ^44:11 Behold, all his fellows will be put to shame and the workmen. They are of men. Let them all be gathered together. Let them stand up. They will fear. They will be put to shame together.

^44:12 The smith makes an axe and works in the coals and fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. Yes, he is hungry and his strength fails. He drinks no water and is faint.

^44:13 The carpenter stretches out a line. He marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes. And he marks it out with the compasses and shapes it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house. ^44:14 He hews down cedars for him and takes the cypress tree and the oak and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir tree and the rain nourishes it.

^44:15 Then it will be for a man to burn. And he takes of it and warms himself. Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread. Yes, he makes a god and worships it. He makes it a graven image and falls down to it.

^44:16 He burns part of it in the fire. He eats flesh with part of it. He roasts roast and is satisfied. Yes, he warms himself and says, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire. ^44:17 And the residue of it he makes a god, even his graven image. He falls down to it and worships and prays to it and says, Deliver me, for you are my god.

^44:18 They do not know, nor do they consider. For he has shut their eyes, that they cannot see and their hearts, that they cannot understand. ^44:19 And none calls to mind, nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire. Yes, I have also baked bread upon the coals of it. I have roasted flesh and eaten it. And shall I make the residue of it an abomination? Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

^44:20 He feeds on ashes. A deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

^44:21 Remember these things, O Jacob and Israel, for you are my servant. I have formed you. You are my servant, O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. ^44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and as a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

^44:23 Sing, O you^* heavens, for Jehovah has done it. Shout, you^* lower parts of the earth. Break forth into singing, you^* mountains, O forest and every tree in it. For Jehovah has redeemed Jacob and will glorify himself in Israel.

^44:24 Jehovah says thus, your Redeemer and he who formed you from the womb: I am Jehovah, who makes all things, who stretches forth the heavens alone, who spreads abroad the earth (who is with me?), ^44:25 who frustrates the signs of the liars and makes diviners mad, who turns wise men backward and shows that their knowledge was done foolishly, ^44:26 who confirms the word of his servant and performs the counsel of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, She will be inhabited and of the cities of Judah, They will be built and I will raise up the waste places of it,^44:27 who says to the deep, Be dry and I will dry up your rivers, ^44:28 who says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd and will perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem, She will be built and of the temple, Your foundation will be laid.

[Isaiah 45] TOC

^45:1 Jehovah says thus to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him. And I will loose the loins of kings to open the doors before him. And the gates will not be shut. ^45:2 I will go before you and make the rough places smooth. I will break in pieces the doors of brass and cut apart the bars of iron.

^45:3 And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Jehovah, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel. ^45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.

^45:5 I am Jehovah and there is none else. Besides me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known me, ^45:6 that they may know from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Jehovah and there is none else.

^45:7 I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil. I am Jehovah who does all these things.

^45:8 Drop down, you^* heavens, from above and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open that it may bring forth salvation and let it cause righteousness to spring up together. I, Jehovah, have created it.

^45:9 Woe to him who contends with his maker, a earthen vessel among the earthen vessels of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashions it, What are you making? or your work, He has no hands? ^45:10 Woe to him who says to a father, What are you begetting? or to a woman, With what are you travailing?

^45:11 Jehovah says thus, the Holy One of Israel and his maker: Ask me of the things that are to come concerning my sons. And command me concerning the work of my hands. ^45:12 I have made the earth and created man upon it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens and all their host I have commanded.

^45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness and I will make straight all his ways. He will build my city and he will let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, says Jehovah of hosts.

^45:14 Jehovah says thus: The labor of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia and the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and they will be yours. They will go after you. In chains they will come over and they will fall down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, Surely God is in you and there is none else, no God.

^45:15 Verily you are a God who hides yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior. ^45:16 They will be put to shame, yes, confounded, all of them. They will go into confusion together who are makers of idols. ^45:17But Israel will be saved by Jehovah with an everlasting salvation. You^* will not be put to shame nor confounded world without end.

^45:18 For Jehovah says thus who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and did not create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah and there is none else. ^45:19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I did not say to the seed of Jacob, Seek me in vain. I, Jehovah, speak righteousness, declaring uprightness.

^45:20 Assemble yourselves and come, draw near together, you^* that are escaped of the nations. They have no knowledge that carry the wood of their graven image and pray to a god that cannot save. ^45:21Declare and bring it forth. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from long-ago? Who has declared it long since? Have not I, Jehovah? And there is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior. There is none besides me. ^45:22Look to me and be you^* saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else.

^45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness and will not return, that to me every knee will bow, every tongue will confess to God.

^45:24 Only in Jehovah, it is said of me, is righteousness and strength. Even to him men will come and all those who were incensed against him will be put to shame. ^45:25 In Jehovah all the seed of Israel will be justified and will glory.

[Isaiah 46] TOC

^46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops, their idols are upon the beasts and upon the cattle. The things that you^* carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary beast. ^46:2 They stoop, they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

^46:3 Listen to me, O house of Jacob and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from their birth, who have been carried from the womb. ^46:4 And even to old age I am he and even to hoar hairs I will carry you^*. I have made and I will bear, yes, I will carry and will deliver.

^46:5 To whom will you^* liken me and make me equal and compare me, that we may be alike? ^46:6Such as lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith and he makes it a god. They fall down, yes, they worship. ^46:7 They bear it upon the shoulder. They carry it and set it in its place and it stands. From its place it will not remove. Yes, he may cry to it, yet it cannot answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

^46:8 Remember this and show yourselves men. Bring it again to mind, O you^* transgressors. ^46:9Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is none else. I am God and there is none like me, ^46:10 declaring the end from the beginning and from long-ago things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel will stand and I will do all my pleasure, ^46:11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. Yes, I have spoken. I will also make it occur. I have purposed. I will also do it.

^46:12 Listen to me, you^* stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness: ^46:13 I bring near my righteousness. It will not be far off. And my salvation will not abide and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

[Isaiah 47] TOC

^47:1 Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans. For you will no more be called tender and delicate. ^47:2 Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers.^47:3 Your nakedness will be uncovered, yes, your shame will be seen. I will take vengeance and will spare no man.

^47:4 Our Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

^47:5 Sit you silent and get you into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans, for you will no more be called The mistress of kingdoms. ^47:6 I was angry with my people. I profaned my inheritance and gave them into your hand. You showed them no mercy. you have laid your yoke very heavily upon the aged.^47:7 And you said, I will be a mistress everlasting, so that you did not lay these things to your heart, nor remembered the latter end of it.

^47:8 Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, I am and there is none else besides me. I will not sit as a widow, nor shall I know the loss of sons. ^47:9 But these two things will come to you in a moment in one day: the loss of sons and widowhood. In their full measure they will come upon you, in the multitude of your sorceries and the great abundance of your enchantments. For you have trusted in your wickedness. You have said, None sees me.

^47:10 Your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you. And you have said in your heart, I am and there is none else besides me.

^47:11 Therefore evil will come upon you. You will not know the dawning of it. And mischief will fall upon you. You will not be able to put it away. And desolation will come upon you suddenly, which you do not know.

^47:12 Stand now with your enchantments and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth, perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you may prevail. ^47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the knowers from the new moons, stand up and save you from the things that will come upon you.

^47:14 Behold, they will be as stubble. The fire will burn them. They will not deliver themselves from the power of the flame. It will not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. ^47:15 Thus will be the things to you, in which you have labored. Those who have traded with you from your youth will wander each one to his quarter. There will be none to save you.

[Isaiah 48] TOC

^48:1 Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel and have come forth out of the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of Jehovah and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness ^48:2 (for they call themselves of the holy city and steady themselves upon the God of Israel, Jehovah of hosts is his name): ^48:3 I have declared the former things from of old. Yes, they went forth out of my mouth and I showed them. Suddenly I did them and they happened.

^48:4 Because I knew that you are obstinate and your neck is an iron muscle and your brow brass, ^48:5therefore I have declared it to you from of old. Before it happened I showed it to you, lest you should say, My idol has done them. And my graven image and my molten image, has commanded them.

^48:6 You have heard it, behold all this and you^*, will you^* not declare it? I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known. ^48:7 They are created now and not from of old. And you have not heard them before this day, lest you should say, Behold, I knew them.^48:8 Yes, you heard not. Yes, you did not know. Yes, from of old your ear was not opened. For I knew that you dealt very treacherously and were called a transgressor from the womb.

^48:9 For my name's sake I will defer my anger and for my praise I will refrain for you, that I not cut you off. ^48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver. I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.^48:11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I will do it. For how should my name be profaned? And I will not give my glory to another.

^48:12 Listen to me, O Jacob and Israel my called: I am he. I am the first. I also am the last. ^48:13 Yes, my hand has laid the foundation of the earth and my right hand has spread out the heavens. When I call to them, they stand up together.

^48:14 Assemble yourselves, all you^* and hear: Who among them has declared these things? He whom Jehovah loves will perform his pleasure on Babylon and his arm, the Chaldeans. ^48:15 I, even I, have spoken, yes, I have called him. I have brought him and he will make his way prosperous.

^48:16 Come you^* near to me, hear this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret. From the time that it was, there I am. And now the Lord Jehovah and his Spirit has sent me.

^48:17 Jehovah says thus, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am Jehovah your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go. ^48:18 If only you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been as a river and your righteousness as the waves of the sea. ^48:19 Your seed also would have been as the sand and the offspring of your guts like the grains of it. His name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.

^48:20 Go forth from Babylon. Flee from the Chaldeans. With a voice of singing declare, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth. Say you^*, Jehovah has redeemed his servant Jacob. ^48:21And they did not thirst when he led them through the deserts. He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them. He also split the rock and the waters gushed out.

^48:22 There is no peace, says Jehovah, to the wicked.

[Isaiah 49] TOC

^49:1 Listen, O isles, to me and listen, you^* peoples from far. Jehovah has called me from the womb. From the guts of my mother he has made mention of my name. ^49:2 And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword. He has hid me in the shadow of his hand and he has made me a polished shaft. He has kept me close in his quiver.

^49:3 And he said to me, You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified. ^49:4 But I said, I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength wastefully and in vanity. Yet surely the justice due to me is with Jehovah and my recompense with my God.

^49:5 And now says Jehovah who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him and that Israel be gathered to him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah and my God has become my strength), ^49:6 yes, he says, It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.

^49:7 Jehovah says thus, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers. Kings will see and arise, rulers and they will worship, because of Jehovah who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.

^49:8 Jehovah says thus, In an acceptable time I have heard you and in a day of salvation I have helped you. And I will preserve you and give you for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages, ^49:9 saying to those who are bound, Go forth; to those who are in darkness, Show yourselves. They will feed in the ways and their pasture will be on all bare heights.

^49:10 They will not hunger nor thirst, neither will the heat nor sun kill^* them. For he who has mercy on them will lead them. He will guide them even by springs of water. ^49:11 And I will make all my mountains a way and my highways will be exalted.^49:12 Behold, these will come from far, and behold, these from the north and from the west and these from the land of Sinim.

^49:13 Sing, O heavens and be joyful, O earth and break forth into singing, O mountains. For Jehovah has comforted his people and will have compassion upon his afflicted. ^49:14 But Zion said, Jehovah has forsaken me and the Lord has forgotten me. ^49:15 Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

^49:16 Behold, I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands. Your walls are continually before me. ^49:17 Your sons make haste. Your destroyers and those who made you waste will go forth from you.

^49:18 Lift up your eyes all around and behold. All these gather themselves together and come to you. As I live, says Jehovah, you will surely clothe you with them all, as with an ornament and gird yourself with them, like a bride. ^49:19 For, as for your waste and your desolate places and your land that has been destroyed, surely now you will be too narrow for the inhabitants and those who swallowed you up will be far away.

^49:20 The sons of your bereavement will yet say in your ears, The place is too narrow for me. Give a place to me that I may dwell. ^49:21 Then you will say in your heart, Who has fathered these for me, seeing I have been bereaved of my sons and am solitary, an exile and wandering to and fro? And who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone, these, where were they?

^49:22 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations and set up my ensign to the peoples. And they will bring your sons in their bosom and your daughters will be carried upon their shoulders. ^49:23 And kings will be your nursing fathers and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet. And you will know that I am Jehovah and those who wait for me will not be put to shame.

^49:24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered? ^49:25 But Jehovah says thus, Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away and the prey of the terrible will be delivered.

For I will contend with him who contends with you and I will save your sons. ^49:26 And I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh. And they will be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine. And all flesh will know that I, Jehovah, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

[Isaiah 50] TOC

^50:1 Jehovah says thus, Where is the document of your^* mother's divorcement, with which I have put her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you^*? Behold, for your^* iniquities you^* were sold and for your^* transgressions your^* mother was put away.

^50:2 Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness. Their fish stink because there is no water and die for thirst. ^50:3 I clothe the heavens with blackness and I make sackcloth their covering.

^50:4 The Lord Jehovah has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words he who is weary. He awakens morning by morning. He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. ^50:5 The Lord Jehovah has opened my ear and I was not rebellious, nor turned away backward. ^50:6 I gave my back to the strikers and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. I did not hide my face from shame and spitting. ^50:7 For the Lord Jehovah will help me.

Therefore I have not been confounded. Therefore I have set my face like a flint and I know that I will not be put to shame. ^50:8 He is near who justifies me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. ^50:9 Behold, the Lord Jehovah will help me. Who is he who will condemn me? Behold, all they will grow old as a garment; the moth will eat them up.

^50:10 Who is among you^* that fears Jehovah, who obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness and has no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah and rely upon his God.

^50:11 Behold, all you^* who kindle a fire, who gird yourselves about with firebrands, walk you^* in the flame of your^* fire and among the brands that you^* have kindled. This you^* will have from my hand. You^* will lie down in sorrow.

[Isaiah 51] TOC

^51:1 Listen to me, you^* who follow after righteousness, you^* who seek Jehovah. Look to the rock from where you^* were hewn and to the hold of the pit from where you^* were dug. ^51:2 Look to Abraham your^* father and to Sarah who bore you^*. For when he was but one I called him and I blessed him and made him many.

^51:3 For Jehovah has comforted Zion. He has comforted all her waste places and has made her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of Jehovah. Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

^51:4 Attend to me, O my people and listen to me, O my nation. For a law will go forth from me and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples. ^51:5 My righteousness is near. My salvation has gone forth and my arms will judge the peoples. The isles will wait for me and on my arm they will trust.

^51:6 Lift up your^* eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke and the earth will grow old like a garment and those who dwell in it will die in like manner. But my salvation will be everlasting and my righteousness will not be abolished.

^51:7 Listen to me, you^* who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law. Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be you^* dismayed at their revilings. ^51:8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment and the worm will eat them like wool. But my righteousness will be everlasting and my salvation to all generations.

^51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah. Awake, as in the days of long-ago, the generations of everlasting. Is it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster? ^51:10 Is it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?

^51:11 And the ransomed of Jehovah will return and come with singing to Zion and everlasting joy will be upon their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

^51:12 I, even I, am he who comforts you^*. Who are you, that you are afraid of man who will die and of the son of man who will be made as grass, ^51:13 and have forgotten Jehovah your maker, who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth and fear continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he makes ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor?

^51:14 The captive exile will speedily be loosed and he will not die in the pit, nor will his bread fail.^51:15 For I am Jehovah your God, who stirs up the sea so that the waves of it roar. Jehovah of hosts is his name.

^51:16 And I have put my words in your mouth and have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth and say to Zion, You are my people.

^51:17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, who have drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath. You have drunk the bowl of the cup of staggering and drained it. ^51:18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she has brought forth, nor is there any who takes her by the hand among all the sons that she has brought up.

^51:19 These two things have befallen you (Who will sympathize with you?): Desolation and destruction and the famine and the sword. How shall I comfort you? ^51:20 Your sons have fainted. They lie at the head of all the streets, as an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of Jehovah, the rebuke of your God.

^51:21 Therefore hear now this, you afflicted and drunken, but not with wine. ^51:22 Thus says your Lord Jehovah and your God who pleads the cause of his people: Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my wrath. You will no more drink it again. ^51:23 And I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, who have said to your soul, Bow down, that we may go over and you have laid your back as the ground and as the street, to those who go over.

[Isaiah 52] TOC

^52:1 Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion. Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. For hereafter there will no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. ^52:2 Shake yourself from the dust. Arise, sit up, O Jerusalem. Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

^52:3 For Jehovah says thus: You^* were sold for free and you^* will be redeemed without money.^52:4 For thus says the Lord Jehovah, My people went down at the first into Egypt to journey there. And the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause.

^52:5 Now therefore, what do I do here, says Jehovah, seeing that my people are taken away for free? Those who rule over them howl, says Jehovah. And because of you^* my name is continually blasphemed among the Gentiles.

^52:6 Therefore my people will know my name. Therefore they will know in that day that I am he who speaks, Behold, it is I.

^52:7 How lovely are the feet of him who brings good news upon the mountains, who proclaims peace, who brings good news of good, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!

^52:8 The voice of your watchmen! They lift up the voice; they sing together. For they will see eye to eye, when Jehovah returns to Zion. ^52:9 Break forth into joy, sing together, you^* waste places of Jerusalem, for Jehovah has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. ^52:10 Jehovah has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

^52:11 Depart, depart, go out from there. Touch no unclean thing. Go out of the midst of her. Cleanse yourselves, you^* who bear the vessels of Jehovah. ^52:12 For you^* will not go out in haste, nor will you^* go by flight. For Jehovah will go before you^* and the God of Israel will be your^* rear guard.

^52:13 Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up and will be very high.^52:14Just as many were astonished at you (his visage was so marred, more than any man and his form more than the sons of men), ^52:15 so will he sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him. For what had not been told them they will see and what they had not heard they will understand.

[Isaiah 53] TOC

^53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of Jehovah been revealed?

^53:2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground. He has no form nor comeliness. And when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

^53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And as him from whom men hide their face he was despised and we esteemed him not.

^53:4 Surely he has borne our griefs and has carried our sorrows.

Yet we esteemed him stricken, struck by God and afflicted. ^53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed.

^53:6 All we like sheep have gone-astray. We have turned every one to his own way and Jehovah has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

^53:7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter and as a sheep that is mute before its shearers, so he opened not his mouth.

^53:8 In his humiliation his justice was taken away. And as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?

^53:9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death. Although he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

^53:10 Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him. He has put him to grief.

When you will make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his seed. He will prolong his days and the pleasure of Jehovah will prosper in his hand.

^53:11 He will see of the travail of his soul, and

will be satisfied. By the knowledge of himself will my righteous servant justify many and he will bear their iniquities.

^53:12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great and he will divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors. Yet he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

[Isaiah 54] TOC

^54:1 Sing, O barren, you who did not bear. Break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child. For more are the sons of the desolate than the sons of the married woman, says Jehovah.

^54:2 Enlarge the place of your tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of your dwellings. Spare not. Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.^54:3 For you will spread abroad on the right hand and on the left. And your seed will possess the nations and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

^54:4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed. Neither be confounded, for you will not be put to shame. For you will forget the shame of your youth. And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.

^54:5 For your maker is your husband. Jehovah of hosts is his name. And the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of the whole earth. ^54:6 For Jehovah has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God.

^54:7 For a small moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. ^54:8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you, says Jehovah your Redeemer.

^54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah to me. For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. ^54:10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my loving kindness will not depart from you, nor will my covenant of peace be shaken, says Jehovah who has mercy on you.

^54:11 O you afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in fair colors and lay your foundations with sapphires. ^54:12And I will make your pinnacles of rubies and your gates of carbuncles and all your border of precious stones. ^54:13 And all your sons will be taught of Jehovah and great will be the peace of your sons. ^54:14 You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear and from terror, for it will not come near you.

^54:15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by me. Whoever will gather together against you will fall because of you. ^54:16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and brings forth a weapon for his work. And I have created the waster to destroy. ^54:17 No weapon that is formed against you will prosper. And every tongue that will rise against you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah and their righteousness which is of me, says Jehovah.

[Isaiah 55] TOC

^55:1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come you^* to the waters. And he who has no money, come you^*, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ^55:2 Why do you^* spend money for what is not bread and your^* labor for what does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me and eat you^* what is good and let your^* soul delight itself in fatness. ^55:3Incline your^* ear and come to me. Hear and your^* soul will live. And I will make an everlasting covenant with you^*, even the faithful holy things of David. ^55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.

^55:5 Behold, you will call a nation that you do not know. And a nation that does not know you will run to you because of Jehovah your God and for the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

^55:6 Seek Jehovah while he may be found. Call you^* upon him while he is near. ^55:7 Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts. And let him return to Jehovah and he will have mercy upon him and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

^55:8 For my thoughts are not your^* thoughts, nor are your^* ways my ways, says Jehovah. ^55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your^* ways and my thoughts than your^* thoughts.

^55:10 For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven and returns not there, but waters the earth and makes it bring forth and bud and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater, ^55:11 so will my word be that goes forth out of my mouth. It will not return to me void, but it will accomplish what I please. And it will prosper in the thing to which I sent it.

^55:12 For you^* will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. The mountains and the hills will break forth before you^* into singing and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. ^55:13 Instead of the thorn will come up the fir tree and instead of the brier will come up the myrtle tree. And it will be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.

[Isaiah 56] TOC

^56:1 Jehovah says thus, Keep you^* justice and do righteousness. For my salvation is near to come and my righteousness to be revealed. ^56:2 The man who does this is fortunate and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.

^56:3 Neither let the foreigner, who has joined himself to Jehovah, speak, saying, Jehovah will surely separate me from his people, nor let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

^56:4 For Jehovah says thus of the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths and choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant: ^56:5 To them I will give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name, that will not be cut off.

^56:6 Also the foreigners who join themselves to Jehovah, to minister to him and to love the name of Jehovah, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it and holds fast my covenant, ^56:7 even them I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted upon my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. ^56:8 The Lord Jehovah, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, Yet I will gather to him, besides his own who are gathered.

^56:9 All you^* beasts of the field, come to devour, yes, all you^* beasts in the forest. ^56:10 His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. ^56:11 Yes, the dogs are greedy; they can never have enough. And these are shepherds who cannot understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter. ^56:12 Come you^*, they say, I will fetch wine and we will fill ourselves with strong drink. And tomorrow will be as this day, great beyond measure.

[Isaiah 57] TOC

^57:1 The righteous man perishes and no man lays it to heart. And merciful men are taken away; none considering that the righteous man is taken away from the evil. ^57:2 He enters into peace. They rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.

^57:3 But draw near here, you^* sons of the witch, the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute.^57:4 Against whom do you^* sport yourselves, against whom you^* make a wide mouth and put out the tongue? Are you^* not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, ^57:5 you^* who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree, who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

^57:6 Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion. They, they are your lot, even to them you have poured a drink-offering; you have offered an offering. Shall I be appeased for these things?

^57:7 Upon a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice.^57:8 And behind the doors and the posts you have set up your memorial. For you have uncovered yourself to another than me and have gone up. You have enlarged your bed and made you a covenant with them. You loved their bed where you saw it.

^57:9 And you went to the king with oil and increased your perfumes and sent your ambassadors far off and debased yourself even to Sheol. ^57:10 You were wearied with the length of your way, yet you did not say, It is in vain. You found a quickening of your strength, therefore you were not faint.

^57:11 And of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Have I not held my peace even of long time and you do not fear me?

^57:12 I will declare your righteousness. And as for your works, they will not profit you. ^57:13 When you cry, let those whom you have gathered deliver you. But the wind will take them; a breath will carry them all away.

But he who takes refuge in me will possess the land and will inherit my holy mountain. ^57:14 And he will say, Cast you^* up, cast you^* up, prepare the way. Take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.

^57:15 For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, also with him who is of a crushed and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the crushed.

^57:16 For I will not contend everlasting, nor will I always be angry, for the spirit would faint before me and the souls that I have made. ^57:17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and killed^* him. I hid my face and was angry and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.

^57:18 I have seen his ways and will heal him. I will lead him also and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. ^57:19 I create the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near, says Jehovah and I will heal him.

^57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, for it cannot rest and its waters cast up mud and dirt. ^57:21There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked.

[Isaiah 58] TOC

^58:1 Cry aloud, spare not. Lift up your voice like a trumpet and declare to my people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. ^58:2Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways. As a nation that did righteousness and forsook not the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.

^58:3 Why have we fasted, they say and you do not see? We have humbled our soul and you take no knowledge. Behold, in the day of your^* fast you^* find pleasure and exact from all your^* laborers. ^58:4Behold, you^* fast for strife and contention and to kill^* with the fist of wickedness. You^* do not fast this day so as to make your^* voice to be heard on high.

^58:5 Is such the fast that I have chosen, the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast and an acceptable day to Jehovah?

^58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke and to let the oppressed go free and that you^* break every yoke? ^58:7 Is it not to deal your bread to a hungry man and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house, when you see a naked man, that you cover him and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?

^58:8 Then your light will break forth as the morning and your healing will spring forth speedily. And your righteousness will go before you. The glory of Jehovah will be your rear guard. ^58:9 Then you will call and Jehovah will answer, you will cry and he will say, Here I am. If you take the yoke away from the midst of you, the putting forth of the finger and speaking wickedly, ^58:10 and if you draw out your soul to a hungry man and satisfy an afflicted soul, then your light will rise in darkness and your obscurity be as the noonday.

^58:11 And Jehovah will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in dry places and make strong your bones. And you will be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. ^58:12 And those who will be of you will build the old waste places. You will raise up the foundations of generations and generations and you will be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

^58:13 If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy of Jehovah honorable and will honor it, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words: ^58:14 then you will delight yourself in Jehovah and I will make you to ride upon the high places of the earth and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. For the mouth of Jehovah has spoken it.

[Isaiah 59] TOC

^59:1 Behold, Jehovah's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.^59:2 But your^* iniquities have separated between you^* and your^* God and your^* sins have hid his face from you^* so that he will not hear.

^59:3 For your^* hands are defiled with blood and your^* fingers with iniquity. Your^* lips have spoken lies. Your^* tongue mutters wickedness. ^59:4 No man sues in righteousness and no man pleads in truth. They trust in vanity and speak lies. They conceive mischief and bring forth wickedness. ^59:5 They hatch adders' eggs and weave the spider's web. He who eats of their eggs dies and what is crushed breaks out into a viper. ^59:6 Their webs will not become garments, nor will they cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of wickedness and the act of violence is in their hands.

^59:7 Their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are thoughts of wickedness. Desolation and destruction are in their paths. ^59:8 They do not know the way of peace and there is no justice in their goings. They have made them crooked paths. Whoever goes in it does not know peace.

^59:9 Therefore justice is far from us, nor does righteousness overtake us. We look for light, but, behold, darkness, for brightness, but we walk in obscurity. ^59:10 We grope for the wall like the blind. Yes, we grope as those who have no eyes. We stumble at noonday as in the twilight. We are as dead men in desolate places. ^59:11 We all roar like bears and moan greatly like doves. We look for justice, but there is none, for salvation, but it is far off from us.

^59:12 For our transgressions are multiplied before you and our sins testify against us. For our transgressions are with us and as for our iniquities, we know them: ^59:13 transgressing and denying Jehovah and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

^59:14 And justice is turned away backward and righteousness stands afar off. For truth has fallen in the street and uprightness cannot enter. ^59:15 Yes, truth is lacking and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

And Jehovah saw it and it displeased him that there was no justice. ^59:16 And he saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore his own arm brought salvation to him. And his righteousness, it upheld him. ^59:17 And he put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation upon his head. And he put on garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal as a mantle.

^59:18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies. He will repay recompense to the islands.

^59:19 So they will fear the name of Jehovah from the west and his glory from the rising of the sun. For he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of Jehovah drives. ^59:20 And he who redeems will come to Zion and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says Jehovah.

^59:21 And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says Jehovah: My Spirit that is upon you and my words which I have put in your mouth, will not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed's seed, says Jehovah, from now and until everlasting.

[Isaiah 60] TOC

^60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of Jehovah has risen upon you. ^60:2 For, behold, darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the peoples. But Jehovah will arise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you. ^60:3 And nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising. ^60:4 Lift up your eyes all around and see. They all gather themselves together. They come to you. Your sons will come from far and your daughters will be carried in the arms.

^60:5 Then you will see and be radiant and your heart will thrill and be enlarged, because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you. ^60:6 The multitude of camels will cover you. The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah, all those from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense and will proclaim the praises of Jehovah. ^60:7 All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you. The rams of Nebaioth will minister to you. They will come up with acceptance on my altar and I will glorify the house of my glory.

^60:8 Who are these that fly as a cloud and as the doves to their windows? ^60:9 Surely the isles will wait for me and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of Jehovah your God and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you. ^60:10 And foreigners will build up your walls and their kings will minister to you. For in my wrath I killed^* you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you. ^60:11 Your gates also will be open continually. They will not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations and their kings led captive.

^60:12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you will perish. Yes, those nations will be utterly wasted. ^60:13 The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the fir tree, the pine and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary. And I will make the place of my feet glorious. ^60:14 And the sons of those who afflicted you will come bending to you. And all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet. And they will call you The city of Jehovah, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

^60:15 Instead you have been forsaken and hated, so that no man passed through you, I will make you an everlasting excellency, a joy of generations to generations. ^60:16 You will also suck the milk of the nations and will suck the breast of kings. And you will know that I, Jehovah, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. ^60:17 For brass I will bring gold and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brass and for stones iron. I will also make your officers peace and your overseers righteousness.

^60:18 Violence will no more be heard in your land, desolation nor destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. ^60:19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give light to you, but Jehovah will be to you an everlasting light and your God your glory. ^60:20 Your sun will no more go down, nor will your moon withdraw itself, for Jehovah will be your everlasting light. And the days of your mourning will be ended.

^60:21 Your people also will all be righteous. They will inherit the land everlasting, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. ^60:22 The little one will become a thousand and the small one a strong nation. I, Jehovah, will hasten it in its time.

[Isaiah 61] TOC

^61:1 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me, because Jehovah has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind and the opening of bonds to those who are bound, ^61:2 to proclaim the acceptable year of Jehovah and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, ^61:3 to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.

^61:4 And they will build the old wastes. They will raise up the former desolations and they will repair the waste cities, the desolations of generations and generations.^61:5 And strangers will stand and feed your^* flocks and foreigners will be your^* plowmen and your^* vine-dressers.

^61:6 But you^* will be named the priests of Jehovah. Men will call you^* the ministers of our God. You^* will eat the wealth of the nations and in their glory you^* will boast yourselves. ^61:7 Instead of your^* shame you^* will have double and instead of dishonor they will rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double. Everlasting joy will be to them.

^61:8 For I, Jehovah, love justice. I hate robbery with the burnt-offering. And I will give them their recompense in truth.

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them. ^61:9 And their seed will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah has blessed.

^61:10 I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah. My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

^61:11 For as the earth brings forth its bud and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

[Isaiah 62] TOC

^62:1 For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns. ^62:2 And the nations will see your righteousness and all kings your glory.

And you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will name.

^62:3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

^62:4 You will no more be termed Forsaken, nor will your land any more be termed Desolate. But you will be called My Delight is in Her {Hephzi-bah} and your land Married {Beulah}, for Jehovah delights in you and your land will be married. ^62:5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so will your sons marry you. And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

^62:6 I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem. They will never keep silent day nor night. You^* who are Jehovah's reminders, take no rest,^62:7 and give him no rest, till he establishes and till he makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

^62:8 Jehovah has sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies and foreigners will not drink your new wine, for which you have labored. ^62:9 But those who have garnered it will eat it and praise Jehovah. And those who have gathered it will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.

^62:10 Go through, go through the gates. Prepare you^* the way of the people. Cast up, cast up the highway. Gather out the stones. Lift up an ensign for the peoples. ^62:11 Behold, Jehovah has proclaimed to the end of the earth, Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your salvation comes. Behold, his reward is with him and his recompense before him.^62:12 And they will call them The holy people, The redeemed of Jehovah. And you will be called Sought out, A city not forsaken.

[Isaiah 63] TOC

^63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this who is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

^63:2 Why are you red in your apparel and your garments like he who treads in the wine vat? ^63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone and of the peoples there was no man with me. Yes, I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath and their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments and I have stained all my garments. ^63:4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart and the year of my redeemed has come.

^63:5 And I looked and there was none to help. And I wondered that there was none to uphold. Therefore my own arm brought salvation to me. And my wrath, it upheld me. ^63:6 And I trod down the peoples in my anger and made them drunk in my wrath and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.

^63:7 I will make mention of the loving kindnesses of Jehovah, and the praises of Jehovah, according to all that Jehovah has bestowed on us and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his mercies and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

^63:8 For he said, Surely, they are my people, sons that will not deal falsely. So he was their Savior. ^63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted and the messenger of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. And he bore them and carried them all the days of old.

^63:10 But they rebelled and grieved his holy Spirit. Therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

^63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his holy Spirit in the midst of them, ^63:12 who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name, ^63:13 who led them through the depths, as a horse in the wilderness, so that they stumbled not?^63:14 As the cattle that go down into the valley, the Spirit of Jehovah caused them to rest. So you led your people to make yourself a glorious name.

^63:15 Look down from heaven and behold from the dwelling of your holiness and of your glory. Where are your zeal and your mighty acts? The yearning of your heart and your compassions are restrained toward me.

^63:16 For you are our Father, though Abraham knows us not and Israel does not acknowledge us, you, O Jehovah, are our Father, our Redeemer, from everlasting is your name.

^63:17 O Jehovah, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart from your fear? Return for your servants' sake, the tribes of your inheritance. ^63:18 Your holy people possessed it but a little while. Our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary. ^63:19 We have become like those of old whom never ruled over you and who were not called by your name.

[Isaiah 64] TOC

^64:1 If only you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence, ^64:2 as when fire kindles the brushwood, and the fire causes the waters to boil, to make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence! ^64:3 When you did fearful things which we did not look for, you came down; the mountains quaked at your presence.

^64:4 For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, besides you, what he has prepared for him who waits for him. ^64:5 You meet he who rejoices and works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways.

Behold, you were angry and we sinned. In them is eternity, shall we be saved? ^64:6 For we have all become as unclean and all our righteous acts are as a menstruation cloth. And we all fade as a leaf. And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. ^64:7 And there is none who calls upon your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of you. For you have hid your face from us and have consumed us through our iniquities.

^64:8 But now, O Jehovah, you are our Father. We are the clay and you our potter and we are all the work of your hand. ^64:9 Do not be angry very severely, O Jehovah, nor remember iniquity forever. Behold, look, we beseech you, we are all your people.

^64:10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. ^64:11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised you, is burned with fire and all our pleasant places are laid waste.

^64:12 Will you restrain yourself for these things, O Jehovah? Will you hold your peace and afflict us very severely?

[Isaiah 65] TOC

^65:1 I was manifested by those who did not ask for me. I am found by those who did not seek me. I said, Behold me, behold me, to a nation that was not called by my name.

^65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day to a disobedient and rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts, ^65:3 a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense upon bricks, ^65:4 who sit among the graves and lodge in the secret places, who eat swine's flesh and broth of abominable things is in their vessels, ^65:5who say, Stand by yourself, do not come near to me, for I am holier than you.

These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.

^65:6 Behold, it is written before me. I will not keep silence, but will recompense. Yes, I will recompense into their bosom ^65:7 your^* own iniquities and the iniquities of your^* fathers together, says Jehovah, those who have burned incense upon the mountains and blasphemed me upon the hills. Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.

^65:8 Jehovah says thus, As the new wine is found in the cluster and a man says, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it, so I will do for my servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all. ^65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains. And my chosen will inherit it and my servants will dwell there. ^65:10 And Sharon will be a fold of flocks and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people who have sought me.

^65:11 But you^* who forsake Jehovah, who forget my holy mountain, who prepare a table for Good-fortune and who fills up mingled wine to Destiny,^65:12 I will destine you^* to the sword and you^* will all bow down to the slaughter. Because when I called, you^* did not answer, when I spoke, you^* did not hear, but you^* did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.

^65:13 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants will eat, but you^* will be hungry. Behold, my servants will drink, but you^* will be thirsty. Behold, my servants will rejoice, but you^* will be put to shame. ^65:14 Behold, my servants will sing for joy of heart, but you^* will cry for sorrow of heart and will wail for vexation of spirit. ^65:15 And you^* will leave your^* name for a curse to my chosen and the Lord Jehovah will kill you.

And he will call his servants by another name,^65:16 so that he who blesses himself in the earth will bless himself in the God of truth and he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth. Because the former troubles are forgotten and because they are hid from my eyes.

^65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth and the former things will not be remembered, nor come into mind.

^65:18 But be you^* glad and rejoice forever in what I create. For, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing and her people a joy. ^65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in my people. And there will no more be heard in her the voice of weeping and the voice of crying.

^65:20 There will be no more from there an infant of days, nor an old man who has not filled his days. For the child will die a hundred years old and the sinner being a hundred years old will be accursed.

^65:21 And they will build houses and inhabit them. And they will plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. ^65:22 They will not build and another inhabit. They will not plant and another eat. For as the days of a tree will be the days of my people and my chosen will long enjoy the work of their hands. ^65:23 They will not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity. For they are the seed of the praised of Jehovah and their offspring with them.

^65:24 And it will happen that, before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. ^65:25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together and the lion will eat straw like the ox and dust will be the serpent's food. They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says Jehovah.

[Isaiah 66] TOC

^66:1 Jehovah says thus, Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What manner of house will you^* build to me and what place will be my rest? ^66:2For all these things my hand has made and all these things came to be, says Jehovah.

But to this man I will look, even to him who is poor and of a crushed spirit and who trembles at my word.

^66:3 He who slaughters an ox is as he who kills a man. He who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog's neck. He who offers an offering, as swine's blood. He who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol.

Yes, they have chosen their own ways and their soul delights in their abominations. ^66:4 I also will choose their delusions and will bring their fears upon them. Because when I called, none answered. When I spoke, they did not hear. But they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.

^66:5 Hear the word of Jehovah, you^* who tremble at his word: Your^* brothers who hate you^*, who cast you^* out for my name's sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your^* joy. But it is those who will be put to shame. ^66:6 A voice of roaring from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah who renders recompense to his enemies.

^66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth. Before her pain came, she was delivered of a male-child. ^66:8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought out at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought out her sons. ^66:9 Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring forth? says Jehovah. Shall I who cause to bring forth shut the womb? says your God.

^66:10 Rejoice you^* with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you^* who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you^* who mourn over her, ^66:11 that you^* may nurse and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations, that you^* may get milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

^66:12 For Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream. And you^* will nurse of it. You^* will be borne upon the side and will be dandled upon the knees. ^66:13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you^* and you^* will be comforted in Jerusalem. ^66:14 And you^* will see and your^* heart will rejoice and your^* bones will flourish like the tender grass. And the hand of Jehovah will be known toward his servants and he will have indignation against his enemies.

^66:15 For, behold, Jehovah will come with fire and his chariots will be like the whirlwind, to render his anger with fierceness and his rebuke with flames of fire. ^66:16 For by fire Jehovah will execute judgment and by his sword, upon all flesh and the slain of Jehovah will be many. ^66:17 Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating swine's flesh and the abomination and the mouse, they will come to an end together, says Jehovah. ^66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts.

The time comes, that I will gather all nations and languages and they will come and will see my glory.^66:19 And I will set a sign among them and I will send such as escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory and they will declare my glory among the nations.

^66:20 And they will bring all your^* brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Jehovah, upon horses and in chariots and in litters and upon mules and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says Jehovah, as the sons of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah.

^66:21 And of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says Jehovah. ^66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will remain before me, says Jehovah, so will your^* seed and your^* name remain.

^66:23 And it will happen, that from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me, says Jehovah.

^66:24 And they will go forth and look upon the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me. For their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched and they will be an abhorring to all flesh.

[Jeremiah 1] TOC

^1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, ^1:2 to whom the word of Jehovah came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

^1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away captive of Jerusalem in the fifth month.

^1:4 Now the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^1:5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you and before you came forth out of the womb I made you holy. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.

^1:6 Then I said, Ah, Lord Jehovah! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am a child. ^1:7 But Jehovah said to me, Do not say, I am a child. For I will send you to whomever; you will go and whatever I will command you; you will speak.

^1:8 Do not be afraid because of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says Jehovah.

^1:9 Then Jehovah put forth his hand and touched my mouth. And Jehovah said to me, Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. ^1:10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.

^1:11 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. ^1:12 Then Jehovah said to me, You have well seen. For I watch over my word to perform it.

^1:13 And the word of Jehovah came to me the second time, saying, What do you see? And I said, I see a boiling caldron and the face of it is from the north. ^1:14 Then Jehovah said to me, Out of the north evil will break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

^1:15 For behold, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, says Jehovah. And they will come and they will set every one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem and against all the walls of it all around and against all the cities of Judah.

^1:16 And I will utter my judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, in that they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.

^1:17 You therefore gird up your loins and arise and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them.^1:18 For, behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar and brazen walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the rulers of it, against the priests of it and against the people of the land.

^1:19 And they will fight against you. But they will not prevail against you, for I am with you, says Jehovah, to deliver you.

[Jeremiah 2] TOC

^2:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,^2:2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Jehovah says thus, I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, how you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. ^2:3 Israel was holiness to Jehovah, the first-fruits of his increase. All who devour him will be held guilty. Evil will come upon them, says Jehovah.

^2:4 Hear the word of Jehovah, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. ^2:5Jehovah says thus: What unrighteousness have your^* fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me and have walked after vanity and have become vain?

^2:6 Nor did they say, Where is Jehovah who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that none passed through and where no man dwelt? ^2:7 And I brought you^* into a plentiful land, to eat the fruit of it and the goodness of it.

But when you^* entered, you^* defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination. ^2:8 The priests did not say, Where is Jehovah? And those who handle the law did not know me. The rulers also transgressed against me. And the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that do not profit.

^2:9 Therefore I will yet contend with you^*, says Jehovah and I will contend with your^* son's sons. ^2:10For pass over to the isles of Kittim and see and send to Kedar and consider diligently and see if there has been such a thing. ^2:11 Has a nation changed its gods, which yet are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for what does not profit.

^2:12 Be astonished, O you^* heavens, at this and be horribly afraid. Be you^* very desolate, says Jehovah. ^2:13 For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

^2:14 Is Israel a servant? Is he a born in a house? Why has he become a prey? ^2:15 The young lions have roared upon him and yelled and they have made his land waste. His cities are burned up, without inhabitant. ^2:16 The sons also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of your head.

^2:17 Have you not procured this to yourself, in that you have forsaken Jehovah your God when he led you by the way?

^2:18 And now what have you to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? Or what have you to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?

^2:19 Your own wickedness will discipline you and your backslidings will reprove you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that you have forsaken Jehovah your God and that my fear is not in you, says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

^2:20 For from old time I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds. And you said, I will not serve, for upon every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself, playing the prostitute. ^2:21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, entirely a right seed. How then have you turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine to me?

^2:22 For though you wash with lye and take much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me, says the Lord Jehovah. ^2:23 How can you say, I am not defiled; I have not gone after the Baals {Baalim}? See your way in the valley. Know what you have done, a swift dromedary traversing her ways, ^2:24 a wild donkey used to the wilderness, that sniffs up the wind in her desire. In her time of estrus who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves. In her month they will find her.

^2:25 Withhold your foot from being unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, It is in vain. No, for I have loved strangers and after them I will go.

^2:26 As the thief is shamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel shamed, they, their kings, their rulers and their priests and their prophets, ^2:27 who say to a block of wood, You are my father and to a stone, You have brought me forth. For they have turned their back to me and not their face.

But in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise and save us. ^2:28 But where are your gods that you have made you? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble. For according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.

^2:29 Why will you^* contend with me? You^* have all transgressed against me, says Jehovah. ^2:30 In vain I have struck your^* sons. They received no correction. Your^* own sword has devoured your^* prophets like a destroying lion.

^2:31 O generation, see you^* the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why do my people say, We have broken loose. We will come no more to you? ^2:32 Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

^2:33 How you trim your way to seek love! Therefore even the wicked women you have taught your ways. ^2:34 Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor. You did not find them breaking in. But it is because of all these things.

^2:35 Yet you said, I am innocent. Surely his anger is turned away from me. Behold, I will enter into judgment with you because you say, I have not sinned.

^2:36 Why do you go around so much to change your way? You will be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria. ^2:37 You will also go forth from there with your hands upon your head. For Jehovah has rejected those in whom you trust. And you will not prosper with them.

[Jeremiah 3] TOC

^3:1 They say, If a man puts away his wife and she goes from him and become another man's, will he return to her again? Will not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the prostitute with many lovers. Yet return again to me, says Jehovah.

^3:2 Lift up your eyes to the bare heights and see. Where have you not been lain with? By the ways you have sat for them, as an Arabian in the wilderness and you have polluted the land with your prostitutions and with your wickedness.

^3:3 Therefore the showers have been withheld and there has been no latter rain. Yet you have a prostitute's forehead; you refused to be ashamed.

^3:4 Will you not from this time cry to me, My Father, you are the companion of my youth? ^3:5 Will he retain his anger everlasting? Will he keep it to the end? Behold, you have spoken and have done evil things and have had your way.

^3:6 Moreover Jehovah said to me in the days of Josiah the king, Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree and there has played the prostitute. ^3:7 And I said after she had done all these things, She will return to me, but she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

^3:8 And I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a document of divorcement, yet treacherous Judah her sister did not fear, but she also went and played the prostitute.

^3:9 And it happened through the lightness of her prostitution, that the land was polluted and she committed adultery with stones and with stocks. ^3:10And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not returned to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, says Jehovah.

^3:11 And Jehovah said to me, Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. ^3:12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say, Return, you backsliding Israel, says Jehovah, I will not look in anger upon you^*, for I am merciful, says Jehovah. I will not keep anger everlasting.

^3:13 Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against Jehovah your God and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree and you^* have not obeyed my voice, says Jehovah.

^3:14 Return, O backsliding sons, says Jehovah, for I am a husband to you^*. And I will take you^*, one of a city and two of a family and I will bring you^* to Zion.

^3:15 And I will give you^* shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you^* with knowledge and understanding.

^3:16 And it will happen, when you^* are multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says Jehovah, they will no more say, The ark of the covenant of Jehovah, nor will it come to mind. Neither will they remember it, nor will they miss it. Neither will it be made any more.

^3:17 At that time they will call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah and all the nations will be gathered to it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem. Neither will they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. ^3:18 In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel and they will come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance to your^* fathers.

^3:19 But I said, How I will put you among the sons and give you a desirable land, a pleasant heritage of the hosts of the nations! And I said, You^* will call me My Father and will not turn away from following me.

^3:20 Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so you^* have dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, says Jehovah.

^3:21 A voice is heard upon the bare heights, the weeping and the supplications of the sons of Israel, because they have perverted their way; they have forgotten Jehovah their God.

^3:22 Return, you^* backsliding sons, I will heal your^* backslidings. Behold, we have come to you, for you are Jehovah our God. ^3:23 Truly it is in vain from the heights, the multitude on the mountains. Truly in Jehovah our God is the salvation of Israel.

^3:24 But the shameful thing has devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. ^3:25 Let us lie down in our shame and let our confusion cover us, for we have sinned against Jehovah our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day and we have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God.

[Jeremiah 4] TOC

^4:1 If you will return, O Israel, says Jehovah, if you will return to me and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight, then you will not be removed. ^4:2 And you will swear, As Jehovah lives, in truth, in justice and in righteousness. And the nations will bless themselves in him and in him they will glory.

^4:3 For Jehovah says thus to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, Break up your^* tillable ground and sow not among thorns. ^4:4 Circumcise yourselves to Jehovah and take away the foreskins of your^* heart, you^* men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest my wrath go forth like fire and burn so that none can quench it, because of the evil of your^* practices.

^4:5 Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem and say, Blow the trumpet in the land. Cry aloud and say, Assemble yourselves and let us go into the fortified cities. ^4:6 Set up a banner toward Zion. Flee for safety, do not stay. For I will bring evil from the north and a great destruction.

^4:7 A lion has gone up from his thicket and a destroyer of nations. He is on his way, he has gone forth from his place, to make your land desolate, that your cities be laid waste, without inhabitant. ^4:8 For this gird you^* with sackcloth, lament and wail, for the fierce anger of Jehovah is not turned back from us.

^4:9 And it will happen at that day, says Jehovah, that the heart of the king will perish and the heart of the rulers and the priests will be astonished and the prophets will wonder.

^4:10 Then I said, Ah, Lord Jehovah! Surely you have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, You^* will have peace, but the sword reaches to the life.

^4:11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A hot wind from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow, nor to cleanse, ^4:12 a full wind from these will come for me. Now I will also utter judgments against them. ^4:13 Behold, he will come up as clouds and his chariots as the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us! For we are ruined.

^4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long will your evil thoughts lodge within you?

^4:15 For a voice declares from Dan and proclaims evil from the hills of Ephraim: ^4:16 You^* make mention to the nations. Behold, proclaim against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.^4:17 They are as keepers of a field against her all around, because she has been rebellious against me, says Jehovah.

^4:18 Your way and your practices have procured these things to you. This is your wickedness, for it is bitter, for it reaches to your heart.

^4:19 My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart. My heart is in an uproar in me. I cannot hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. ^4:20Destruction upon destruction is cried, for the whole land is laid waste. Suddenly my tents are destroyed and my curtains in a moment.

^4:21 How long shall I see the banner and hear the sound of the trumpet? ^4:22 For my people are foolish. They do not know me.

They are foolish sons and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but they have no knowledge to do good.

^4:23 I beheld the earth, and behold, it was waste and void and the heavens and they had no light. ^4:24 I beheld the mountains, and behold, they trembled and all the hills moved to and fro. ^4:25 I beheld, and behold, there was no man and all the birds of the heavens were fled. ^4:26 I beheld, and behold, the fruitful field was a wilderness and all the cities of it were broken down at the presence of Jehovah and before his fierce anger.

^4:27 For Jehovah says thus: The whole land will be a desolation, yet I will not make a full end. ^4:28 For this the earth will mourn and the heavens above be black, because I have spoken it, I have purposed it and I have not relented, nor will I turn back from it.^4:29 Every city flees for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen. They go into the thickets and climb up upon the rocks. Every city is forsaken and not a man dwells in it.

^4:30 And you, when you are made desolate, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with scarlet, though you deck you with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, in vain you make yourself fair. Your lovers despise you, they seek your life.

^4:31 For I have heard a voice as of a woman in childbirth, the anguish as of her who brings forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, who gasps for breath, who spreads her hands, saying, Woe is me now! For my soul faints before the murderers.

[Jeremiah 5] TOC

^5:1 Run you^* to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem and see now and know and seek in the broad places of it, if you^* can find a man, if there is any who does justly, who seeks truth and I will pardon her. ^5:2 And though they say, As Jehovah lives, surely they swear falsely.

^5:3 O Jehovah, do not your eyes look upon truth? You have stricken them, but they were not grieved. You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than a rock. They have refused to return.

^5:4 Then I said, Surely these are poor, they are foolish, for they do not know the way of Jehovah, nor the law of their God. ^5:5 I will go to the great men and will speak to them, for they know the way of Jehovah and the law of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke and burst the bonds.

^5:6 Therefore a lion out of the forest will kill them; a wolf of the evenings will destroy them; a leopard will watch against their cities. Everyone who goes out from there will be torn in pieces, because their transgressions are many and their backslidings are increased.

^5:7 How can I pardon you? Your sons have forsaken me and sworn by those who are no gods. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery and assembled themselves in troops at the prostitutes' houses. ^5:8 They were as fed horses roaming at large; everyone neighed after his neighbor's wife.

^5:9 Shall I not visit for these things? says Jehovah. And will not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

^5:10 Go up upon her walls and destroy, but make not a full end. Take away her branches, for they are not Jehovah's. ^5:11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, says Jehovah.

^5:12 They have denied Jehovah and said, It is not he. Neither will evil come upon us, nor will we see sword nor famine. ^5:13 And the prophets will become wind and the word is not in them. Thus will it be done to them.

^5:14 Therefore Jehovah says thus, the God of hosts: Because you^* speak this word, behold, I will make my words in your mouth fire and this people wood and it will devour them.

^5:15 Behold, I will bring a nation upon you^* from far, O house of Israel, says Jehovah. It is a mighty nation. It is an nation of old, a nation whose language you do not know, nor understand what they say. ^5:16 Their quiver is an open sepulcher. They are all mighty men.

^5:17 And they will eat up your harvest and your bread, which your sons and your daughters should eat. They will eat up your flocks and your herds. They will eat up your vines and your fig trees. They will beat down your fortified cities, in which you trust, with the sword.

^5:18 But even in those days, says Jehovah, I will not make a full end with you^*. ^5:19 And it will happen, when you^* will say, Why has Jehovah our God done all these things to us? Then you will say to them, Just as you^* have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your^* land, so you^* will serve strangers in a land that is not yours^*.

^5:20 Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah, saying, ^5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people and without understanding, who have eyes and do not see, who have ears and do not hear: ^5:22 Do you^* not fear me? says Jehovah. Will you^* not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a everlasting decree, that it cannot pass it? And though the waves of it toss themselves, yet they cannot prevail, though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.

^5:23 But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart. They have revolted and gone. ^5:24Neither do they say in their heart, Let us now fear Jehovah our God, who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season, who preserves to us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

^5:25 Your^* iniquities have turned away these things and your^* sins have withheld good from you^*.

^5:26 For among my people are found wicked men. They watch as fowlers lie in wait. They set a trap; they catch men. ^5:27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. ^5:28 They have grown fat. They gleam. Yes, they overflow in deeds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper. And they do not judge the right of the needy.

^5:29 Shall I not visit for these things? says Jehovah. Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

^5:30 An astonishing and horrible thing has happen in the land. ^5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely and the priests bear rule by their means. And my people love to have it so. And what will you^* do in the end of it?

[Jeremiah 6] TOC

^6:1 Flee for safety, you^* sons of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem. And blow the trumpet in Tekoa and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem. For evil looks forth from the north and a great destruction. ^6:2 The becoming one and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, I will cut off. ^6:3 Shepherds with their flocks will come to her. They will pitch their tents against her all around. They will feed every one in his place.

^6:4 Prepare you^* war against her. Arise and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! For the day declines; for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. ^6:5 Arise and let us go up by night and let us destroy her palaces.

^6:6 For thus has Jehovah of hosts said: Hew you^* down trees and cast up a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be visited. She has oppression completely in the midst of her. ^6:7 As a well casts forth its waters, so she casts forth her wickedness. Violence and destruction is heard in her. Continually before me is sickness and wounds.

^6:8 Be instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you, lest I make you a desolation, a land not inhabited.

^6:9 Jehovah of hosts says thus: They will thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine. Turn again your hand as a grape gatherer into the baskets. ^6:10 To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of Jehovah has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it.

^6:11 Therefore I am full of the wrath of Jehovah. I am weary with holding in. Pour it out upon the sons in the street and upon the assembly of young men together. For even the husband with the wife will be taken, the aged with him who is full of days. ^6:12 And their houses will be turned to others, their fields and their wives together. For I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, says Jehovah.

^6:13 For from the least of them even to the greatest of them everyone is given to covetousness. And from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. ^6:14 They have also lightly healed the hurt of my people, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.

^6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush. Therefore they will fall among those who fall. At the time that I visit them they will be cast down, says Jehovah.

^6:16 Jehovah says thus, Stand in the ways and see. And ask for the old paths where is the good way. And walk in it and you^* will find rest for your^* souls. But they said, We will not walk. ^6:17 And I set watchmen over you^*, saying, Listen to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not listen.

^6:18 Therefore hear, you^* nations and know, O congregation, what is among them. ^6:19 Hear, O earth: Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words. And as for my law, they have rejected it.

^6:20 To what purpose does there come to me frankincense from Sheba and the sweet cane from a far country? Your^* burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your^* sacrifices pleasing to me.

^6:21 Therefore Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people and the fathers and the sons together will stumble against them. The neighbor and his friend will perish.

^6:22 Jehovah says thus, Behold, a people comes from the north country and a great nation will be stirred up from the outermost parts of the earth. ^6:23They lay hold on bow and spear. They are cruel and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea and they ride upon horses. Each one set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, O daughter of Zion.

^6:24 We have heard the report of it. Our hands grow feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us and pains as of a woman in childbirth. ^6:25 Do not go forth into the field, nor walk by the way, for the sword of the enemy and terror, are on every side.

^6:26 O daughter of my people, gird with sackcloth and wallow yourself in ashes. You make mourning, as for an only son, a most bitter lamentation. For the destroyer will suddenly come upon us.

^6:27 I have made you a tester and a fortress among my people, that you may know and try their way. ^6:28 They are all grievous revolters, going about with slanders. They are brass and iron. They, all of them, deal corruptly.

^6:29 The bellows blow fiercely, the lead is consumed of the fire. In vain do they go on refining, for the wicked are not plucked away. ^6:30 Waste silver, men will call them, because Jehovah has rejected them.

[Jeremiah 7] TOC

^7:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, ^7:2 Stand in the gate of Jehovah's house and proclaim there this word and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, all you^* of Judah, who enter in at these gates to worship Jehovah.

^7:3 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Amend your^* ways and your^* practices and I will cause you^* to dwell in this place. ^7:4 Do not trust in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, are these.

^7:5 For if you^* thoroughly amend your^* ways and your^* practices, if you^* thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbor, ^7:6 if you^* do not oppress the traveler, the fatherless and the widow and shed not innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your^* own hurt, ^7:7 then I will cause you^* to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your^* fathers from of old to everlasting.

^7:8 Behold, you^* trust in lying words, that cannot profit. ^7:9 Will you^* steal, murder and commit adultery and swear falsely and burn incense to Baal and walk after other gods that you^* have not known,^7:10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name and say, We are delivered, that you^* may do all these abominations?

^7:11 Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your^* eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it, says Jehovah.

^7:12 But go now to my place which was in Shiloh, where I caused my name to dwell at the first and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

^7:13 And now, because you^* have done all these works, says Jehovah. And I spoke to you^*, rising up early and speaking, but you^* heard not and I called you^*, but you^* answered not, ^7:14 therefore I will do to the house, which is called by my name, in which you^* trust and to the place which I gave to you^* and to your^* fathers, as I did to Shiloh.

^7:15 And I will cast you^* out of my sight, as I have cast out all your^* brothers, even the whole seed of Ephraim.

^7:16 Therefore pray you not for this people, nor lift up cry nor prayer for them. Neither make intercession to me, for I will not hear you.

^7:17 Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? ^7:18 The sons gather wood and the fathers kindle the fire and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings to other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

^7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? says Jehovah and not themselves, to the confusion of their own faces?

^7:20 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out upon this place, upon man and upon beast and upon the trees of the field and upon the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and will not be quenched.

^7:21 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Add your^* burnt-offerings to your^* sacrifices and eat you^* flesh. ^7:22 For I spoke not to your^* fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices.

^7:23 But this thing I commanded them, saying, Listen to my voice and I will be your^* God and you^* will be my people. And walk you^* in all the way that I command you^*, that it may be well with you^*. ^7:24But they listened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in their own counsels, in the stubbornness of their evil heart and went backward and not forward.

^7:25 Since the day that your^* fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have sent to you^* all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. ^7:26 Yet they listened not to me, nor inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff. They did worse than their fathers.

^7:27 And you will speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You will also call to them, but they will not answer you.

^7:28 And you will say to them, This is the nation that has not listened to the voice of Jehovah their God, nor received instruction. Truth has perished and is cut off from their mouth.

^7:29 Cut off your hair, O Jerusalem and cast it away and take up a lamentation on the bare heights. For Jehovah has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

^7:30 For the sons of Judah have done what is evil in my sight, says Jehovah. They have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it.

^7:31 And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind.

^7:32 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that it will no more be called Topheth, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of Slaughter. For they will bury in Topheth, till there is no place to bury. ^7:33 And the dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the heavens and for the beasts of the earth and none will frighten them away.

^7:34 Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land will become a waste.

[Jeremiah 8] TOC

^8:1 At that time, says Jehovah, they will bring out the bones of the kings of Judah and the bones of his rulers and the bones of the priests and the bones of the prophets and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves.

^8:2 And they will spread them before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and which they have served and after which they have walked and which they have sought and which they have worshiped. They will not be gathered, nor be buried. They will be for manure upon the face of the earth.

^8:3 And death will be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, that remain in all the places where I have driven them, says Jehovah of hosts.

^8:4 Moreover you will say to them, Jehovah says thus: Shall men fall and not rise up again? Shall he turn away and not return? ^8:5 Why has this people of Jerusalem then slid back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold firm deceit. They refuse to return. ^8:6 I listened and heard, but they did not speak aright. No man repents of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? Everyone turns to his course as a horse that rushes headlong in the battle.

^8:7 Yes, the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times and the turtledove and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming, but my people do not know the law of Jehovah.

^8:8 How can you^* say, We are wise and the law of Jehovah is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has worked falsely. ^8:9 The wise men are put to shame. They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of Jehovah and what manner of wisdom is in them?

^8:10 Therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to those who will possess them. For everyone from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness. From the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. ^8:11 And they have lightly healed the hurt of the daughter of my people, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.

^8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush. Therefore they will fall among those who fall. In the time of their visitation they will be cast down, says Jehovah.

^8:13 I will utterly consume them, says Jehovah. There will be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree and the leaf will fade and things I have given them will pass away from them.

^8:14 Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves and let us enter into the fortified cities and let us be silent there. For Jehovah our God has put us to silence and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against Jehovah.

^8:15 We looked for peace, but no good came, for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!

^8:16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of his strong ones the whole land trembles. For they have come and have devoured the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it.

^8:17 For, behold, I will send serpents, adders, among you^*, which will not be charmed and they will bite you^*, says Jehovah.

^8:18 If only I could comfort myself against sorrow! My heart is faint within me. ^8:19 Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: Is not Jehovah in Zion? Is not her King in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images and with foreign vanities?

^8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved. ^8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I mourn. Dismay has taken hold on me.

^8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

[Jeremiah 9] TOC

^9:1 If only my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

^9:2 If only I had in the wilderness a lodging-place of wayfaring men, that I might leave my people and go from them! For they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. ^9:3 And they bend their tongue– their bow– for falsehood and they have grown strong in the land, but not for truth. For they proceed from evil to evil and they do not know me, says Jehovah.

^9:4 You^* take heed each one of his neighbor and trust you^* not in any brother, for every brother will utterly supplant and every neighbor will go about with gossipers. ^9:5 And they will deceive each one his neighbor and will not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. They inwardly set up an ambush. ^9:6 Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit. Through deceit they refuse to know me, says Jehovah.

^9:7 Therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus: Behold, I will melt them and try them, for how else should I do, because of the daughter of my people? ^9:8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit. He speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies wait for him.

^9:9 Shall I not visit them for these things? says Jehovah. Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

^9:10 For the mountains I will take up a weeping and wailing and for the pastures of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none passes through, nor can men hear the voice of the cattle. Both the birds of the heavens and the beasts have fled; they are gone. ^9:11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, a dwelling-place of jackals. And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.

^9:12 Who is the wise man, who may understand this and he to whom the mouth of Jehovah has spoken, that he may declare it? Why has the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passes through?

^9:13 And Jehovah says, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them and have not obeyed my voice, nor walked in it, ^9:14 but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart and after the Baals {Baalim}, which their fathers taught them.

^9:15 Therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood and give them water of gall to drink. ^9:16 I will scatter them also among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them.

^9:17 Jehovah of hosts says thus, Consider and call for the mourning women, that they may come and send for the skillful women, that they may come. ^9:18 And let them make haste and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears and our eyelids gush out with waters. ^9:19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How we are ruined! We are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.

^9:20 Yet hear the word of Jehovah, O you^* women and let your^* ear receive the word of his mouth and teach your^* daughters wailing and each one her neighbor lamentation.

^9:21 For death has come up into our windows. It has entered into our palaces, to cut off the sons from outside, the young men from the streets. ^9:22 Speak, Jehovah says thus: The dead bodies of men will fall as manure upon the open field and as the handful after the harvestman and none will gather.

^9:23 Jehovah says thus: Do not let the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor let the mighty man glory in his might. Do not let the rich man glory in his riches, ^9:24but let he who boasts boast in this, that he has understanding and knows me, that I am Jehovah who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness, in the earth. For in these things I delight, says Jehovah.

^9:25 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will punish all those who are circumcised in their uncircumcision: ^9:26 Egypt and Judah and Edom and the sons of Ammon and Moab and all who have the corners of their hair cut off, who dwell in the wilderness. For all the nations are uncircumcised and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.

[Jeremiah 10] TOC

^10:1 Hear the word which Jehovah speaks to you^*, O house of Israel. ^10:2 Jehovah says thus: Learn not the way of the nations and do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the nations are dismayed at them. ^10:3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity.

For a man cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. ^10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it not move. ^10:5 They are like a palm tree, of turned work and do not speak. They must be carried, because they cannot go. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor is it in them to do good.

^10:6 There is none like you, O Jehovah. You are great and your name is great in might. ^10:7 Who should not fear you, O King of the nations? For to you it is befitting, inasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations and in all their royal estate, there is none like you.

^10:8 But they are together stupid and foolish, the instruction of idols! It is but a block of wood. ^10:9There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz, the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith, blue and purple for their clothing. They are all the work of skillful men.

^10:10 But Jehovah is the true God. He is the living God and an everlasting King. At his wrath the earth trembles and the nations are not able to abide his indignation. ^10:11 Thus you^* will say to them: The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.

^10:12 He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom and by his understanding he has stretched out the heavens. ^10:13When he utters his voice, there is a commotion of waters in the heavens and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind out of his treasuries.

^10:14 Every man has become stupid, without knowledge. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image. For his molten image is falsehood and there is no breath in them. ^10:15 They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation they will perish.

^10:16 The portion of Jacob is not like these. For he is the former of all things and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance. Jehovah of hosts is his name.

^10:17 Gather up your wares out of the land, O you who abides in the siege. ^10:18 For Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time and will distress them, that they may feel it.

^10:19 Woe is me because of my hurt! My wound is grievous, but I said, Truly this is my grief and I must bear it. ^10:20 My tent is destroyed and all my cords are broken. My sons have gone forth from me and they are not. There is none to spread my tent any more and to set up my curtains.

^10:21 For the shepherds have become stupid and have not inquired of Jehovah. Therefore they have not prospered and all their flocks are scattered.

^10:22 The voice of news. Behold, it comes and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling place of jackals.

^10:23 O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps. ^10:24 O Jehovah, instruct me, but in measure, not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.

^10:25 Pour out your wrath upon the nations that does not know you and upon the families that do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob. Yes, they have devoured him and consumed him and have laid waste his dwelling.

[Jeremiah 11] TOC

^11:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, ^11:2 Hear the words of this covenant and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, ^11:3 and you say to them, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant,^11:4 which I commanded your^* fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice and do them, according to all which I command you^*, so you^* will be my people and I will be your^* God, ^11:5that I may establish the oath which I swore to your^* fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then I answered and said, Truly, O Jehovah.

^11:6 And Jehovah said to me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear the words of this covenant and do them. ^11:7 For I testified to your^* fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

^11:8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked each one in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did them not.

^11:9 And Jehovah said to me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ^11:10 They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words and they have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

^11:11 Therefore Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they will not be able to escape. And they will cry to me, but I will not listen to them.

^11:12 Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to which they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble. ^11:13 For according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you^* have set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.

^11:14 Therefore do not pray you for this people, nor lift up cry nor prayer for them, for I will not hear them in the time that they cry to me on behalf of their trouble.

^11:15 What has my beloved to do in my house, seeing she has worked lewdness with many and the holy flesh has passed from you? When you do evil, then you rejoice.

^11:16 Jehovah called your name, A green olive tree, fair with fruit. With the noise of a great roaring he has kindled fire upon it and the branches of it are broken. ^11:17 For Jehovah of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have worked for themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense to Baal.

^11:18 And Jehovah gave me knowledge of it and I knew it. Then you showed me their practices. ^11:19 But I was like a companion lamb that is led to the slaughter. And I did not know that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit of it. And let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may no more be remembered.

^11:20 But, O Jehovah of hosts, who judges righteously, who tries the heart and the mind, I will see your vengeance on them, for to you I have revealed my case.

^11:21 Therefore Jehovah says thus concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, You will not prophesy in the name of Jehovah, that you do not die by our hand. ^11:22 Therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus: Behold, I will punish them. The young men will die by the sword. Their sons and their daughters will die by famine, ^11:23 and there will be no remnant to them. For I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

[Jeremiah 12] TOC

^12:1 You are righteous, O Jehovah, when I contend with you. Yet I would reason the case with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those at ease who deal very treacherously? ^12:2You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root, they grow. Yes, they bring forth fruit. You are near in their mouth and far from their heart. But you, O Jehovah, know me. You see me and try my heart toward you.

^12:3 Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter and prepare them for the day of slaughter. ^12:4 How long will the land mourn and the herbs of whole country wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, the beasts are consumed and the birds, because they said, He will not see our latter end.

^12:5 If you have run with those on foot and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan?

^12:6 For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you, even they have cried aloud after you. Believe them not, though they speak fair words to you.

^12:7 I have forsaken my house. I have cast off my heritage. I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. ^12:8 My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest. She has uttered her voice against me. Therefore I have hated her.

^12:9 Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around ? Go, assemble all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour.

^12:10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. They have trodden my portion under foot. They have made my desirable portion a desolate wilderness. ^12:11 They have made it a desolation. It mourns to me, being desolate. The whole land is made desolate, because no man lays it to heart. ^12:12Destroyers have come upon all the bare heights in the wilderness. For the sword of Jehovah devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land. No flesh has peace. ^12:13 They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns. They have put themselves to pain and profit nothing. And you^* will be ashamed of your^* fruits, because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.

^12:14 Jehovah says thus against all my evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up from their land and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.

^12:15 And it will happen, after I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them. And I will bring them again, each man to his heritage and each man to his land.

^12:16 And it will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah lives, even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the midst of my people. ^12:17 But if they will not hear, then I will pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, says Jehovah.

[Jeremiah 13] TOC

^13:1 Jehovah says thus to me, Go and buy you a linen sash and put it upon your loins and do not put it in water. ^13:2 So I bought a sash according to the word of Jehovah and put it upon my loins.

^13:3 And the word of Jehovah came to me the second time, saying, ^13:4 Take the sash that you have bought, which is upon your loins and arise, go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a cleft of the rock. ^13:5So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as Jehovah commanded me.

^13:6 And it happened after many days, that Jehovah said to me, Arise, go to the Euphrates and take the sash from there, which I commanded you to hide there. ^13:7 Then I went to the Euphrates and dug and took the sash from the place where I had hid it. And behold, the sash was rotten. It was good for nothing.

^13:8 Then the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^13:9 Jehovah says thus, After this manner I will mar the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. ^13:10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and to worship them, will even be as this sash, which is good for nothing.

^13:11 For as the sash clings to the loins of a man, so I have caused to cling to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says Jehovah, that they may be to me for a people and for a name and for a praise and for a glory, but they would not hear.

^13:12 Therefore you will speak to them this word. Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Every jug will be filled with wine. And they will say to you, Do we not certainly know that every jug will be filled with wine?

^13:13 Then you will say to them, Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings who sit upon David's throne and the priests and the prophets and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

^13:14 And I will smash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, says Jehovah. I will not pity, nor spare, nor have compassion, that I should not destroy them.

^13:15 Hear and listen, do not be proud, for Jehovah has spoken. ^13:16 Give glory to Jehovah your^* God, before he causes darkness and before your^* feet stumble upon the dark mountains. And while you^* look for light, he turns it into the shadow of death and makes it gross darkness.

^13:17 But if you^* will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your^* pride. And my eye will weep greatly and run down with tears, because Jehovah's flock is taken captive.

^13:18 You say to the king and to the queen mother: Humble yourselves. Sit down, for your^* coronets have come down, even the crown of your^* glory. ^13:19 The cities of the South are shut up and there is none to open them. Judah is carried away captive, all of it. It is entirely carried away captive.^13:20 Lift up your^* eyes and behold those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock?

^13:21 What will you say when he will set over you as head those whom you yourself have taught to be friends to you? Shall not sorrows take hold of you as of a woman in childbirth?

^13:22 And if you say in your heart, Why have these things come upon me? For the greatness of your iniquity your skirts are uncovered and your heels suffer violence.

^13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then you^* also may do good, who are accustomed to do evil. ^13:24 Therefore I will scatter them as the stubble that passes away by the wind of the wilderness.

^13:25 This is your lot, the portion measured to you from me, says Jehovah, because you have forgotten me and trusted in falsehood. ^13:26 Therefore I will also uncover your skirts upon your face and your shame will appear.

^13:27 I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries and your neighings, the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills, in the field. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! You will not be made clean. How long will it yet be?

[Jeremiah 14] TOC

^14:1 The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought.

^14:2 Judah mourns and the gates of it languish. They sit in black upon the ground and the cry of Jerusalem has gone up. ^14:3 And their ranking men send their little ones to the waters. They come to the cisterns and find no water. They return with their vessels empty. They are put to shame and confounded and cover their heads, ^14:4 because of the ground which is cracked. Because no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are put to shame; they cover their heads. ^14:5 Yes, the female-deer also in the field calves and forsakes it because there is no grass.^14:6 And the wild donkeys stand on the bare heights. They pant for air like jackals. Their eyes fail because there is no herbage.

^14:7 Though our iniquities testify against us, work you for your name's sake, O Jehovah. For our backslidings are many. We have sinned against you.

^14:8 O you hope of Israel, the Savior of it in the time of trouble, why should you be as a traveler in the land and as a wayfaring man who turns aside to abide for a night? ^14:9 Why should you be as a man frightened, as a mighty man who cannot save? Yet you, O Jehovah, are in the midst of us and we are called by your name. Do not leave us.

^14:10 Jehovah says thus to this people: Even so they have loved to wander. They have not restrained their feet. Therefore Jehovah does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and visit their sins.

^14:11 And Jehovah said to me, Pray not for this people for good. ^14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry. And when they offer burnt-offering and food-offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword and by the famine and by the pestilence.

^14:13 Then I said, Ah, Lord Jehovah! Behold, the prophets say to them, You^* will not see the sword, nor will you^* have famine, but I will give you^* assured peace in this place.

^14:14 Then Jehovah said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I did not send them, nor have I commanded them, nor did I speak to them. They prophesy to you^* a lying vision and divination and a thing of nothing and the deceit of their own heart.

^14:15 Therefore Jehovah says thus concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name and I did not send them, yet they say, Sword and famine will not be in this land: By sword and famine those prophets will be consumed. ^14:16 And the people to whom they prophesy will be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword and they will have none to bury them– them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters. For I will pour their wickedness upon them.

^14:17 And you will say this word to them: Let my eyes run down with tears night and day and do not let them cease. For the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous wound.

^14:18 If I go forth into the field, then, behold, the slain with the sword! And if I enter into the city, then, behold, those who are sick with famine! For both the prophet and the priest go about in the land and have no knowledge.

^14:19 Have you utterly rejected Judah? Has your soul loathed Zion? Why have you struck us and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!

^14:20 We acknowledge, O Jehovah, our wickedness and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you. ^14:21 Do not abhor us. For your name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of your glory. Remember, do not break your covenant with us.

^14:22 Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are not you he, O Jehovah our God? Therefore we will wait for you, for you have made all these things.

[Jeremiah 15] TOC

^15:1 Then Jehovah said to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people. Cast them out of my sight and let them go forth.

^15:2 And it will happen, when they say to you, Where will we go forth? Then you will tell them, Jehovah says thus: Such as are for death, to death and such as are for the sword, to the sword and such as are for the famine, to the famine and such as are for captivity, to captivity.

^15:3 And I will appoint over them four kinds, says Jehovah: the sword to kill and the dogs to tear and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

^15:4 And I will cause them to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem. ^15:5 For who will have pity upon you, O Jerusalem? Or who will sympathize with you? Or who will turn aside to ask of your welfare?

^15:6 You have rejected me, says Jehovah. You have gone backward. Therefore I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you. I am weary with relenting.

^15:7 And I have winnowed them with a fan in the gates of the land. I have bereaved them of sons. I have destroyed my people. They did not return from their ways. ^15:8 Their widows have increased to me above the sand of the seas. I have brought upon them, against the mother of the young men, a destroyer at noonday. I have caused anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.

^15:9 She who has borne seven, languishes. She has given up the spirit. Her sun has gone down while it was yet day. She has been put to shame and confounded. And the residue of them I will deliver to the sword before their enemies, says Jehovah.

^15:10 Woe is me, my mother, that you have bore me, a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have not lent, nor have men lent to me, yet every one of them curses me.

^15:11 Jehovah said, Truly I will strengthen you for good. Truly I will cause the enemy to make supplication to you in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.

^15:12 Can a man break iron, even iron from the north and brass? ^15:13 Your substance and your treasures I will give for a spoil without price. And that for all your sins, even in all your borders. ^15:14And I will make them to pass with your enemies into a land which you do not know. For a fire is kindled in my anger, which will burn upon you^*.

^15:15 O Jehovah, you know. Remember me and visit me and avenge me of my persecutors. Take me not away in your longsuffering. Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.

^15:16 Your words were found and I ate them. And your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by your name, O Jehovah, God of hosts.

^15:17 I did not sit in the assembly of those who make merry, nor did I rejoice. I sat alone because of your hand, for you have filled me with indignation.^15:18 Why is my pain perpetual and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook, as waters that fail?

^15:19 Therefore Jehovah says thus: If you return, then I will bring you again that you may stand before me. And if you take forth the precious from the vile, you will be as my mouth. They will return to you, but you will not return to them.

^15:20 And I will make you to this people a fortified brazen wall. And they will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you. For I am with you to save you and to deliver you, says Jehovah. ^15:21 And I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible.

[Jeremiah 16] TOC

^16:1 The word of Jehovah came also to me, saying, ^16:2 You will not take a wife, nor will you have sons or daughters, in this place.

^16:3 For Jehovah says thus concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place and concerning their mothers who bore them and concerning their fathers who fathered them in this land: ^16:4 They will die grievous deaths. They will not be lamented, nor will they be buried; they will be as manure upon the face of the ground. And they will be consumed by the sword and by famine. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the heavens and for the beasts of the earth.

^16:5 For Jehovah says thus, Do not enter into the house of banqueting for the dead, nor go to lament, nor sympathize with them, for I have taken away my peace from this people, says Jehovah, even loving kindness and tender mercies.

^16:6 Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried, nor will men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them, ^16:7 nor will men break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead, nor will men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.

^16:8 And you will not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and to drink. ^16:9 For Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place, before your^* eyes and in your^* days, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.

^16:10 And it will happen, when you will show this people all these words and they will say to you, Why has Jehovah pronounced all this great evil against us? Or what is our iniquity? Or what is our sin that we have committed against Jehovah our God?

^16:11 Then you will say to them, Because your^* fathers have forsaken me, says Jehovah and have walked after other gods and have served them and have worshiped them and have forsaken me and have not kept my law.

^16:12 And you^* have done evil more than your^* fathers, for, behold, you^* walk each one after the stubbornness of his evil heart, so that you^* listen not to me. ^16:13 Therefore I will cast you^* forth out of this land into the land that you^* have not known, neither you^* nor your^* fathers and there you^* will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you^* no favor.

^16:14 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that it will no more be said, As Jehovah lives who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, ^16:15 but, As Jehovah lives who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where he had driven them. And I will bring them again into their land that I gave to their fathers.

^16:16 Behold, I will send for many fishermen, says Jehovah and they will fish them up. And afterward I will send for many hunters and they will hunt them from every mountain and from every hill and out of the clefts of the rocks.

^16:17 For my eyes are upon all their ways. They are not hid from my face, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes. ^16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable things and have filled my inheritance with their abominations.

^16:19 O Jehovah, my strength and my stronghold and my refuge in the day of affliction, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and will say, Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, even vanity and things in which there is no profit.

^16:20 Shall a man make to himself gods, which yet are no gods? ^16:21 Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once I will cause them to know my hand and my might and they will know that my name is Jehovah.

[Jeremiah 17] TOC

^17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron and with the point of a diamond. It is engraved upon the tablet of their heart and upon the horns of your^* altars, ^17:2 while their sons remember their altars and their Asherim {pole-images} by the green trees upon the high hills.

^17:3 O my mountain in the field, I will give your substance and all your treasures for a spoil and your high places, because of sin, throughout all your borders. ^17:4 And you, even of yourself, will discontinue from your heritage that I gave you and I will cause you to serve your enemies in the land which you do not know. For you^* have kindled a fire in my anger which will burn everlasting.

^17:5 Jehovah says thus: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm and whose heart departs from Jehovah. ^17:6 For he will be like the heath in the desert and will not see when good comes, but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited.

^17:7 Blessed is the man who trusts in Jehovah and whose trust Jehovah is. ^17:8 For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out its roots by the river and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green and will not be worried in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

^17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?

^17:10 I, Jehovah, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his practices.

^17:11 As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches and not by right. In the midst of his days they will leave him and at his end he will be a fool.

^17:12 A glorious throne, set on high from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary. ^17:13 O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who depart from me will be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters.

^17:14 Heal me, O Jehovah and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved, for you are my praise.

^17:15 Behold, they say to me, Where is the word of Jehovah? Let it come now. ^17:16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a shepherd after you, nor have I desired the woeful day. You know. What came out of my lips was before your face.

^17:17 Do not bear terror to me. You are my refuge in the day of evil. ^17:18 Let them be put to shame who persecute me, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be dismayed, but do not let me be dismayed. Bring upon them the day of evil and destroy them with double destruction.

^17:19 Thus Jehovah said to me, Go and stand in the gate of the sons of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out and in all the gates of Jerusalem. ^17:20 And say to them, Hear the word of Jehovah, you^* kings of Judah and all Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter in by these gates.

^17:21 Jehovah says thus: Take heed to yourselves and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. ^17:22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your^* houses on the Sabbath day, nor do you^* any work. But sanctify yourselves the Sabbath day, as I commanded your^* fathers. ^17:23 But they listened not, nor inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear and might not receive instruction.

^17:24 And it will happen, if you^* diligently listen to me, says Jehovah, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but to sanctify the Sabbath day, to do no work in it, ^17:25then there will enter in by the gates of this city kings and rulers sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their rulers, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city will remain everlasting.

^17:26 And they will come from the cities of Judah and from the places all around Jerusalem and from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland and from the hill-country and from the South, bringing burnt-offerings and sacrifices and food-offerings and frankincense and bringing things of thanksgiving, to the house of Jehovah.

^17:27 But if you^* will not listen to me to sanctify the Sabbath day and not to carry a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in the gates of it and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem and it will not be quenched.

[Jeremiah 18] TOC

^18:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, ^18:2 Arise and go down to the potter's house and there I will cause you to hear my words.

^18:3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he was making a work on the wheels. ^18:4 And when the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it another vessel again, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

^18:5 Then the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you^* as this potter? says Jehovah. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are you^* in my hand, O house of Israel.

^18:7 At that instant I will speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy it, ^18:8 if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from their evil, I will relent of the evil that I thought to do to them.

^18:9 And at that instant I will speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, ^18:10 if they do what is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice, then I will relent of the good with which I said I would benefit them.

^18:11 Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Jehovah says thus: Behold, I frame evil against you^* and devise a device against you^*. Return now everyone from his evil way and amend your^* ways and your^* practices. ^18:12 But they say, It is in vain. For we will walk after our own devices and we will do everyone according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.

^18:13 Therefore Jehovah says thus: Ask you^* now among the nations, Who has heard such things? The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.

^18:14 Shall the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? Or will the cold waters that flow down from afar be dried up?

^18:15 For my people have forgotten me. They have burned incense to false gods. And they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the paths of old, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up, ^18:16 to make their land an astonishment and a everlasting hissing, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and shake his head. ^18:17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy. I will show them the back and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

^18:18 Then they said, Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah. For the law will not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us kill^* him with the tongue and let us not give heed to any of his words.

^18:19 Give heed to me, O Jehovah and listen to the voice of those who contend with me. ^18:20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.

^18:21 Therefore deliver up their sons to the famine and give them over to the power of the sword and let their wives become childless and widows and let their men be slain of death and their young men struck of the sword in battle. ^18:22 Let a cry be heard from their houses when you will bring a troop suddenly upon them, for they have dug a pit to take me and hid snares for my feet.

^18:23 Yet, Jehovah, you know all their counsel against me to kill me. Do not forgive their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight, but let them be overthrown before you. Deal with them in the time of your anger.

[Jeremiah 19] TOC

^19:1 Thus said Jehovah: Go and buy a potter's earthenware and take of the elders of the people and of the elders of the priests, ^19:2 and go forth to the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the Earthen Vessels Gate and proclaim there the words that I will tell you. ^19:3 And say, Hear the word of Jehovah, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, which whoever hears, his ears will tingle.

^19:4 Because they have forsaken me and have estranged this place and have burned incense in it to other gods that they did not know, they and their fathers and the kings of Judah and have filled this place with the blood of innocents, ^19:5 and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt-offerings to Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither did it come into my mind, ^19:6 therefore behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that this place will no more be called Topheth, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of Slaughter.

^19:7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place. And I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of those who seek their life. And I will give their dead bodies to be food for the birds of the heavens and for the beasts of the earth.

^19:8 And I will make this city an astonishment and a hissing. Everyone who passes by it will be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues of it.

^19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters. And they will eat each one the flesh of his friend, in the siege and in the distress with which their enemies and those who seek their life, will distress them.

^19:10 Then you will break the earthenware in the sight of the men who go with you, ^19:11 and will say to them, Jehovah of hosts says thus: Even so I will break this people and this city, as a potter's vessel is broken, that cannot be made whole again. And they will bury in Topheth till there is no place to bury.

^19:12 Thus I will do to this place, says Jehovah and to the inhabitants of it, even making this city as Topheth. ^19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, will be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense to all the host of heaven and have poured out drink-offerings to other gods.

^19:14 Then Jeremiah came from Topheth, where Jehovah had sent him to prophesy and he stood in the court of Jehovah's house and said to all the people, ^19:15 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all its towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have made their neck stiff, that they may not hear my words.

[Jeremiah 20] TOC

^20:1 Now Pashhur, the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in the house of Jehovah, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. ^20:2 Then Pashhur killed^* Jeremiah the prophet and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Jehovah. ^20:3 And it happened on the next-day, that Pashhur brought out Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, Jehovah has not called your name Pashhur, but Magor-missabib {Terror On Every Side}.

^20:4 For Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. And they will fall by the sword of their enemies and your eyes will behold it. And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will carry them captive to Babylon and will kill them with the sword.

^20:5 Moreover I will give all the riches of this city and all the gains of it and all the precious things of it, yes, all the treasures of the kings of Judah I will give into the hand of their enemies. And they will make them a prey and take them and carry them to Babylon.

^20:6 And you, Pashhur and all who dwell in your house will go into captivity. And you will come to Babylon and there you will die and there you will be buried, you and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.

^20:7 O Jehovah, you have persuaded me and I was persuaded. You are stronger than I and have prevailed. I have become a laughing-stock all the day; everyone mocks me. ^20:8 For as often as I speak, I cry out. I cry, Violence and destruction! Because the word of Jehovah is made a reproach to me and a ridicule, all the day.

^20:9 And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones and I am weary with forbearing and I cannot.

^20:10 For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall. Perhaps he will be persuaded and we will prevail against him and we will take our revenge on him.

^20:11 But Jehovah is with me as an awesome mighty one. Therefore my persecutors will stumble and they will not prevail. They will be utterly put to shame, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which will never be forgotten.

^20:12 But, O Jehovah of hosts, who tries the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have revealed my cause.

^20:13 Sing to Jehovah. Praise Jehovah, for he has delivered the soul of the needy man from the hand of evildoers.

^20:14 Cursed be the day in which I was born. Do not let the day in which my mother bore me be blessed.^20:15 Cursed be the man who brought news to my father, saying, A male-child is born to you, making him very glad. ^20:16 And let that man be as the cities which Jehovah overthrew and did not relent. And let him hear a cry in the morning and shouting at noontime, ^20:17 because he did not kill me from the womb and so my mother would have been my grave and her womb always {Lit: everlasting} great.

^20:18 Why did I come forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

[Jeremiah 21] TOC

^21:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, when king Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, saying, ^21:2 I beseech you, inquire of Jehovah on our behalf. For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps Jehovah will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

^21:3 Then Jeremiah said to them, Thus you^* will say to Zedekiah: ^21:4 Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your^* hands, with which you^* fight against the king of Babylon and against the Chaldeans who besiege you^*, outside the walls. And I will gather them into the midst of this city.

^21:5 And I myself will fight against you^* with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger and in wrath and in great indignation. ^21:6 And I will kill^* the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast. They will die of a great pestilence.

^21:7 And afterward, says Jehovah, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his servants and the people, even such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life and he will kill^* them with the edge of the sword. He will not spare them, nor have pity, nor have mercy.

^21:8 And you will say to this people, Jehovah says thus: Behold, I set before you^* the way of life and the way of death. ^21:9 He who abides in this city will die by the sword and by the famine and by the pestilence. But he who goes out and passes over to the Chaldeans who besiege you^*, he will live and his life will be to him for a prey.

^21:10 For I have set my face upon this city for evil and not for good, says Jehovah. It will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.

^21:11 And concerning the house of the king of Judah, hear the word of Jehovah. ^21:12 O house of David, Jehovah says thus: Execute justice in the morning and deliver he who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my wrath go forth like fire and burn so that none can quench it, because of the evil of your^* practices.

^21:13 Behold, I am against you, O inhabitant of the valley and of the rock of the plain, says Jehovah, you^* who say, Who will come down against us? Or who will enter into our dwellings? ^21:14 And I will punish you^* according to the fruit of your^* practices, says Jehovah. And I will kindle a fire in her forest and it will devour all that is all around her.

[Jeremiah 22] TOC

^22:1 Thus said Jehovah: Go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak there this word, ^22:2 and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, O king of Judah, who sits upon the throne of David, you and your servants and your people who enter in by these gates.

^22:3 Jehovah says thus: Execute you^* justice and righteousness. And deliver he who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. And do no wrong. Do no violence to the traveler, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

^22:4 For if you^* do this thing indeed, then there will enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he and his servants and his people.

^22:5 But if you^* will not hear these words, I swear by myself, says Jehovah, that this house will become a desolation. ^22:6 For Jehovah says thus concerning the house of the king of Judah: You are Gilead to me and the head of Lebanon, yet surely I will make you a wilderness, cities which are not inhabited. ^22:7 And I will prepare destroyers against you, each one with his weapons and they will cut down your choice cedars and cast them into the fire.

^22:8 And many nations will pass by this city and they will say each man to his neighbor, Why has Jehovah done thus to this great city? ^22:9 Then they will answer, Because they forsook the covenant of Jehovah their God and worshiped other gods and served them.

^22:10 Weep you^* not for him who is dead, nor sympathize with him. But weep greatly for him who goes away, for he will return no more, nor see his native country.

^22:11 For Jehovah says thus concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father and who went forth out of this place: He will not return there any more. ^22:12 But in the place where they have led him captive, he will die there and he will see this land no more.

^22:13 Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice, who uses his neighbor's service without wages and gives him not his hire, ^22:14 who says, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers and cuts out windows for himself and it is overlaid with cedar and painted with vermilion.

^22:15 Shall you reign, because you strive to excel in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. ^22:16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy man, then it was well. Was not this to know me? says Jehovah. ^22:17 But your eyes and your heart are not but for your covetousness and for shedding innocent blood and for oppression and for violence, to do it.

^22:18 Therefore Jehovah says thus concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah. They will not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! They will not lament for him, saying Ah lord! or, Ah his glory! ^22:19 He will be buried with the burial of a donkey, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

^22:20 Go up to Lebanon and cry. And lift up your voice in Bashan and cry from Abarim. For all your lovers are destroyed. ^22:21 I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, I will not hear. This has been your manner from your youth, that you obeyed not my voice. ^22:22 The wind will feed all your shepherds and your loved ones will go into captivity. Surely then you will be ashamed and confounded for all your wickedness.

^22:23 O inhabitant of Lebanon, who makes your nest in the cedars, how greatly to be pitied you will be when pains come upon you, the pain as of a woman in childbirth!

^22:24 As I live, says Jehovah, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet I would pluck you from there, ^22:25and I will give you into the hand of those who seek your life and into the hand of those of whom you are afraid, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of the Chaldeans.

^22:26 And I will cast you out and your mother who bore you, into another country where you^* were not born and there you^* will die. ^22:27 But to the land to which their soul longs to return, they will not return there.

^22:28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken vessel? Is he a vessel in which none delights? Why are they cast out, he and his seed and are cast into the land which they do not know?

^22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of Jehovah. ^22:30 Jehovah says thus: Write this man as childless, a man who will not prosper in his days. For no more will a man of his seed prosper, sitting upon the throne of David and ruling in Judah.

[Jeremiah 23] TOC

^23:1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says Jehovah. ^23:2Therefore Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who feed my people: You^* have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit upon you^* the evil of your^* practices, says Jehovah.

^23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them again to their folds and they will be fruitful and multiply. ^23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. And they will fear no more, nor be dismayed. Neither will any be lacking, says Jehovah.

^23:5 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch and he will reign as king and deal wisely and will execute justice and righteousness in the land. ^23:6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell safely. And this is his name by which he will be called: Jehovah our righteousness.

^23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that they will no more say, As Jehovah lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, ^23:8 but, As Jehovah lives, who brought up and who led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them. And they will dwell in their own land.

^23:9 Concerning the prophets: My heart within me is broken. All my bones shake. I am like a drunken man and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of Jehovah and because of his holy words.

^23:10 For the land is full of adulterers. For because of swearing the land mourns. The pastures of the wilderness are dried up. And their course is evil and their might is not right. ^23:11 For both prophet and priest are profane. Yes, in my house I have found their wickedness, says Jehovah.

^23:12 Therefore their way will be to them as slippery places in the darkness. They will be driven on and fall in it. For I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, says Jehovah.

^23:13 And I have seen unseemliness in the prophets of Samaria. They prophesied by Baal and made my people Israel go-astray. ^23:14 In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen a horrible thing. They commit adultery and walk in lies. And they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that none returns from his wickedness. They have all of them become to me as Sodom and the inhabitants of it as Gomorrah.

^23:15 Therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood and make them drink the water of gall. For from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone forth into all the land.

^23:16 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Listen not to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you^*. They teach you^* vanity. They speak a vision of their own heart and not out of the mouth of Jehovah. ^23:17They say continually to those who despise me, Jehovah has said, You^* will have peace. And to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil will come upon you^*.

^23:18 For who has stood in the council of Jehovah, that he should perceive and hear his word? Who has marked my word and heard it? ^23:19 Behold, the tempest of Jehovah, wrath, has gone forth, yes, a whirling tempest. It will burst upon the head of the wicked. ^23:20 The anger of Jehovah will not return until he has executed and till he has performed the intents of his heart. In the latter days you^* will understand it perfectly.

^23:21 I did not send these prophets, yet they ran. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. ^23:22 But if they had stood in my council, then they would have caused my people to hear my words and would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their practices.

^23:23 Am I a God at hand, says Jehovah and not a God afar off? ^23:24 Can any man hide himself in secret places so that I will not see him? says Jehovah. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says Jehovah.

^23:25 I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. ^23:26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? ^23:27Who think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot my name for Baal.

^23:28 The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream. And he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? says Jehovah. ^23:29 Is not my word like fire? says Jehovah and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

^23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, says Jehovah, who steal my words each one from his neighbor. ^23:31 Behold, I am against the prophets, says Jehovah, who use their tongues and say, He says. ^23:32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says Jehovah and tell them. And make my people go-astray by their lies and by their vain boasting. Yet I sent them not, nor commanded them, neither do they profit this people at all, says Jehovah.

^23:33 And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, will ask you, saying, What is the burden of Jehovah? Then you will say to them, What burden?

I will cast you^* off, says Jehovah. ^23:34 And as for the prophet and the priest and the people, who will say, The burden of Jehovah, I will even punish that man and his house.

^23:35 Thus you^* will say each one to his neighbor and each one to his brother, What has Jehovah answered? and, What has Jehovah spoken? ^23:36 And the burden of Jehovah you^* will mention no more, for every man's own word will be his burden. For you^* have perverted the words of the living God, of Jehovah of hosts our God.

^23:37 Thus you will say to the prophet: What has Jehovah answered you? and, What has Jehovah spoken? ^23:38 But if you^* say, The burden of Jehovah, therefore Jehovah says thus: Because you^* say this word, The burden of Jehovah and I have sent to you^*, saying, You^* will not say, The burden of Jehovah, ^23:39 therefore, behold, I will utterly forget you^*. And I will cast you^* off and the city that I gave to you^* and to your^* fathers, away from my presence.^23:40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you^* and a perpetual shame, which will not be forgotten.

[Jeremiah 24] TOC

^24:1 Jehovah showed me, and behold, two baskets of figs set before the temple of Jehovah, after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah {Jehoiachin} the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah and the rulers of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem and had brought them to Babylon.

^24:2 One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten they were so bad.

^24:3 Then Jehovah said to me, What do you see, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs. The good figs, very good and the bad, very bad, that cannot be eaten they are so bad.

^24:4 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^24:5 Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good.

^24:6 For I will set my eyes upon them for good and I will bring them again to this land. And I will build them and not pull them down and I will plant them and not pluck them up. ^24:7 And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah. And they will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me with their whole heart.

^24:8 And as the bad figs, which cannot be eaten they are so bad, surely Jehovah says thus: So will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah and his rulers and the residue of Jerusalem, who remain in this land and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.

^24:9 I will even give them up to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I will drive them. ^24:10 And I will send the sword, the famine and the pestilence, among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.

[Jeremiah 25] TOC

^25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (what was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon),^25:2 which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ^25:3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, these twenty-three years, the word of Jehovah has come to me and I have spoken to you^*, rising up early and speaking. But you^* have not listened.

^25:4 And Jehovah has sent to you^* all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, (but you^* have not listened, nor inclined your^* ear to hear), ^25:5 saying, Return now each one from his evil way and from the evil of your^* practices and dwell in the land that Jehovah has given to you^* and to your^* fathers, from everlasting even to everlasting. ^25:6And do not go after other gods to serve them and to worship them and provoke me not to anger with the work of your^* hands. And I will do you^* no hurt.

^25:7 Yet you^* have not listened to me, says Jehovah, that you^* may provoke me to anger with the work of your^* hands to your^* own hurt.

^25:8 Therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus: Because you^* have not heard my words, ^25:9 behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, says Jehovah and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant and will bring them against this land and against the inhabitants of it and against all these nations all around. And I will utterly destroy them and make them an astonishment and a hissing and everlasting desolations.

^25:10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. ^25:11 And this whole land will be a desolation and an astonishment. And these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

^25:12 And it will happen, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, says Jehovah, for their iniquity and the land of the Chaldeans and I will make it desolate everlasting.

^25:13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations. ^25:14 For many nations and great kings will make bondmen of them, even of them and I will recompense them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands.

^25:15 For Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, to me: Take this cup of the wine of wrath at my hand and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. ^25:16 And they will drink and reel to and fro and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.

^25:17 Then I took the cup at Jehovah's hand and made all the nations to drink, to whom Jehovah had sent me: ^25:18 Jerusalem and the cities of Judah and the kings of it and the rulers of it, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, a hissing and a curse, as it is this day, ^25:19 Pharaoh King of Egypt and his servants and his rulers and all his people, ^25:20 and all the mixed people and all the kings of the land of the Uz and all the kings of the Philistines and Ashkelon and Gaza and Ekron and the remnant of Ashdod, ^25:21Edom and Moab and the sons of Ammon, ^25:22 and all the kings of Tyre and all the kings of Sidon and the kings of the isle which is beyond the sea, ^25:23 Dedan and Tema and Buz and all who have the corners of their hair cut off, ^25:24 and all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed people who dwell in the wilderness, ^25:25 and all the kings of Zimri and all the kings of Elam and all the kings of the Medes, ^25:26 and all the kings of the north, far and near, with one another and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth. And the king of Sheshach will drink after them.

^25:27 And you will say to them, Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Drink you^* and be drunken and spew and fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you^*.

^25:28 And it will be, if they refuse to take the cup at your hand to drink, then you will say to them, Jehovah of hosts says thus: You^* will surely drink.^25:29 For behold, I begin to work evil at the city which is called by my name and should you^* be utterly unpunished? You^* will not be unpunished. For I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, says Jehovah of hosts.

^25:30 Therefore prophesy you against them all these words and say to them, Jehovah will roar from on high and utter his voice from his holy dwelling. He will mightily roar against his fold. He will give a shout, as those who tread grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

^25:31 A noise will come even to the end of the earth, for Jehovah has a controversy with the nations. He will enter into judgment with all flesh. As for the wicked, he will give them to the sword, says Jehovah.

^25:32 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Behold, evil will go forth from nation to nation and a great tempest will be raised up from the outermost parts of the earth. ^25:33 And the slain of Jehovah will be at that day from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They will not be lamented, nor gathered, nor buried; they will be manure upon the face of the ground.

^25:34 Wail, you^* shepherds and cry. And wallow, principal men of the flock. For the days of your^* slaughter and of your^* dispersions have fully come and you^* will fall like a desirable vessel. ^25:35And the shepherds will have no way to flee, nor the principal men of the flock to escape. ^25:36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds and the wailing of the principal men of the flock!

For Jehovah lays waste their pasture. ^25:37 And the peaceable folds are brought to silence because of the fierce anger of Jehovah. ^25:38 He has left his covering as the lion. For their land has become an astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing sword and because of his fierce anger.

[Jeremiah 26] TOC

^26:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word from Jehovah came, saying, ^26:2 Jehovah says thus: Stand in the court of Jehovah's house and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Jehovah's house, all the words that I command you to speak to them, diminish not a word.

^26:3 It may be they will listen and turn every man from his evil way, that I may relent of the evil which I purpose to do to them because of the evil of their practices.

^26:4 And you will say to them, Jehovah says thus: If you^* will not listen to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you^*, ^26:5 to listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send to you^*, even rising up early and sending them, but you^* have not listened, ^26:6 then I will make this house like Shiloh and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.

^26:7 And the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of Jehovah.

^26:8 And it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that Jehovah had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying, You will surely die. ^26:9 Why have you prophesied in the name of Jehovah, saying, This house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate, without inhabitant?

And all the people were gathered to Jeremiah in the house of Jehovah. ^26:10 And when the rulers of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house to the house of Jehovah and they sat in the entry of the new gate of Jehovah's house.

^26:11 Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the rulers and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you^* have heard with your^* ears.

^26:12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the rulers and to all the people, saying, Jehovah sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you^* have heard. ^26:13 Now therefore amend your^* ways and your^* practices and obey the voice of Jehovah your^* God and Jehovah will relent of the evil that he has pronounced against you^*.

^26:14 But as for me, behold, I am in your^* hand. Do with me as is good and right in your^* eyes. ^26:15Only know for certain that, if you^* put me to death, you^* will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and upon the inhabitants of it. For of a truth Jehovah has sent me to you^* to speak all these words in your^* ears.

^26:16 Then the rulers and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets. This man is not worthy of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of Jehovah our God.

^26:17 Then certain of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying, ^26:18 Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, Jehovah of hosts says thus: Zion will be plowed as a field and Jerusalem will become heaps and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

^26:19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear Jehovah and entreat the favor of Jehovah. And Jehovah relented of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we commit great evil against our own souls.

^26:20 And there was also a man who prophesied in the name of Jehovah, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath-jearim. And he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah. ^26:21 And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the rulers, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death, but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid and fled and went into Egypt.

^26:22 And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor and certain men with him, into Egypt, ^26:23 and they fetched forth Uriah out of Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.

^26:24 But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

[Jeremiah 27] TOC

^27:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, ^27:2 Jehovah says thus to me: You make bonds and bars and put them upon your neck. ^27:3 And send them to the king of Edom and to the king of Moab and to the king of the sons of Ammon and to the king of Tyre and to the king of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.

^27:4 And give them a charge to their masters, saying, Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Thus you^* will say to your^* masters: ^27:5 I have made the earth, the men and the beasts that are upon the face of the earth, by my great power and by my outstretched arm and I give it to whom it seems right to me.

^27:6 And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant. And the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him. ^27:7 And all the nations will serve him and his son and his son's son, until the time of his own land comes. And then many nations and great kings will make him their bondman.

^27:8 And it will happen, that the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish, says Jehovah, with the sword and with the famine and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

^27:9 But as for you^*, do not listen to your^* prophets, nor to your^* diviners, nor to your^* dreams, nor to your^* ones who practice witchcraft, nor to your^* sorcerers, who speak to you^*, saying, You^* will not serve the king of Babylon. ^27:10 For they prophesy a lie to you^*, to remove you^* far from your^* land and that I should drive you^* out and you^* should perish.

^27:11 But the nation that will bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, that nation I will let remain in their own land, says Jehovah and they will till it and dwell in it.

^27:12 And I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your^* necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people and live. ^27:13 Why will you^* die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence, as Jehovah has spoken concerning the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?

^27:14 And listen not to the words of the prophets who speak to you^*, saying, You^* will not serve the king of Babylon, for they prophesy a lie to you^*. ^27:15For I have not sent them, says Jehovah, but they prophesy falsely in my name, that I may drive you^* out and that you^* may perish, you^* and the prophets who prophesy to you^*.

^27:16 Also I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, Jehovah says thus: Listen not to the words of your^* prophets who prophesy to you^*, saying, Behold, the vessels of Jehovah's house will now shortly be brought again from Babylon, for they prophesy a lie to you^*. ^27:17 Listen not to them. Serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city become a desolation?

^27:18 But if they are prophets and if the word of Jehovah is with them, let them now make intercession to Jehovah of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of Jehovah and in the house of the king of Judah and at Jerusalem, not go to Babylon.

^27:19 For Jehovah of hosts says thus concerning the pillars and concerning the sea and concerning the stands and concerning the residue of the vessels that are left in this city, ^27:20 which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried away captive Jeconiah {Jehoiachin} the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. ^27:21 Yes, Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that are left in the house of Jehovah and in the house of the king of Judah and at Jerusalem: ^27:22 They will be carried to Babylon and they will be there until the day that I visit them, says Jehovah. Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.

[Jeremiah 28] TOC

^28:1 And it happened the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet, who was of Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of Jehovah, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, ^28:2 Thus speaks Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

^28:3 Within two full years I will bring again into this place all the vessels of Jehovah's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. ^28:4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah {Jehoiachin} the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, who went to Babylon, says Jehovah, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

^28:5 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and in the presence of all the people who stood in the house of Jehovah, ^28:6 even the prophet Jeremiah said, Truly! Jehovah do so. Jehovah perform your words which you have prophesied, to bring again the vessels of Jehovah's house and all those of the captivity, from Babylon to this place.

^28:7 Nevertheless hear now this word that I speak in your ears and in the ears of all the people:^28:8 The prophets who have been before me and before you of old prophesied against many countries and against great kingdoms, of war and of evil and of pestilence. ^28:9 The prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet will happen, then the prophet will be known that Jehovah has truly sent him.

^28:10 Then Hananiah the prophet took the bar from the prophet Jeremiah's neck and broke it. ^28:11And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, Jehovah says thus: Even so I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon within two full years from the neck of all the nations. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

^28:12 Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the bar from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, ^28:13 Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Jehovah says thus: You have broken the bars of wood, but I have made in their stead bars of iron. ^28:14 For Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and they will serve him. And I have given him the beasts of the field also.

^28:15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah. Jehovah has not sent you, but you make this people to trust in a lie.^28:16 Therefore Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will send you away from the face of the earth. This year you will die because you have spoken rebellion against Jehovah. ^28:17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

[Jeremiah 29] TOC

^29:1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders of the captivity and to the priests and to the prophets and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon, ^29:2 (after Jeconiah {Jehoiachin} the king and the queen-mother and the eunuchs and the rulers of Judah and Jerusalem and the craftsmen and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem), ^29:3 by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), saying, ^29:4 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel, to all the captivity whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon:

^29:5 Build you^* houses and dwell in them and plant gardens and eat the fruit of them. ^29:6 You^* take wives and beget sons and daughters. And take wives for your^* sons and give your^* daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters and will multiply you^* there and do not be diminished. ^29:7And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you^* to be carried away captive and pray to Jehovah on behalf of it, for in the peace of it you^* will have peace.

^29:8 For Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Do not let your^* prophets who are in the midst of you^* and your^* diviners, deceive you^*, nor listen to your^* dreams which you^* cause to be dreamed. ^29:9For they prophesy falsely to you^* in my name. I have not sent them, says Jehovah.

^29:10 For Jehovah says thus, After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you^* and perform my good word toward you^* in causing you^* to return to this place. ^29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you^*, says Jehovah, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you^* hope in your^* latter end. ^29:12 And you^* will call upon me and you^* will go and pray to me and I will listen to you^*.

^29:13 And you^* will seek me and find me when you^* will search for me with all your^* heart. ^29:14 And I will be found by you^*, says Jehovah and I will turn again your^* captivity. And I will gather you^* from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you^*, says Jehovah and I will bring you^* again to the place from where I caused you^* to be carried away captive.

^29:15 Because you^* have said, Jehovah has raised us up prophets in Babylon, ^29:16 Jehovah says thus concerning the king who sits upon the throne of David and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your^* brothers who have not gone forth with you^* into captivity, ^29:17 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine and the pestilence and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten they are so bad.

^29:18 And I will pursue after them with the sword, with the famine and with the pestilence and will deliver them to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth, to be an execration and an astonishment and a hissing and a reproach, among all the nations where I have driven them, ^29:19 because they have not listened to my words, says Jehovah, with which I sent to them my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them. But you^* would not hear, says Jehovah.

^29:20 Hear therefore the word of Jehovah, all you^* of the captivity whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon. ^29:21 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you^* in my name. Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and he will kill them before your^* eyes.

^29:22 And of them will be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah that are in Babylon, saying, Jehovah make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, ^29:23because they have done senselessness in Israel and have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I did not command them. And I am he who knows and am witness, says Jehovah.

^29:24 And concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite you will speak, saying, ^29:25 Thus speaks Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying,

Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are at Jerusalem and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest and to all the priests, saying, ^29:26 Jehovah has made you priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the house of Jehovah, for every man who is mad and makes himself a prophet, that you should put him in the stocks and in shackles. ^29:27 Now therefore, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who makes himself a prophet to you^*, ^29:28inasmuch as he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, It is long. Build you^* houses and dwell in them and plant gardens and eat the fruit of them?

^29:29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.

^29:30 Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying, ^29:31 Send to all those of the captivity, saying, Jehovah says thus concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you^* and I did not send him and he has caused you^* to trust in a lie, ^29:32 therefore Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his seed. He will not have a man to dwell among this people, nor will he behold the good that I will do to my people, says Jehovah, because he has spoken rebellion against Jehovah.

[Jeremiah 30] TOC

^30:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, ^30:2 Thus speaks Jehovah, the God of Israel, saying, Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.

^30:3 For behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will turn again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, says Jehovah and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers and they will possess it. ^30:4 And these are the words that Jehovah spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah.

^30:5 For Jehovah says thus: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear and not of peace. ^30:6 Ask you^* now and see whether a man travails with child. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins as a woman in childbirth and all faces are turned into paleness? ^30:7 Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it. It is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he will be saved out of it.

^30:8 And it will happen in that day, says Jehovah of hosts, that I will break his yoke from your neck and will burst your bonds. And strangers will no more make him their bondman, ^30:9 but they will serve Jehovah their God and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.

^30:10 Therefore do not fear, O Jacob my servant, says Jehovah, nor be dismayed, O Israel. For behold, I will save you from afar and your seed from the land of their captivity and Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease and none will make him afraid.^30:11 For I am with you, says Jehovah, to save you. For I will make a full end of all the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not make a full end of you. But I will discipline you in measure and will in no way leave you unpunished.

^30:12 For Jehovah says thus, Your hurt is incurable and your wound grievous. ^30:13 There is none to plead your cause, that you may be bound up; you have no healing medicines. ^30:14 All who love you have forgotten you; they do not seek you. For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins were increased.

^30:15 Why do you cry for your hurt? Your pain is incurable, for the greatness of your iniquity. Because your sins were increased, I have done these things to you.

^30:16 Therefore all those who devour you will be devoured and all your adversaries, every one of them, will go into captivity. And those who despoil you will be a spoil and all who prey upon you I will give for a prey. ^30:17 For I will restore health to you and I will heal you of your wounds, says Jehovah, because they have called you an outcast, saying, It is Zion, whom no man seeks after.

^30:18 Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will turn again the captivity of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his dwelling-places. And the city will be built upon its own hill and the palace will be inhabited after its own manner.

^30:19 And out of them will proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry. And I will multiply them and they will not be few. I will also glorify them and they will not be small. ^30:20 Their sons also will be as before and their congregation will be established in front of me. And I will punish all who oppress them.

^30:21 And their prince will be of themselves and their ruler will proceed from the midst of them. And I will cause him to draw near and he will approach to me. For who is he who has had boldness to approach to me? says Jehovah. ^30:22 And you^* will be my people and I will be your^* God.

^30:23 Behold, the tempest of Jehovah– wrath– has gone forth, a sweeping tempest. It will burst upon the head of the wicked. ^30:24 The fierce anger of Jehovah will not return until he has executed and till he has performed the intents of his heart. In the latter days you^* will understand it.

[Jeremiah 31] TOC

^31:1 At that time, says Jehovah, I will be the God of all the families of Israel and they will be my people.

^31:2 Jehovah says thus: The people who were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness, even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. ^31:3 Jehovah appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.

^31:4 Again I will build you and you will be built, O virgin of Israel. Again you will be adorned with your tambourine and will go forth in the dances of those who make merry. ^31:5 Again you will plant vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria. The planters will plant and will enjoy it. ^31:6 For there will be a day that the watchmen upon the hills of Ephraim will cry, Arise and let us go up to Zion to Jehovah our God.

^31:7 For Jehovah says thus: Sing with gladness for Jacob and shout for the chief of the nations. Proclaim, praise and say, O Jehovah, save your people, the remnant of Israel. ^31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the outermost parts of the earth and with them the blind man and the lame man, the woman with child and she who travails with child together. They will return here a great company.

^31:9 They will come with weeping. And I will lead them with supplications. I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they will not stumble. For I am a father to Israel and Ephraim is my firstborn.

^31:10 Hear the word of Jehovah, O you^* nations and declare it in the isles afar off and say, He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock.

^31:11 For Jehovah has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he. ^31:12 And they will come and sing in the height of Zion and will flow to the goodness of Jehovah, to the grain and to the new wine and to the oil and to the young of the flock and of the herd. And their soul will be as a watered garden and they will not sorrow any more at all.

^31:13 Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance and the young men and the old together, for I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow. ^31:14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness and my people will be satisfied with my goodness, says Jehovah.

^31:15 Jehovah says thus: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel weeping for her children, she refused to be comforted for her children, because they are not.

^31:16 Jehovah says thus: Refrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, says Jehovah and they will come again from the land of the enemy. ^31:17 And there is hope for your latter end, says Jehovah and your sons will come again to their own border.

^31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim sympathize within himself saying, You have disciplined me and I was disciplined as a calf unaccustomed to the yoke. Turn me back and I will be turned back, for you are Jehovah my God.

^31:19 Surely after that I was turned back. I repented and after I was instructed, I killed^* upon my thigh. I was ashamed, yes, even confounded, because I bore the reproach of my youth.

^31:20 Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him. I will surely have mercy upon him, says Jehovah.

^31:21 Set up road marks. You make guideposts. Set your heart toward the highway, even the way by which you went. Turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these your cities. ^31:22 How long will you go here and there, O you backsliding daughter? For Jehovah has created a new thing in the earth: a woman will encompass a man.

^31:23 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Yet again they will use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities of it when I will bring again their captivity: Jehovah bless you, O dwelling of righteousness, O mountain of holiness.

^31:24 And Judah and all the cities of it will dwell in there together, the farmer and those who go about with flocks. ^31:25 For I have satiated the weary soul and every sorrowful soul I have replenished. ^31:26Upon this I awoke and beheld and my sleep was sweet to me.

^31:27 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. ^31:28And it will happen that, just as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says Jehovah.

^31:29 In those days they will no more say, The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the son's teeth are set on edge. ^31:30 But everyone will die for his own iniquity. Every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.

^31:31 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, ^31:32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant and I disregarded them, says Jehovah.

^31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Jehovah: I will give my laws into their mind and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God and they will be my people.

^31:34 And they will teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah, for they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Jehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more.

^31:35 Jehovah says thus, who gives the sun for a light by day and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who stirs up the sea, so that the waves of it roar. Jehovah of hosts is his name. ^31:36 If these ordinances depart from before me, says Jehovah, then the seed of Israel also will cease from being a nation before me forever.

^31:37 Jehovah says thus: If heaven above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says Jehovah.

^31:38 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that the city will be built to Jehovah from the tower of Hananel to the gate of the corner. ^31:39 And the measuring line will go out further straight onward to the hill Gareb and will turn about to Goah {Goath}.

^31:40 And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes and all the fields, to the brook Kidron, to the corner of the horse gate toward the east, will be holy to Jehovah. It will not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more everlasting.

[Jeremiah 32] TOC

^32:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah in the tenth year of Zedekiah, king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.

^32:2 Now at that time the king of Babylon's army was besieging Jerusalem and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard, which was in the king of Judah's house.

^32:3 For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Why do you prophesy and say, Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will take it. ^32:4 And Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but will surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon and will speak with him mouth to mouth and his eyes will behold his eyes. ^32:5 And he will bring Zedekiah to Babylon and he will be there until I visit him, says Jehovah. Though you^* fight with the Chaldeans, you^* will not prosper?

^32:6 And Jeremiah said, The word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^32:7 Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, Buy my field that is in Anathoth. For the right of redemption is your to buy it.

^32:8 So Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the guard according to the word of Jehovah and said to me, I beseech you, buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the land of Benjamin. For the right of inheritance is your and the redemption is your. Buy it for yourself. Then I knew that this was the word of Jehovah.

^32:9 And I bought the field that was in Anathoth of Hanamel my uncle's son and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. ^32:10 And I signed the deed and sealed it and testified by witnesses and weighed him the money in the balances.

^32:11 So I took the deed of the purchase, both what was sealed, according to the law and custom and what was open, ^32:12 and I delivered the deed of the purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my uncle's son and in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of the purchase, before all the Jews who sat in the court of the guard.

^32:13 And I charged Baruch before them, saying,^32:14 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, this deed of the purchase which is sealed and this deed which is open and put them in an earthen vessel that they may continue many days.^32:15 For Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards will yet again be bought in this land.

^32:16 Now after I had delivered the deed of the purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to Jehovah, saying, ^32:17 Ah Lord Jehovah! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you, ^32:18 who show loving kindness to thousands and recompense the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their sons after them, the great, the mighty God. Jehovah of hosts is his name, ^32:19 great in counsel and mighty in work, whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his practices, ^32:20 who set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even to this day, both in Israel and among other men and made you a name, as at this day, ^32:21 and brought out your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and with wonders and with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm and with great terror, ^32:22 and gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey.

^32:23 And they came in and possessed it, but they obeyed not your voice, nor walked in your law. They have done nothing of all that you commanded them to do.

Therefore you have caused all this evil to come upon them. ^32:24 Behold, the mounds. They have come to the city to take it. And the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword and of the famine and of the pestilence. And what you have spoken has happen, and behold, you see it.

^32:25 And you have said to me, O Lord Jehovah, Buy the field for money and testify by witnesses, because the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

^32:26 Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying, ^32:27 Behold, I am Jehovah, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me? ^32:28Therefore Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and he will take it. ^32:29 And the Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire and burn it, with the houses upon whose roofs they have offered incense to Baal and poured out drink-offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger.

^32:30 For the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah have done only what was evil in my sight from their youth. For the sons of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, says Jehovah.

^32:31 For this city has been to me a provocation of my anger and of my wrath from the day that they built it even to this day, that I should remove it from before my face, ^32:32 because of all the evil of the sons of Israel and of the sons of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their rulers, their priests and their prophets and the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

^32:33 And they have turned the back to me and not the face. And though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not listened to receive instruction.

^32:34 But they set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it. ^32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

^32:36 And now therefore Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, concerning this city, of which you^* say, It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword and by the famine and by the pestilence: ^32:37 Behold, I will gather them out of all the countries where I have driven them in my anger and in my wrath and in great indignation. And I will bring them again to this place and I will cause them to dwell safely. ^32:38 And they will be my people and I will be their God. ^32:39 And I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them and of their sons after them.

^32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good. And I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me. ^32:41Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good. And I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

^32:42 For Jehovah says thus: Just as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. ^32:43 And fields will be bought in this land, of which you^* say, It is desolate, without man or beast. It is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

^32:44 Men will buy fields for money and sign the deeds and seal them and testify by witnesses, in the land of Benjamin and in the places around Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah and in the cities of the hill-country and in the cities of the lowland and in the cities of the South. For I will cause their captivity to return, says Jehovah.

[Jeremiah 33] TOC

^33:1 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the guard, saying, ^33:2 Jehovah says thus who does it, Jehovah who forms it to establish it; Jehovah is his name: ^33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and will show you great things and difficult, which you do not know.

^33:4 For Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are broken down to defend against the mounds and against the sword,^33:5 while men come to fight with the Chaldeans and to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in my anger and in my wrath and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city:^33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them. And I will reveal to them abundance of peace and truth.

^33:7 And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return and will build them as at the first. ^33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against me. And I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned against me and by which they have transgressed against me.

^33:9 And this city will be to me for a name of joy, for a praise and for a glory, before all the nations of the earth, which will hear all the good that I do to them and will fear and tremble for all the good and for all the peace that I procure to it.

^33:10 Jehovah says thus: Yet again there will be heard in this place– of which you^* say, It is waste, without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast– ^33:11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, Give thanks to Jehovah of hosts, for Jehovah is good, for his loving kindness is everlasting and of those who bring thanksgiving into the house of Jehovah. For I will cause the captivity of the land to return as at the first, says Jehovah.

^33:12 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Yet again there will be in this place, which is waste, without man and without beast and in all the cities of it, a dwelling of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

^33:13 In the cities of the hill-country, in the cities of the lowland and in the cities of the South and in the land of Benjamin and in the places around Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of him who numbers them, says Jehovah. ^33:14 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will perform that good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah.

^33:15 In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David and he will execute justice and righteousness in the land.^33:16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name whereby she will be called: Jehovah our righteousness.

^33:17 For Jehovah says thus: David will never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel, ^33:18 neither will the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt-offerings and to burn food-offerings and to do sacrifice continually.

^33:19 And the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying, ^33:20 Jehovah says thus: If you^* can break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season,^33:21 then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he will not have a son to reign upon his throne and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.

^33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured, so I will multiply the seed of David my servant and the Levites that minister to me.

^33:23 And the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying, ^33:24 Do you not consider what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which Jehovah chose, he has cast them off? Thus they despise my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

^33:25 Jehovah says thus: If my covenant of day and night stand not, if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth, ^33:26 then I will also cast away the seed of Jacob and of David my servant, so that I will not take of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For I will cause their captivity to return and will have mercy on them.

[Jeremiah 34] TOC

^34:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army and all the kingdoms of the earth that were under his dominion and all the peoples, were fighting against Jerusalem and against all the cities of it, saying, ^34:2 Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.

^34:3 And you will not escape out of his hand, but will surely be taken and delivered into his hand. And your eyes will behold the eyes of the king of Babylon and he will speak with you mouth to mouth and you will go to Babylon.

^34:4 Yet hear the word of Jehovah, O Zedekiah king of Judah. Jehovah says thus concerning you, You will not die by the sword; ^34:5 you will die in peace. And with the burnings of your fathers, the former kings who were before you, so will they make a burning for you. And they will lament you, saying, Ah lord! For I have spoken the word, says Jehovah.

^34:6 Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke all these words to Zedekiah, king of Judah in Jerusalem,

^34:7 when the king of Babylon's army was fighting against Jerusalem and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish and against Azekah, for these alone remained of the cities of Judah, fortified cities.

^34:8 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them, ^34:9 that every man should let his man-servant and every man his maid-servant, who is a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, go free, that none should make bondmen of them, namely, of a Jew his brother.

^34:10 And all the rulers and all the people obeyed, who had entered into the covenant, that everyone should let his man-servant and everyone his maid-servant, go free, that none should make bondmen of them any more. They obeyed and let them go.

^34:11 But afterwards they turned and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.

^34:12 Therefore the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, ^34:13 Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel: I made a covenant with your^* fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying, ^34:14 At the end of seven years you^* will let go every man his brother who is a Hebrew, who has been sold to you and has served you six years. You will let him go free from you. But your^* fathers listened not to me, nor inclined their ear.

^34:15 And you^* were now turned and had done what is right in my eyes, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor. And you^* had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name.

^34:16 But you^* turned and profaned my name and caused every man his servant and every man his handmaid, whom you^* had let go free at their pleasure, to return. And you^* brought them into subjection, to be to you^* for servants and for handmaids.

^34:17 Therefore Jehovah says thus: You^* have not listened to me, to proclaim liberty, every man to his brother and every man to his neighbor. Behold, I proclaim to you^* a liberty, says Jehovah– to the sword, to the pestilence and to the famine. And I will make you^* to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth.

^34:18 And I will give the men who have transgressed my covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between the parts of it, ^34:19 the rulers of Judah and the rulers of Jerusalem, the eunuchs and the priests and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf, ^34:20 I will even give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies will be for food to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the earth.

^34:21 And I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his rulers, into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army that has gone away from you^*. ^34:22 Behold, I will command, says Jehovah and cause them to return to this city. And they will fight against it and take it and burn it with fire. And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.

[Jeremiah 35] TOC

^35:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, ^35:2 Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak to them and bring them into the house of Jehovah, into one of the chambers and give them wine to drink.

^35:3 Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah and his brothers and all his sons and the whole house of the Rechabites. ^35:4 And I brought them into the house of Jehovah, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was by the chamber of the rulers, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the threshold.

^35:5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites bowls full of wine and cups and I said to them, Drink wine. ^35:6 But they said, We will drink no wine. For Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, You^* will drink no wine, neither you^*, nor your^* sons, everlasting.

^35:7 Neither will you^* build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any, but all your^* days you^* will dwell in tents, that you^* may live many days in the land in which you^* journey.

^35:8 And we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters, ^35:9 nor to build houses for us to dwell in. Neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed, ^35:10 but we have dwelt in tents and have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.

^35:11 But it happened, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and for fear of the army of the Syrians. So we dwell at Jerusalem.

^35:12 Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying, ^35:13 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you^* not receive instruction to listen to my words? says Jehovah. ^35:14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed. And to this day they drink none, for they obey their father's commandment.

But I have spoken to you^*, rising up early and speaking and you^* have not listened to me. ^35:15 I have also sent to you^* all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return now every man from his evil way and amend your^* practices and do not go after other gods to serve them and you^* will dwell in the land which I have given to you^* and to your^* fathers. But you^* have not inclined your^* ear, nor listened to me.

^35:16 Inasmuch as the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to me, ^35:17 therefore Jehovah says thus, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them, but they have not heard and I have called to them, but they have not answered.

^35:18 And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Because you^* have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your^* father and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you^*, ^35:19therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab will not want a man to stand before me forever.

[Jeremiah 36] TOC

^36:1 And it happened in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, ^36:2You take a roll of a book and write in it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and against Judah and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.

^36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do to them, that they may return every man from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

^36:4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah. And Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of Jehovah, which he had spoken to him, upon a roll of a book. ^36:5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up. I cannot go into the house of Jehovah.

^36:6 Therefore go and read in the roll, which you have written from my mouth, the words of Jehovah in the ears of the people in Jehovah's house upon the fast-day. And also you will read them in the ears of all Judah who come out of their cities. ^36:7 It may be they will present their supplication before Jehovah and will return each one from his evil way, for great is the anger and the wrath that Jehovah has pronounced against this people.

^36:8 And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of Jehovah in Jehovah's house.

^36:9 Now it happened in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, that all the people in Jerusalem and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem, proclaimed a fast before Jehovah.

^36:10 Then Baruch read in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of Jehovah, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan, the scribe, in the upper court, at the entry of the new gate of Jehovah's house, in the ears of all the people.

^36:11 And when Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of Jehovah, ^36:12 he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber. And behold, all the rulers were sitting there: Elishama the scribe and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah and Elnathan the son of Achbor and Gemariah the son of Shaphan and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah and all the rulers.

^36:13 Then Micaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.

^36:14 Therefore all the rulers sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, Take in your hand the roll from which you have read in the ears of the people and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand and came to them. ^36:15 And they said to him, Sit down now and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.

^36:16 Now it happened, when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one toward another and said to Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words. ^36:17 And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How did you write all these words at his mouth? ^36:18 Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words to me with his mouth and I wrote them with ink in the book.

^36:19 Then the rulers said to Baruch, Go, hide, you and Jeremiah and let no man know where you^* are.

^36:20 And they went in to the king into the court, but they had laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe and they told all the words in the ears of the king. ^36:21 So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king and in the ears of all the rulers who stood beside the king.

^36:22 Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month and the brazier was burning before him. ^36:23 And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the king cut it with the penknife and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier.

^36:24 And they were not afraid, nor tore their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants who heard all these words. ^36:25 Moreover Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll, but he would not hear them.

^36:26 And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son and Seraiah the son of Azriel and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but Jehovah hid them.

^36:27 Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah after the king had burned the roll and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, ^36:28 You take again another roll and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.

^36:29 And concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you will say, Jehovah says thus: You have burned this roll, saying, Why have you written in it, saying, The king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land and will cause to cease from there man and beast?

^36:30 Therefore Jehovah says thus concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have none to sit upon the throne of David. And his dead body will be cast out in the day to the heat and in the night to the frost. ^36:31 And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity. And I will bring upon them and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they did not listen.

^36:32 Then Jeremiah took another roll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote in it from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire and there were added besides to them many like words.

[Jeremiah 37] TOC

^37:1 And Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned as king, instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah. ^37:2 But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, listened to the words of Jehovah, which he spoke by the prophet Jeremiah.

^37:3 And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now to Jehovah our God on our behalf.

^37:4 Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people, for they had not put him into prison. ^37:5And Pharaoh's army came forth out of Egypt. And when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news of them, they broke away from Jerusalem.

^37:6 Then the word of Jehovah came to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, ^37:7 Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, Thus you^* will say to the king of Judah, who sent you^* to me to inquire of me: Behold, Pharaoh's army, which has come out to help you^*, will return to Egypt into their own land. ^37:8 And the Chaldeans will come again and fight against this city and they will take it and burn it with fire.

^37:9 Jehovah says thus: Do not deceive yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans will surely depart from us. For they will not depart. ^37:10 For though you^* had struck the whole army of the Chaldeans who fight against you^* and there remained but wounded men among them, yes they would rise up every man in his tent and burn this city with fire.

^37:11 And it happened that, when the army of the Chaldeans was broken away from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army, ^37:12 then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin to receive his portion there in the midst of the people.

^37:13 And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the guard was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah. And he laid hold on Jeremiah the prophet, saying, You are falling away to the Chaldeans.

^37:14 Then Jeremiah said, It is false. I am not falling away to the Chaldeans. But he did not listen to him. So Irijah laid hold on Jeremiah and brought him to the rulers. ^37:15 And the rulers were angry with Jeremiah and killed^* him and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for they had made that the prison.

^37:16 When Jeremiah came into the house in the pit and into the cells and Jeremiah had remained there many days, ^37:17 then Zedekiah the king sent and fetched him. And the king asked him secretly in his house and said, Is there any word from Jehovah? And Jeremiah said, There is. He also said, You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

^37:18 Moreover Jeremiah said to king Zedekiah, How have I sinned against you, or against your servants, or against this people, that you^* have put me in prison? ^37:19 Where now are your^* prophets who prophesied to you^*, saying, The king of Babylon will not come against you^*, nor against this land?

^37:20 And I beseech you, now hear, O my lord the king. I beseech you, let my supplication be presented before you, that you not cause me to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.

^37:21 Then Zedekiah the king commanded and they committed Jeremiah into the court of the guard. And they gave him a loaf of bread daily out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city was spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

[Jeremiah 38] TOC

^38:1 And Shephatiah the son of Mattan and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur and Jucal {Jehucal} the son of Shelemiah and Pashhur the son of Malchijah, heard the words that Jeremiah spoke to all the people, saying, ^38:2 Jehovah says thus: He who abides in this city will die by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence, but he who goes forth to the Chaldeans will live and his life will be to him for a prey and he will live. ^38:3 Jehovah says thus: This city will surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will take it.

^38:4 Then the rulers said to the king, Please let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them. For this man seeks not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

^38:5 And Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your^* hand, for the king is not he who can do anything against you^*. ^38:6 Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the pit of Malchijah the king's son, that was in the court of the guard. And they let Jeremiah down with cords. And in the pit there was no water, but mud and Jeremiah sank in the mud.

^38:7 Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the pit (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin), ^38:8 Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house and spoke to the king, saying,^38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the pit. And he is likely to die in the place where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city.

^38:10 Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from here thirty men with you and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the pit before he dies.

^38:11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury and took from there rags and worn-out garments and let them down by cords into the pit to Jeremiah. ^38:12And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, Now put these rags and worn-out garments under your armpits under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.^38:13 So they drew up Jeremiah with the cords and took him up out of the pit. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

^38:14 Then Zedekiah the king sent and took Jeremiah the prophet to him into the third entry that is in the house of Jehovah. And the king said to Jeremiah, I will ask you a thing; hide nothing from me.

^38:15 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me. ^38:16 So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, As Jehovah lives, who made us this soul, I will not put you to death, nor will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.

^38:17 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, Jehovah says thus, the God of hosts, the God of Israel. If you will go forth to the king of Babylon's rulers, then your soul will live and this city will not be burned with fire and you will live and your house.

^38:18 But if you will not go forth to the king of Babylon's rulers, then this city will be given into the hand of the Chaldeans and they will burn it with fire and you will not escape out of their hand.

^38:19 And Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews who have fallen away to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand and they abuse me. ^38:20 But Jeremiah said, They will not deliver you. I beseech you, obey, the voice of Jehovah, in what I speak to you, so it will be well with you and your soul will live.

^38:21 But if you refuse to go forth, this is the word that Jehovah has shown me: ^38:22 Behold, all the women who are left in the king of Judah's house will be brought out to the king of Babylon's rulers. And those women will say, Your familiar friends have set upon you and have prevailed over you. Since your feet are sunk in the mud, they have turned back away.

^38:23 And they will bring out all your wives and your sons to the Chaldeans. And you will not escape out of their hand, but will be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon. And you will cause this city to be burned with fire.

^38:24 Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words and you will not die. ^38:25 But if the rulers hear that I have talked with you and they come to you and say to you, Declare to us now what you have said to the king, hide it not from us and we will not put you to death, also what the king said to you, ^38:26 then you will say to them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house to die there.

^38:27 Then all the rulers came to Jeremiah and asked him. And he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him, for the matter was not perceived.^38:28 So Jeremiah abode in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken.

[Jeremiah 39] TOC

^39:1 And it happened when Jerusalem was taken, in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it.^39:2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.

^39:3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the middle gate, that is, Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.

^39:4 And it happened that, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls and he went out toward the Arabah.

^39:5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath and he gave judgment upon him.

^39:6 Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes. Also the king of Babylon killed all the nobles of Judah. ^39:7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.

^39:8 And the Chaldeans burned the king's house and the houses of the people, with fire and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. ^39:9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the residue of the people that remained in the city, the deserters also that fell away to him and the residue of the people that remained.

^39:10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, that had nothing, in the land of Judah and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

^39:11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, ^39:12 Take him and look well to him and do him no harm, but do to him even as he will say to you.

^39:13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent and Nebushazban, Rab-saris and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon. ^39:14 And they sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home. So he dwelt among the people.

^39:15 Now the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying, ^39:16 Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil and not for good and they will be accomplished before you in that day.

^39:17 But I will deliver you in that day, says Jehovah and you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. ^39:18 For I will surely save you and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be for a prey to you, because you have put your trust in me, says Jehovah.

[Jeremiah 40] TOC

^40:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were carried away captive to Babylon.

^40:2 And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, Jehovah your God pronounced this evil upon this place, ^40:3 and Jehovah has brought it and done just-as he spoke. Because you^* have sinned against Jehovah and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing has come upon you^*.

^40:4 And now, behold, I loose you this day from the chains which are upon your hand. If it seem good to you to come with me into Babylon, come and I will look well to you, but if it seems ill to you to come with me into Babylon, forbear. Behold, all the land is before you, where it seems good and right to you to go, there go.

^40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back then to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah and dwell with him among the people, or go wherever it seems right to you to go.

So the captain of the guard gave him food and a present and let him go. ^40:6 Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah and dwelt with him among the people who were left in the land.

^40:7 Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land and had committed to him men and women and sons and of the poorest of the land, of those who were not carried away captive to Babylon, ^40:8 then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

^40:9 And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore to them and to their men, saying, Do not fear to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon and it will be well with you^*.

^40:10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans who will come to us. But you^*, gather wine and summer fruits and oil and put them in your^* vessels and dwell in your^* cities that you^* have taken.

^40:11 Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab and among the sons of Ammon and in Edom and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ^40:12 then all the Jews returned out of all places where they were driven and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah and gathered very much wine and summer fruits.

^40:13 Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, ^40:14 and said to him, Do you know that Baalis the king of the sons of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam did not believe them.

^40:15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I beseech you and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and no man will know it. Why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered and the remnant of Judah perish? ^40:16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, You will not do this thing, for you speak falsely of Ishmael.

[Jeremiah 41] TOC

^41:1 Now it happened in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal and one of the chief officers of the king and ten men with him, came to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah and they ate bread there together in Mizpah.

^41:2 Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him, arose and killed^* Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. ^41:3 Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with him, namely, with Gedaliah, at Mizpah and the Chaldeans who were found there, the men of war.

^41:4 And it happened the second day after he had slain Gedaliah and no man knew it, ^41:5 that men came from Shechem, from Shiloh and from Samaria, even eighty men, having their beards shaven and their clothes torn and having cut themselves, with food-offerings and frankincense in their hand, to bring them to the house of Jehovah.

^41:6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went. And it happened, as he met them, he said to them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.

^41:7 And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah killed them and cast them into the midst of the pit, he and the men who were with him.

^41:8 But ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, Kill us not, for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat and of barley and of oil and of honey. So he held back and did not kill them among their brothers.

^41:9 Now the pit in which Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain by the side of Gedaliah (it was what Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha King of Israel), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with those who were slain.

^41:10 Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people who were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters and all the people who remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive and departed to go over to the sons of Ammon.

^41:11 But when Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces who were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done, ^41:12 then they took all the men and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.

^41:13 Now it happened that, when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces who were with him, then they were glad. ^41:14 So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned about and came back and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.

^41:15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men and went to the sons of Ammon.

^41:16 Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces who were with him, took all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, namely, the men of war and the women and the sons and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon.

^41:17 And they departed and dwelt in Geruth {inn of} Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt ^41:18 because of the Chaldeans, for they were afraid of them because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor over the land.

[Jeremiah 42] TOC

^42:1 Then all the captains of the forces and Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near, ^42:2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, Please let our supplication be presented before you and pray for us to Jehovah your God, even for all this remnant, for we are left but a few of many, as your eyes do behold us, ^42:3 that Jehovah your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do.

^42:4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, I have heard you^*. Behold, I will pray to Jehovah your^* God according to your^* words and it will happen that whatever thing Jehovah will answer you^*, I will declare it to you^*. I will keep nothing back from you^*.

^42:5 Then they said to Jeremiah, Jehovah be a true and faithful witness among us, if we do not according to all the word with which Jehovah your God will send you to us. ^42:6 Whether it is good, or whether it is evil, we will obey the voice of Jehovah our God, to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of Jehovah our God.

^42:7 And it happened after ten days, that the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah. ^42:8 Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces who were with him and all the people from the least even to the greatest, ^42:9 and said to them, Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, to whom you^* sent me to present your^* supplication before him: ^42:10If you^* will still abide in this land, then I will build you^* and not pull you^* down and I will plant you^* and not pluck you^* up, for I relent of the evil that I have done to you^*.

^42:11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you^* are afraid. Do not be afraid of him, says Jehovah, for I am with you^* to save you^* and to deliver you^* from his hand. ^42:12 And I will grant you^* mercy, that he may have mercy upon you^* and cause you^* to return to your^* own land.

^42:13 But if you^* say, We will not dwell in this land, so that you^* do not obey the voice of Jehovah your^* God, ^42:14 saying, No, but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we will see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread and we will dwell there–

^42:15 Now therefore hear the word of Jehovah, O remnant of Judah. Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: If you^* indeed set your^* faces to enter into Egypt and go to journey there, ^42:16then it will happen, that the sword, which you^* fear, will overtake you^* there in the land of Egypt and the famine, of which you^* are afraid, will follow hard after you^* there in Egypt and there you^* will die.

^42:17 So will it be with all the men who set their faces to go into Egypt to journey there. They will die by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence and none of them will remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

^42:18 For Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: As my anger and my wrath has been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so will my wrath be poured forth upon you^* when you^* will enter into Egypt. And you^* will be an execration and an astonishment and a curse and a reproach. And you^* will see this place no more.

^42:19 Jehovah has spoken concerning you^*, O remnant of Judah, Do not go into Egypt. Know certainly that I have testified to you^* this day.

^42:20 For you^* made your^* own souls go-astray. For you^* sent me to Jehovah your^* God, saying, Pray for us to Jehovah our God and according to all that Jehovah our God will say, so declare to us and we will do it. ^42:21 And I have this day declared it to you^*. But you^* have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah your^* God in anything for which he has sent me to you^*.

^42:22 Now therefore know certainly that you^* will die by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence, in the place where you^* desire to go to journey there.

[Jeremiah 43] TOC

^43:1 And it happened that, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking to all the people all the words of Jehovah their God, with which Jehovah their God had sent him to them, even all these words,^43:2 then Azariah the son of Hoshaiah and Johanan the son of Kareah and all the proud men, spoke, saying to Jeremiah, You speak falsely. Jehovah our God has not sent you to say, You^* will not go into Egypt to journey there. ^43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah set upon you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death and carry us away captive to Babylon.

^43:4 So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces and all the people, did not obey the voice of Jehovah, to dwell in the land of Judah.

^43:5 But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, who were returned from all the nations where they had been driven to journey in the land of Judah, ^43:6the men and the women and the sons and the king's daughters and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan and Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah, ^43:7 and they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of Jehovah. And they came to Tahpanhes.

^43:8 Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, ^43:9 Take great stones in your hand and hide them in mortar in the brickwork, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah, ^43:10 and say to them, Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid and he will spread his royal pavilion over them.

^43:11 And he will come and will kill^* the land of Egypt, such as are for death, to death and such as are for captivity, to captivity and such as are for the sword, to the sword.

^43:12 And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt and he will burn them and carry them away captive. And he will array himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd puts on his garment and he will go forth from there in peace. ^43:13 He will also break the pillars of Beth-shemesh that is in the land of Egypt. And the houses of the gods of Egypt he will burn with fire.

[Jeremiah 44] TOC

^44:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who dwelt in the land of Egypt, who dwelt at Migdol and at Tahpanhes and at Memphis and in the country of Pathros, saying, ^44:2 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: You^* have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem and upon all the cities of Judah. And behold, this day they are a desolation. And no man dwells in it ^44:3because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense and to serve other gods, that they did not know, neither they, nor you^*, nor your^* fathers.

^44:4 However I sent all my servants the prophets to you^*, rising up early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate. ^44:5But they listened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods.

^44:6 Therefore my wrath and my anger was poured forth and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem and they are wasted and desolate, as it is this day.

^44:7 Therefore now Jehovah says thus, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Why do you^* commit this great evil against your^* own souls, to cut off from you^* man and woman, infant and nursing-baby, out of the midst of Judah, to leave you^* none remaining, ^44:8 in that you^* provoke me to anger with the works of your^* hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you^* have gone to journey, that you^* may be cut off and that you^* may be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

^44:9 Have you^* forgotten the wickedness of your^* fathers and the wickedness of the kings of Judah and the wickedness of their wives and your^* own wickedness and the wickedness of your^* wives which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

^44:10 They are not humbled even to this day. Neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you^* and before your^* fathers.

^44:11 Therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will set my face against you^* for evil, even to cut off all Judah. ^44:12 And I will take the remnant of Judah, who have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to journey there and they will all be consumed. In the land of Egypt they will fall. They will be consumed by the sword and by the famine. They will die, from the least even to the greatest, by the sword and by the famine and they will be an execration and an astonishment and a curse and a reproach.

^44:13 For I will punish those who dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence, ^44:14 so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone into the land of Egypt to journey there, will escape or be left to return into the land of Judah, to which they have a desire to return to dwell there. For none will return except such as will escape.

^44:15 Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense to other gods and all the women who stood by, a great assembly, even all the people who dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, ^44:16 As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of Jehovah, we will not listen to you.

^44:17 But we will certainly perform every word that has gone forth out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our rulers, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food and were well and saw no evil.

^44:18 But since we left off burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink-offerings to her, we have lacked all things and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.

^44:19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink-offerings to her, did we make her cakes to worship her and pour out drink-offerings to her, without our husbands?

^44:20 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men and to the women, even to all the people who had given him that answer, saying, ^44:21 The incense that you^* burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you^* and your^* fathers, your^* kings and your^* rulers and the people of the land, did Jehovah not remember them and did it not come into his mind? ^44:22 So that Jehovah could no longer bear, because of the evil of your^* practices and because of the abominations which you^* have committed. Therefore your^* land has become a desolation and an astonishment and a curse, without inhabitant, as it is this day. ^44:23 Because you^* have burned incense and because you^* have sinned against Jehovah and have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies, therefore this evil has happened to you^*, as it is this day.

^44:24 Moreover Jeremiah said to all the people and to all the women, Hear the word of Jehovah, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt: ^44:25 Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel, saying, You^* and your^* wives have both spoken with your^* mouths and with your^* hands have fulfilled it, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings to her. Establish then your^* vows and perform your^* vows.

^44:26 Therefore hear the word of Jehovah, all Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: Behold, I have sworn by my great name, says Jehovah, that my name will no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, As the Lord Jehovah lives.

^44:27 Behold, I watch over them for evil and not for good. And all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there is an end of them.

^44:28 And those who escape the sword will return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, few in number. And all the remnant of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to journey there, will know whose word will stand, mine, or theirs.

^44:29 And this will be the sign to you^*, says Jehovah, that I will punish you^* in this place, that you^* may know that my words will surely stand against you^* for evil: ^44:30 Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra King of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek his life, as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy and sought his life.

[Jeremiah 45] TOC

^45:1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, ^45:2 Jehovah says thus, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: ^45:3 You said, Woe is me now! For Jehovah has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning and I find no rest.

^45:4 Thus you will say to him, Jehovah says thus: Behold, what I have built I will break down and what I have planted I will pluck up and this in the whole land.

^45:5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, says Jehovah, but your life I will give to you for a prey in all places where you go.

[Jeremiah 46] TOC

^46:1 The word of Jehovah which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.

^46:2 Of Egypt, concerning the army of Pharaoh Neco, King of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon killed^* in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

^46:3 Prepare you^* the buckler and shield and draw near to battle. ^46:4 Harness the horses and get up, you^* horsemen and stand forth with your^* helmets. Furbish the spears. Put on the coats of mail. ^46:5 Why have I seen it?

They are dismayed and have turned backward. And their mighty ones are beaten down and have fled in flight and do not look back. Terror is on every side, says Jehovah. ^46:6 Do not let the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape. In the north by the river Euphrates they have stumbled and fallen.

^46:7 Who is this that rises up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers? ^46:8 Egypt rises up like the Nile and his waters toss themselves like the rivers. And he says, I will rise up. I will cover the earth. I will destroy cities and the inhabitants of it.

^46:9 Go up, you^* horses and rage, you^* chariots. And let the mighty men go forth: Cush and Put, who handle the shield and the Ludim, who handle and bend the bow. ^46:10 For that day is a day of the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries. And the sword will devour and be satiate and will drink its fill of their blood, for the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, has a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

^46:11 Go up into Gilead and take balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt. In vain do you use many medicines; there is no healing for you. ^46:12 The nations have heard of your shame and the earth is full of your cry. For the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty; they are fallen, both of them together.

^46:13 The word that Jehovah spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon should come and kill^* the land of Egypt.

^46:14 Declare in Egypt and proclaim in Migdol and proclaim in Memphis and in Tahpanhes. Say you^*, Stand forth and prepare you, for the sword has devoured all around you. ^46:15 Why are your strong ones swept away? They stood not, because Jehovah drove them.

^46:16 He made many to stumble, yes, they fell one upon another. And they said, Arise and let us go again to our own people and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword. ^46:17 They cried there, Pharaoh King of Egypt is but a noise. He has let the appointed time pass by.

^46:18 As I live, says the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts, surely like Tabor among the mountains and like Carmel by the sea, so will he come.

^46:19 O you daughter who dwells in Egypt, prepare yourself to go into captivity. For Memphis will become a desolation and will be burnt up, without inhabitant. ^46:20 Egypt is a very fair heifer, but destruction out of the north has come, it has come. ^46:21 Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall, for they also are turned back. They have fled away together. They did not stand, for the day of their calamity has come upon them, the time of their visitation. ^46:22 Its sound will go like the serpent, for they will march with an army and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.

^46:23 They will cut down her forest, says Jehovah, though it cannot be searched because they are more than the locusts and are innumerable. ^46:24 The daughter of Egypt will be put to shame. She will be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.

^46:25 Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, says, Behold, I will punish Amon of No and Pharaoh and Egypt, with their gods and their kings, even Pharaoh and those who trust in him. ^46:26 And I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of his servants. And afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of long-ago, says Jehovah.

^46:27 But do not fear, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel. For behold, I will save you from afar and your seed from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease and none will make him afraid.

^46:28 Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, says Jehovah, for I am with you. For I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you, but I will not make a full end of you. But I will discipline you in measure and will in no way leave you unpunished.

[Jeremiah 47] TOC

^47:1 The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh killed^* Gaza. ^47:2 Jehovah says thus: Behold, waters rise up out of the north and will become an overflowing stream and will overflow the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it. And the men will cry and all the inhabitants of the land will wail ^47:3 at the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels. The fathers do not look back to their sons for feebleness of hands, ^47:4 because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains. For Jehovah will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor. ^47:5Baldness has come upon Gaza. Ashkelon is brought to nothing, the remnant of their valley. How long will you cut yourself?

^47:6 O you sword of Jehovah, how long will you be quiet? Put up yourself into your scabbard. Rest and be still. ^47:7 How can you be quiet, since Jehovah has given you a charge against Ashkelon and against the sea-shore. He has appointed it there.

[Jeremiah 48] TOC

^48:1 Of Moab. Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Woe to Nebo! For it is laid waste. Kiriathaim is put to shame; it is taken. The fortress is put to shame and broken down. ^48:2 The praise of Moab is no more. In Heshbon they have devised evil against her: Come and let us cut her off from being a nation. You also, O madmen, will be brought to silence. The sword will pursue you.

^48:3 The sound of a cry from Horonaim: Desolation and great destruction! ^48:4 Moab is destroyed. Her little ones have caused a cry to be heard. ^48:5 For they will go up by the ascent of Luhith with continual weeping, for at the descent of Horonaim they have heard the distress of the cry of destruction. ^48:6 Flee, save your^* lives and be like the heath in the wilderness.

^48:7 For, because you have trusted in your works and in your treasures, you also will be taken. And Chemosh will go forth into captivity, his priests and his rulers together. ^48:8 And the destroyer will come upon every city and no city will escape. The valley also will perish and the plain will be destroyed, as Jehovah has spoken.

^48:9 Give wings to Moab, that she may fly and get her away. And her cities will become a desolation, without any to dwell in it. ^48:10 Cursed be he who does the work of Jehovah negligently and cursed be he who keeps back his sword from blood.

^48:11 Moab has been at ease from his youth and he has settled on his lees and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remains in him and his scent is not changed.

^48:12 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will send to him those who pour off and they will pour him off. And they will empty his vessels and smash their jugs. ^48:13 And Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.

^48:14 How can you^* say, We are mighty men and valiant men for the war? ^48:15 Moab is laid waste and they have gone up into his cities. And his chosen young men have gone down to the slaughter, says the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts.

^48:16 The calamity of Moab is near to come and his affliction hastens fast. ^48:17 All you^* who are all around him, sympathize with him and all you^* who know his name, say, How the strong staff has broken, the beautiful rod!

^48:18 O you daughter who dwells in Dibon, come down from your glory and sit in thirst, for the destroyer of Moab has come up against you. He has destroyed your strongholds. ^48:19 O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way and watch. Ask he who flees and she who escapes. Say, What has been done? ^48:20Moab is put to shame, for it is broken down. Wail and cry, tell it by the Arnon, that Moab is laid waste.

^48:21 And judgment has come upon the plain country: upon Holon and upon Jahzah {Jahaz} and upon Mephaath, ^48:22 and upon Dibon and upon Nebo and upon Beth-diblathaim, ^48:23 and upon Kiriathaim and upon Beth-gamul and upon Beth-meon, ^48:24 and upon Kerioth and upon Bozrah and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near. ^48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off and his arm is broken, says Jehovah.

^48:26 You^* make him drunken, for he magnified himself against Jehovah. And Moab will wallow in his vomit and he also will be a laughing-stock.

^48:27 For was not Israel a laughing-stock to you? Was he found among thieves? For as often as you speak of him, you wag the head.

^48:28 O you^* inhabitants of Moab, leave the cities and dwell in the rock and be like the dove that makes her nest over the mouth of the abyss.

^48:29 We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud, his loftiness and his pride and his arrogance and the haughtiness of his heart. ^48:30 I know his wrath, says Jehovah, that it is nothing. His boastings have worked nothing.

^48:31 Therefore I will wail for Moab, yes, I will cry out for all Moab. For they will mourn the men of Kir-heres. ^48:32 With more than the weeping of Jazer I will weep for you, O vine of Sibmah. Your branches passed over the sea. They reached even to the sea of Jazer. The destroyer has fallen upon your summer fruits and upon your vintage. ^48:33 And gladness and joy is taken away from the fruitful field and from the land of Moab. And I have caused wine to cease from the winepresses. None will tread with shouting. The shouting will be no shouting. ^48:34 From the cry of Heshbon even to Elealeh, even to Jahaz they have uttered their voice, from Zoar even to Horonaim, to Eglath-shelishiyah. For the waters of Nimrim also will become desolate.

^48:35 Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, says Jehovah, he who offers in the high place and he who burns incense to his gods.

^48:36 Therefore my heart roars for Moab like pipes and my heart roars like pipes for the men of Kir-heres. Therefore the abundance that he has gotten has perished. ^48:37 For every head is bald and every beard clipped. Upon all the hands are cuttings and upon the loins sackcloth. ^48:38 On all the housetops of Moab and in the streets of it, there is lamentation everywhere.

For I have broken Moab like a vessel of which none delights, says Jehovah. ^48:39 How it is broken down! How they do wail! How Moab has turned the back with shame! So Moab will become a laughing-stock and a horror to all who are all around him.

^48:40 For Jehovah says thus: Behold, he will fly as an eagle and will spread out his wings against Moab. ^48:41 Kerioth is taken and the strongholds are seized and the heart of the mighty men of Moab at that day will be as the heart of a woman in her pains. ^48:42 And Moab will be destroyed from being a people, because he has magnified himself against Jehovah.

^48:43 Fear and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of Moab, says Jehovah. ^48:44 He who flees from the fear will fall into the pit and he who gets up out of the pit will be taken in the snare. For I will bring upon him, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, says Jehovah. ^48:45 Those who fled stand without strength under the shadow of Heshbon. For a fire has gone forth out of Heshbon and a flame from the midst of Sihon and has devoured the corner of Moab and the crown of the head of the commotionuous ones.

^48:46 Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh is undone, for your sons are taken away captive and your daughters into captivity. ^48:47 Yet I will bring back the captivity of Moab in the latter days, says Jehovah. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.

[Jeremiah 49] TOC

^49:1 Concerning the sons of Ammon. Jehovah says thus: Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then does Malcam possess Gad and his people dwell in the cities of it? ^49:2 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon and it will become a desolate heap and her daughters will be burned with fire. Then Israel will possess those who possessed him, says Jehovah.

^49:3 Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste. Cry, you^* daughters of Rabbah. Gird you^* with sackcloth. Lament and run to and fro among the fences. For Malcam will go into captivity, his priests and his rulers together. ^49:4 Why do you glory in the valleys, your flowing valley? O backsliding daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, Who will come to me?

^49:5 Behold, I will bring a fear upon you, says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, from all who are all around you. And you^* will be driven out every man straight forth and there will be none to gather together the fugitives. ^49:6 But afterward I will bring back the captivity of the sons of Ammon, says Jehovah.

^49:7 Of Edom. Jehovah of hosts says thus: Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished? ^49:8Flee you^*, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan. For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.

^49:9 If grape-gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? If thieves by night, would they not destroy till they had enough? ^49:10 But I have made Esau bare. I have uncovered his secret places and he will not be able to hide himself. His seed is destroyed and his brothers and his neighbors and he is not.

^49:11 Leave your fatherless sons; I will preserve them alive. And let your widows trust in me. ^49:12 For Jehovah says thus: Behold, those to whom it did not pertain to drink of the cup will assuredly drink. And are you he who will go altogether unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but you will surely drink.^49:13 For I have sworn by myself, says Jehovah, that Bozrah will become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste and a curse and all the cities of it will be everlasting wastes. ^49:14 I have heard news from Jehovah. And an ambassador is sent among the nations, saying, Gather yourselves together and come against her and rise up to the battle. ^49:15 For, behold, I have made you small among the nations and despised among men.

^49:16 As for your formidableness, the pride of your heart has deceived you, O you who dwells in the clefts of the rock, who holds the height of the hill. Though you should make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there, says Jehovah.

^49:17 And Edom will become an astonishment. Everyone who passes by it will be astonished and will hiss at all the plagues of it. ^49:18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities of it, says Jehovah, no man will dwell there, nor will any son of man journey in it.

^49:19 Behold, he will come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong dwelling. For I will suddenly make them run away from it. And he who is chosen, him I will appoint over it. For who is like me and who will appoint a time for me and who is the shepherd who will stand before me?

^49:20 Therefore hear the counsel of Jehovah that he has taken against Edom and his purposes, that he has purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely they will drag them away, even the little ones of the flock. Surely he will make their dwelling desolate over them.

^49:21 The earth trembles at the noise of their fall. There is a cry; the noise of it is heard in the Red Sea.^49:22 Behold, he will come up and fly as the eagle and spread out his wings against Bozrah. And the heart of the mighty men of Edom at that day will be as the heart of a woman in her pains.

^49:23 Of Damascus. Hamath is confounded and Arpad, for they have heard evil news. They are melted away. There is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. ^49:24 Damascus has grown feeble. She turns herself to flee and trembling has seized on her. Anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in childbirth.

^49:25 How is the city of praise not forsaken, the city of my joy? ^49:26 Therefore her young men will fall in her streets and all the men of war will be brought to silence in that day, says Jehovah of hosts.^49:27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus and it will devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.

^49:28 Of Kedar and of the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon killed^*. Jehovah says thus: You^*, arise. Go up to Kedar and destroy the sons of the east. ^49:29 They will take their tents and their flocks. They will carry away for themselves their curtains and all their vessels and their camels. And they will cry to them, Terror on every side! ^49:30 Flee you^*. Wander far off. Dwell in the depths, O you^* inhabitants of Hazor, says Jehovah. For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has taken counsel against you^* and has conceived a purpose against you^*.

^49:31 Arise, you^* get up to a nation that is at ease, that dwells without worry, says Jehovah, that has neither gates nor bars, that dwells alone. ^49:32 And their camels will be a booty and the multitude of their cattle a spoil. And I will scatter to all winds those who have the corners of their hair cut off. And I will bring their calamity from every side of them, says Jehovah. ^49:33 And Hazor will be a dwelling-place of jackals, a everlasting desolation. No man will dwell there, nor will any son of man journey in it.

^49:34 The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, ^49:35 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. ^49:36 And upon Elam I will bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven and will scatter them toward all those winds. And there will be no nation where the outcasts of Elam will not come.

^49:37 And I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies and before those who seek their life. And I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, says Jehovah. And I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them. ^49:38 And I will set my throne in Elam and will destroy from there king and rulers, says Jehovah. ^49:39 But it will happen in the latter days, that I will bring back the captivity of Elam, says Jehovah.

[Jeremiah 50] TOC

^50:1 The word that Jehovah spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet.

^50:2 Declare among the nations and proclaim and set up a banner, proclaim and conceal not. Say, Babylon is taken. Bel is put to shame. Merodach is dismayed. Her images are put to shame; her idols are dismayed. ^50:3 For out of the north there comes up a nation against her, which will make her land desolate and none will dwell in it. They are fled. They are gone, both man and beast.

^50:4 In those days and in that time, says Jehovah, the sons of Israel will come, they and the sons of Judah together. They will go on their way weeping and will seek Jehovah their God. ^50:5 They will inquire concerning Zion with their faces toward it, saying, Come and join yourselves to Jehovah in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.

^50:6 My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have made them go-astray. They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting-place. ^50:7 All who found them have devoured them and their adversaries said, We are not guilty, because they have sinned against Jehovah, the dwelling of righteousness, even Jehovah, the hope of their fathers.

^50:8 Flee out of the midst of Babylon and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans and be as the male-goats before the flocks. ^50:9 For behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country and they will set themselves in array against her. From there she will be taken. Their arrows will be as of an expert mighty man; none will return in vain. ^50:10 And Chaldea will be a prey. All who prey upon her will be satisfied, says Jehovah.

^50:11 Because you^* are glad, because you^* rejoice, O you^* who plunder my heritage, because you^* are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain and neigh as strong horses, ^50:12 your^* mother will be utterly put to shame. She who bore you^* will be confounded. Behold, she will be the last of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land and a desert. ^50:13 Because of the wrath of Jehovah she will not be inhabited, but she will be entirely desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon will be astonished and hiss at all her plagues.

^50:14 Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you^* who bend the bow. Shoot at her; spare no arrows. For she has sinned against Jehovah.^50:15 Shout against her all around. She has submitted herself. Her ramparts are fallen. Her walls are thrown down. For it is the vengeance of Jehovah. Take vengeance upon her. As she has done, do to her. ^50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon and he who handles the sickle in the time of harvest. For fear of the oppressing sword they will turn each one to his people and they will flee each one to his own land.

^50:17 Israel is a hunted sheep, the lions have driven him away. First, the king of Assyria devoured him and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.

^50:18 Therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. ^50:19 And I will bring Israel again to his pasture and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan and his soul will be satisfied upon the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.

^50:20 In those days and in that time, says Jehovah, the iniquity of Israel will be sought for and there will be none and the sins of Judah and they will not be found. For I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.

^50:21 Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill and utterly destroy after them, says Jehovah and do according to all that I have commanded you. ^50:22 A sound of battle is in the land and of great destruction.^50:23 How the hammer of the whole earth is cut apart and broken! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations!

^50:24 I have laid a snare for you and you are also taken, O Babylon and you were not aware. You are found and also caught, because you have striven against Jehovah. ^50:25 Jehovah has opened his armory and has brought out the weapons of his indignation, for the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, has a work in the land of the Chaldeans.

^50:26 Come against her from the utmost border. Open her store-houses. Cast her up as heaps and destroy her utterly; let nothing of her be left. ^50:27 Kill all her bullocks. Let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them! For their day has come, the time of their visitation.

^50:28 The voice of those who flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of Jehovah our God, the vengeance of his temple. ^50:29 Call together the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp against her all around; let none of it escape.

Recompense to her according to her work. According to all that she has done, do to her. For she has been proud against Jehovah, against the Holy One of Israel. ^50:30 Therefore her young men will fall in her streets and all her men of war will be brought to silence in that day, says Jehovah.

^50:31 Behold, I am against you, O you proud one, says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, for your day has come, the time that I will visit you. ^50:32 And the proud one will stumble and fall and none will raise him up. And I will kindle a fire in his cities and it will devour all who are all around him.

^50:33 Jehovah of hosts says thus: The sons of Israel and the sons of Judah are oppressed together and all who took them captive hold them firm; they refuse to let them go.

^50:34 Their Redeemer is strong. Jehovah of hosts is his name. He will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth and shake the inhabitants of Babylon.

^50:35 A sword is upon the Chaldeans, says Jehovah and upon the inhabitants of Babylon and upon her rulers and upon her wise men. ^50:36 A sword is upon the boasters and they will become fools. A sword is upon her mighty men and they will be dismayed. ^50:37 A sword is upon their horses and upon their chariots and upon all the mixed people who are in the midst of her and they will become as women. A sword is upon her treasures and they will be robbed.

^50:38 A drought is upon her waters and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images and they are mad over idols. ^50:39 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wolves will dwell there and the ostriches will dwell in it. And it will no more be everlasting inhabited, nor will it be dwelt in from generation to generation. ^50:40 As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities of it, says Jehovah, so will no man dwell there, nor will any son of man journey in it.

^50:41 Behold, a people comes from the north and a great nation and many kings will be stirred up from the outermost parts of the earth. ^50:42 They lay hold on bow and spear. They are cruel and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea and they ride upon horses, each one set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, O daughter of Babylon.

^50:43 The king of Babylon has heard the news of them and his hands grow feeble. Anguish has taken hold of him and pains as of a woman in childbirth. ^50:44Behold, the enemy will come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong dwelling. For I will suddenly make them run away from it and he who is chosen, him I will appoint over it.

For who is like me and who will appoint a time for me and who is the shepherd who can stand before me?

^50:45 Therefore hear the counsel of Jehovah, that he has taken against Babylon and his purposes, that he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely they will drag them away, even the little ones of the flock. Surely he will make their dwelling desolate over them. ^50:46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth trembles and the cry is heard among the nations.

[Jeremiah 51] TOC

^51:1 Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will raise up against Babylon and against those who dwell in Leb-kamai, a destroying wind. ^51:2 And I will send strangers to Babylon, who will winnow her and they will empty her land. For in the day of trouble they will be against her all around.

^51:3 Against he who bends let the archer bend his bow and against he who lifts himself up in his coat of mail. And spare you^* not her young men. Destroy utterly all her host. ^51:4 And they will fall down slain in the land of the Chaldeans and thrust through in her streets.

^51:5 For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, of his God, of Jehovah of hosts, though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.

^51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon and save every man his life. Do not be cut off in her iniquity, for it is the time of Jehovah's vengeance; he will render to her a recompense.

^51:7 Babylon has been a golden cup in Jehovah's hand, that made all the earth drunken. The nations have drunk of her wine, therefore the nations are mad. ^51:8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed. Wail for her. Take balm for her pain, perhaps she may be healed. ^51:9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her and let us go each one into his own country. For her judgment reaches to heaven and is lifted up even to the skies.

^51:10 Jehovah has brought out our righteousness. Come and let us declare in Zion the work of Jehovah our God. ^51:11 Make sharp the arrows. Hold firm the shields. Jehovah has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it. For it is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of his temple.

^51:12 Set up a banner against the walls of Babylon. Make the watch strong. Set the watchmen. Prepare the ambushes. For Jehovah has both purposed and done what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon. ^51:13 O you who dwell upon many waters, abundant in treasures, your end has come, the measure of your covetousness.

^51:14 Jehovah of hosts has sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill you with men as with the canker-worm and they will lift up a shout against you.

^51:15 He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom and by his understanding he has stretched out the heavens. ^51:16When he utters his voice, there is a commotion of waters in the heavens and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind out of his treasuries.

^51:17 Every man has become stupid, without knowledge. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his image, for his molten image is falsehood and there is no breath in them. ^51:18 They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation they will perish.

^51:19 The portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the former of all things and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance. Jehovah of hosts is his name.

^51:20 You are my battle-axe and weapons of war. And with you I will smash the nations and with you I will destroy kingdoms, ^51:21 and with you I will smash the horse and his rider, ^51:22 and with you I will smash the chariot and he who rides in it and with you I will smash man and woman and with you I will smash the old man and the youth and with you I will smash the young man and the virgin, ^51:23 and with you I will smash the shepherd and his flock and with you I will smash the farmer and his yoke of oxen and with you I will smash governors and deputies.

^51:24 And I will render to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your^* sight, says Jehovah.

^51:25 Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, says Jehovah, which destroys all the earth. And I will stretch out my hand upon you and roll you down from the rocks and will make you a burnt mountain. ^51:26 And they will not take from you a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations, but you will be desolate forever, says Jehovah.

^51:27 Set up a banner in the land. Blow the trumpet among the nations. Prepare the nations against her. Call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz. Appoint a marshal against her. Cause the horses to come up as the rough canker-worm. ^51:28 Prepare against her the nations, the kings of the Medes, the governors of it and all the deputies of it and all the land of their dominion.

^51:29 And the land trembles and is in pain, for the purposes of Jehovah against Babylon stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

The mighty men of Babylon have ceased fighting; they remain in their strongholds. Their might has failed. They have become as women.

^51:30 Her dwelling-places are set on fire. Her bars are broken. ^51:31 One post will run to meet another and one messenger to met another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every quarter. ^51:32And the passages are seized and the reeds they have burned with fire and the men of war are frightened.

^51:33 For Jehovah of hosts says thus, the God of Israel: The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing-floor at the time when it is trodden. Yet a little while and the time of harvest will come for her.

^51:34 Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon has devoured me. He has crushed me. He has made me an empty vessel. He has, like a monster, swallowed me up. He has filled his stomach with my delicacies. He has cast me out. ^51:35 The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, the inhabitant of Zion will say. And, My blood be upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, Jerusalem will say.

^51:36 Therefore Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will plead your cause and take vengeance for you. And I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry. ^51:37And Babylon will become heaps, a dwelling-place for jackals, an astonishment and a hissing, without inhabitant.

^51:38 They will roar together like young lions. They will growl as lions' cubs. ^51:39 When they are heated, I will make their feast. And I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice and sleep an everlasting sleep and not wake, says Jehovah. ^51:40 I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male-goats.

^51:41 How Sheshach is taken and the praise of the whole earth seized! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations! ^51:42 The sea has come up upon Babylon. She is covered with the multitude of the waves of it.

^51:43 Her cities have become a desolation, a dry land and a desert, a land in which no man dwells, nor does any son of man pass by it. ^51:44 And I will execute judgment upon Bel in Babylon and I will bring forth out of his mouth what he has swallowed up. And the nations will not flow any more to him. Yes, the wall of Babylon will fall.

^51:45 My people, go out of the midst of her and save yourselves each man from the fierce anger of Jehovah. ^51:46 And do not let your^* heart faint. Neither fear for the news that will be heard in the land. For news will come one year and after that in another year, news and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.

^51:47 Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will execute judgment upon the graven images of Babylon. And her whole land will be confounded and all her slain will fall in the midst of her.

^51:48 Then the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, will sing for joy over Babylon. For the destroyers will come to her from the north, says Jehovah. ^51:49 As Babylon has caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon will fall the slain of all the land.

^51:50 You^* who have escaped the sword, go; do not stand still. Remember Jehovah from afar and let Jerusalem come into your^* mind. ^51:51 We are confounded, because we have heard reproach. Confusion has covered our faces. For strangers have come into the sanctuaries of Jehovah's house.

^51:52 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will execute judgment upon her graven images and through all her land the wounded will groan. ^51:53 Though Babylon should mount up to heaven and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me destroyers will come to her, says Jehovah.

^51:54 The sound of a cry from Babylon and of great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans! ^51:55For Jehovah lays Babylon waste and destroys the great voice out of her and their waves roar like many waters; the noise of their voice is uttered. ^51:56 For the destroyer has come upon her, even upon Babylon and her mighty men are taken. Their bows are broken in pieces.

For Jehovah is a God of recompenses; he will surely reward.

^51:57 And I will make drunk her rulers and her wise men, her governors and her deputies and her mighty men. And they will sleep a everlasting sleep and not wake, says the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts.

^51:58 Jehovah of hosts says thus: The broad walls of Babylon will be utterly overthrown and her high gates will be burned with fire. And the peoples will labor for vanity and the nations for the fire and they will be weary.

^51:59 The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. Now Seraiah was a leader at rest.

^51:60 And Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that would come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written concerning Babylon. ^51:61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When you come to Babylon, then see that you read all these words. ^51:62And say, O Jehovah, you have spoken concerning this place, to cut it off, that none will dwell in it, neither man nor beast, but that it will be everlasting desolate.

^51:63 And it will be, when you have made an end of reading this book, that you will bind a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates. ^51:64 And you will say, Thus Babylon will sink and will not rise again because of the evil that I will bring upon her and they will be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

[Jeremiah 52] TOC

^52:1 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. ^52:2 And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. ^52:3 For it happened through the anger of Jehovah, in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

^52:4 And it happened in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army against Jerusalem and encamped against it. And they built forts against it all around.^52:5 So the city was besieged to the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. ^52:6 In the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.

^52:7 Then a breach was made in the city and all the men of war fled and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden, (now the Chaldeans were against the city all around ) and they went toward the Arabah. ^52:8 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho and all his army was scattered from him.

^52:9 Then they took the king and carried him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath and he gave judgment upon him. ^52:10 And the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. He also killed all the rulers of Judah in Riblah. ^52:11 And he put out the eyes of Zedekiah. And the king of Babylon bound him in fetters and carried him to Babylon and put him in prison till the day of his death.

^52:12 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, who stood before the king of Babylon, came into Jerusalem. ^52:13 And he burned the house of Jehovah and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem. Even every great house, he burned with fire. ^52:14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all around.

^52:15 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the poorest of the people and the residue of the people who were left in the city and those who fell away, who fell to the king of Babylon and the residue of the multitude. ^52:16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vine-dressers and farmer.

^52:17 And the pillars of brass that were in the house of Jehovah and the bases and the brazen sea that were in the house of Jehovah, the Chaldeans broke in pieces and carried all the brass of them to Babylon. ^52:18 The pots also and the shovels and the snuffers and the basins and the spoons and all the vessels of brass with which they ministered, they took away. ^52:19 And the cups and the censors and the basins and the pots and the lamp-stands and the spoons and the bowls– what was from gold, in gold and what was from silver, in silver– the captain of the guard took away.

^52:20 The two pillars, the one sea and the twelve brazen bulls that were under the bases, which king Solomon had made for the house of Jehovah– the brass of all these vessels was without weight. ^52:21And as for the pillars, the height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits and a line of twelve cubits encompassed it and the thickness of it was four fingers; it was hollow. ^52:22 And a capital of brass was upon it. And the height of the one capital was five cubits, with lattice-work and pomegranates upon the capital all around, all of brass. And the second pillar also had like these and pomegranates. ^52:23 And there were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides. All the pomegranates were a hundred upon the lattice-work all around.

^52:24 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the threshold. ^52:25 And from the city he took an officer who was set over the men of war and seven men of those who saw the king's face, who were found in the city and the scribe of the captain of the army who mustered the people of the land and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the midst of the city.

^52:26 And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah. ^52:27 And the king of Babylon killed^* them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away captive out of his land.

^52:28 This is the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: In the seventh year three thousand twenty-three Jews. ^52:29 In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty-two persons. ^52:30In the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty-five persons. All the persons were four thousand six hundred.

^52:31 And it happened in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the twenty-fifth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him forth out of prison.

^52:32 And he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon, ^52:33 and changed his prison garments. And he ate bread before him continually all the days of his life. ^52:34 And for his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him by the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.

[Lamentations 1] TOC

^1:1 How the city sits solitary, that was full of people! She has become as a widow, who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become forced-labor!

^1:2 She weeps bitterly in the night and her tears are on her cheeks. Among all her loved ones she has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.

^1:3 Judah has gone into captivity because of affliction. And because of great servitude she dwells among the nations. She finds no rest. All her persecutors overtook her in the distress.

^1:4 The ways of Zion 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.

^1:5 Her adversaries have become the head. Her enemies prosper. For Jehovah has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions. Her young sons have gone into captivity before the adversary.

^1:6 And from the daughter of Zion all her majesty is departed. Her rulers have become like male-deers that find no pasture. And they have gone without strength before the pursuer.

^1:7 Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that were from the days of long-ago. When her people fell into the hand of the adversary and none helped her, the adversaries saw her; they mocked at her desolations.

^1:8 Jerusalem has grievously sinned, therefore she has become as an unclean thing. All who honored her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness. Yes, she sighs and turns backward.

^1:9 Her filthiness was in her skirts. She did not think of her latter end. Therefore she has come down astonishingly. She has no comforter.

Behold, O Jehovah, my affliction, for the enemy has magnified himself. ^1:10 The adversary has spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things. For she has seen that the nations have entered into her sanctuary, concerning whom you commanded that they should not enter into your assembly.

^1:11 All her people sigh. They seek bread. They have given their pleasant things for food to refresh the soul. See, O Jehovah, and behold, for I have become vile.

^1:12 Is it nothing to you^*, all you^* who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which is brought upon me, with which Jehovah has afflicted in the day of his fierce anger.^1:13 From on high he has sent fire into my bones and it prevails against them. He has spread a net for my feet. He has turned me back. He has made me desolate and faint all the day.

^1:14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand. They are knit together. They have come up upon my neck. He has made my strength to fail. The Lord has delivered me into their hands, against whom I am not able to stand.

^1:15 The Lord has tossed-aside all my mighty men in the midst of me. He has called a solemn assembly against me to crush my young men. The Lord has trodden the virgin daughter of Judah as in a winepress.

^1:16 For these things I weep. My eye, my eye runs down with water, because the comforter who should refresh my soul is far from me. My sons are desolate, because the enemy has prevailed.

^1:17 Zion spreads forth her hands. There is none to comfort her. Jehovah has commanded concerning Jacob, that those who are all around him should be his adversaries. Jerusalem is among them as an unclean thing.

^1:18 Jehovah is righteous, for I have rebelled against his commandment. Hear, I beseech you^*, all you^* peoples and behold my sorrow. My virgins and my young men have gone into captivity.

^1:19 I called for my loved ones, but they deceived me. My priests and my elders gave up the spirit in the city, while they sought food for themselves to refresh their souls.

^1:20 Behold, O Jehovah, for I am in distress. My heart is troubled. My heart is turned within me. For I have grievously rebelled. Abroad the sword bereaves; at home there is as death.

^1:21 They have heard that I sigh. There is none to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my trouble. They are glad that you have done it. You will bring the day that you have proclaimed and they will be like me. ^1:22 Let all their wickedness come before you and do to them, as you have done to me for all my transgressions. For my sighs are many and my heart is faint.

[Lamentations 2] TOC

^2:1 How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger! He has cast down the beauty of Israel from heaven to the earth and has not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger. ^2:2The Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob and has not pitied. In his wrath he has thrown down the strongholds of the daughter of Judah. He has brought them down to the ground. He has profaned the kingdom and the rulers of it.

^2:3 In fierce anger he has cut off all the horn of Israel. He has drawn back his right hand from before the enemy. And he has burned up Jacob like a flaming fire which devours all around. ^2:4 He has bent his bow like an enemy. He has stood with his right hand as an adversary and has slain all who were pleasant to the eye. He has poured out his wrath like fire in the tent of the daughter of Zion.

^2:5 The Lord has become as an enemy. He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces. He has destroyed his strongholds. And he has multiplied mourning and lamentation in the daughter of Judah.

^2:6 And he has taken away his tabernacle violently, as a garden. He has destroyed his place of assembly. Jehovah has caused solemn assembly and Sabbath to be forgotten in Zion. And in the indignation of his anger has despised the king and the priest.

^2:7 The Lord has cast off his altar. He has spurned his sanctuary. He has given up the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. They have made a noise in the house of Jehovah, as in the day of a solemn assembly.

^2:8 Jehovah has purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion. He has stretched out the line. He has not withdrawn his hand from destroying. And he has made the rampart and wall to lament, they languish together. ^2:9 Her gates are sunk into the ground. He has destroyed and broken her bars. Her king and her rulers are among the nations where the law is not. Yes, her prophets find no vision from Jehovah.

^2:10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground. They keep silence. 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.

^2:11 My eyes fail with tears, my heart is troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because the young sons and the nursing-babes faint in the streets of the city. ^2:12 They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? when they faint as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul is poured out into their mothers' bosom.

^2:13 What shall I testify to you? What shall I liken to you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For your breach is great like the sea; who can heal you?

^2:14 Your prophets have seen false and foolish visions for you. And they have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back your captivity, but have seen for you false oracles and causes of banishment.

^2:15 All who pass by clap their hands at you. They hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men called The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth? ^2:16 All your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you. 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.

^2:17 Jehovah has done what he purposed. He has fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of long-ago. He has thrown down and has not pitied. And he has caused the enemy to rejoice over you. He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.

^2:18 Their heart cried to the Lord. O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night. Give yourself no respite. Do not let the apple of your eye cease.

^2:19 Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches. Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift up your hands toward him for the life of your young sons, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.

^2:20 See, O Jehovah and behold to whom you have done thus! Shall the women eat their fruit, the sons who are dandled in the hands? Shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord? ^2:21 The youth and the old man lie on the ground in the streets. My virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of your anger. You have slaughtered and not pitied.

^2:22 You have called, as in the day of a solemn assembly, my terrors on every side. And there was none who escaped or remained in the day of Jehovah's anger. My enemy has consumed those whom I have dandled and brought up.

[Lamentations 3] TOC

^3:1 I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. ^3:2 He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness and not in light. ^3:3 Surely he turns his hand against me, again and again all the day. ^3:4He has made my flesh and my skin old. He has broken my bones. ^3:5 He has built against me and encompassed me with gall and travail. ^3:6 He has made me to dwell in dark places, as those who have been dead of old.

^3:7 He has walled me around, that I cannot go forth. He has made my chain heavy. ^3:8 Yes, when I cry and call for help, he shuts out my prayer. ^3:9 He has walled up my ways with hewn stone. He has made my paths crooked.

^3:10 He is to me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in concealed places. ^3:11 He has turned aside my ways and pulled me in pieces. He has made me desolate.^3:12 He has bent his bow and set me as a mark for the arrow. ^3:13 He has caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins. ^3:14 I have become a laughing-stock to all my people and their song all the day.

^3:15 He has filled me with bitterness. He has sated me with wormwood. ^3:16 He has also broken my teeth with gravel stones. He has covered me with ashes. ^3:17 And you have removed my soul far off from peace. I forgot prosperity. ^3:18 And I said, My strength has perished and my expectation from Jehovah.

^3:19 Remember my affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. ^3:20 My soul still has them in remembrance and is bowed down within me.

^3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope: ^3:22 It is of Jehovah's loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions do not fail. ^3:23 They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. ^3:24 Jehovah is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.

^3:25 Jehovah is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. ^3:26 It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah. ^3:27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. ^3:28 Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he has laid it upon him. ^3:29 Let him put his mouth in the dust, perhaps there may be hope.^3:30 Let him give his cheek to him who slays him. Let him be filled full with reproach.

^3:31 For the Lord will not cast off everlasting. ^3:32 For though he causes grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.^3:33 For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the sons of men. ^3:34 To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth, ^3:35 to turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High, ^3:36 to subvert a man in his cause, the Lord does not approve.

^3:37 Who is he that says and it happens, when the Lord does not command it? ^3:38 Out of the mouth of the Most High does there not come evil and good?

^3:39 Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? ^3:40 Let us search and try our ways and turn again to Jehovah. ^3:41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens.

^3:42 We have transgressed and have rebelled. You have not pardoned. ^3:43 You have covered with anger and pursued us. You have slain; you have not pitied. ^3:44 You have covered yourself with a cloud, so that no prayer can pass through.

^3:45 You have made us an off-scouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples. ^3:46 All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us. ^3:47 Fear and the pit have come upon us, devastation and destruction.

^3:48 My eye runs down with streams of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people. ^3:49 My eye pours down and does not cease, without any intermission, ^3:50 till Jehovah looks down and beholds from heaven. ^3:51 My eye stirs my soul, because of all the daughters of my city.

^3:52 They have chased me grievously like a bird, those who are my enemies without cause. ^3:53 They have cut off my life in the pit and have cast a stone upon me. ^3:54 Waters flowed over my head. I said, I am cut off.

^3:55 I called upon your name, O Jehovah, out of the lowest pit. ^3:56 You heard my voice. Do not hide your ear at my breathing, at my cry. ^3:57 You drew near in the day that I called upon you. You said, Do not fear.

^3:58 O Lord, you have pleaded the causes of my soul. You have redeemed my life. ^3:59 O Jehovah, you have seen my wrong. Judge you my cause.

^3:60 You have seen all their vengeance and all their devices against me. ^3:61 You have heard their reproach, O Jehovah and all their devices against me, ^3:62 the lips of those who rose up against me and their meditation is against me all the day. ^3:63 Behold their sitting down and their rising up. I am their song.

^3:64 You will render to them a recompense, O Jehovah, according to the work of their hands. ^3:65You will give them hardness of heart, your curse to them. ^3:66 You will pursue them in anger and destroy them from under the heavens of Jehovah.

[Lamentations 4] TOC

^4:1 How the gold has become dim, the most pure gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street. ^4:2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how they are esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

^4:3 Even the jackals draw out the breast; they give suck to their young ones. The daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. ^4:4 The tongue of the nursing child clings to the roof of his mouth for thirst. The young sons ask bread and no man breaks it to them.

^4:5 Those who ate delicacies are desolate in the streets. Those who were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. ^4:6 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 were laid upon her.

^4:7 Her ranking men were purer than snow. They were whiter than milk. They were more redish in body than rubies. Their polishing was as of sapphire.^4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal. They are not known in the streets. Their skin clings to their bones. It is withered. It has become like a stick.

^4:9 Those who are slain with the sword are better than those who are slain with hunger, for these are a flowing away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.

^4:10 The hands of the pitiful women have boiled their own children. They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

^4:11 Jehovah has accomplished his wrath. He has poured out his fierce anger and he has kindled a fire in Zion, which has devoured the foundations of it. ^4:12The kings of the earth did not believe, nor all the inhabitants of the world, that the adversary and the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem. ^4:13 It is because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.

^4:14 They wander as blind men in the streets. They are polluted with blood, so that men cannot touch their garments. ^4:15 Depart, they cried to them. Unclean! Depart, depart, do not touch! When they fled away and wandered, men said among the nations, They will no more journey here.

^4:16 The anger of Jehovah has scattered them. He will no more regard them. They did not respect the persons of the priests. They did not favor the elders.

^4:17 Our eyes do yet fail in looking for our vain help. In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save. ^4:18 They hunt our steps, so that we cannot go in our streets. Our end is near, our days are fulfilled, for our end has come. ^4:19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens. They chased us upon the mountains. They laid wait for us in the wilderness.

^4:20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we will live among the nations.

^4:21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, who dwells in the land of Uz. Yet the cup will pass through to you also. You will be drunken and will make yourself naked.

^4:22 The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion. He will no more carry you away into captivity. He will visit your iniquity, O daughter of Edom. He will uncover your sins.

[Lamentations 5] TOC

^5:1 Remember, O Jehovah, what has come upon us. Behold and see our reproach. ^5:2 Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. ^5:3 We are orphans and fatherless. Our mothers are as widows.^5:4 We have drunken our water for money. Our wood is sold to us.

^5:5 Our pursuers are upon our necks. We are weary and have no rest. ^5:6 We have given the hand to the Egyptians and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread. ^5:7 Our fathers sinned and are not and we have borne their iniquities.

^5:8 Servants rule over us. There is none to deliver us out of their hand. ^5:9 We get our bread at the peril of our lives, because of the sword of the wilderness. ^5:10 Our skin is black like an oven, because of the burning heat of famine.

^5:11 They ravished the women in Zion, the virgins in the cities of Judah. ^5:12 Rulers were hanged up by their hand. The faces of elders were not honored. ^5:13 The young men bore the mill and the sons stumbled under the wood. ^5:14 The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their music. ^5:15 The joy of our heart is ceased, our dance is turned into mourning.

^5:16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us! For we have sinned. ^5:17 For this our heart is faint. For these things our eyes are dim, ^5:18 for the mountain of Zion, which is desolate. The foxes walk upon it.

^5:19 You, O Jehovah, abide everlasting. Your throne is from generation to generation.

^5:20 Why do you forget us forever and forsake us so long time? ^5:21 Turn us back to you, O Jehovah and we will be turned back. Renew our days as of long-ago. ^5:22 But you have utterly rejected us. You are very angry against us.

[Ezekiel 1] TOC

^1:1 Now it happened in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

^1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, ^1:3 the word of Jehovah came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar and the hand of Jehovah was there upon him.

^1:4 And I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire enfolding itself and a brightness all around it and out of the midst of it, as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.

^1:5 And out of the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance. They had the likeness of a man.

^1:6 And each one had four faces and each one of them had four wings. ^1:7 And their feet were straight feet and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot and they sparkled like burnished brass. ^1:8And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides. And those four had their faces and their wings thus: ^1:9 Their wings were joined one to another. They did not turn when they went; they went each one straight forward.

^1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man. And those four had the face of a lion on the right side and those four had the face of an ox on the left side, those four also had the face of an eagle. ^1:11 And their faces and their wings were separate above, two wings of each one were joined one to another and two covered their bodies.

^1:12 And they went each one straight forward. Where the spirit was to go, they went. They did not turn when they went.

^1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches. It went up and down among the living creatures and the fire was bright and out of the fire went forth lightning. ^1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

^1:15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold, one wheel was upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it. ^1:16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl. And those four had one likeness and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.

^1:17 When they went, they went in their four directions. They did not turn when they went. ^1:18 As for their rims, they were high and fearful. And those four had their rims full of eyes all around. ^1:19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them. And when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.

^1:20 Wherever the spirit was to go, they went; there the spirit was to go. And the wheels were lifted up beside them, for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. ^1:21 When those went, these went and when those stood, these stood and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them, for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

^1:22 And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like awesome crystal to look upon, stretched forth over their heads above. ^1:23 And under the expanse their wings were straight, the one toward the other. Each one had two which covered their bodies on this side and each one had two which covered on that side.

^1:24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of roaring like the noise of a host. When they stood, they let down their wings. ^1:25 And there was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads. When they stood, they let down their wings.

^1:26 And above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. And upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above.

^1:27 And I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his loins and upward. And from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire. And there was brightness all around him.

^1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face and I heard a voice speaking.

[Ezekiel 2] TOC

^2:1 And he said to me, Son of man, stand upon your feet and I will speak with you. ^2:2 And the Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me and set me upon my feet. And I heard he who spoke to me.

^2:3 And he said to me, Son of man, I send you to the sons of Israel, to nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me even to this very day. ^2:4 And the sons are impudent and stiff hearted.

I send you to them and you will say to them, The Lord says thus Jehovah. ^2:5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear (for they are a rebellious house), yet will know that there has been a prophet among them.

^2:6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.

^2:7 And you will speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, for they are most rebellious. ^2:8 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house.

Open your mouth and eat what I give you. ^2:9And when I looked, behold, a hand was put forth to me, and behold, a roll of a book was in it, ^2:10 And he spread it before me and it was written inside and outside. And there were written in it lamentations and mourning and woe.

[Ezekiel 3] TOC

^3:1 And he said to me, Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this roll and go, speak to the house of Israel. ^3:2 So I opened my mouth and he caused me to eat the roll. ^3:3 And he said to me, Son of man, cause your belly to eat and fill your guts with this roll that I give you. Then I ate it and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

^3:4 And he said to me, Son of man, go, get to the house of Israel and speak to them with my words. ^3:5 For you are not sent to a people of a strange speech and of a hard language, but to the house of Israel, ^3:6 not to many peoples of a strange speech and of a hard language, whose words you cannot understand.

Surely, if I sent you to them, they would listen to you. ^3:7 But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they will not listen to me. For all the house of Israel are of a hard forehead and of a stiff heart.

^3:8 Behold, I have made your face hard against their faces and your forehead hard against their foreheads. ^3:9 As an adamant, harder than flint, I have made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.

^3:10 Moreover he said to me, Son of man, all my words that I will speak to you, receive in your heart and hear with your ears. ^3:11 And go, get to those of the captivity, to the sons of your people and speak to them and tell them, The Lord Jehovah says thus, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

^3:12 Then the Spirit lifted me up and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, The glory of Jehovah from his place is blessed. ^3:13And I heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures as they touched each other and the noise of the wheels beside them, even the noise of a great rushing.

^3:14 So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away. And I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit and the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me. ^3:15 Then I came to those of the captivity at Tel-abib, who dwelt by the river Chebar and to where they dwelt. And I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.

^3:16 And it happened at the end of seven days, that the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^3:17 Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me.

^3:18 When I say to a wicked man, You will surely die and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked man from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man will die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at your hand.

^3:19 Yet if you warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.

^3:20 Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits unrighteousness and I lay a stumbling block before him, he will die. Because you have not given him warning, he will die in his sin and his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered, but I will require his blood at your hand.

^3:21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous man not sin and he does not sin, he will surely live, because he took warning and you have delivered your soul.

^3:22 And the hand of Jehovah was there upon me and he said to me, Arise, go forth into the plain and I will talk with you there. ^3:23 Then I arose and went forth into the plain. And behold, the glory of Jehovah stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river Chebar and I fell on my face.

^3:24 Then the Spirit entered into me and set me upon my feet. And he spoke with me and said to me, Go, shut yourself within your house. ^3:25 But you, son of man, behold, they will lay bands upon you and will bind you with them and you will not escape from them. ^3:26 And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, that you will be mute and will not be a reprover to them, for they are a rebellious house.

^3:27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus. He who hears, let him hear and he who forbears, let him forbear, for they are a rebellious house.

[Ezekiel 4] TOC

^4:1 You also, son of man, take a tile and lay it before you and portray upon it a city, even Jerusalem. ^4:2 And lay siege against it and build forts against it and cast up a mound against it. Also set camps against it and plant battering rams against it all around. ^4:3 And take to you an iron pan and set it for a wall of iron between you and the city. And set your face toward it and it will be besieged and you will lay siege against it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel.

^4:4 Moreover lie you upon your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. According to the number of the days that you will lie upon it, you will bear their iniquity. ^4:5 For I have appointed the years of their iniquity to be a number of days to you, even three hundred and ninety days. So you will bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

^4:6 And again, when you have accomplished these, you will lie on your right side and will bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days, each day for a year. I have appointed it to you. ^4:7 And you will set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem, with your arm uncovered and you will prophesy against it. ^4:8 And behold, I lay bands upon you and you will not turn from one side to the other, till you have accomplished the days of your siege.

^4:9 Also take to you wheat and barley and beans and lentils and millet and spelt and put them in one vessel and make you bread of it, according to the number of the days that you will lie upon your side, even three hundred and ninety days, you will eat of it. ^4:10 And your food which you will eat will be by weight, twenty shekels a day. You will eat it from time to time. ^4:11 And you will drink water by measure, the sixth part of a 5-quart container. You will drink from time to time.

^4:12 And you will eat it as barley cakes and you will bake it in their sight with manure that comes out of man. ^4:13 And Jehovah said, Even thus will the sons of Israel eat their bread unclean among the nations where I will drive them.

^4:14 Then I said, Ah Lord Jehovah! Behold, my soul has not been polluted. For from my youth up even till now I have not eaten of what dies of itself, or is torn of beasts, neither has abominable flesh come into my mouth. ^4:15 Then he said to me, See, I have given you cow's manure for man's manure and you will prepare your bread of it.

^4:16 Moreover he said to me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem and they will eat bread by weight and with fearfulness and they will drink water by measure and in dismay, ^4:17that they may lack bread and water and be dismayed with one another and rot-away in their iniquity.

[Ezekiel 5] TOC

^5:1 And you, son of man, take a sharp sword. As a barber's razor you will take it to you and will cause it to pass upon your head and upon your beard. Then take balances to weigh and divide the hair.

^5:2 A third part you will burn in the fire in the midst of the city when the days of the siege are fulfilled and you will take a third part and kill^* with the sword all around it and a third part you will scatter to the wind. And I will draw out a sword after them. ^5:3 And you will take from it a few in number and bind them in your skirts. ^5:4 And of these again you will take and cast them into the midst of the fire and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will come out into all the house of Israel.

^5:5 The Lord Jehovah says thus: This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the midst of the nations and countries are all around her. ^5:6 And she has rebelled against my ordinances in doing wickedness more than the nations and against my statutes more than the countries that are all around her, for they have rejected my ordinances and as for my statutes, they have not walked in them.

^5:7 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because you^* are more disorderly than the nations that are all around you^* and have not walked in my statutes, nor have kept my ordinances, no, you^* have not even done according to the ordinances of the nations that are all around you^*, ^5:8 therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I, even I, am against you and I will execute judgments in the midst of you in the sight of the nations. ^5:9 And I will do in you what I have not done and of which I will not do any more the like, because of all your abominations.

^5:10 Therefore the fathers will eat the sons in the midst of you and the sons will eat their fathers. And I will execute judgments on you and I will scatter to all the winds the whole remnant of you.

^5:11 Therefore, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I also will diminish you, nor will my eye spare. And I also will have no pity.

^5:12 A third part of you will die with the pestilence and they will be consumed with famine in the midst of you and a third part will fall by the sword all around you and a third part I will scatter to all the winds and will draw out a sword after them.

^5:13 Thus my anger will be accomplished and I will cause my wrath toward them to rest and I will be comforted. And they will know that I, Jehovah, have spoken in my zeal, when I have accomplished my wrath upon them.

^5:14 Moreover I will make you a desolation and a reproach among the nations that are all around you, in the sight of all who pass by.

^5:15 So it will be a reproach and a taunt, a lesson and an astonishment, to the nations that are all around you, when I will execute judgments on you in anger and in wrath and in wrathful rebukes– I, Jehovah, have spoken it– ^5:16 when I will send upon them the evil arrows of famine that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you^*. And I will increase the famine upon you^* and will break your^* staff of bread. ^5:17 And I will send upon you^* famine and evil beasts and they will bereave you. And pestilence and blood will pass through you. And I will bring the sword upon you. I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

[Ezekiel 6] TOC

^6:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,^6:2 Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel and prophesy to them, ^6:3 and say, You^* mountains of Israel, hear the word of Lord Jehovah. The Lord Jehovah says thus to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you^* and I will destroy your^* high places.

^6:4 And your^* altars will become desolate and your^* sun-images will be broken and I will cast down your^* slain men before your^* idols. ^6:5 And I will lay the dead bodies of the sons of Israel before their idols and I will scatter your^* bones all around your^* altars.

^6:6 In all your^* dwelling places the cities will be laid waste and the high places will be desolate, that your^* altars may be laid waste and made desolate and your^* idols may be broken and cease and your^* sun-images may be hewn down and your^* works may be abolished. ^6:7 And the slain will fall in the midst of you^*.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^6:8 Yet I will leave a remnant, in that you^* will have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you^* will be scattered through the countries.

And those of you^* who escape will remember me among the nations where they will be carried captive, how I have broken with their lewd heart, which has departed from me and with their eyes, which play the prostitute after their idols. ^6:9 And they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

^6:10 And they will know that I am Jehovah.

I have not said in vain that I would do this evil to them.

^6:11 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Strike with your hand and stamp with your foot and say, Alas! because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel, for they will fall by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence. ^6:12 He who is far off will die of the pestilence and he who is near will fall by the sword and he who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus I will accomplish my wrath upon them.

^6:13 And you^* will know that I am Jehovah, when their slain men will be among their idols all around their altars, upon every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains and under every green tree and under every thick oak, the places where they offered sweet aroma to all their idols.

^6:14 And I will stretch out my hand upon them and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness toward Diblah, throughout all their dwellings.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 7] TOC

^7:1 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^7:2 And you, son of man, thus says the Lord Jehovah to the land of Israel: An end. The end has come upon the four corners of the land. ^7:3 Now the end is upon you and I will send my anger upon you and will judge you according to your ways. And I will bring upon you all your abominations. ^7:4 And my eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity. But I will bring your ways upon you and your abominations will be in the midst of you.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^7:5 The Lord Jehovah says thus: An evil, an only evil, behold, it comes. ^7:6 An end has come. The end has come. It awakens against you. Behold, it comes.^7:7 Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land. The time has come. The day is near, confusion and not joyful shouting, upon the mountains.

^7:8 Now I will shortly pour out my wrath upon you and accomplish my anger against you and will judge you according to your ways. And I will bring upon you all your abominations. ^7:9 And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will bring upon you according to your ways. And your abominations will be in the midst of you.

And you^* will know that I, Jehovah, do kill^*.

^7:10 Behold, the day, behold, it comes. Your doom has gone forth. The rod has blossomed; pride has budded. ^7:11 Violence has risen up into a rod of wickedness. None of them will remain, nor of their multitude, nor of their wealth. Neither will there be distinction among them.

^7:12 The time has come; the day draws near. Do not let the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon all the multitude of it. ^7:13 For the seller will not return to what is sold, although they are yet alive, for the vision is concerning the whole multitude of it. None will return, nor will any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.

^7:14 They have blown the trumpet and have made all ready, but none goes to the battle, for my wrath is upon all the multitude of it.

^7:15 The sword is outside and the pestilence and the famine inside. He who is in the field will die with the sword and he who is in the city, famine and pestilence will devour him. ^7:16 But those of them who escape will escape and will be on the mountains like doves of the valleys. All of them moaning, each one in his iniquity.

^7:17 All hands will be feeble and all knees will be weak as water. ^7:18 They will also gird themselves with sackcloth and horror will cover them. And shame will be upon all faces and baldness upon all their heads.

^7:19 They will cast their silver in the streets and their gold will be as an unclean thing. Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of Jehovah. They will not satisfy their souls, nor fill their guts, because it has been the stumbling block of their iniquity.

^7:20 As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty, but they made the images of their abominations and their detestable things in it. Therefore I have made it as an unclean thing to them.

^7:21 And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil and they will profane it. ^7:22 I will also turn my face from them and they will profane my secluded place. And robbers will enter into it and profane it.

^7:23 Make the chain, for the land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence. ^7:24 Therefore I will bring the worst of the nations and they will possess their houses. I will also make the pride of the strong to cease and their holy places will be profaned.

^7:25 Destruction comes. And they will seek peace and there will be none.

^7:26 Mischief will come upon mischief and rumor will be upon rumor.

And they will seek a vision of the prophet, but the law will perish from the priest and counsel from the elders. ^7:27 The king will mourn and the ruler will be clothed with desolation and the hands of the people of the land will be troubled. I will do to them according to their way and according to their deserts I will judge them.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 8] TOC

^8:1 And it happened in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord Jehovah fell there upon me.

^8:2 Then I beheld, and behold, a likeness as the appearance of fire, from the appearance of his loins and downward, fire and from his loins and upward, as the appearance of brightness, as it were glowing metal.

^8:3 And he put forth the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head. And the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looks toward the north, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy.

^8:4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the appearance that I saw in the plain.

^8:5 Then he said to me, Son of man, lift up your eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up my eyes the way toward the north, and behold, northward of the gate of the altar was this image of jealousy in the entry.

^8:6 And he said to me, Son of man, see what they do, even the great abominations that the house of Israel commit here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? But you will again see yet other great abominations.

^8:7 And he brought me to the door of the court. And when I looked, behold, a hole in the wall. ^8:8Then he said to me, Son of man, dig now in the wall. And when I had dug in the wall, behold, a door. ^8:9And he said to me, Go in and see the wicked abominations that they do here.

^8:10 So I went in and saw, and behold, every form of creeping things and abominable beasts and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall all around.

^8:11 And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel. And in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, each man with his censer in his hand and the odor of the cloud of incense went up.

^8:12 Then he said to me, Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, each man in his chambers of imagery? For they say, Jehovah does not see us. Jehovah has forsaken the land.

^8:13 He also said to me, You will again see yet other great abominations which they do.

^8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of Jehovah's house which was toward the north. And behold, there sat the women weeping for Tammuz.^8:15 Then he said to me, Have you seen this, O son of man? You will again see yet greater abominations than these.

^8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of Jehovah's house. And behold, at the door of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of Jehovah and their faces toward the east and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

^8:17 Then he said to me, Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence and have turned again to provoke me to anger. And behold, they put the branch to their nose.

^8:18 Therefore I will also deal in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them.

[Ezekiel 9] TOC

^9:1 Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause those who have charge over the city to draw near, each man with his destroying weapon in his hand.

^9:2 And behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, each man with his slaughter weapon in his hand and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's case by his side. And they went in and stood beside the brazen altar.

^9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, upon which it was, to the threshold of the house and he called to the man clothed in linen who had the writer's case by his side.

^9:4 And Jehovah said to him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and who cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst of it.

^9:5 And to the others he said in my hearing, Go through the city after him and kill^*. Do not let your^* eye spare, nor have you^* pity. ^9:6 Kill utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin and little sons and women, but do not come near any man upon whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the old men who were before the house.

^9:7 And he said to them, Defile the house and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth. And they went forth and killed^* in the city.

^9:8 And it happened, while they were slaying and I was left, that I fell upon my face and cried and said, Ah Lord Jehovah! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in your pouring out of your wrath upon Jerusalem?

^9:9 Then he said to me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great and the land is full of blood and the city full of perverseness. For they say, Jehovah has forsaken the land and Jehovah does not see. ^9:10 And as for me also, my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity, but I will bring their way upon their head.

^9:11 And behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as you have commanded me.

[Ezekiel 10] TOC

^10:1 Then I looked, and behold, in the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

^10:2 And he spoke to the man clothed in linen and said, Go in between the whirling wheels, even under the cherub and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim and scatter them over the city. And he entered in my sight.

^10:3 Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house when the man went in and the cloud filled the inner court. ^10:4 And the glory of Jehovah mounted up from the cherub, over the threshold of the house. And the house was filled with the cloud and the court was full of the brightness of Jehovah's glory. ^10:5 And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.

^10:6 And it happened, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim, that he went in and stood beside a wheel. ^10:7 And the cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim and took and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out.

^10:8 And there appeared in the cherubim the form of a man's hand under their wings. ^10:9 And I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub and another wheel beside another cherub. And the appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone. ^10:10 And as for their appearance, those four had one likeness, as if a wheel have been within a wheel.

^10:11 When they went, they went in their four directions. They did not turn as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it. They did not turn as they went.

^10:12 And their whole body and their backs and their hands and their wings and the wheels, were full of eyes all around, even the wheels that those four had. ^10:13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, O wheel.

^10:14 And each one had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub and the second face was the face of a man and the third face the face of a lion and the fourth the face of an eagle.

^10:15 And the cherubim mounted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar. ^10:16And when the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them. And when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels also did not turn from beside them. ^10:17 When they stood, these stood and when they mounted up, these mounted up with them, for the spirit of the living creature was in them.

^10:18 And the glory of Jehovah went forth from over the threshold of the house and stood over the cherubim. ^10:19 And the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went forth and the wheels beside them. And they stood at the door of the east gate of Jehovah's house and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

^10:20 This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar and I knew that they were cherubim. ^10:21 Each one had four faces and each one four wings. And the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. ^10:22 And as for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves. They went each one straight forward.

[Ezekiel 11] TOC

^11:1 Moreover the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of Jehovah's house, which looks eastward. And behold, at the door of the gate twenty-five men. And I saw in the midst of them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, rulers of the people.

^11:2 And he said to me, Son of man, these are the men who devise wickedness and who give wicked counsel in this city, ^11:3 who say, The time is not near to build houses. This city is the caldron and we are the flesh. ^11:4 Therefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, O son of man.

^11:5 And the Spirit of Jehovah fell upon me and he said to me, Speak, Jehovah says thus: Thus you^* have said, O house of Israel, for I know the things that come into your^* mind. ^11:6 You^* have multiplied your^* slain in this city and you^* have filled the streets of it with the slain.

^11:7 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Your^* slain whom you^* have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh and this city is the caldron, but you^* will be brought forth out of the midst of it.

^11:8 You^* have feared the sword and I will bring the sword upon you^*, says the Lord Jehovah. ^11:9 And I will bring you^* forth out of the midst of it and deliver you^* into the hands of strangers and will execute judgments among you^*. ^11:10 You^* will fall by the sword. I will judge you^* in the border of Israel.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^11:11 This city will not be your^* caldron, nor will you^* be the flesh in the midst of it. I will judge you^* in the border of Israel, ^11:12 and you^* will know that I am Jehovah. For you^* have not walked in my statutes, nor have you^* executed my ordinances, but have done according to the ordinances of the nations that are all around you^*.

^11:13 And it happened, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell down upon my face and cried with a loud voice and said, Ah Lord Jehovah! Will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?

^11:14 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^11:15 Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, the men of your kindred and all the house of Israel, all of them, are those to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, You^* get far from Jehovah. This land is given to us for a possession.

^11:16 Therefore say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Though I have removed them far off among the nations and though I have scattered them among the countries, yet I will be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have come.

^11:17 Therefore say, The Lord Jehovah says thus. I will gather you^* from the peoples and assemble you^* out of the countries where you^* have been scattered and I will give you^* the land of Israel. ^11:18And they will come there and they will take away from there all the detestable things of it and all the abominations of it.

^11:19 And I will give them one heart and I will put a new spirit within you^*. And I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them a heart of flesh, ^11:20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my ordinances and do them. And they will be my people and I will be their God.

^11:21 But as for those whose heart walks according to the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their way upon their own heads, says the Lord Jehovah.

^11:22 Then the cherubim lifted up their wings and the wheels were beside them and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. ^11:23 And the glory of Jehovah went up from the midst of the city and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.

^11:24 And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to those of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. ^11:25 Then I spoke to those of the captivity all the things that Jehovah had shown me.

[Ezekiel 12] TOC

^12:1 The word of Jehovah also came to me, saying, ^12:2 Son of man, you dwell in the midst of the rebellious house, that have eyes to see and do not see, that have ears to hear and do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

^12:3 Therefore, you son of man, prepare stuff for moving and move by day in their sight. And you will move from your place to another place in their sight. It may be they will consider, though they are a rebellious house.

^12:4 And you will bring forth your stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for moving. And you will go forth yourself at evening in their sight, as when men go forth into exile. ^12:5 Dig through the wall in their sight and carry out by that. ^12:6 You will bear it upon your shoulder in their sight and carry it forth in the dark. You will cover your face, that you do not see the land. For I have set you for a sign to the house of Israel.

^12:7 And I did so as I was commanded. I brought out my stuff by day, as stuff for moving and in the evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought it forth in the dark and bore it upon my shoulder in their sight.

^12:8 And in the morning the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^12:9 Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, What are you doing? ^12:10 You say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: This burden concerns the ruler in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel among whom they are.

^12:11 Say, I am your^* sign. Just as I have done, so will it be done to them. They will go into exile, into captivity. ^12:12 And the ruler who is among them will bear upon his shoulder in the dark and will go forth. They will dig through the wall to carry out by it. He will cover his face, because he will not see the land with his eyes.

^12:13 I will also spread my net upon him and he will be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans, yet he will not see it, though he will die there.

^12:14 And I will scatter toward every wind all who are all around him to help him and all his groups. And I will draw out the sword after them.

^12:15 And they will know that I am Jehovah, when I will disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries.

^12:16 But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine and from the pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they come.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

^12:17 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^12:18 Son of man, eat your bread with quaking and drink your water with trembling and with fearfulness.

^12:19 And say to the people of the land, The Lord Jehovah says thus concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the land of Israel: They will eat their bread with fearfulness and drink their water in dismay, that her land may be desolate of all that is in it, because of the violence of all those who dwell in it. ^12:20 And the cities that are inhabited will be laid waste and the land will be a desolation.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^12:21 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^12:22 Son of man, what is this proverb that you^* have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged and every vision fails?

^12:23 Tell them therefore, The Lord Jehovah says thus: I will make this proverb to cease and they will no more use it as a proverb in Israel, but say to them, The days are at hand and the fulfillment of every vision. ^12:24 For there will no more be any false vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

^12:25 For I am Jehovah. I will speak and the word that I will speak will be performed. It will be no more prolonged. For in your^* days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and will perform it, says the Lord Jehovah.

^12:26 Again the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^12:27 Son of man, behold, those of the house of Israel say, The vision that he sees is for many day to come and he prophesies of times that are far off.

^12:28 Therefore say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: There will none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I will speak will be performed, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 13] TOC

^13:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy and you say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, Hear the word of Jehovah.

^13:3 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! ^13:4 O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.

^13:5 You^* have not gone up into the gaps, nor built up the wall for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of Jehovah. ^13:6 They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, Jehovah says, but Jehovah has not sent them. And they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed. ^13:7 Have you^* not seen a false vision and have you^* not spoken a lying divination, in that you^* say, Jehovah says, But I have not spoken?

^13:8 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because you^* have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you^*, says the Lord Jehovah. ^13:9 And my hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who divine lies.

They will not be in the council of my people, nor will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel.

And you^* will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

^13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace and there is no peace and when a man builds up a wall, behold, they daub it with untempered mortar, ^13:11 say to those who daub it with untempered mortar, that it will fall.

There will be an overflowing shower and you^*, O great hailstones, will fall and a stormy wind will tear it. ^13:12 Behold, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you^*, Where is the daubing with which you^* have daubed it?

^13:13 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: I will even tear it with a stormy wind in my wrath and there will be an overflowing shower in my anger and great hailstones in wrath to consume it.

^13:14 So I will break down the wall that you^* have daubed with untempered mortar and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation of it will be uncovered. And it will fall and you^* will be consumed in the midst of it.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^13:15 Thus I will accomplish my wrath upon the wall and upon those who have daubed it with untempered mortar. And I will say to you^*, The wall is no more, nor those who daubed it, ^13:16 namely, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem and who see visions of peace for her and there is no peace, says the Lord Jehovah.

^13:17 And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart and prophesy you against them. ^13:18And say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Woe to the women who sew pillows upon all elbows and make headdresses for the head of every stature to hunt souls!

Will you^* hunt the souls of my people and save souls alive for yourselves? ^13:19 And you^* have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die and to save the souls alive who should not live, by your^* lying to my people who listen to lies.

^13:20 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against your^* pillows, with which you^* hunt the souls there to make fly and I will tear them from your^* arms. And I will let the souls go, even the souls that you^* hunt to make fly. ^13:21 I will also tear your^* headdresses and deliver my people out of your^* hand and they will no more be in your^* hand to be hunted.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^13:22 Because with lies you^* have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way and be saved alive. ^13:23 Therefore you^* will no more see false visions, nor divine divinations. And I will deliver my people out of your^* hand.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 14] TOC

^14:1 Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. ^14:2 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^14:3 Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. Should I be inquired of at all by them?

^14:4 Therefore speak to them and say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face and comes to the prophet, I Jehovah will answer him in it according to the multitude of his idols, ^14:5 that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

^14:6 Therefore say to the house of Israel, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Return and turn yourselves from your^* idols and turn away your^* faces from all your^* abominations.

^14:7 For everyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who journey in Israel, that separates himself from me and takes his idols into his heart and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face and comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of me, I Jehovah will answer him by myself.^14:8 And I will set my face against that man and will make him an astonishment, for a sign and a proverb. And I will cut him off from the midst of my people.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^14:9 And if the prophet is deceived and speaks a word, I, Jehovah, have deceived that prophet. And I will stretch out my hand upon him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

^14:10 And they will bear their iniquity. The iniquity of the prophet will be even as the iniquity of him who seeks him, ^14:11 that the house of Israel may no more go-astray from me, nor defile themselves any more with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I may be their God, says the Lord Jehovah.

^14:12 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^14:13 Son of man, when a land sins against me by committing a trespass and I stretch out my hand upon it and break the staff of the bread of it and send famine upon it and cut off from it man and beast, ^14:14though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord Jehovah.

^14:15 If I cause evil beasts to pass through the land and they ravage it and it is made desolate, so that no man may pass through because of the beasts,^14:16 though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, they only would be delivered, but the land would be desolate.

^14:17 Or if I bring a sword upon that land and say, Sword, go through the land, so that I cut off from it man and beast, ^14:18 though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only would be delivered themselves.

^14:19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out my wrath upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast, ^14:20 though Noah, Daniel and Job, were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they would deliver neither son nor daughter, they would but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

^14:21 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: How much more when I send my four severe judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword and the famine and the evil beasts and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast!

^14:22 Yet, behold, there will be left a remnant in it that will be carried forth, both sons and daughters. Behold, they will come out to you^* and you^* will see their way and their practices. And you^* will be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.

^14:23 And they will comfort you^* when you^* see their way and their practices. And you^* will know that I have not done all that I have done in it without cause, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 15] TOC

^15:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^15:2 Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest? ^15:3 Shall wood be taken of it to make any work? Or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it?

^15:4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire has devoured both the ends of it and the midst of it is burned. Is it profitable for any work? ^15:5 Behold, when it was whole, it was fit for no work. How much less, when the fire has devoured it and it is burned, will it yet be fit for any work!

^15:6 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ^15:7 And I will set my face against them. They will go forth from the fire, but the fire will devour them.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah when I set my face against them. ^15:8 And I will make the land desolate because they have committed a trespass, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 16] TOC

^16:1 Again the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^16:2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, ^16:3 and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus to Jerusalem: Your birth and your nativity is from the land of the Canaanite. The Amorite was your father and your mother was a Hittite.

^16:4 And as for your nativity, in the day you were born your navel was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you. You were not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. ^16:5 No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you, to have compassion upon you, but you were cast out in the open field. For with loathing of your soul in the day you were born.

^16:6 And when I passed by you and saw you treading in your blood, I said to you, Live in your blood! Yes, I said to you, Live in your blood! ^16:7 I caused you to multiply as what grows in the field and you increased and grew great. And you attained to excellent ornament, your breasts were fashioned and your hair was grown. Yet you were naked and bare.

^16:8 Now when I passed by you and looked upon you, behold, your time was the time of love. And I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord Jehovah and you became mine.

^16:9 Then I washed you with water. Yes, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you and I anointed you with oil. ^16:10 I also clothed you with embroidered work and shod you with a certain skin. And I girded you around with fine linen and covered you with silk. ^16:11 And I decked you with ornaments and I put bracelets upon your hands and a chain on your neck. ^16:12 And I put a ring upon your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown upon your head.

^16:13 Thus you were decked with gold and silver and your garments was of fine linen and silk and embroidered work. You ate fine flour and honey and oil.

And you were very beautiful and you prospered to royalty. ^16:14 And your renown went forth among the nations for your beauty. For it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put upon you, says the Lord Jehovah.

^16:15 But you trusted in your beauty and played the prostitute because of your renown and poured out your prostitutions on everyone who passed by; his it was. ^16:16 And you took of your garments and made high places for you, decked with various colors and played the prostitute upon them, things which should not come, nor should it be.

^16:17 You also took your fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you and made for you images of men and played the prostitute with them. ^16:18 And you took your embroidered garments and covered them and set my oil and my incense before them. ^16:19 My bread also which I gave you, fine flour and oil and honey, with which I fed you, you even set it before them for a sweet aroma and thus it was, says the Lord Jehovah.

^16:20 Moreover you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you have borne to me and you have sacrificed these to them to be devoured. Were your prostitutions a small matter, ^16:21 that you have slain my children and delivered them up, in causing them to pass through the fire to them?

^16:22 And in all your abominations and your prostitutions you have not remembered the days of your youth when you were naked and bare and were weltering in your blood.

^16:23 And it has happened according to all your wickedness, (woe, woe to you! says the Lord Jehovah), ^16:24 that you have built yourself a vaulted place and have made you a lofty place in every street. ^16:25 You have built your lofty place at the head of every way and have made your beauty an abomination. And have opened your feet to everyone who passed by and multiplied your prostitution. ^16:26 You have also committed fornication with the Egyptians, your neighbors, great of flesh and have multiplied your prostitution, to provoke me to anger.

^16:27 Behold therefore, I have stretched out my hand over you and have diminished your portion and delivered you to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of your lewd way. ^16:28 You have played the prostitute also with the Assyrians, because you were insatiable. Yes, you have played the prostitute with them and yet you were not satisfied. ^16:29 You have moreover multiplied your prostitution to the land of traffic, to Chaldea and yet you were not satisfied with this.

^16:30 How weak is your heart, says the Lord Jehovah, seeing you do all these things, the work of an impudent prostitute, ^16:31 in that you build your vaulted place at the head of every way and make your lofty place in every street. And have not even been as a prostitute, in that you scorn hire. ^16:32 A wife who commits adultery, who takes strangers instead of her husband!

^16:33 They give gifts to all prostitutes, but you give your gifts to all your lovers and bribe them, that they may come to you on every side for your prostitutions.^16:34 And you are different from other women in your prostitutions, in that none follows you to play the prostitute. And in your giving a hire and no hire is given to you, therefore you are different.

^16:35 Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of Jehovah. ^16:36 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because your filthiness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitutions with your lovers and because of all the idols of your abominations and for the blood of your sons, that you gave to them, ^16:37 therefore, behold, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you have taken pleasure and all those whom you have loved, with all those whom you have hated, I will even gather them against you on every side. And I will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness.

^16:38 And I will judge you, as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged. And I will bring upon you the blood of wrath and jealousy. ^16:39 I will also give you into their hand and they will throw down your vaulted place and break down your lofty places. And they will strip you of your clothes and take your fair jewels and they will leave you naked and bare.

^16:40 They will also bring up a company against you and they will stone you with stones and thrust you through with their swords. ^16:41 And they will burn your houses with fire and execute judgments upon you in the sight of many women. And I will cause you to cease from playing the prostitute and you will also give no wage any more. ^16:42 So I will cause my wrath toward you to rest and my jealousy will depart from you and I will be quiet and will no more be angry.

^16:43 Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have raged against me in all these things, therefore, behold, I also will bring your way upon your head, says the Lord Jehovah. And you will not commit this lewdness with all your abominations.

^16:44 Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb against you, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter. ^16:45 You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband and her sons. And you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and their sons. Your^* mother was a Hittite and your^* father an Amorite. ^16:46 And your elder sister is Samaria, who dwells at your left hand, she and her daughters. And your younger sister, who dwells at your right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.

^16:47 Yet you have not walked in their ways, nor done according to their abominations, but, like it was a very little thing, you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.

^16:48 As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters. ^16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters and she did not strengthen the hand of a poor and needy man. ^16:50 And they were haughty and committed abomination before me. Therefore I took them away as I saw fit.

^16:51 Neither has Samaria committed half of your sins, but you have multiplied your abominations more than they and have justified your sisters by all your abominations which you have done.

^16:52 You also, bear your own shame, in that you have given judgment for your sisters, through your sins that you have committed more abominable than they. They are more righteous than you. Yes, be also confounded and bear your shame, in that you have justified your sisters.

^16:53 And I will turn back again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters and the captivity of your captives in the midst of them, ^16:54that you may bear your own shame and may be ashamed because of all that you have done, in that you are a comfort to them.

^16:55 And your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, will return to their former estate and Samaria and her daughters will return to their former estate and you and your daughters will return to your^* former estate.

^16:56 For your sister Sodom was not mentioned by your mouth in the day of your pride, ^16:57 before your wickedness was uncovered, as at the time of the reproach of the daughters of Syria and of all who are all around her, the daughters of the Philistines, who do despite to you all around. ^16:58 You have borne your lewdness and your abominations, says Jehovah.

^16:59 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: I will also deal with you as you have done, who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

^16:60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth and I will establish to you an everlasting covenant. ^16:61 Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you will receive your sisters, your elder sisters and your younger and I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant.

^16:62 And I will establish my covenant with you and you will know that I am Jehovah, ^16:63 that you may remember and be confounded and never open your mouth any more, because of your shame, when I have forgiven you all that you have done, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 17] TOC

^17:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^17:2 Son of man, put forth a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel, ^17:3 and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers, which had various colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar. ^17:4 He cropped off the topmost of the young twigs of it and carried it to a land of merchandise. He set it in a city of merchants.

^17:5 He took also of the seed of the land and planted it in a fruitful soil. He placed it beside many waters. He set it as a willow tree. ^17:6 And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him and the roots of it were under him. So it became a vine and brought out branches and shot forth sprigs.

^17:7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it. ^17:8 It was planted in a good soil by many waters that it might bring forth branches and that it might bear fruit that it might be a splendid vine.

^17:9 You say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Shall it flourish? Shall he not pull up the roots of it and cut off the fruit of it, that it may wither? It will wither in all its fresh springing leaves, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots of it. ^17:10 Yes, behold, being planted, will it flourish? Shall it not utterly wither when the east wind touches it? It will wither in the beds where it grew.

^17:11 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^17:12 Say now to the rebellious house, do you^* not know what these things mean?

Tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and took the king of it and the rulers of it and brought them to him to Babylon. ^17:13 And he took of the seed royal and made a covenant with him. He also brought him under an oath and took away the mighty of the land, ^17:14 that the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

^17:15 But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt that they might give him horses and many people. Shall he prosper? Shall he escape who does such things? Shall he break the covenant and yet escape?

^17:16 As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke, even with him in the midst of Babylon he will die.

^17:17 Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company help him in the war when they cast up mounds and build forts to cut off many persons.^17:18 For he has despised the oath by breaking the covenant. And behold, he had given his hand and yet has done all these things. He will not escape.

^17:19 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: As I live, surely my oath that he has despised and my covenant that he has broken, I will even bring it upon his own head. ^17:20 And I will spread my net upon him and he will be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon and will enter into judgment with him there for his trespass that he has trespassed against me. ^17:21 And all his fugitives in all his groups will fall by the sword and those who remain will be scattered toward every wind.

And you^* will know that I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

^17:22 The Lord Jehovah says thus: I will also take of the lofty top of the cedar and will set it. I will crop off a tender one from the topmost of its offshoots and I will plant it upon a high and lofty mountain.^17:23 I will plant it in the mountain of the height of Israel and it will bring forth branches and bear fruit and be a majestic cedar. And all birds of every wing will dwell under it; they will dwell in the shade of the branches of it.

^17:24 And all the trees of the field will know that I, Jehovah, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree and have made the dry tree to flourish. I, Jehovah, have spoken and have done it.

[Ezekiel 18] TOC

^18:1 The word of Jehovah came to me again, saying, ^18:2 What do you^* mean, that you^* use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the son's teeth are set on edge?

^18:3 As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, you^* will not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. ^18:4 Behold, all souls are mine, as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine. The soul that sins, it will die.

^18:5 But if a man be just and does what is lawful and right, ^18:6 and has not eaten upon the mountains, nor has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, nor has defiled his neighbor's wife, nor has come near to a woman in her impurity, ^18:7 and has not wronged any man, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to a hungry man and has covered a naked man with a garment, ^18:8 he who has not given forth upon interest, nor has taken any increase, who has withdrawn his hand from unrighteousness, has executed true justice between man and man, ^18:9 has walked in my statutes and has kept my ordinances, to deal truly, he is just. He will surely live, says the Lord Jehovah.

^18:10 If he begets a son who is a robber, who sheds blood and who does any one of these things,^18:11 and who does not do any of those duties, but has even eaten upon the mountains and defiled his neighbor's wife, ^18:12 has wronged the poor and needy man, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination, ^18:13 has given forth upon interest and has taken increase, will he then live? He will not live. He has done all these abominations. He will surely die. His blood will be upon him.

^18:14 Now behold, if he begets a son, who sees all his father's sins, which he has done and fears and does not do such like, ^18:15 who has not eaten upon the mountains, nor has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, has not defiled his neighbor's wife, ^18:16 nor has wronged any man, has not taken anything to pledge, nor has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to a hungry man and has covered a naked man with a garment, ^18:17 who has withdrawn his hand from a poor man, who has not received interest nor increase, has executed my ordinances, has walked in my statutes, he will not die for the iniquity of his father. He will surely live.

^18:18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother and did what is not good among his people, behold, he will die in his iniquity.

^18:19 Yet you^* say, Why does not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son has done what is lawful and right and has kept all my statutes and has done them, he will surely live. ^18:20 The soul that sins, it will die.

The son will not bear the iniquity of the father, nor will the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of a righteous man will be upon him and the wickedness of a wicked man will be upon him.

^18:21 But if a wicked man turns from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is lawful and right, he will surely live. He will not die. ^18:22 None of his transgressions that he has committed will be remembered against him. In his righteousness that he has done he will live.

^18:23 Have I any pleasure in the death of a wicked man? says the Lord Jehovah and not rather that he should return from his way and live?

^18:24 But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits unrighteousness and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done will be remembered. In his trespass that he has trespassed and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he will die.

^18:25 Yet you^* say, The way of the Lord is not equitable. Hear now, O house of Israel. Is not my way equitable? Are not your^* ways inequitable?

^18:26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits unrighteousness and dies in it, in his unrighteousness that he has done, he will die. ^18:27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he will save his soul alive. ^18:28 Because he considers and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he will surely live. He will not die.

^18:29 Yet the house of Israel says, The way of the Lord is not equitable. O house of Israel, are not my ways equitable? Are not your^* ways inequitable?

^18:30 Therefore I will judge you^*, O house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord Jehovah. Return and turn yourselves from all your^* transgressions, so iniquity will not be your^* ruin.

^18:31 Cast away from you^* all your^* transgressions, by which you^* have transgressed and make you^* a new heart and a new spirit. For why will you^* die, O house of Israel? ^18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Jehovah, therefore turn yourselves back and live.

[Ezekiel 19] TOC

^19:1 Moreover, take up a lamentation for the rulers of Israel, ^19:2 and say, What was your mother? A lioness. She couched among lions. In the midst of the young lions she nourished her cubs. ^19:3 And she brought up one of her cubs. He became a young lion and he learned to catch the prey. He devoured men.^19:4 The nations also heard of him. He was taken in their pit and they brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt.

^19:5 Now when she saw that she had waited and her hope was lost, then she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion. ^19:6 And he went up and down among the lions. He became a young lion and he learned to catch the prey. He devoured men. ^19:7And he knew their palaces and laid waste their cities. And the land was desolate and the fullness of it, because of the noise of his roaring.

^19:8 Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces and they spread their net over him. He was taken in their pit. ^19:9 And they put him in a cage with hooks and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into strongholds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.

^19:10 Your mother was like a vine in your blood, planted by the waters. It was fruitful and full of branches because of many waters. ^19:11 And it had strong twigs for the scepters of those who bore rule. And their stature was exalted among the thick branches and they were seen in their height with the multitude of their branches.

^19:12 But it was plucked up in fury. It was cast down to the ground and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong twigs were broken off and withered. The fire consumed them.

^19:13 And now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. ^19:14 And fire has gone out of the twigs of its branches. It has devoured its fruit, so that there is no strong twig in it to be a scepter to rule. This is a lamentation and will be for a lamentation.

[Ezekiel 20] TOC

^20:1 And it happened in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Jehovah and sat before me. ^20:2 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^20:3 Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Is it to inquire of me that you^* have come? As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you^*.

^20:4 Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers, ^20:5 and say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: In the day when I chose Israel and swore to the seed of the house of Jacob and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am Jehovah your^* God, ^20:6I swore to them in that day, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.

^20:7 And I said to them, Cast away every man the abominations of his eyes and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am Jehovah your^* God. ^20:8 But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me. They did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. ^20:9But I worked for my name's sake (that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them) in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

^20:10 So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. ^20:11And I gave them my statutes and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he will live in them.

^20:12 Moreover I also gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Jehovah who sanctifies them.

^20:13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keeps, he will live in them. And they greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. ^20:14 But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

^20:15 Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands, ^20:16 because they rejected my ordinances and did not walk in my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, for their heart went after their idols. ^20:17 Nevertheless my eye spared them and I did not destroy them, nor did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.

^20:18 And I said to their sons in the wilderness, Walk you^* not in the statutes of your^* fathers. Neither observe their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols. ^20:19 I am Jehovah your^* God. Walk in my statutes and keep my ordinances and do them, ^20:20 and sanctify my Sabbaths and they will be a sign between me and you^*, that you^* may know that I am Jehovah your^* God.

^20:21 But the sons rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes, nor kept my ordinances to do them, which if a man does, he will live in them. They profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness. ^20:22Nevertheless I withdrew my hand and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.

^20:23 Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries, ^20:24 because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes and had profaned my Sabbaths and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.

^20:25 Moreover I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances in which they will not live. ^20:26 And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am Jehovah.

^20:27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: In this moreover your^* fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

^20:28 For when I had brought them into the land, which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill and every thick tree and they offered there their sacrifices and they presented the provocation of their offering there. There also they made their sweet aroma and they poured out there their drink-offerings. ^20:29 Then I said to them, What does the high place to which you^* go mean? So the name of it is called Bamah {High Place} to this day.

^20:30 Therefore say to the house of Israel, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Do you^* pollute yourselves according to the manner of your^* fathers and play you^* the prostitute according to their abominations?^20:31 And when you^* offer your^* gifts, when you^* make your^* sons to pass through the fire, do you^* pollute yourselves with all your^* idols to this day? And shall I be inquired of by you^*, O house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you^*.

^20:32 And what comes into your^* mind will not be at all, in that you^* say, We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone. ^20:33 As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I will be king over you^*.

^20:34 And I will bring you^* out from the peoples and will gather you^* out of the countries in which you^* are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, ^20:35 and I will bring you^* into the wilderness of the peoples. And there I will enter into judgment with you^* face to face.

^20:36 Just as I entered into judgment with your^* fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you^*, says the Lord Jehovah. ^20:37 And I will cause you^* to pass under the rod. And I will bring you^* into the bond of the covenant.

^20:38 And I will purge out from among you^* the rebels and those who transgress against me. I will bring them forth out of the land where they journey, but they will not enter into the land of Israel.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^20:39 As for you^*, O house of Israel, thus says the Lord Jehovah: Go you^*. Serve each one his idols and hereafter also, if you^* will not listen to me. But you^* will no more profane my holy name with your^* gifts and with your^* idols.

^20:40 For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah, there will all the house of Israel, all of them, serve me in the land. There I will accept them and there I will require your^* heave-offerings and the first-fruits of your^* offerings, with all your^* holy things.

^20:41 I will accept you^* as a sweet aroma when I bring you^* out from the peoples and gather you^* out of the countries in which you^* have been scattered. And I will be made holy in you^* in the sight of the nations. ^20:42 And you^* will know that I am Jehovah when I will bring you^* into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your^* fathers.

^20:43 And there you^* will remember your^* ways and all your^* practices, by which you^* have polluted yourselves. And you^* will loathe yourselves in your^* own sight for all your^* evils that you^* have committed.

^20:44 And you^* will know that I am Jehovah when I have dealt with you^* for my name's sake, not according to your^* evil ways, nor according to your^* corrupt practices, O you^* house of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah.

^20:45 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^20:46 Son of man, set your face toward the south and drop your word toward the south and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South.^20:47 And say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of Jehovah. The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will kindle a fire in you and it will devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The flaming flame will not be quenched and all faces from the south to the north will be burnt by it. ^20:48 And all flesh will see that I, Jehovah, have kindled it. It will not be quenched.

^20:49 Then I said, Ah Lord Jehovah! They say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables?

[Ezekiel 21] TOC

^21:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^21:2 Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and drop your word toward the sanctuaries and prophesy against the land of Israel.^21:3 And say to the land of Israel, Jehovah says thus: Behold, I am against you. And will draw forth my sword out of its sheath and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.

^21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore my sword will go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north. ^21:5 And all flesh will know that I, Jehovah, have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath. It will not return any more.

^21:6 Sigh therefore, you son of man. With the breaking of your loins and with bitterness you will sigh before their eyes. ^21:7 And it will be, when they say to you, Why do you sigh? That you will say, Because of the news. For it comes and every heart will melt and all hands will be feeble and every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will be done, says the Lord Jehovah.

^21:8 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^21:9 Son of man, prophesy and say, Jehovah says thus: Say, A sword, a sword. It is sharpened and also furbished. ^21:10 It is sharpened that it may make a slaughter. It is polished that it may be as lightning. Shall we then rejoice? It scorns the scepter of my son, every tree. ^21:11 And it is given to be polished, that it may be handled. The sword, it is sharpened, yes, it is polished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

^21:12 Cry and wail, son of man, for it is upon my people. It is upon all the rulers of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Strike therefore upon your thigh. ^21:13 For there is a trial and what if even the rod that scorns will be no more? says the Lord Jehovah.

^21:14 You therefore, son of man, prophesy and kill^* your hands together. And let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the deadly wounded. It is the sword of the great man who is deadly wounded, which enters into their chambers.

^21:15 I have set the threatening sword against all their gates, that their heart may melt and their stumblings be multiplied. Ah! It is made as lightning. It is pointed for slaughter. ^21:16 Gather you together. Go to the right. Set yourself in array. Go to the left, wherever your face is set. ^21:17 I will also kill^* my hands together and I will cause my wrath to rest. I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

^21:18 The word of Jehovah came to me again, saying, ^21:19 Also, you son of man, appoint you two ways that the sword of the king of Babylon may come. Those two will come forth out of one land. And mark out a place. Mark it out at the head of the way to the city. ^21:20 You will appoint a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the sons of Ammon and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.

^21:21 For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shook the arrows to and fro. He consulted the household-idol. He looked in the liver.

^21:22 In his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to set battering rams, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to cast up mounds, to build forts. ^21:23 And it will be to them as a false divination in their sight, who have sworn oaths to them. But he brings iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.

^21:24 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because you^* have made your^* iniquity to be remembered, in that your^* transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your^* practices your^* sins do appear, because you^* have come to remembrance, you^* will be taken with the hand.

^21:25 And you, O deadly wounded wicked man, the ruler of Israel, whose day has come, in the time of the iniquity of the end, ^21:26 thus says the Lord Jehovah: Remove the headdress and take off the crown. This will be no more the same. Exalt what is low and humble what is high. ^21:27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn it. This also will be no more, until he comes whose right it is. And I will give it.

^21:28 And you, son of man, prophesy and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus concerning the sons of Ammon and concerning their reproach. And you say, A sword, a sword is drawn. It is polished for the slaughter, to cause it to devour, that it may be as lightning, ^21:29 while they see for you false visions, while they divine lies to you, to lay you upon the necks of the wicked who are deadly wounded, whose day has come in the time of the iniquity of the end.

^21:30 Cause it to return into its sheath. In the place where you were created, in the land of your birth, I will judge you. ^21:31 And I will pour out my indignation upon you. I will breathe fire of my wrath upon you and I will deliver you into the hand of stupid men, skillful to destroy. ^21:32 You will be for fuel to the fire. Your blood will be in the midst of the land. You will no more be remembered. For I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

[Ezekiel 22] TOC

^22:1 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^22:2 And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations.

^22:3 And you will say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: A city that sheds blood in the midst of her, that her time may come and who makes idols against herself to defile her! ^22:4 You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed and are defiled in your idols which you have made. And you have caused your days to draw near and have come even to your years.

Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations and a mocking to all the countries. ^22:5 Those that are near and those that are far from you, will mock you, you infamous one, full of commotion.

^22:6 Behold, the rulers of Israel, each one according to his power, have been in you to shed blood. ^22:7 In you they have made light of father and mother. In the midst of you they have dealt with the traveler by oppression. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow. ^22:8 You have despised my holy things and have profaned my Sabbaths. ^22:9Slanderers have been in you to shed blood and in you they have eaten upon the mountains. In the midst of you they have committed lewdness. ^22:10 In you they have uncovered their fathers' nakedness. In you they have humbled her who was unclean in her impurity. ^22:11 And one has committed abomination with his neighbor's wife and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law and another in you has humbled his sister, his father's daughter.

^22:12 In you they have taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase. And you have greedily gained from your neighbors by oppression and have forgotten me, says the Lord Jehovah.

^22:13 Behold, therefore, I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made and at your blood which has been in the midst of you.

^22:14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I will deal with you? I, Jehovah, have spoken it and will do it.

^22:15 And I will scatter you among the nations and disperse you through the countries and I will consume your filthiness out of you. ^22:16 And you will be profaned in yourself, in the sight of the nations.

And you will know that I am Jehovah.

^22:17 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^22:18 Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are brass and tin and iron and lead, in the midst of the furnace. They are the dross of silver.

^22:19 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because you^* have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you^* into the midst of Jerusalem^22:20 as they gather silver and brass and iron and lead and tin into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it. So I will gather you^* in my anger and in my wrath and I will lay you^* there and melt you^*. ^22:21 Yes, I will gather you^* and blow upon you^* with the fire of my wrath and you^* will be melted in the midst of it.

^22:22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so you^* will be melted in the midst of it. And you^* will know that I, Jehovah, have poured out my wrath upon you^*.

^22:23 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^22:24 Son of man, say to her, You are a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.

^22:25 There is a conspiracy by her prophets in the midst of it, like a roaring lion ravening the prey. They have devoured souls. They take treasure and precious things. They have made her widows many in the midst of it.

^22:26 Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, nor have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am profaned among them.

^22:27 Her rulers in the midst of it are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.

^22:28 And her prophets have daubed with untempered mortar for them, seeing false visions and divining lies to them, saying, The Lord Jehovah says thus, when Jehovah has not spoken.

^22:29 The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery. Yes, they have distressed the poor and needy man and have oppressed the traveler wrongfully.

^22:30 And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

^22:31 Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have brought their own way upon their heads, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 23] TOC

^23:1 The word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, ^23:2 Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother. ^23:3 And they played the prostitute in Egypt. They played the prostitute in their youth. There their breasts were pressed and there was handled the bosom of their virginity.

^23:4 And the names of them were Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister. And they became mine and they bore sons and daughters. And as for their names, Samaria is Oholah and Jerusalem Oholibah.

^23:5 And Oholah played the prostitute when she was mine and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors, ^23:6 who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses. ^23:7 And she bestowed her prostitutions upon them, the choicest men of Assyria all of them.

And on whomever she doted, with all their idols she defiled herself. ^23:8 Neither has she left her prostitutions since Egypt. For in her youth they lie with her and they handled the bosom of her virginity and they poured out their prostitution upon her.

^23:9 Therefore I delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted. ^23:10 These uncovered her nakedness. They took her sons and her daughters and they killed her with the sword. And she became a parable among women, for they executed judgments upon her.

^23:11 And her sister Oholibah saw this, yet she was more corrupt in her doting than she and in her prostitutions which were more than the prostitutions of her sister. ^23:12 She doted upon the Assyrians, governors and rulers, her neighbors, clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men. ^23:13 And I saw that she was defiled. They both took one way.

^23:14 And she increased her prostitutions, for she saw men portrayed upon the wall, the images of Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion, ^23:15 girded with belts upon their loins, with flowing turbans upon their heads, all of them rulers to look upon, according to the likeness of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their nativity.

^23:16 And as soon as she saw them she doted upon them and sent messengers to them into Chaldea. ^23:17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love. And they defiled her with their prostitution and she was polluted with them and her soul was alienated from them.

^23:18 So she uncovered her prostitutions and uncovered her nakedness. Then my soul was alienated from her, just as my soul was alienated from her sister. ^23:19 Yet she multiplied her prostitutions, remembering the days of her youth in which she had played the prostitute in the land of Egypt. ^23:20 And she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of donkeys and whose seminal-discharge is like the seminal-discharge of horses.

^23:21 Thus you called to remembrance the lewdness of your youth, in the handling of your bosom by the Egyptians for the breasts of your youth.

^23:22 Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will raise up your lovers against you, from whom your soul is alienated and I will bring them against you on every side: ^23:23 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and rulers all of them, rulers and men of renown, all of them riding upon horses.

^23:24 And they will come against you with weapons, chariots and wagons and with a company of peoples. They will set themselves against you with buckler and shield and helmet all around. And I will commit the judgment to them and they will judge you according to their judgments.

^23:25 And I will set my jealousy against you and they will deal with you in fury. They will take away your nose and your ears and your residue will fall by the sword. They will take your sons and your daughters and your residue will be devoured by the fire. ^23:26 They will also strip you of your clothes and take away your fair jewels.

^23:27 Thus I will make your lewdness to cease from you and your prostitution from the land of Egypt, so that you will not lift up your eyes to them, nor remember Egypt any more.

^23:28 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will deliver you into the hand of those whom you hate, into the hand of those from whom your soul is alienated. ^23:29 And they will deal with you in hatred and will take away all your labor and will leave you naked and bare. And the nakedness of your prostitutions will be uncovered, both your lewdness and your prostitutions.

^23:30 These things will be done to you, because you have played the prostitute after the nations and because you are polluted with their idols.

^23:31 You have walked in the way of your sister, therefore I will give her cup into your hand. ^23:32 The Lord Jehovah says thus: You will drink of your sister's cup, which is deep and large. You will be laughed to scorn and have more scorning. It contains much. ^23:33 You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of your sister Samaria. ^23:34 You will even drink it and drain it out. And you will gnaw the shards of it and will tear your breasts, for I have spoken it, says the Lord Jehovah.

^23:35 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, therefore you also bear your lewdness and your prostitutions.

^23:36 Jehovah said moreover to me, Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations. ^23:37 For they have committed adultery and blood is in their hands. And with their idols they have committed adultery. And they have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire for them to be devoured.

^23:38 Moreover they have done this to me: They have defiled my sanctuary in the same day and have profaned my Sabbaths. ^23:39 For when they had slain their sons to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it, and behold, thus they have done in the midst of my house.

^23:40 And furthermore you^* have sent for men who come from far, to whom a messenger was sent. And behold, they came, for whom you washed yourself, painted your eyes and decked yourself with ornaments, ^23:41 and sat upon a stately bed, with a table prepared before it, you did set my incense and my oil upon it.

^23:42 And the voice of a multitude being at ease was with her. And with men of the common sort, were brought drunkards from the wilderness and they put bracelets upon the hands of those two women and beautiful crowns upon their heads.

^23:43 Then I said of her who was old in adulteries, Now they will play the prostitute with her and she with them. ^23:44 And they went in to her, as they go in to a prostitute. So they went in to Oholah and to Oholibah, the lewd women.

^23:45 And righteous men, they will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands.

^23:46 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: I will bring up a company against them and will give them to be tossed to and fro and robbed. ^23:47 And the company will stone them with stones and dispatch them with their swords. They will kill their sons and their daughters and burn up their houses with fire.

^23:48 Thus I will cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be instructed not to do according to your^* lewdness. ^23:49 And they will recompense your^* lewdness upon you^* and you^* will bear the sins of your^* idols. And you^* will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 24] TOC

^24:1 Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^24:2 Son of man, write the name of the day, even of this same day; the king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day.

^24:3 And utter a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Set on the caldron. Set it on and also pour water into it. ^24:4Gather the pieces of it into it, even every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones. ^24:5 Take the choice of the flock and also a pile of wood for the bones under the caldron. Make it boil well, yes, let the bones of it is boiled in the midst of it.

^24:6 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the bloody city, to the caldron whose rust is in it and whose rust has not gone out of it! Take out of it piece after piece. No lot has fallen upon it.

^24:7 For her blood is in the midst of her. She set it upon the bare rock. She did not pour it upon the ground to cover it with dust. ^24:8 That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance, I have set her blood upon the bare rock, that it should not be covered.

^24:9 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the bloody city! I also will make the pile great. ^24:10Heap on the wood; make the fire hot. Boil the flesh well and make the broth thick. And let the bones be burned. ^24:11 Then set it empty upon the coals of it, that it may be hot and the brass of it may burn and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.

^24:12 She has wearied herself with toil, yet her great scum does not go forth out of her, her scum by fire. ^24:13 In your filthiness is lewdness. Because I have cleansed you and you were not cleansed, you will not be cleansed from your filthiness any more, till I have caused my wrath toward you to rest.

^24:14 I, Jehovah, have spoken it. It will happen and I will do it. I will not go back. I will neither spare, nor will I relent. According to your ways and according to your practices, they will judge you, says the Lord Jehovah.

^24:15 Also the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^24:16 Son of man, behold, I take the desire of your eyes away from you with a stroke. Yet you will neither mourn nor weep. Neither will your tears run down. ^24:17 Sigh, but not aloud. Make no mourning for the dead. Bind your headdress upon you and put your shoes upon your feet. And do not cover your lips and do not eat the bread of men.

^24:18 So I spoke to the people in the morning and at evening my wife died. And I did in the morning as I was commanded. ^24:19 And the people said to me, Will you not tell us what these things are to us, that you do so?

^24:20 Then I said to them, The word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^24:21 Speak to the house of Israel, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your^* power, the desire of your^* eyes and what your^* soul has compassion. And your^* sons and your^* daughters whom you^* have left behind will fall by the sword.

^24:22 And you^* will do as I have done. You^* will not cover your^* lips, nor eat the bread of men. ^24:23And your^* coverings will be upon your^* heads and your^* shoes upon your^* feet. You^* will not mourn nor weep, but you^* will rot-away in your^* iniquities and moan one toward another. ^24:24 Thus Ezekiel will be to you^* a sign, according to all that he has done you^* will do.

When this comes, then you^* will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

^24:25 And you, son of man, will it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes and that upon which they set their heart– their sons and their daughters– ^24:26 that in that day he who escapes will come to you, to cause you to hear it with your ears?^24:27 In that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped and you will speak and no more be mute. So you will be a sign to them. And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 25] TOC

^25:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^25:2 Son of man, set your face toward the sons of Ammon and prophesy against them.

^25:3 And say to the sons of Ammon, Hear the word of the Lord Jehovah. The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because you said, Aha, against my sanctuary when it was profaned and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity, ^25:4therefore, behold, I will deliver you to the sons of the east for a possession and they will set their encampments in you and make their dwellings in you. They will eat your fruit and they will drink your milk. ^25:5 And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and the sons of Ammon a couching-place for flocks.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^25:6 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped with the feet and rejoiced with all the spite of your soul against the land of Israel, ^25:7 therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand upon you and will deliver you for a spoil to the nations. And I will cut you off from the peoples and I will cause you to perish out of the countries. I will destroy you.

And you will know that I am Jehovah.

^25:8 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because Moab and Seir say, Behold, the house of Judah is like all the nations, ^25:9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country– Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon and Kiriathaim– ^25:10 open to the sons of the east, against the sons of Ammon. And I will give them for a possession, that the sons of Ammon may not be remembered among the nations.^25:11 And I will execute judgments upon Moab.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

^25:12 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance and has greatly offended and revenged himself upon them, ^25:13 therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: I will stretch out my hand upon Edom and will cut off man and beast from it and I will make it desolate. From Teman, even to Dedan they will fall by the sword.

^25:14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel and they will do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath. And they will know my vengeance, says the Lord Jehovah.

^25:15 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge and have taken vengeance with spite of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity, ^25:16 therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will stretch out my hand upon the Philistines and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. ^25:17 And I will execute great vengeance upon them with wrathful rebukes.

And they will know that I am Jehovah when I will lay my vengeance upon them.

[Ezekiel 26] TOC

^26:1 And it happened in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^26:2 Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken, the gate of the peoples. She has turned around to me. I will be replenished, now that she is laid waste, ^26:3therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up.

^26:4 And they will destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers. I will also scrape her dust from her and make her a bare rock. ^26:5 She will be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken it, says the Lord Jehovah.

And she will become a spoil to the nations, ^26:6and her daughters who are in the field will be slain with the sword.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

^26:7 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will bring upon Tyre, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, from the north, with horses and with chariots and with horsemen and a company and many people.

^26:8 He will kill your daughters in the field with the sword. And he will make forts against you and cast up a mound against you and raise up the buckler against you. ^26:9 And he will set his battering engines against your walls and with his axes he will break down your towers.

^26:10 Because of the abundance of his horses their dust will cover you. Your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen and of the wagons and of the chariots, when he will enter into your gates, as men enter into a city in which a breach is made.

^26:11 With the hoofs of his horses he will tread down all your streets. He will kill your people with the sword and the pillars of your strength will go down to the ground. ^26:12 And they will make a spoil of your riches and make a prey of your merchandise. And they will break down your walls and destroy your desirable houses and they will lay your stones and your timber and your dust in the midst of the waters.

^26:13 And I will cause the roar of your songs to cease and the sound of your harps will no more be heard. ^26:14 And I will make you a bare rock; you will be a place for the spreading of nets. You will be built no more, for I Jehovah have spoken it, says the Lord Jehovah.

^26:15 The Lord Jehovah says thus to Tyre: Shall not the isles shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan, when the slaughter is made in the midst of you? ^26:16 Then all the rulers of the sea will come down from their thrones and lie aside their robes and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling. They will sit upon the ground and will tremble every moment and be astonished at you.

^26:17 And they will take up a lamentation over you and say to you, How you are destroyed, who were inhabited by seafaring men, the renowned city that was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who caused their terror to be on all who dwelt there!^26:18 Now the isles will tremble in the day of your fall. Yes, the isles that are in the sea will be dismayed at your departure.

^26:19 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: When I will make you a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited, when I will bring up the deep upon you and the great waters will cover you, ^26:20 then I will bring you down with those who descend into the pit, to the people of old time and will make you to dwell in the nether parts of the earth, in the places that are desolate of old, with those who go down to the pit, that you not be inhabited. And I will set glory in the land of the living.

^26:21 I will make you a horror and you will no more have any being. Though you are sought for, yet you will not be found again everlasting, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 27] TOC

^27:1 The word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, ^27:2 And you, son of man, take up a lamentation over Tyre, ^27:3 and say to Tyre, O you that dwells at the entry of the sea, that is the merchant of the peoples to many isles, thus says the Lord Jehovah: you, O Tyre, have said, I am perfect in beauty. ^27:4 Your borders are in the heart of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty. ^27:5 They have made all your planks of fir trees from Senir. They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you. ^27:6 Of the oaks of Bashan they have made your oars. They have made your benches of ivory inlaid in boxwood, from the isles of Kittim. ^27:7Of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt was your sail, that it might be to you for an ensign. Blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was your awning.

^27:8 The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; they were your pilots. ^27:9 The old men of Gebal and the wise men of it were the repairers. All the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to deal in your merchandise.

^27:10 Persia and Lud and Put were in your army, your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you. They set forth your comeliness. ^27:11 The men of Arvad with your army were upon your walls all around and valorous men were in your towers. They hung their shields upon your walls all around. They have perfected your beauty.

^27:12 Tarshish was your merchant because of the multitude of all kinds of riches, with silver, iron, tin and lead. They traded for your wares.

^27:13 Javan, Tubal and Meshech, they were your merchants. They traded the persons of men and vessels of brass for your merchandise. ^27:14 Those of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses and war-horses and mules.

^27:15 The men of Dedan were your merchants. Many isles were the mart of your hand. They brought you in exchange horns of ivory and ebony.

^27:16 Syria was your merchant because of the multitude of your handiworks. They traded for your wares with emeralds, purple and embroidered work and fine linen and coral and rubies.

^27:17 Judah and the land of Israel, they were your merchants. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith and pannag {cakes?} and honey and oil and balm.

^27:18 Damascus was your merchant for the multitude of your handiworks, because of the multitude of all kinds of riches, with the wine of Helbon and white wool.

^27:19 Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for your wares. Bright iron, cassia and cane, were among your merchandise. ^27:20 Dedan was your merchant in precious cloths for riding.

^27:21 Arabia and all the rulers of Kedar, they were the merchants of your hand, in lambs and rams and goats. In these they were your merchants.

^27:22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were your merchants. They traded for your wares with the chief of all spices and with all precious stones and gold.

^27:23 Haran and Canneh and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were your merchants.

^27:24 These were your merchants in choice wares, in wrappings of blue and embroidered work and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and made of cedar, among your merchandise.

^27:25 The ships of Tarshish were your caravans for your merchandise. And you were replenished and made very glorious in the heart of the seas

^27:26 Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas. ^27:27 Your riches and your wares, your merchandise, your mariners and your pilots, your repairers and the dealers in your merchandise and all your men of war, who are in you, with all your company which is in the midst of you, will fall into the heart of the seas in the day of your ruin.

^27:28 At the sound of the cry of your pilots the suburbs will shake. ^27:29 And all who handled the oar, the mariners and all the pilots of the sea, will come down from their ships. They will stand upon the land, ^27:30 and will cause their voice to be heard over you and will cry bitterly and will cast up dust upon their heads. They will wallow themselves in the ashes. ^27:31 And they will make themselves bald for you and gird with sackcloth and they will weep for you in bitterness of soul with bitter mourning.

^27:32 And in their wailing they will take up a lamentation for you and lament over you, saying, Who is there like Tyre, like her that is brought to silence in the midst of the sea? ^27:33 When your wares went forth out of the seas, you filled many peoples. You enriched the kings of the earth with the multitude of your riches and of your merchandise.

^27:34 In the time that you were broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, your merchandise and all your company fell in the midst of you. ^27:35 All the inhabitants of the isles are astonished at you and their kings are horribly afraid; they are troubled in their countenance. ^27:36 The merchants among the peoples hiss at you. You have become a horror and you will not be until everlasting.

[Ezekiel 28] TOC

^28:1 The word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, ^28:2 Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, I am a god. I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas. Yet you are man and not God, though you did set your heart as the heart of God.

^28:3 Behold, you are wiser than Daniel. There is no secret that is hidden from you. ^28:4 By your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten you riches and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures. ^28:5 By your great wisdom and by your traffic you have increased your riches. And your heart is lifted up because of your riches.

^28:6 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Because you have set your heart as the heart of God,^28:7 therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon you, the terrible of the nations and they will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and they will defile your brightness. ^28:8 They will bring you down to the pit and you will die the death of those who are slain, in the heart of the seas.

^28:9 Will you yet say before him who slays you, I am God? But you are man and not God, in the hand of him who wounds you. ^28:10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers. For I have spoken it, says the Lord Jehovah.

^28:11 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^28:12 Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, The Lord Jehovah says thus: You seal up the sum, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

^28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, the topaz and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald and the carbuncle and gold. The workmanship of your tambourine and of your pipes was in you. In the day that you were created they were prepared.

^28:14 You were the anointed cherub who covers. And I set you, so that you were upon the holy mountain of God. You have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

^28:15 You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.

^28:16 By the abundance of your commerce they filled the midst of you with violence and you have sinned. Therefore I have cast you out of the mountain of God as profane and I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

^28:17 Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You have corrupted your wisdom because of your brightness. I have cast you to the ground. I have laid you before kings, that they may behold you.

^28:18 By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your commerce, you have profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought out a fire from the midst of you. It has devoured you and I have turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all those who behold you.

^28:19 All those who know you among the peoples will be astonished at you. You have become a horror and you will not be until everlasting.

^28:20 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^28:21 Son of man, set your face toward Sidon and prophesy against it, ^28:22 and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I am against you, O Sidon. And I will be glorified in the midst of you.

And they will know that I am Jehovah, when I will have executed judgments in her and will be made holy in her. ^28:23 For I will send pestilence into her and blood into her streets. And the wounded will fall in the midst of her, with the sword upon her on every side.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

^28:24 And there will no more be a prickling brier to the house of Israel, nor a hurting thorn of any who are all around them, who did spite to them.

And they will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

^28:25 The Lord Jehovah says thus: When I will have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered and will be made holy in them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob.

^28:26 And they will dwell securely in it. Yes, they will build houses and plant vineyards and will dwell securely, when I have executed judgments upon all those who do them spite all around them.

And they will know that I am Jehovah their God.

[Ezekiel 29] TOC

^29:1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^29:2 Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh King of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt. ^29:3 Speak and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh King of Egypt, the great monster that lies in the midst of his rivers, that has said, My river is my own and I have made it for myself.

^29:4 And I will put hooks in your jaws and I will cause the fish of your rivers to stick to your scales and I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers, with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales. ^29:5 And I will cast you forth into the wilderness, you and all the fish of your rivers. You will fall upon the open field. You will not be brought together, nor gathered. I have given you for food to the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the heavens.

^29:6 And all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Jehovah, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. ^29:7 When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders. And when they leaned upon you, you broke and made all their loins to be at a stand still.

^29:8 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you and will cut off from you man and beast. ^29:9 And the land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

Because he has said, The river is mine and I have made it, ^29:10 therefore, behold, I am against you and against your rivers. And I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from the Migdol to Syene, even to the border of Ethiopia. ^29:11No foot of man will pass through it, nor foot of beast will pass through it. Neither will it be inhabited forty years.

^29:12 And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of the countries that are desolate. And her cities among the cities that are laid waste will be a desolation forty years. And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and will disperse them through the countries.

^29:13 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples where they were scattered, ^29:14 and I will bring back the captivity of Egypt and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their birth.

And they will be a base kingdom there. ^29:15 It will be the lowest of the kingdoms, nor will it lift itself up any more above the nations. And I will diminish them, that they will no more rule over the nations. ^29:16 And it will be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to remembrance, when they turn to look after them.

And they will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

^29:17 And it happened in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^29:18 Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre. Every head was made bald and every shoulder was worn, yet he had no wages, nor his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it.

^29:19 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and he will carry off her multitude and take her spoil and take her prey. And it will be the wages for his army. ^29:20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his recompense for which he served, because they worked for me, says the Lord Jehovah

^29:21 In that day I will cause a horn to bud forth to the house of Israel and I will give you the opening of the mouth in the midst of them. And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 30] TOC

^30:1 The word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, ^30:2 Son of man, prophesy and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Wail you^*, Alas for the day! ^30:3 For the day is near, even the day of Jehovah is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of the nations.

^30:4 And a sword will come upon Egypt and anguish will be in Ethiopia, when the slain will fall in Egypt and they will take away her multitude and her foundations will be broken down. ^30:5 Ethiopia and Put and Lud and all the mixed people and Cub and the sons of the land that is in league, will fall with them by the sword.

^30:6 Jehovah says thus: They who also uphold Egypt will fall and the pride of her power will come down. From the Migdol to Syene, they will fall in it by the sword, says the Lord Jehovah. ^30:7 And they will be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate and her cities will be in the midst of the cities that are wasted.

^30:8 And they will know at I am Jehovah when I have set a fire in Egypt and all her helpers are destroyed. ^30:9 In that day messengers will go forth from before me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid and there will be anguish upon them, as in the day of Egypt, for behold, it comes.

^30:10 The Lord Jehovah says thus: I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. ^30:11 He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land. And they will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain. ^30:12 And I will make the rivers dry and will sell the land into the hand of evil men. And I will make the land desolate and all that is in it, by the hand of strangers.

I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

^30:13 The Lord Jehovah says thus: I will also destroy the idols and I will cause the images to cease from Memphis. And there will no more be a ruler from the land of Egypt. And I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.

^30:14 And I will make Pathros desolate and will set a fire in Zoan and will execute judgments upon No. ^30:15 And I will pour my wrath upon Sin, the stronghold of Egypt and I will cut off the multitude of No. ^30:16 And I will set a fire in Egypt. Sin will be in great anguish and No will be broken up and Memphis will have adversaries in the daytime. ^30:17The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth will fall by the sword and these cities will go into captivity. ^30:18At Tehaphnehes also the day will withdraw itself when I will break the yokes of Egypt there and the pride of her power will cease in her. As for her, a cloud will cover her and her daughters will go into captivity.

^30:19 Thus I will execute judgments upon Egypt and they will know that I am Jehovah.

^30:20 And it happened in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^30:21 Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh King of Egypt. And behold, it has not been bound up, to apply medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it is strong to hold the sword.

^30:22 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against Pharaoh King of Egypt. And I will break his arms, the strong arm and what was broken and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. ^30:23 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and will disperse them through the countries.

^30:24 And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand. But I will break the arms of Pharaoh and he will groan before him with the groanings of a mortally wounded man.

^30:25 And I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon and the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. And they will know that I am Jehovah when I will put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. ^30:26And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 31] TOC

^31:1 And it happened in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^31:2 Son of man, say to Pharaoh King of Egypt and to his multitude, Whom are you like in your greatness?

^31:3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches and with a forest-like shade and of high stature and its top was among the thick branches.^31:4 The waters nourished it. The deep made it to grow. The rivers of it ran all around its plantation and it sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.

^31:5 Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field and its branches were multiplied and its branches became long because of many waters, when it shot them forth. ^31:6 All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its branches and under its branches all the beasts of the field brought out their young and under its shadow dwelt all great nations.

^31:7 Thus it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches, for its root was by many waters. ^31:8 The cedars in the garden of God could not dim it. The fir trees were not like its branches and the plane trees were not as its branches, nor was any tree in the garden of God like it in its beauty.

^31:9 I made it beautiful by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.

^31:10 Therefore thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because you are exalted in stature and he has set his top among the thick branches and his heart is lifted up in his height, ^31:11 I will even deliver him into the hand of the mighty one of the nations. He will surely deal with him; I have driven him out for his wickedness.

^31:12 And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off and have left him. Upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen and his branches are broken by all the watercourses of the land. And all the peoples of the earth have gone down from his shadow and have left him.

^31:13 All the birds of the heavens will dwell upon his ruin and all the beasts of the field will be upon his branches, ^31:14 to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, neither set their top among the thick branches, nor that their mighty ones stand up on their height, even all that drink water. For they are all delivered to death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.

^31:15 The Lord Jehovah says thus: In the day when he went down to Sheol I caused a mourning. I covered the deep for him. And I restrained the rivers of it and the great waters were stayed. And I caused Lebanon to mourn for him and all the trees of the field fainted for him.

^31:16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall when I cast him down to Sheol with those who descend into the pit. And all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the nether parts of the earth. ^31:17They also went down into Sheol with him to those who are slain by the sword, yes, those who were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the nations.

^31:18 To whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the nether parts of the earth. You will lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 32] TOC

^32:1 And it happened in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month, that the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^32:2 Son of man, take up a lamentation over Pharaoh King of Egypt and say to him, You were compared to a young lion of the nations. Yet you are as a monster in the seas and you broke forth with your rivers and troubled the waters with your feet and fouled their rivers.

^32:3 The Lord Jehovah says thus: I will spread out my net upon you with a company of many peoples and they will bring you up in my net. ^32:4 And I will leave you upon the land. I will cast you forth upon the open field and will cause all the birds of the heavens to settle upon you and I will satisfy the beasts of the whole earth with you.

^32:5 And I will lay your flesh upon the mountains and fill the valleys with your height. ^32:6 I will also water the land, in which you swim, with your blood, even to the mountains. And the watercourses will be full of you.

^32:7 And when I will extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and make the stars of it dark. I will cover the sun with a cloud and the moon will not give its light. ^32:8 All the bright lights of heaven I will make dark over you and set darkness upon your land, says the Lord Jehovah.

^32:9 I will also distress the hearts of many peoples when I will bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries which you have not known. ^32:10 Yes, I will make many peoples amazed at you. And their kings will be horribly afraid for you when I will brandish my sword before them. And they will tremble at every moment, each man for his own life, in the day of your fall.

^32:11 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: The sword of the king of Babylon will come upon you. ^32:12 By the swords of the mighty I will cause your multitude to fall. They are all the terrible of the nations. And they will bring to nothing the pride of Egypt and all the multitude of it will be destroyed.

^32:13 I will destroy also all the beasts of it from beside many waters. Neither the foot of man will trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.

^32:14 Then I will make their waters clear and cause their rivers to run like oil, says the Lord Jehovah. ^32:15 When I will make the land of Egypt desolate and waste, a land destitute of that of which it was full, when I will kill^* all those who dwell in it, then they will know that I am Jehovah.

^32:16 This is the lamentation with which they will lament. The daughters of the nations will lament with that over Egypt and over all her multitude. They will lament with that, says the Lord Jehovah.

^32:17 It happened also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^32:18 Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt and cast them down, even her and the daughters of the famous nations, to the nether parts of the earth, with those who go down into the pit.

^32:19 Whom do you pass in beauty? Go down and be laid with the uncircumcised. ^32:20 They will fall in the midst of those who are slain by the sword. She is delivered to the sword. Draw her away and all her multitudes. ^32:21 The strong among the mighty will speak to him out of the midst of Sheol with those who help him. They have gone down. They lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

^32:22 Asshur is there and all her company. Her graves are all around her, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, ^32:23 whose graves are set in the outermost parts of the pit. And her company is all around her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who caused terror in the land of the living.

^32:24 There is Elam and all her multitude all around her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who have gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, who caused their terror in the land of the living and have borne their shame with those who go down to the pit.

^32:25 They have set a bed for her in the midst of the slain with all her multitude. Her graves are all around her, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword. For their terror was caused in the land of the living and they have borne their shame with those who go down to the pit. He is put in the midst of those who are slain.

^32:26 There is Meshech, Tubal and all their multitude. Their graves are all around them, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, for they caused their terror in the land of the living.

^32:27 And they will not lie with the mighty who are fallen of the uncircumcised, who have gone down to Sheol with their weapons of war and have laid their swords under their heads. But their iniquities are upon their bones, for they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.

^32:28 But you will be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised and will lie with those who are slain by the sword.

^32:29 There is Edom, its kings and all its rulers, who in their might are laid with those who are slain by the sword. They will lie with the uncircumcised and with those who go down to the pit.

^32:30 There are the rulers of the north, all of them and all the Sidonians, who have gone down with the slain. In the terror which they caused by their might they are put to shame. And they lie uncircumcised with those who are slain by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.

^32:31 Pharaoh will see them and will be comforted over all his multitude, even Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, says the Lord Jehovah. ^32:32For I have put his terror in the land of the living and he will be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword, even Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 33] TOC

^33:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^33:2 Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, When I bring the sword upon a land and the people of the land take a man from among them and set him for their watchman, ^33:3if, when he sees the sword come upon the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people, ^33:4 then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and takes no warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be upon his own head.

^33:5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and took no warning; his blood will be upon him. But if he had taken warning, he would have delivered his soul.

^33:6 But if the watchman sees the sword come and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at the watchman's hand.

^33:7 So you, son of man, I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me.^33:8 When I say to the wicked man, O wicked man, you will surely die and you do not speak to warn the wicked man from his way, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at your hand.

^33:9 Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked man of his way to turn from it and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.

^33:10 And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, You^* speak thus, saying, Our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot-away in them. How then can we live?

^33:11 Say to them, As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, but that the wicked man turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your^* evil ways, for why will you^* die, O house of Israel?

^33:12 And you, son of man, say to the sons of your people, The righteousness of the righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression. And as for the wickedness of the wicked man, he will not fall by it in the day that he turns from his wickedness, nor will he who is righteous be able to live by it in the day that he sins.

^33:13 When I say to the righteous man, that he will surely live, if he trusts his righteousness and commits unrighteousness, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered, but in his unrighteousness that he has committed, in it he will die.

^33:14 Again, when I say to the wicked man, You will surely die, if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right, ^33:15 if the wicked man restores the pledge, gives again what he had taken by robbery, walks in the statutes of life, committing no unrighteousness, he will surely live; he will not die.

^33:16 None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is lawful and right; he will surely live.

^33:17 Yet the sons of your people say, The way of the Lord is not equitable. But as for them, their way is not equitable.

^33:18 When the righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits unrighteousness, he will even die in it. ^33:19 And when the wicked man turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he will live by it.

^33:20 Yet you^* say, The way of the Lord is not equitable. O house of Israel, I will judge you^* everyone according to his ways.

^33:21 And it happened in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that a man who had escaped out of Jerusalem came to me, saying, The city is struck.

^33:22 Now the hand of Jehovah had been upon me in the evening, before he who escaped came. And he had opened my mouth until he came to me in the morning. And my mouth was opened and I was no more mute.

^33:23 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^33:24 Son of man, those who inhabit those waste places in the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one and he inherited the land, but we are many; the land is given us for an inheritance

^33:25 Therefore say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: You^* eat with the blood and lift up your^* eyes to your^* idols and shed blood. And will you^* possess the land? ^33:26 You^* stand upon your^* sword, you^* work abomination and you^* defile every man his neighbor's wife. And will you^* possess the land?

^33:27 Thus you will say to them. The Lord Jehovah says thus: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places will fall by the sword and he who is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of the pestilence.

^33:28 And I will make the land a desolation and an astonishment. And the pride of her power will cease. And the mountains of Israel will be desolate, so that none will pass through.

^33:29 Then they will know that I am Jehovah when I have made the land a desolation and an astonishment, because of all their abominations which they have committed.

^33:30 And as for you, son of man, the sons of your people talk of you by the walls and in the doors of the houses and speak one to another, each one to his brother, saying, Come, I beseech you^* and hear what is the word that comes forth from Jehovah.

^33:31 And they come to you as the people come and they sit before you as my people. And they hear your words, but do not do them. For with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.

^33:32 And behold, you are to them as a very lovely song of he who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument. For they hear your words, but they do not do them.

^33:33 And when this occurs, (behold, it comes), then they will know that a prophet has been among them.

[Ezekiel 34] TOC

^34:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep?

^34:3 You^* eat the fat and you^* clothe yourselves with the wool. You^* kill the fattened-ones, but you^* do not feed the sheep. ^34:4 You^* have not strengthened the diseased, nor have you^* healed what was sick, nor have you^* bound up what was broken, nor have you^* brought back what was driven away, nor have you^* sought what was lost, but you^* have ruled over them with force and with rigor.

^34:5 And they were scattered because there was no shepherd. And they became food to all the beasts of the field and were scattered. ^34:6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains and upon every high hill. Yes, my sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth and there was none who searched or sought.

^34:7 Therefore, you^* shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah: ^34:8 As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely inasmuch as my sheep became a prey and my sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed my sheep, ^34:9 therefore, you^* shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah.

^34:10 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I am against the shepherds and I will require my sheep at their hand and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep. Neither will the shepherds feed themselves any more and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.

^34:11 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep and will seek them out. ^34:12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock, in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep and I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

^34:13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses and in all the inhabited places of the country. ^34:14 I will feed them with good pasture and their fold will be upon the mountains of the height of Israel. They will lie down there in a good fold and on fat pasture they will feed upon the mountains of Israel.

^34:15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord Jehovah. ^34:16 I will seek what was lost and will bring back what was driven away and will bind up what was broken and will strengthen what was sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will feed them in justice.

^34:17 And as for you^*, O my flock, thus says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the male-goats.

^34:18 Does it seem a small thing to you^* to have fed upon the good pasture, but you^* must tread down with your^* feet the residue of your^* pasture and to have drunk of the clear waters, but you^* must foul the residue with your^* feet? ^34:19 And as for my sheep, they eat what you^* have trodden with your^* feet and they drink what you^* have fouled with your^* feet.

^34:20 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah to them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. ^34:21 Because you^* thrust with side and with shoulder and push all the diseased with your^* horns, till you^* have scattered them abroad, ^34:22 therefore I will save my flock and they will no more be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep.

^34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them and he will feed them, even my servant David. He will feed them and he will be their shepherd. ^34:24 And I, Jehovah, will be their God and my servant David ruler among them. I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

^34:25 And I will make a covenant of peace with them and will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land and they will dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. ^34:26 And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing and I will cause the shower to come down in its season; there will be showers of blessing.

^34:27 And the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase and they will be secure in their land. And they will know that I am Jehovah when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them out of the hand of those who made bondmen of them.

^34:28 And they will no more be a prey to the nations, nor will the beasts of the earth devour them, but they will dwell securely and none will make them afraid. ^34:29 And I will raise up to them a plantation for renown and they will no more be consumed with famine in the land, nor bear the shame of the nations any more.

^34:30 And they will know that I, Jehovah, their God am with them and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, says the Lord Jehovah. ^34:31 And you^* my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, are men and I am your^* God, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 35] TOC

^35:1 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^35:2 Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it. ^35:3 And say to it, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I am against you, O Mount Seir and I will stretch out my hand against you and I will make you a desolation and an astonishment. ^35:4 I will lay your cities waste and you will be desolate.

And you will know that I am Jehovah.

^35:5 Because you have had a everlasting enmity and have given over the sons of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end, ^35:6 therefore, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I will prepare you to blood and blood will pursue you. Since you have not hated blood, therefore blood will pursue you.

^35:7 Thus I will make Mount Seir an astonishment and a desolation and I will cut off from it he who passes through and he who returns. ^35:8 And I will fill its mountains with its slain. In your hills and in your valleys and in all your watercourses will fall who are slain with the sword. ^35:9 I will make you a everlasting desolation and your cities will not be inhabited.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^35:10 Because you have said, These two nations and these two countries will be mine and we will possess it, and Jehovah was there, ^35:11 therefore, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I will do according to your anger and according to your envy which you have shown out of your hatred against them. And I will make myself known among them when I will judge you.

^35:12 And you will know that I, Jehovah, have heard all your revilings which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate. They are given us to devour. ^35:13 And you^* have magnified yourselves against me with your^* mouth and made your^* words abundant against me. I have heard it.

^35:14 The Lord Jehovah says thus: When the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. ^35:15 As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will do to you. You will be desolate, O Mount Seir and all Edom, even all of it. And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 36] TOC

^36:1 And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, You^* mountains of Israel, hear the word of Jehovah. ^36:2 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because the enemy has said against you^*, Aha! and, The high places of old are ours in possession, ^36:3 therefore prophesy and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because, even because they have made you^* desolate and swallowed you^* up on every side, that you^* might be a possession to the residue of the nations and you^* are taken up in the lips of talkers and the evil report of the people, ^36:4 therefore, you^* mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovah.

The Lord Jehovah says thus to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the cities that are forsaken, which have become a prey and scorning to the residue of the nations that are all around, ^36:5therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Surely in the fire of my jealousy I have spoken against the residue of the nations and against all Edom, who have appointed my land to themselves for a possession with the joy of all their heart, with spite of soul, to cast it out for a prey.

^36:6 Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my wrath, because you^* have borne the shame of the nations. ^36:7 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: I have sworn, saying, Surely the nations that are all around you^*, they will bear their shame.

^36:8 But you^*, O mountains of Israel, you^* will shoot forth your^* branches and yield your^* fruit to my people Israel, for they are at hand to come. ^36:9For, behold, I am for you^* and I will turn into you^* and you^* will be tilled and sown.

^36:10 And I will multiply men upon you^*, all the house of Israel, even all of it and the cities will be inhabited and the waste places will be built. ^36:11 And I will multiply upon you^* man and beast and they will increase and be fruitful.And I will cause you^* to be inhabited according to your^* former estate and will do better to you^* than at your^* beginnings. And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^36:12 Yes, I will cause men to walk upon you^*, even my people Israel and they will possess you and you will be their inheritance and you will no more hereafter bereave them of sons.

^36:13 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Because they say to you^*, You O land are a devourer of men and have been bereaved your nation, ^36:14 therefore you will no more devour men, nor bereave your nation any more, says the Lord Jehovah. ^36:15 Neither will I let you hear any more the shame of the nations, nor will you bear the reproach of the peoples any more, nor will you cause your nation to stumble any more, says the Lord Jehovah.

^36:16 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^36:17 Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their way and by their practices. Their way before me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity.

^36:18 Therefore I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood which they had poured out upon the land and because they had defiled it with their idols.^36:19 And I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed through the countries. I judged them according to their way and according to their practices.

^36:20 And when they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, These are the people of Jehovah and have gone forth out of his land. ^36:21 But I had regard for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.

^36:22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, The Lord Jehovah says thus: I do this not for your^* sake, O house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you^* have profaned among the nations where you^* went.^36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you^* have profaned in the midst of them.

And the nations will know that I am Jehovah, says the Lord Jehovah, when I will be made holy in you^* before their eyes.

^36:24 For I will take you^* from among the nations and gather you^* out of all the countries and will bring you^* into your^* own land. ^36:25 And I will sprinkle clean water upon you^* and you^* will be clean. I will cleanse you^* from all your^* filthiness and from all your^* idols.

^36:26 I will also give you^* a new heart and I will put a new spirit within you^*. And I will take away the stony heart out of your^* flesh and I will give you^* a heart of flesh. ^36:27 And I will put my Spirit within you^* and cause you^* to walk in my statutes and you^* will keep my ordinances and do them.

^36:28 And you^* will dwell in the land that I gave to your^* fathers and you^* will be my people and I will be your^* God. ^36:29 And I will save you^* from all your^* uncleannesses. And I will call for the grain and will multiply it and lay no famine upon you^*. ^36:30And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you^* may no more receive the reproach of famine among the nations.

^36:31 Then you^* will remember your^* evil ways and your^* practices that were not good. And you^* will loathe yourselves in your^* own sight for your^* iniquities and for your^* abominations. ^36:32 I do this not for your^* sake, says the Lord Jehovah; be it known to you^*. Be ashamed and confounded for your^* ways, O house of Israel.

^36:33 The Lord Jehovah says thus: In the day that I cleanse you^* from all your^* iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited and the waste places will be built. ^36:34 And the land that was desolate will be tilled, rather than a desolation in the sight of all who passed by. ^36:35 And they will say, This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. And the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.

^36:36 Then the nations that are left all around you^* will know that I, Jehovah, have built the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, Jehovah, have spoken it and I will do it.

^36:37 The Lord Jehovah says thus: For this, moreover, I will be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. I will increase them with men like a flock. ^36:38 As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so will the waste cities be filled with flocks of men. And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 37] TOC

^37:1 The hand of Jehovah was upon me and he brought me out in the Spirit of Jehovah and set me down in the midst of the valley and it was full of bones.

^37:2 And he caused me to pass by them all around. And behold, there were very many in the open valley, and behold, they were very dry. ^37:3 And he said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord Jehovah, you know.

^37:4 Again he said to me, Prophesy over these bones and say to them, O you^* dry bones, hear the word of Jehovah. ^37:5 The Lord Jehovah says thus to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you^* and you^* will live. ^37:6 And I will lay muscles upon you^* and will bring up flesh upon you^* and cover you^* with skin and put breath in you^* and you^* will live.

And you^* will know that I am Jehovah.

^37:7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake and the bones came together, bone to its bone. ^37:8 And I beheld, and behold, there were muscles upon them and flesh came up and skin covered them above, but there was no breath in them.

^37:9 Then he said to me, Prophesy to the wind. Prophesy, son of man and say to the wind, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Come from the four winds, O breath and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

^37:10 So I prophesied as he commanded me and the breath came into them and they lived and stood up upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

^37:11 Then he said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost. We are clean cut off.

^37:12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will open your^* graves and cause you^* to come up out of your^* graves, O my people and I will bring you^* into the land of Israel.

^37:13 And you^* will know that I am Jehovah when I have opened your^* graves and caused you^* to come up out of your^* graves, O my people. ^37:14 And I will put my Spirit in you^* and you^* will live. And I will place you^* in your^* own land. And you^* will know that I, Jehovah, have spoken it and performed it, says Jehovah.

^37:15 The word of Jehovah came again to me, saying, ^37:16 And you, son of man, take one stick and write upon it, For Judah and for the sons of Israel his companions. Then take another stick and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions. ^37:17 And join them one to another into one stick for yourself, that they may become one in your hand.

^37:18 And when the sons of your people will speak to you, saying, Will you not show us what you mean by these? ^37:19 say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim and the tribes of Israel his companions and I will put them with it, even with the stick of Judah and make them one stick and they will be one in my hand. ^37:20 And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.

^37:21 And say to them, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land. ^37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel and one king will be king to them all. And they will no more be two nations, nor will they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.

^37:23 Neither will they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions, but I will save them out of all their dwelling-places in which they have sinned and will cleanse them. So they will be my people and I will be their God.

^37:24 And my servant David will be king over them and they all will have one shepherd. They will also walk in my ordinances and observe my statutes and do them. ^37:25 And they will dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob my servant, in which your^* fathers dwelt. And they will dwell in it, they and their sons and their son's sons, everlasting. And David my servant will be their ruler everlasting.

^37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them. It will be an everlasting covenant with them and I will place them and multiply them and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them everlasting. ^37:27 My tabernacle will also be with them and I will be their God and they will be my people.

^37:28 And the nations will know that I am Jehovah, who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary will be in the midst of them everlasting.

[Ezekiel 38] TOC

^38:1 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^38:2 Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the ruler of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal and prophesy against him. ^38:3 And say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, ruler of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.

^38:4 And I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws and I will bring you forth and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords, ^38:5 Persia, Cush and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet, ^38:6Gomer and all his hordes, the house of Togarmah in the outermost parts of the north and all his hordes, even many peoples with you.

^38:7 Be prepared. Yes, prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled to you and be a guard to them. ^38:8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste, but it is brought forth out of the peoples and they will dwell securely, all of them.

^38:9 And you will ascend. You will come like a storm. You will be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your hordes and many peoples with you.

^38:10 The Lord Jehovah says thus: It will happen in that day, that things will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan.

^38:11 And you will say, I will go up to the land of un-walled villages. I will go to those who are at rest, who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls and having neither bars nor gates, ^38:12 to take the spoil and to take the prey, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited and against the people who are gathered out of the nations, who have gotten cattle and goods, who dwell in the middle of the earth.

^38:13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions of it, will say to you, Have you come to take the spoil? Have you assembled your company to take the prey, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take great spoil?

^38:14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, The Lord Jehovah says thus: In that day when my people Israel dwell securely, will you not know it?

^38:15 And you will come from your place out of the outermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding upon horses, a great company and a mighty army. ^38:16 And you will come up against my people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land. It will happen in the latter days, that I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when I will be made holy in you, O Gog, before their eyes.

^38:17 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Are you he of whom I spoke in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them?

^38:18 And it will happen in that day, when Gog will come against the land of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah, that my wrath will come up into my nostrils. ^38:19 For I have spoken in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath.

Surely in that day there will be a great shaking in the land of Israel, ^38:20 so that the fishes of the sea and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field and all creeping things that creep upon the earth and all the men who are upon the face of the earth, will shake at my presence. And the mountains will be thrown down and the steep places will fall and every wall will fall to the ground.

^38:21 And I will call for a sword against him to all my mountains, says the Lord Jehovah. Every man's sword will be against his brother. ^38:22 And I will enter into judgment with him with pestilence and with blood. And I will rain upon him and upon his hordes and upon the many peoples who are with him, an overflowing shower and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.

^38:23 And I will magnify myself and sanctify myself and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations. And they will know that I am Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 39] TOC

^39:1 And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, The Lord Jehovah says thus: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, ruler of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. ^39:2 And I will turn you around and will lead you on and will cause you to come up from the outermost parts of the north and I will bring you upon the mountains of Israel.

^39:3 And I will kill^* your bow out of your left hand and will cause your arrows to fall out of your right hand. ^39:4 You will fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to the ravenous birds of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. ^39:5 You will fall upon the open field, for I have spoken it, says the Lord Jehovah. ^39:6 And I will send a fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the isles.

And they will know that I am Jehovah.

^39:7 And I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel, nor will I allow my holy name to be profaned any more. And the nations will know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel. ^39:8Behold, it comes and it will be done, says the Lord Jehovah. This is the day of which I have spoken.

^39:9 And those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go forth and will make fires of the weapons and burn them, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows and the hand staves and the spears. And they will make fires of them seven years, ^39:10 so that they will take no wood out of the field, nor cut down any out of the forests, for they will make fires of the weapons. And they will plunder those who plundered them and rob those who robbed them, says the Lord Jehovah.

^39:11 And it will happen in that day, that I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel: the valley of those who pass through on the east of the sea. And it will stop those who pass through and they will bury Gog and all his multitude there. And they will call it The valley of Hamon-gog.

^39:12 And the house of Israel will be burying them seven months, that they may cleanse the land.^39:13 Yes, all the people of the land will bury them and it will be to them a renown in the day that I will be glorified, says the Lord Jehovah.

^39:14 And they will set apart men who will continually pass through the land. And with those who pass through, those that bury those who remain upon the face of the land, to cleanse it, after the end of seven months they will search. ^39:15And those who pass through the land will pass through and when any man sees a man's bone, then he will set up a sign by it till the ones burying have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog. ^39:16 And Hamonah will also be the name of a city. Thus they will cleanse the land.

^39:17 And you, son of man, thus says the Lord Jehovah: Speak to the birds of every sort and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves and come. Gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I sacrifice for you^*, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that you^* may eat flesh and drink blood.

^39:18 You^* will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the rulers of the earth, of rams, of lambs and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatten sheep of Bashan. ^39:19 And you^* will eat fat till you^* are full and drink blood till you^* are drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you^*. ^39:20 And you^* will be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men and with all men of war, says the Lord Jehovah.

^39:21 And I will set my glory among the nations. And all the nations will see my judgment that I have executed and my hand that I have laid upon them.^39:22 So the house of Israel will know that I am Jehovah their God, from that day and forward.

^39:23 And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they trespassed against me and I hid my face from them. So I gave them into the hand of their adversaries and they fell all of them by the sword.^39:24 I did to them according to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions. And I hid my face from them.

^39:25 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: Now I will bring back the captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel. And I will be jealous for my holy name.

^39:26 And they will bear their shame and all their trespasses by which they have trespassed against me, when they will dwell securely in their land. And none will make them afraid ^39:27 when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies' lands and am made holy in them in the sight of many nations.

^39:28 And they will know that I am Jehovah their God, in that I caused them to go into captivity among the nations and have gathered them to their own land. And I will leave none of them any more there, ^39:29 nor will I hide my face any more from them. For I have poured out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 40] TOC

^40:1 In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck, in the same day, the hand of Jehovah was upon me and he brought me there. ^40:2 He brought me in the visions of God into the land of Israel and set me down upon a very high mountain, upon which was as it were the frame of a city on the south.

^40:3 And he brought me there, and behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand and a measuring reed. And he stood in the gate.

^40:4 And the man said to me, Son of man, behold with your eyes and hear with your ears and set your heart upon all that I will show you. For you are brought here to the intent that I may show them to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.

^40:5 And behold, a wall on the outside of the house all around and in the man's hand a measuring reed six cubits long, of a cubit and a handbreadth each. So he measured the thickness of the building, one reed and the height, one reed.

^40:6 Then he came to the gate which looks toward the east and went up the steps of it. And he measured the threshold of the gate, one reed broad and the other threshold, one reed broad. ^40:7 And every little chamber was one reed long and one reed broad and the space between the little chambers was five cubits. And the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate toward the house was one reed.

^40:8 He also measured the porch of the gate toward the house, one reed. ^40:9 Then he measured the porch of the gate, eight cubits and the posts of it, two cubits. And the porch of the gate was toward the house. ^40:10 And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side and three on that side; those three were of one measure. And the posts had one measure on this side and on that side. ^40:11And he measured the breadth of the opening of the gate, ten cubits and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits, ^40:12 and a border before the little chambers, one cubit on this side and a border, one cubit on that side and the little chambers, six cubits on this side and six cubits on that side. ^40:13 And he measured the gate from the roof of the one little chamber to the roof of the other, a breadth of twenty-five cubits, door against door. ^40:14 He also made posts, sixty cubits. And the court reached to the posts, all around the gate. ^40:15 And from the forefront of the gate at the entrance to the forefront of the inner porch of the gate were fifty cubits. ^40:16 And there were closed windows to the little chambers and to their posts within the gate all around and likewise to the arches. And windows were all around inward and upon each post were palm trees.

^40:17 Then he brought me into the outer court. And behold, there were chambers and a pavement, made for the court all around; thirty chambers were upon the pavement. ^40:18 And the pavement was by the side of the gates, answerable to the length of the gates, even the lower pavement. ^40:19 Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate to the forefront of the inner court outside, a hundred cubits, both on the east and on the north. ^40:20And the gate of the outer court whose view is toward the north, he measured the length of it and the breadth of it. ^40:21 And the little chambers of it were three on this side and three on that side. And the posts of it and the arches of it were according to the measure of the first gate: the length of it was fifty cubits and the breadth twenty-five cubits. ^40:22 And the windows of it and the arches of it and the palm trees of it, were according to the measure of the gate whose view is toward the east. And they went up to it by seven steps and the arches of it were before them. ^40:23 And there was a gate to the inner court opposite the other gate, both on the north and on the east and he measured from gate to gate a hundred cubits.

^40:24 And he led me toward the south. And behold, a gate toward the south. And he measured the posts of it and the arches of it according to these measures. ^40:25 And there were windows in it and in the arches of it all around, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits and the breadth twenty-five cubits. ^40:26 And there were seven steps to go up to it and the arches of it were before them. And it had palm trees, one on this side and another on that side, upon the posts of it. ^40:27 And there was a gate to the inner court toward the south. And he measured from gate to gate toward the south a hundred cubits.

^40:28 Then he brought me to the inner court by the south gate. And he measured the south gate according to these measures, ^40:29 and the little chambers of it and the posts of it and the arches of it, according to these measures. And there were windows in it and in the arches of it all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits broad.^40:30 And there were arches all around, twenty-five cubits long and five cubits broad. ^40:31 And the arches of it were toward the outer court and palm trees were upon the posts of it. And the ascent to it had eight steps.

^40:32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east. And he measured the gate according to these measures, ^40:33 and the little chambers of it and the posts of it and the arches of it, according to these measures. And there were windows in it and in the arches of it all around. It was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits broad. ^40:34 And the arches of it were toward the outer court and palm trees were upon the posts of it, on this side and on that side. And the ascent to it had eight steps.

^40:35 And he brought me to the north gate. And he measured it according to these measures, ^40:36 the little chambers of it, the posts of it and the arches of it. And there were windows in it all around. The length was fifty cubits and the breadth twenty-five cubits. ^40:37 And the posts of it were toward the outer court and palm trees were upon the posts of it, on this side and on that side. And the ascent to it had eight steps. ^40:38 And a chamber with the door of it was by the posts at the gates. They washed the burnt-offering there. ^40:39 And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side and two tables on that side, to kill on it the burnt-offering and the sin-offering and the guilt-offering. ^40:40 And on the one side outside, at the going up to the entry of the gate toward the north, were two tables and on the other side, which belonged to the porch of the gate, were two tables. ^40:41 Four tables were on this side and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate, eight tables, upon which they killed the sacrifices. ^40:42 And there were four tables for the burnt-offering, of hewn stone, a cubit and a half long and a cubit and a half broad and one cubit high, upon which they laid the instruments of which they killed the burnt-offering and the sacrifice. ^40:43 And the hooks, a handbreadth long, were fastened inside all around. And upon the tables was the flesh of the offering.

^40:44 And outside the inner gate were chambers for the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate and their view was toward the south, one at the side of the east gate having the view toward the north.

^40:45 And he said to me, This chamber, whose view is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house. ^40:46 And the chamber whose view is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok, who from among the sons of Levi come near to Jehovah to minister to him.

^40:47 And he measured the court, a hundred cubits long and a hundred cubits broad, square. And the altar was before the house.

^40:48 Then he brought me to the porch of the house and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on this side and five cubits on that side. And the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side and three cubits on that side. ^40:49 The length of the porch was twenty cubits and the breadth eleven cubits, even by the steps by which they went up to it. And there were pillars by the posts, one on this side and another on that side.

[Ezekiel 41] TOC

^41:1 And he brought me to the temple and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle. ^41:2 And the breadth of the entrance was ten cubits. And the sides of the entrance were five cubits on the one side and five cubits on the other side. And he measured the length of it, forty cubits and the breadth, twenty cubits.

^41:3 Then he went inward and measured each post of the entrance, two cubits and the entrance, six cubits and the breadth of the entrance, seven cubits.^41:4 And he measured the length of it, twenty cubits and the breadth, twenty cubits, before the temple. And he said to me, This is the most holy place.

^41:5 Then he measured the wall of the house, six cubits and the breadth of every side-chamber, four cubits, all around the house on every side. ^41:6 And the side-chambers were in three stories, one over another and thirty in order. And they entered into the wall which belonged to the house for the side-chambers all around, that they might be attached to it and not be attached to the wall of the house. ^41:7And the side-chambers were broader as they circled the house higher and higher, for the circling of the house went higher and higher all around the house. Therefore the breadth of the house continued upward and so increased from the lowest chamber to the highest by the middle chamber.

^41:8 I also saw that the house had a raised basement all around. The foundations of the side-chambers were a full reed of six great cubits. ^41:9 The thickness of the wall, which was for the side-chambers, on the outside, was five cubits. And what was left was the place of the side-chambers that belonged to the house. ^41:10 And between the chambers was a breadth of twenty cubits all around the house on every side. ^41:11 And the doors of the side-chambers were toward the place that was left, one door toward the north and another door toward the south. And the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits all around.

^41:12 And the building that was before the separate place at the side toward the west was seventy cubits broad and the wall of the building was five cubits thick all around and the length of it ninety cubits.

^41:13 So he measured the house, a hundred cubits long and the separate place and the building, with the walls of it, a hundred cubits long, ^41:14 also the breadth of the face of the house and of the separate place toward the east, a hundred cubits.

^41:15 And he measured the length of the building before the separate place which was at the back of it and the galleries of it on the one side and on the other side, a hundred cubits and the inner temple and the porches of the court, ^41:16 the thresholds and the closed windows and the galleries all around on their three stories, opposite the threshold, paneled with wood all around and from the ground up to the windows, (now the windows were covered), ^41:17 to the space above the door, even to the inner house and outside and by all the wall all around inside and outside, by measure. ^41:18 And it was made with cherubim and palm trees and a palm tree was between cherub and cherub. And every cherub had two faces, ^41:19 so that there was the face of a man toward the palm tree on the one side and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side, made through all the house all around. ^41:20 Cherubim and palm trees were made from the ground to above the door. Thus was the wall of the temple.

^41:21 As for the temple, the door-posts were squared. And as for the face of the sanctuary, the appearance was as the appearance of the temple.

^41:22 The altar was of wood, three cubits high and the length of it two cubits and the corners of it and the length of it and the walls of it, were of wood. And he said to me, This is the table that is before Jehovah.

^41:23 And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors. ^41:24 And the doors had two leaves apiece, two turning leaves, two for the one door and two leaves for the other. ^41:25 And there were made on them, on the doors of the temple, cherubim and palm trees, just as were made upon the walls. And there was a threshold of wood upon the face of the porch outside. ^41:26 And there were closed windows and palm trees on the one side and on the other side, on the sides of the porch. The side-chambers of the house and the thresholds were thus.

[Ezekiel 42] TOC

^42:1 Then he brought me forth into the outer court, the way toward the north. And he brought me into the chamber that was opposite the separate place and which was opposite the building toward the north. ^42:2 In front was the north door, the length of a hundred cubits and the breadth was fifty cubits. ^42:3Opposite the twenty which belonged to the inner court and opposite the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery against gallery in the third story. ^42:4 And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits' breadth inward, a way of one cubit and their doors were toward the north. ^42:5 Now the upper chambers were shorter, for the galleries took away from these, more than from the lower and the middlemost, in the building. ^42:6 For they were in three stories and they did not have pillars as the pillars of the courts. Therefore the uppermost was narrowed more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground. ^42:7 And the wall that was outside by the side of the chambers, toward the outer court before the chambers, the length of it was fifty cubits.^42:8 For the length of the chambers that were in the outer court was fifty cubits. And behold, of those on the front of the temple were a hundred cubits. ^42:9 And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as going into them from the outer court.^42:10 In the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, before the separate place and before the building, there were chambers. ^42:11 And the way before them was like the appearance of the way of the chambers which were toward the north. According to their length so was their breadth. And all their exits were both according to their fashions and according to their doors. ^42:12 And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as entering into them.

^42:13 Then he said to me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they are the holy chambers, where the priests that are near to Jehovah will eat the most holy things. They will lay the most holy things there and the food-offering and the sin-offering and the guilt-offering, for the place is holy. ^42:14 When the priests enter in, then they will not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but they will lay their garments there in which they minister, for they are holy. And they will put on other garments and will approach to what pertains to the people.

^42:15 Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth by the way of the gate whose view is toward the east and measured it all around. ^42:16 He measured on the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed all around. ^42:17 He measured on the north side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed all around. ^42:18 He measured on the south side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed. ^42:19 He turned about to the west side and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed. ^42:20 He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall all around, the length five hundred and the breadth five hundred, to make a separation between what was holy and what was common.

[Ezekiel 43] TOC

^43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east. ^43:2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. And his voice was like the sound of many waters and the earth shone with his glory. ^43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city. And the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar. And I fell upon my face.

^43:4 And the glory of Jehovah came into the house by the way of the gate whose view is toward the east. ^43:5 And the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner court, and behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house.

^43:6 And I heard speaking to me out of the house and a man stood by me. ^43:7 And he said to me, Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel everlasting. And the house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their prostitution and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places, ^43:8 in their setting of their threshold by my threshold and their door-post beside my door-post and there was but the wall between me and them. And they have defiled my holy name by their abominations which they have committed. Therefore I have consumed them in my anger. ^43:9 Now let them put away their prostitution and the dead bodies of their kings, far from me and I will dwell in the midst of them everlasting.

^43:10 You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities and let them measure the pattern. ^43:11 And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the form of the house and the fashion of it and the exits of it and the entrances of it and all the forms of it and all the ordinances of it and all the forms of it and all the laws of it. And write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form of it and all the ordinances of it and do them.

^43:12 This is the law of the house. Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit of it all around will be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.

^43:13 And these are the measures of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a handbreadth). The bottom will be a cubit and the breadth a cubit and the border of it by the edge of it all around a span. And this will be the base of the altar. ^43:14 And from the bottom upon the ground to the lower ledge will be two cubits and the breadth one cubit. And from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge will be four cubits and the breadth a cubit. ^43:15 And the upper altar will be four cubits. And from the altar hearth and upward there will be four horns. ^43:16 And the altar hearth will be twelve long by twelve broad, square in the four sides of it. ^43:17 And the ledge will be fourteen long by fourteen broad in the four sides of it. And the border about it will be half a cubit and the bottom of it will be a cubit all around. And the steps of it will look toward the east.

^43:18 And he said to me, Son of man, thus says the Lord Jehovah: These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they will make it, to offer burnt-offerings on it and to sprinkle blood on it. ^43:19 You will give to the priests the Levites who are of the seed of Zadok, who are near to me, to minister to me, says the Lord Jehovah, a young bull for a sin-offering. ^43:20 And you will take of the blood of it and put it on the four horns of it and on the four corners of the ledge and upon the border all around. Thus you will cleanse it and make atonement for it. ^43:21 You will also take the bull of the sin-offering and it will be burnt in the appointed place of the house, outside the sanctuary.

^43:22 And on the second day you will offer a male-goat without blemish for a sin-offering. And they will cleanse the altar, as they cleansed it with the bull. ^43:23 When you have made an end of cleansing it, you will offer a young bull without blemish and a ram out of the flock without blemish.^43:24 And you will bring them near before Jehovah and the priests will cast salt upon them and they will offer them up for a burnt-offering to Jehovah.

^43:25 Seven days you will prepare each day a goat for a sin-offering. They will also prepare a young bull and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.^43:26 Seven days they will make atonement for the altar and purify it. So they will consecrate it. ^43:27 And when they have accomplished the days, it will be that upon the eighth day and forward, the priests will make your^* burnt-offerings upon the altar and your^* peace-offerings. And I will accept you^*, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 44] TOC

^44:1 Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looks toward the east. And it was shut. ^44:2 And Jehovah said to me, This gate will be shut. It will not be opened, nor will any man enter in by it, for Jehovah, the God of Israel, has entered in by it. Therefore it will be shut.^44:3 As for the ruler, he will sit in it as ruler to eat bread before Jehovah. He will enter by the way of the porch of the gate and will go out by the way of the same.

^44:4 Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house. And I looked, and behold, the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah. And I fell upon my face.

^44:5 And Jehovah said to me, Son of man, mark well and behold with your eyes and hear with your ears all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of Jehovah and all the laws of it. And mark well the entrance of the house, with every exit of the sanctuary.

^44:6 And you will say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, The Lord Jehovah says thus: O you^* house of Israel, let it suffice you^* of all your^* abominations, ^44:7 in that you^* have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to profane it, even my house, when you^* offer my bread, the fat and the blood. And they have broken my covenant, to add to all your^* abominations. ^44:8And you^* have not kept the charge of my holy things, but you^* have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.

^44:9 The Lord Jehovah says thus: No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, will enter into my sanctuary, of any foreigners that are among the sons of Israel.

^44:10 But the Levites who went far from me, when Israel went-astray, who went-astray from me after their idols, they will bear their iniquity. ^44:11 Yet they will be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house and ministering in the house. They will kill the burnt-offering and the sacrifice for the people and they will stand before them to minister to them.

^44:12 Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have lifted up my hand against them, says the Lord Jehovah and they will bear their iniquity. ^44:13 And they will not come near to me, to execute the office of priest to me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, to the things that are most holy, but they will bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed. ^44:14Yet I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all the service of it and for all that will be done in it.

^44:15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the sons of Israel went-astray from me, they will come near to me to minister to me. And they will stand before me to offer to me the fat and the blood, says the Lord Jehovah: ^44:16 they will enter into my sanctuary and they will come near to my table, to minister to me and they will keep my charge.

^44:17 And it will be that, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they will be clothed with linen garments and no wool will come upon them, while they minister in the gates of the inner court and within. ^44:18 They will have linen headdresses upon their heads and will have linen underwear upon their loins. They will not gird themselves with anything that causes sweat. ^44:19 And when they go forth into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they will put off their garments in which they minister and lay them in the holy chambers. And they will put on other garments, that they do not sanctify the people with their garments.

^44:20 Neither will they shave their heads, nor allow their locks to grow long. They will only cut off the hair of their heads. ^44:21 Neither will any of the priests drink wine when they enter into the inner court. ^44:22 Neither will they take for their wives a widow, nor her who is put away, but they will take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest. ^44:23 And they will teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

^44:24 And in a controversy they will stand to judge. They will judge it according to my ordinances. And they will keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts and they will sanctify my Sabbaths.

^44:25 And they will go in to no dead person to defile themselves. But for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister who has had no husband, they may defile themselves. ^44:26And after he is cleansed, they will reckon to him seven days. ^44:27 And in the day that he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he will offer his sin-offering, says the Lord Jehovah.

^44:28 And they will have an inheritance: I am their inheritance. And you^* will give them no possession in Israel. I am their possession. ^44:29 They will eat the food-offering and the sin-offering and the guilt-offering. And every devoted thing in Israel will be theirs. ^44:30 And the first of all the first-fruits of every thing and every offering of everything, of all your^* heave-offerings, will be for the priest. You^* will also give to the priests the first of your^* dough, to cause a blessing to rest on your house. ^44:31 The priests will not eat of anything that dies of itself, or is torn, whether it is bird or beast.

[Ezekiel 45] TOC

^45:1 Moreover, when you^* will divide the land by lot for an inheritance, you^* will offer a heave-offering to Jehovah, a holy portion of the land. The length will be the length of twenty-five thousand measures and the breadth will be ten thousand. It will be holy in all the border of it all around. ^45:2 Of this there will be for the holy place five hundred by five hundred square all around and fifty cubits for the suburbs of it all around. ^45:3 And of this measure you will measure a length of twenty-five thousand and a breadth of ten thousand. And the sanctuary will be in it, which is most holy. ^45:4 It is a holy portion of the land. It will be for the priests, the ministers of the sanctuary, who come near to minister to Jehovah and it will be a place for their houses and a holy place for the sanctuary. ^45:5 And twenty-five thousand in length and ten thousand in breadth, will be to the Levites, the ministers of the house, for a possession to themselves, for twenty chambers.

^45:6 And you^* will appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad and twenty-five thousand long, side by side with the heave-offering of the holy portion. It will be for the whole house of Israel.

^45:7 And whatever is for the ruler will be on the one side and on the other side of the holy heave-offering and of the possession of the city, in front of the holy offering and in front of the possession of the city, on the west side westward and on the east side eastward and in length answerable to one of the portions, from the west border to the east border. ^45:8 It will be to him for a possession in the land in Israel. And my rulers will no more oppress my people, but they will give the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

^45:9 The Lord Jehovah says thus: Let it suffice you^*, O rulers of Israel. Remove violence and spoil and execute justice and righteousness. Take away your^* exactions from my people, says the Lord Jehovah. ^45:10 You^* will have just balances and a just 10-gallon container and a just 9-gallon container. ^45:11 The 10-gallon container and the 9-gallon container will be of one measure, that the 9-gallon container may contain the tenth part of a homer and the 10-gallon container the tenth part of a homer. The measure of it will be according to the homer. ^45:12And the shekel will be twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels, twenty-five shekels, fifteen shekels, will be your^* maneh {about 6 lbs}.

^45:13 This is the heave-offering that you^* will offer: the sixth part of a 10-gallon container from a homer of wheat and you^* will give the sixth part of a 10-gallon container from a homer of barley, ^45:14 and the set portion of oil, of the 9-gallon container of oil, the tenth part of a 9-gallon container out of the cor, which is ten baths, even a homer, (for ten baths are a homer), ^45:15 and one lamb of the flock, out of two hundred, from the well-watered pastures of Israel, for a food-offering and for a burnt-offering and for peace-offerings, to make atonement for them, says the Lord Jehovah.

^45:16 All the people of the land will give to this heave-offering for the ruler in Israel. ^45:17 And it will be the ruler's part to give the burnt-offerings and the food-offerings and the drink-offerings, in the feasts and on the new moons and on the Sabbaths, in all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He will prepare the sin-offering and the food-offering and the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.

^45:18 The Lord Jehovah says thus: In the first month, in the first day of the month, you will take a young bull without blemish and you will cleanse the sanctuary. ^45:19 And the priest will take of the blood of the sin-offering and put it upon the door-posts of the house and upon the four corners of the ledge of the altar and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court. ^45:20 And so you will do on the seventh day of the month for each one who errs and for him who is simple. So will you^* make atonement for the house.

^45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, you^* will have the Passover, a feast of seven days. Unleavened bread will be eaten. ^45:22 And upon that day the ruler will prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin-offering. ^45:23 And the seven days of the feast he will prepare a burnt-offering to Jehovah, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days and a male-goat daily for a sin-offering. ^45:24 And he will prepare a food-offering, a 10-gallon container for a bull and a 10-gallon container for a ram and a 5-quart container of oil to a 10-gallon container.

^45:25 In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, in the feast, he will do the like the seven days, according to the sin-offering, according to the burnt-offering and according to the food-offering and according to the oil.

[Ezekiel 46] TOC

^46:1 The Lord Jehovah says thus: The gate of the inner court that looks toward the east will be shut the six working days, but on the Sabbath day it will be opened and on the day of the new moon it will be opened. ^46:2 And the ruler will enter by the way of the porch of the gate outside and will stand by the post of the gate. And the priests will prepare his burnt-offering and his peace-offerings and he will worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he will go forth, but the gate will not be shut until the evening. ^46:3And the people of the land will worship at the door of that gate before Jehovah on the Sabbaths and on the new moons.

^46:4 And the burnt-offering that the ruler will offer to Jehovah will be on the Sabbath day six lambs without blemish and a ram without blemish,^46:5 and the food-offering will be a 10-gallon container for the ram and the food-offering for the lambs as he is able to give and a 5-quart container of oil to a 10-gallon container. ^46:6 And on the day of the new moon it will be a young bull without blemish and six lambs and a ram. They will be without blemish. ^46:7 And he will prepare a food-offering, a 10-gallon container for the bull and a 10-gallon container for the ram and for the lambs just-as he is able and a 5-quart container of oil to a 10-gallon container. ^46:8 And when the ruler will enter, he will go in by the way of the porch of the gate and he will go forth by the way of it.

^46:9 But when the people of the land will come before Jehovah in the appointed feasts, he who enters by the way of the north gate to worship will go forth by the way of the south gate and he who enters by the way of the south gate will go forth by the way of the north gate. He will not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but will go forth straight before him. ^46:10 And the ruler, when they go in, they will go in, in the midst of them and when they go forth, they will go forth together.

^46:11 And in the feasts and in the solemnities the food-offering will be a 10-gallon container for a bull and a 10-gallon container for a ram and for the lambs as he is able to give and a 5-quart container of oil to a 10-gallon container. ^46:12 And when the ruler will prepare a free-will offering, a burnt-offering or peace-offerings as a free-will offering to Jehovah, a man will open for him the gate that looks toward the east. And he will prepare his burnt-offering and his peace-offerings, as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he will go forth and after his going forth a man will shut the gate.

^46:13 And you will prepare a lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt-offering to Jehovah daily. You will prepare it morning by morning. ^46:14And you will prepare a food-offering with it morning by morning, the sixth part of a 10-gallon container and the third part of a 5-quart container of oil, to moisten the fine flour, a food-offering to Jehovah continually by a everlasting ordinance. ^46:15 Thus they will prepare the lamb and the food-offering and the oil, morning by morning, for a continual burnt-offering.

^46:16 The Lord Jehovah says thus: If the ruler gives a gift to any of his sons, it is his inheritance. It will belong to his sons. It is their possession by inheritance. ^46:17 But if he gives a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, it will be his to the year of liberty, then it will return to the ruler. But as for his inheritance, it will be for his sons. ^46:18Moreover the ruler will not take of the people's inheritance, to thrust them out of their possession. He will give inheritance to his sons out of his own possession, that my people are not scattered each man from his possession.

^46:19 Then he brought me through the entry, which was at the side of the gate, into the holy chambers for the priests, which looked toward the north. And behold, there was a place on the rear part westward. ^46:20 And he said to me, This is the place where the priests will boil the guilt-offering and the sin-offering and where they will bake the food-offering, that they do not bring them forth into the outer court, to sanctify the people.

^46:21 Then he brought me forth into the outer court and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court. And behold, in every corner of the court there was a court. ^46:22 In the four corners of the court there were courts enclosed, forty long and thirty broad. These four in the corners were of one measure. ^46:23 And there was a wall all around in them, all around the four. And boiling-places were made under the walls all around. ^46:24 Then said he to me, These are the boiling-houses, where the ministers of the house will boil the sacrifice of the people.

[Ezekiel 47] TOC

^47:1 And he brought me back to the door of the house. And behold, waters went forth out from under the threshold of the house eastward, for the forefront of the house was toward the east. And the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar.

^47:2 Then he brought me out by the way of the gate northward and led me round by the way outside to the outer gate, by the way of the gate that looks toward the east. And behold, waters ran out on the right side.

^47:3 When the man went forth eastward with the line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles. ^47:4 Again he measured a thousand and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the loins. ^47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the waters have risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. ^47:6And he said to me, Son of man, have you seen this? Then he brought me and caused me to return to the bank of the river.

^47:7 Now when I had returned, behold, upon the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. ^47:8 Then he said to me, These waters go forth toward the eastern region and will go down into the Arabah. And they will go toward the sea, into the sea which were made to go forth and the waters will be healed. ^47:9 And it will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. And there will be a very great multitude of fish (for these waters have come there) and will be healed. And everything will live wherever the river comes. ^47:10 And it will happen, that fishermen will stand by it. From En-gedi even to En-eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, very many.^47:11 But the miry places of it and the marshes of it, will not be healed. They will be given up to salt. ^47:12And every tree will grow for food by the river upon the bank of it, on this side and on that side, whose leaf will not wither, nor will the fruit of it fail. It will bring forth new fruit every month, because the waters of it goes forth out of the sanctuary. And the fruit of it will be for food and the leaf of it for healing.

^47:13 The Lord Jehovah says thus: This will be the border by which you^* will divide the land for an inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph will have two portions. ^47:14 And you^* will inherit it, one as well as another, for I swore to give it to your^* fathers. And this land will fall to you^* for an inheritance.

^47:15 And this will be the border of the land: On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, to the entrance of Zedad, ^47:16 Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath, Hazer-hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran. ^47:17 And the border from the sea, will be Hazar-enan at the border of Damascus and on the north northward is the border of Hamath. This is the north side. ^47:18 And the east side, between Hauran and Damascus and Gilead and the land of Israel, will be the Jordan, from the north border to the east sea you^* will measure. This is the east side. ^47:19 And the south side southward will be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt, to the great sea. This is the south side southward. ^47:20 And the west side will be the great sea, from the south border as far as opposite the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.

^47:21 So you^* will divide this land to you^* according to the tribes of Israel. ^47:22 And it will happen, that you^* will divide it by lot for an inheritance to you^* and to the strangers who journey among you^*, who will beget sons among you^*. And they will be to you^* as the home-born among the sons of Israel; they will have inheritance with you^* among the tribes of Israel. ^47:23 And it will happen, that in what tribe the stranger travels, there you^* will give him his inheritance, says the Lord Jehovah.

[Ezekiel 48] TOC

^48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes: from the north end, beside the way of Hethlon to the entrance of Hamath, Hazar-enan at the border of Damascus, northward beside Hamath, (and they will have their sides east and west), Dan, one portion. ^48:2And by the border of Dan, from the east side to the west side, Asher, one portion. ^48:3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even to the west side, Naphtali, one portion. ^48:4 And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side, Manasseh, one portion. ^48:5 And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west side, Ephraim, one portion. ^48:6 And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even to the west side, Reuben, one portion. ^48:7 And by the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west side, Judah, one portion. ^48:8 And by the border of Judah, from the east side to the west side, will be the heave-offering which you^* will offer: twenty-five thousand measures in breadth and in length as one of the portions, from the east side to the west side. And the sanctuary will be in the midst of it.

^48:9 The heave-offering that you^* will offer to Jehovah will be twenty-five thousand measures in length and ten thousand in breadth. ^48:10 And for these, even for the priests, will be the holy heave-offering: toward the north twenty-five thousand in length and toward the west ten thousand in breadth and toward the east ten thousand in breadth and toward the south twenty-five thousand in length. And the sanctuary of Jehovah will be in the midst of it. ^48:11 It will be for the priests who are made holy of the sons of Zadok, who have kept my charge, who did not go-astray when the sons of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. ^48:12 And it will be to them an offering from the heave-offering of the land, a thing most holy, by the border of the Levites.

^48:13 And answerable to the border of the priests, the Levites will have twenty-five thousand in length and ten thousand in breadth. All the length will be twenty-five thousand and the breadth ten thousand.^48:14 And they will sell none of it, nor exchange it, nor will the first-fruits of the land be alienated, for it is holy to Jehovah.

^48:15 And the five thousand that are left in the breadth, in front of the twenty-five thousand, will be for common use, for the city, for dwelling and for suburbs. And the city will be in the midst of it. ^48:16And these will be the measures of it: the north side four thousand and five hundred and the south side four thousand and five hundred and on the east side four thousand and five hundred and the west side four thousand and five hundred. ^48:17 And the city will have suburbs: toward the north two hundred and fifty and toward the south two hundred and fifty and toward the east two hundred and fifty and toward the west two hundred and fifty.

^48:18 And the residue in the length, answerable to the holy heave-offering, will be ten thousand eastward and ten thousand westward. And it will be answerable to the holy heave-offering. And the increase of it will be for food to those who labor in the city. ^48:19 And those who labor in the city, out of all the tribes of Israel, will till it.

^48:20 All the heave-offering will be twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand. You^* will offer the holy offering four-square, with the possession of the city.

^48:21 And the residue will be for the ruler, on the one side and on the other of the holy heave-offering and of the possession of the city, in front of the twenty-five thousand of the heave-offering toward the east border and westward in front of the twenty-five thousand toward the west border, answerable to the portions. It will be for the ruler. And the holy heave-offering and the sanctuary of the house will be in the midst of it. ^48:22Moreover from the possession of the Levites and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of what is the ruler's, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, it will be for the ruler.

^48:23 And as for the rest of the tribes, from the east side to the west side, Benjamin, one portion. ^48:24And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side, Simeon, one portion.

^48:25 And by the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side, Issachar, one portion. ^48:26 And by the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west side, Zebulun, one portion.

^48:27 And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west side, Gad, one portion. ^48:28 And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border will be even from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt, to the great sea.

^48:29 This is the land which you^* will divide by lot to the tribes of Israel for an inheritance and these are their several portions, says the Lord Jehovah.

^48:30 And these are the exits of the city: On the north side four thousand and five hundred measures by measure. ^48:31 And the gates of the city will be according to the names of the tribes of Israel, three gates northward: the gate of Reuben, one, the gate of Judah, one, the gate of Levi, one. ^48:32 And at the east side four thousand and five hundred measures and three gates: even the gate of Joseph, one, the gate of Benjamin, one, the gate of Dan, one. ^48:33 And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures by measure and three gates: the gate of Simeon, one, the gate of Issachar, one, the gate of Zebulun, one.^48:34 At the west side four thousand and five hundred measures, with their three gates: the gate of Gad, one, the gate of Asher, one, the gate of Naphtali, one.

^48:35 It will be eighteen thousand measures all around. And the name of the city from that day will be, Jehovah is there.

[Daniel 1] TOC

^1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. ^1:2 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 he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god.

^1:3 And the king spoke to Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in certain of the sons of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the ranking men, ^1:4 youths in whom was no blemish, but fine-looking and skillful in all wisdom and endued with knowledge and understanding science 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.

^1:5 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 of it they should stand before the king.

^1:6 Now among these were, of the sons of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. ^1:7 And the ruler of the eunuchs gave names to them. To Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar and to Hananiah, of Shadrach and to Mishael, of Meshach and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

^1:8 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 ruler of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

^1:9 Now God made Daniel find kindness and compassion in the sight of the ruler of the eunuchs.^1:10 And the ruler of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your^* food and your^* drink. For why should he see your^* faces worse looking than the youths that are of your^* own age? So you^* would endanger my head with the king.

^1:11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the ruler of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ^1:12 I beseech you, test your servants ten days and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. ^1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before you and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's food. And as you see, deal with your servants.

^1:14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them ten days. ^1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared finer and they were fuller in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king's dainties. ^1:16 So the steward took away their food and the wine that they should drink and gave them vegetables.

^1:17 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. ^1:18 And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the ruler of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

^1:19 And the king spoke with them. And among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. ^1:20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.^1:21 And Daniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus.

[Daniel 2] TOC

^2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams. And his spirit was troubled and his sleep went from him. ^2:2 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 in and stood before the king.

^2:3 And the king said to them, I have dreamed a dream and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.^2:4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, O king, live forever. Tell your servants the dream and we will show the interpretation.

^2:5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing has gone from me. If you^* do not make the dream and the interpretation of it known to me, you^* will be cut in pieces and your^* houses will be made a dunghill. ^2:6 But if you^* show the dream and the interpretation of it, you^* will receive gifts and rewards and great honor from me. Therefore show the dream and the interpretation of it to me.

^2:7 They answered the second time and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream and we will show the interpretation.

^2:8 The king answered and said, I know of a certainty that you^* would gain time, because you^* see the thing has gone from me. ^2:9 But if you^* do not make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you^*, for you^* have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me till the time is changed. Therefore tell me the dream and I will know that you^* can show me the interpretation of it.

^2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king and said, There is not a man upon the earth who can show the king's matter. Inasmuch as no king, lord, or ruler, has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. ^2:11 And it is a rare thing that the king requires and there is no other who can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

^2:12 For this reason the king was angry and very angry and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. ^2:13 So the decree went forth and the wise men were to be slain. And they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.

^2:14 Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who went forth to kill the wise men of Babylon. ^2:15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so urgent from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

^2:16 And Daniel went in and desired of the king that he would appoint him a time and he would show the king the interpretation.

^2:17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, his companions, ^2:18 that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his companions should nor perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

^2:19 Then the secret was shown to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. ^2:20 Daniel answered and said, Praise the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are his. ^2:21 And he changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. ^2:22 He reveals the deep and secret things. He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with him.

^2:23 I thank you and praise you, O you, God of my fathers, who has given me wisdom and might and has now made known to me what we desired of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.

^2:24 Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon. Bring me in before the king and I will show to the king the interpretation.

^2:25 Then Arioch brought Daniel in before the king in haste and said thus to him: I have found a man of the sons of the captivity of Judah, who will make known the interpretation to the king.

^2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and the interpretation of it?

^2:27 Daniel answered before the king and said, The secret which the king has demanded, neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers, can show to the king, ^2:28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. And he has made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.

Your dream and the visions of your head upon your bed, are these: ^2:29 As for you, O king, your thoughts came upon your bed, what should happen hereafter. And he who reveals secrets has made known to you what will happen.

^2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living man, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

^2:31 You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty and whose brightness was excellent, stood before you and the appearance of it was fearful. ^2:32 As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, ^2:33 its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of clay.

^2:34 You looked until a stone was cut out without hands, which killed^* the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. ^2:35Then the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver and the gold, was 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 killed^* the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

^2:36 This is the dream and we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. ^2:37 You, O king, are a king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power and the strength and the glory. ^2:38 And wherever the sons of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, he has given into your hand and has made you to rule over them all. You are the head of gold.

^2:39 And after you will arise another kingdom inferior to you and another third kingdom of brass, which will bear rule over all the earth.

^2:40 And the fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things. And as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush. ^2:41 And in what you saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom. But there will be of the strength of the iron in it, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with miry clay. ^2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly broken. ^2:43And in what you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men, but they will not cling one to another, even as iron does not mix with clay.

^2:44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will the sovereignty of it be left to another people, but it will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it will stand forever.

^2:45 Inasmuch as you saw 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 has made known to the king what will happen hereafter. And the dream is certain and the interpretation of it sure.

^2:46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and worshiped Daniel and commanded that they should offer an offering and sweet odors to him. ^2:47The king answered to Daniel and said, Of a truth your^* God is the God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets, since you have been able to reveal this secret.

^2:48 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 governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

^2:49 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] TOC

^3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and the breadth of it six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

^3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

^3:3 Then the satraps, the deputies and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

^3:4 Then the herald cried aloud, To you^* it is commanded, O peoples, nations and languages, ^3:5that at what time you^* hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, trigon, psaltery, dulcimer and all kinds of music, you^* fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. ^3:6 And he who does not fall down and worship will the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

^3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, trigon, psaltery and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

^3:8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near and brought accusation against the Jews.^3:9They answered and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live forever. ^3:10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who will hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, trigon, psaltery and dulcimer and all kinds of music, will fall down and worship the golden image. ^3:11 And he who does not fall down and worship, will be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

^3:12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have not regarded you. They do not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

^3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.^3:14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you^* do not serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

^3:15 Now if you^* are ready that at what time you^* hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, trigon, psaltery and dulcimer and all kinds of music, you^* fall down and worship the image which I have made, well. But if you^* do not worship, you^* will be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is that god who will deliver you^* out of my hands?

^3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ^3:17 If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

^3:18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

^3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. Therefore he spoke and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was accustomed to be heated. ^3:20 And he commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

^3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their tunics and their head coverings and their other garments and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

^3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent and the furnace very hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. ^3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

^3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and rose up in haste. He spoke and said to his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said to the king, True, O king. ^3:25 He answered and said, Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire and they have no harm. And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.

^3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, you^* servants of the Most High God, come out and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came forth out of the midst of the fire.

^3:27 And the satraps, the deputies and the governors and the king's counselors, 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 coats changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them.

^3:28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent his messenger and delivered his servants who 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.

^3:29 Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation and language, which speaks anything negligent against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, will be cut in pieces and their houses will be made a dunghill, because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort. ^3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in the province of Babylon.

[Daniel 4] TOC

^4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you^*. ^4:2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me. ^4:3 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.

^4:4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house and flourishing in my palace. ^4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

^4:6 Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. ^4:7Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans and the soothsayers came in and I told the dream before them, but they did not make the interpretation of it known to me.

^4:8 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, saying, ^4:9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen and the interpretation of it.

^4:10 The visions of my head upon my bed were thus: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth and the height of it was great. ^4:11 The tree grew and was strong and the height of it reached to heaven and the sight of it to the end of all the earth. ^4:12 The leaves of it were fine and the fruit of it much and food was in it for all. The beasts of the field had shadow under it and the birds of the heavens dwelt in the branches of it. And all flesh was fed from it.

^4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from heaven. ^4:14 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.

^4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with 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. ^4:16 Let his heart be changed from man's and let a beast's heart be given to him. And let seven times pass over him.

^4:17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he will and sets up over it the lowest of men.

^4:18 This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. And you, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, inasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation. But you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.

^4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered and said, Belteshazzar, do not let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, may the dream be to those who hate you and the interpretation of it to your adversaries.

^4:20 The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to heaven and the sight of it to all the earth, ^4:21 whose leaves were fine and the fruit of it much and in it was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens had their dwelling, ^4:22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. For your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven and your dominion to the end of the earth.

^4:23 And in what 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 of it in the earth, even with 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.

^4:24 This is the interpretation, O king and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: ^4:25 That you will be driven from men and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. And you will be made to eat grass as oxen and will be wet with the dew of heaven.

And seven times will pass over you till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he will.

^4:26 And in what they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be sure to you, after you will have known that the heavens do rule.

^4:27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you and break off your sins by righteousness and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.

^4:28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. ^4:29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. ^4:30 The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?

^4:31 While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice from heaven fell, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from you. ^4:32 And you will be driven from men and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will be made to eat grass as oxen and seven times will pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he will.

^4:33 The same hour the thing was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar. And he was driven from men and ate 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.

^4:34 And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven and my understanding returned to me. And I blessed the Most High and I praised and honored he who lives forever. For his dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom from generation to generation. ^4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. And none can stay his hand, or say to him, What are you doing?

^4:36 At the same time my understanding returned to me and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me and my counselors and my lords sought to me. And I was established in my kingdom and excellent greatness was added to me.

^4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are truth and his ways justice. And he is able to humble those who walk in pride.

[Daniel 5] TOC

^5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine before the thousand. ^5:2 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 wives and his concubines, might drink from there.

^5:3 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 wives and his concubines, drank from them. ^5:4They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood and of stone.

^5:5 In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand came out and wrote opposite the lamp-stand upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. And the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

^5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed in him and his thoughts troubled him. And the joints of his loins were loosed and his knees killed^* one against another.

^5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever will read this writing and show me the interpretation of it, will be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold about his neck and will be the third ruler in the kingdom.

^5:8 Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation. ^5:9 Then king Belshazzar was greatly troubled and his countenance was changed in him and his lords were perplexed.

^5:10 Now the queen came into the banquet house because of the words of the king and his lords. The queen spoke and said, O king, live forever. Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance be changed.

^5:11 There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. And in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. And the king Nebuchadnezzar your father, the king, I say, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans and soothsayers, ^5:12 inasmuch as an excellent spirit and knowledge and understanding, interpreting of dreams and showing of dark sentences and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called and he will show the interpretation.

^5:13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, Are you that Daniel, who are of the sons of the captivity of Judah, whom my father the king brought out of Judah? ^5:14 I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.

^5:15 And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me the interpretation of it, but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.

^5:16 But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me the interpretation of it, you will be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold about your neck and will be the third ruler in the kingdom.

^5:17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.

^5:18 O you king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom and greatness and glory and majesty. ^5:19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he wanted, he killed and whom he wanted, he kept alive and whom he wanted, he raised up and whom he wanted, he put down.

^5:20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne. And they took his glory from him, ^5:21 and he was driven from the sons of men. And his heart was made like the beasts and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men and that he sets up over it whomever he will.

^5:22 And you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, ^5:23 but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor know. And the God in whose hand your breath is and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified.

^5:24 Then the part of the hand was sent from before him and this writing was inscribed. ^5:25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN {numbered, numbered, weighted, divided}.

^5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end. ^5:27 TEKEL, you are weighed in the balances and are found wanting. ^5:28 PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

^5:29 Then Belshazzar commanded and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold about his neck and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

^5:30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain. ^5:31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

[Daniel 6] TOC

^6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom, ^6:2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, that these satraps might give account to them and that the king should have no damage.

^6:3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

^6:4 Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no occasion nor fault, inasmuch as he was faithful, nor was there any error or fault found in him. ^6:5 Then these men said, We will not find any occasion against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

^6:6 Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king and said thus to him: King Darius, live forever. ^6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a strong interdict, that whoever will ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O king, he will be cast into the den of lions.

^6:8 Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the writing, that it is not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.^6:9 Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the interdict.

^6:10 And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem) and he knelt upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did formerly.

^6:11 Then these men assembled together and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. ^6:12 Then they came near and spoke before the king concerning the king's interdict. Have you not signed an interdict, that every man who will make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, will 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 does not alter.

^6:13 Then they answered and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the sons of the captivity of Judah, does not regard you, O king, nor the interdict that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.

^6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him. And he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him.

^6:15 Then these men assembled together to the king and said to the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.

^6:16 Then the king commanded and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said to Daniel, Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.

^6:17 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.

^6:18 Then the king went to his palace and passed the night fasting, nor were instruments of music brought before him. And his sleep fled from him.

^6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. ^6:20And when he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?

^6:21 Then Daniel said to the king, O king, live forever. ^6:22 My God has sent his messenger and has shut the lions' mouths and they have not hurt me, inasmuch as before him innocence was found in me. And also before you, O king, I have done no harm.

^6:23 Then the king was exceedingly 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 harm was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God.

^6:24 And the king commanded and they brought those men who had accused Daniel and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their sons and their wives. And the lions had the mastery of them and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

^6:25 Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you^*. ^6:26 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 steadfast forever. And his kingdom is what will not be destroyed and his dominion will be even to the end. ^6:27 He delivers and rescues and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

^6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

[Daniel 7] TOC

^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.

^7:2 Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven broke forth upon the great sea. ^7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, different from one another.

^7:4 The first was like a lion and had eagle's wings. I beheld till the wings of it were plucked and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand upon two feet as a man and a man's heart was given to it. ^7:5 And behold, another beast, a second, like a bear and it was raised up on one side and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: Arise, devour much flesh. ^7:6 After this I beheld, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had upon its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads and dominion was given to it.

^7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, fearful and powerful and exceedingly strong. And it had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces and stamped the residue with its feet. And it was different from all the beasts that were before it and it had ten horns. ^7:8 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.

^7:9 I beheld till thrones were placed and one who was ancient of days sat. His garments was white as snow and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames and the wheels of it burning fire. ^7:10 A fiery stream was streaming and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set and the books were opened.

^7:11 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. ^7:12 And as for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away. Yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

^7:13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of heaven someone like a son of man. And he came even to the ancient of days and they brought him near before him.

^7:14 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 will not pass away and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

^7:15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved in the midst of my body and the visions of my head troubled me. ^7:16 I came near to one of those who stood by and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made me know the interpretation of the things.

^7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings who will arise out of the earth. ^7:18 But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and forever.

^7:19 Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was different from all of them, exceedingly fearful, whose teeth were of iron and its nails of brass, which devoured, broke in pieces and stamped the residue with its feet, ^7:20 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 look was greater than its fellows.

^7:21 I beheld and the same horn made war with the holy ones and prevailed against them ^7:22 until the ancient of days came. And judgment was given to the holy ones of the Most High and the time came that the holy ones possessed the kingdom.

^7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and will tread it down and break it in pieces.

^7:24 And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise. And another will arise after them and he will be different from the former. And he will put down three kings. ^7:25 And he will speak words against the Most High and will wear out the holy ones of the Most High. And he will think to change the times and the law and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

^7:26 But the judgment will be set and they will take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. ^7:27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, will be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions will serve and obey him.

^7:28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me much and my countenance was changed in me, but I kept the matter in my heart.

[Daniel 8] TOC

^8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, even to me, Daniel, after what appeared to me at the first. ^8:2 And I saw in the vision, now it was so, that when I saw, I was in Shushan the palace, which is in the province of Elam and I saw in the vision and I was by the river Ulai.

^8:3 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, there stood before the river 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. ^8:4I saw the ram pushing westward and northward and southward and no beasts could stand before him, nor was there any that could deliver out of his hand, but he did according to his will and magnified himself.

^8:5 And as I was considering, behold, a male-goat came from the west over the face of the whole earth and did not touch the ground. And the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. ^8:6 And he came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the river and ran upon him in the fury of his power.

^8:7 And I saw him come close to the ram. And he was moved with anger against him and killed^* 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.

^8:8 And the male-goat magnified himself exceedingly. And when he was strong, the great horn was broken and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven.

^8:9 And out of one of them came out a little horn, which grew exceedingly great, toward the south and toward the east and toward the glorious land. ^8:10 And it grew great, even to the host of heaven. And it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground and trampled upon them.

^8:11 Yes, it magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host. And it took away from him the continual burnt-offering and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. ^8:12 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 did its pleasure and prospered.

^8:13 Then I heard a holy one speaking and another holy one said to that certain one who spoke, How long will be the vision of the continual burnt-offering and the transgression that make desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? ^8:14 And he said to me, To two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary will be cleansed.

^8:15 And it happened, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, that I sought to understand it, and behold, there stood before me someone as the appearance of a man. ^8:16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

^8:17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell upon my face. But he said to me, Understand, O son of man, for the vision belongs to the time of the end.

^8:18 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. ^8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make you know what will be in the latter time of the indignation, for it belongs to the appointed time of the end

^8:20 The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia. ^8:21And the rough male-goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. ^8:22 And as for what was broken, in the place of which four stood up, four kingdoms will stand up out of the nation, but not with his power.

^8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have come to the full, a king of fierce countenance and understanding hidden things, will stand up. ^8:24 And his power will be mighty, but not by his own power and he will destroy amazingly and will prosper and do his pleasure. And he will destroy the mighty ones and the holy people.

^8:25 And through his policy he will cause deceit to prosper in his hand and he will magnify himself in his heart. And he will destroy many in their security. He will also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without a hand.

^8:26 And the vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true. But shut up the vision, for it belongs to many days to come.

^8:27 And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick certain days. Then I rose up and did the king's business. And I wondered at the vision, but none understood it.

[Daniel 9] TOC

^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, ^9:2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years of which the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even the seventy years.

^9:3 And I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

^9:4 And I prayed to Jehovah my God and made confession and said, Oh, Lord, the great and fearful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, ^9:5we have sinned and have dealt perversely and have done wickedly and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances, ^9:6 nor have we listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our rulers and our fathers and to all the people of the land.

^9:7 O Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but to us shame of face, as at this day, to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to all Israel, who are near and who are far off, through all the countries where you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you.

^9:8 O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, to our rulers and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. ^9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, ^9:10 nor have we obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. ^9:11 Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, even turning aside, that they should not obey your voice. Therefore the curse has been poured out upon us and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God. For we have sinned against him. ^9:12And he has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil, for under the whole heaven has not been done as has been done upon Jerusalem.

^9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come upon us. Yet we have not entreated the favor of Jehovah our God, that we should turn from our iniquities and have discernment in your truth.

^9:14 Therefore Jehovah has watched over the evil and brought it upon us, for Jehovah our God is righteous in all his works which he does and we have not obeyed his voice.

^9:15 And now, O Lord our God, who has brought your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and has gotten you renown, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

^9:16 O Lord, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are all around us.

^9:17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplications and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. ^9:18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and behold our desolations and the city which is called by your name. For we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies' sake.

^9:19 O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and do. Defer not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.

^9:20 And while I was speaking and praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my supplication before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God, ^9:21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering.

^9:22 And he instructed me and talked with me and said, O Daniel, I have now come out to give you wisdom and understanding. ^9:23 At the beginning of your supplications the commandment went forth and I have come to tell you, for you are a great delight. Therefore consider the matter and understand the vision.

^9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish transgression and to make an end of sins and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring in everlasting righteousness and to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. {Mic_7:15, Joe_2:28-32, Zec_12:10-14:2}

^9:25 Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the anointed one, the Prince, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be built again, with street and moat, even in troublesome times.

^9:26 And after the sixty-two weeks the anointed one will be cut off and will have nothing. And the people of the prince who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary and the end of it will be with a flood. And even to the end will be war; desolations are determined. ^9:27 And he will make a firm covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And upon the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate. And even to the full end and that determined, wrath will be poured out upon the desolate.

[Daniel 10] TOC

^10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar and the thing was true, even a great warfare. And he understood the thing and had understanding of the vision.

^10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. ^10:3 I ate no desirable bread. Neither flesh nor wine came into my mouth. Neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

^10:4 And in the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, ^10:5 I lifted up my eyes and looked. And behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz. ^10:6 Also his body was like the beryl and his face as the appearance of lightning and his eyes as flaming torches and his arms and his feet like burnished brass and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

^10:7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great quaking fell upon them and they fled to hide themselves.

^10:8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision. And there remained no strength in me, for my fitness was turned in me into debility and I retained no strength. ^10:9 Yet I heard the voice of his words. And when I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

^10:10 And behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.^10:11 And he said to me, O Daniel, you man are a great delight, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for I am now sent to you. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood, trembling.

^10:12 Then he said to me, Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come for your words' sake.

^10:13 But the ruler of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. And I remained there with the kings of Persia. ^10:14 I have come now to make you understand what will befall your people in the latter days, for the vision is yet for many days.

^10:15 And when he had spoken to me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground and was mute. ^10:16 And behold, someone in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who stood before me, O my lord, because of the vision my pains have turned upon me and I retain no strength.^10:17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, nor was there breath left in me.

^10:18 Then someone like the appearance of a man touched me again and he strengthened me. ^10:19 And he said, O man are a great delight, do not fear. Peace be to you. Be strong, yes, be strong. And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.

^10:20 Then he said, Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the ruler of Persia. And when I go forth behold, the ruler of Greece will come.

^10:21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. And there is none who holds with me against these, but Michael your^* prince.

[Daniel 11] TOC

^11:1 And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.

^11:2 And now I will show you the truth. Behold, there will stand up yet three kings in Persia and the fourth will be far richer than them all. And when he has grown strong through his riches, he will stir up all against the realm of Greece. ^11:3 And a mighty king will stand up, who will rule with great dominion and do according to his will.

^11:4 And when he will stand up, his kingdom will be broken and will be divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled, for his kingdom will be plucked up, even for others besides these.

^11:5 And the king of the south will be strong and one of his rulers. And he will be powerful over him and have dominion. His dominion will be a great dominion. ^11:6 And at the end of years they will join themselves together. And the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make a smoothly agreement, but she will not retain the strength of her arm, nor will he stand, nor his arm. But she will be given up and also those who brought her and he who fathered her and he who strengthened her in those times.

^11:7 But out of a shoot from her roots will a man stand up in his place, who will come to the army and will enter into the fortress of the king of the north and will deal against them and will prevail. ^11:8 And also their gods, with their molten images and with their desirable vessels of silver and of gold, he will carry captive into Egypt and he will refrain from the king of the north some years.

^11:9 And he will come into the realm of the king of the south, but he will return into his own land. ^11:10And his sons will war and will assemble a multitude of great forces, which will come on and overflow and pass through. And they will return and war, even to his fortress.

^11:11 And the king of the south will be moved with anger and will come out and fight with him, even with the king of the north. And he will set forth a great multitude and the multitude will be given into his hand. ^11:12 And the multitude will be lifted up and his heart will be exalted. And he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail.

^11:13 And the king of the north will return and will set forth a multitude greater than the former and he will come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with much substance.^11:14 And in those times many will stand up against the king of the south. Also the sons of the violent among your people will lift themselves up to establish the vision, but they will fall.

^11:15 So the king of the north will come and cast up a mound and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south will not stand, nor his chosen people. Neither will there be any strength to stand.^11:16 But he who comes against him will do according to his own will and none will stand before him. And he will stand in the glorious land and in his hand will be destruction.

^11:17 And he will set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom and with him equitable conditions and he will perform them. And he will give him the daughter of women, to corrupt her, but she will not stand, nor be for him.

^11:18 After this he will turn his face to the isles and will take many. But a ruler will cause the reproach offered by him to cease. Yes, moreover, he will cause his reproach to turn upon him. ^11:19 Then he will turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and will not be found.

^11:20 Then someone will stand up in his place, a tax oppressor to pass through, for the glory of the kingdom, but within a few days he will be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

^11:21 And in his place he who is contemptible will stand up, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom. But he will come in time of security and will obtain the kingdom by flatteries. ^11:22 And the overwhelming forces will be overwhelmed from before him and will be broken, yes, also the ruler of the covenant.

^11:23 And after the league made with him, he will work deceitfully, for he will come up and will become strong, with a small people. ^11:24 He will come in time of security even upon the fattest places of the province and he will do what his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers. He will scatter among them prey and spoil and substance. Yes, he will devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.

^11:25 And he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south will war in battle with a very great and mighty army, but he will not stand, for they will devise devices against him. ^11:26Yes, those who eat of his food will destroy him and his army will overflow and many will fall down slain.

^11:27 And as for both these kings, their hearts will be to do mischief and they will speak lies at one table. But it will not prosper, for yet the end will be at the time appointed. ^11:28 Then he will return into his land with great substance. And his heart will be against the holy covenant and he will do his pleasure and return to his own land.

^11:29 At the time appointed he will return and come into the south, but it will not be in the latter time as it was in the former. ^11:30 For ships of Kittim will come against him. Therefore he will be grieved and will return and have indignation against the holy covenant and will do his pleasure. He will even return and have regard to those who forsake the holy covenant.

^11:31 And forces will stand on his part and they will profane the sanctuary, even the fortress and will take away the continual burnt-offering and they will set up the abomination that makes desolate. ^11:32 And he will pervert by flatteries such as do wickedly against the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and do exploits. ^11:33 And those who are wise among the people will instruct many, yet they will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, many days.

^11:34 Now when they will fall, they will be helped with a little help, but many will join themselves to them with flatteries. ^11:35 And some of those who are wise will fall, to refine them and to purify and to make them white, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for the time appointed.

^11:36 And the king will do according to his will. And he will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god and will speak marvelous things against the God of gods. And he will prosper till the indignation be accomplished, for what is determined will be done. ^11:37 Neither will he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god, for he will magnify himself above all.

^11:38 But in his place he will honor the god of fortresses. And a god whom his fathers did not know, he will honor with gold and silver and with precious stones and desirable things. ^11:39 And he will deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. Whoever acknowledges him he will increase with glory and he will cause them to rule over many and will divide the land for a price.

^11:40 And at the time of the end, the king of the south will contend with him and the king of the north will come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots and with horsemen and with many ships and he will enter into the countries and will overflow and pass through.

^11:41 He will also enter into the glorious land and many countries will be overthrown. But these will be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the chief of the sons of Ammon.

^11:42 He will stretch forth his hand also upon the countries and the land of Egypt will not escape. ^11:43But he will have power over the treasures of gold and of silver and over all the desirable things of Egypt. And the Libyans and the Ethiopians will be at his steps.

^11:44 But news out of the east and out of the north will trouble him and he will go forth with great fury to destroy and to utterly sweep away many. ^11:45 And he will plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain, yet he will come to his end and none will help him.

[Daniel 12] TOC

^12:1 And at that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the sons of your people. And there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. And at that time your people will be delivered, everyone who will be found written in the book.

^12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. ^12:3 And those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars everlasting and forever.

^12:4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run to and fro and knowledge will be increased.

^12:5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, another two stood, the one on the brink of the river on this side and the other on the brink of the river on that side. ^12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long will it be to the end of these wonders?

^12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by him who lives everlasting that it will be for a time, times and a half. And when they have made an end of smashing the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished.

^12:8 And I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, O my lord, what will be the outcome of these things? ^12:9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.

^12:10 Many will purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked will do wickedly. And none of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

^12:11 And from the time that the continual burnt-offering will be taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there will be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days. ^12:12 He who waits and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty-five days is fortunate.

^12:13 But go your way till the end is. For you will rest and will stand in your lot at the end of the days

[Hosea 1] TOC

^1:1 The word of Jehovah that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, King of Israel.

^1:2 When Jehovah spoke at the first by Hosea, Jehovah said to Hosea, Go, take to you a wife of prostitution and children of prostitution, for the land commits great prostitution, departing from Jehovah.

^1:3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim and she conceived and bore him a son. ^1:4And Jehovah said to him, Call his name Jezreel, for yet a little while and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu and will cause the kingdom of the house of Israel to cease. ^1:5 And it will happen at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

^1:6 And she conceived again and bore a daughter. And Jehovah said to him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah, for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel, that I should in any way pardon them.

^1:7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah and will save them by Jehovah their God and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

^1:8 Now when she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. ^1:9 And Jehovah said, Call his name Lo-ammi, for you^* are not my people and I will not be yours^*.

^1:10 Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered. And it will happen that, in the place where it was said to them, You^* are not my people, it will be said to them, The sons of the living God.^1:11 And the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together and they will appoint themselves one head and will go up from the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.

[Hosea 2] TOC

^2:1 Say you^* to your^* brothers, Ammi and to your^* sisters, Ruhamah. ^2:2 Contend with your^* mother. Contend, for she is not my wife, nor am I her husband. And let her put away her prostitutions from her face and her adulteries from between her breasts, ^2:3 lest I strip her naked and set her as in the day that she was born and make her as a wilderness and set her like a dry land and kill her with thirst.

^2:4 Yes, I will have no mercy upon her sons, for they are sons of prostitution, ^2:5 for their mother has played the prostitute. She who conceived them has done shamefully, for she said, I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink. ^2:6 Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns and I will build a wall against her, that she will not find her paths.

^2:7 And she will follow after her lovers, but she will not overtake them. And she will seek them, but will not find them. Then she will say, I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better with me then than now.

^2:8 For she did not know that I gave her the grain and the new wine and the oil and multiplied to her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. ^2:9Therefore I will take back my grain in the time of it and my new wine in the season of it and will pluck away my wool and my flax which should have covered her nakedness.

^2:10 And now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers and none will deliver her out of my hand. ^2:11 I will also cause all her joy to cease, her feasts, her new moons and her Sabbaths and all her solemn assemblies.

^2:12 And I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees, of which she has said, These are my hire that my lovers have given me. And I will make them a forest and the beasts of the field will eat them. ^2:13And I will visit upon her the days of the Baals {Baalim}, to which she burned incense when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels and went after her lovers and forgot me, says Jehovah.

^2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak soothingly to her.^2:15 And I will give her, her vineyards from there and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. And she will make answer there, as in the days of her youth and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

^2:16 And it will be at that day, says Jehovah, that you will call me Ishi and will no more call me Baali {My Lord}. ^2:17 For I will take away the names of the Baals {Baalim} out of her mouth and they will no more be mentioned by their name.

^2:18 And in that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the birds of the heavens and with the creeping things of the ground. And I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the land and will make them to lie down safely.

^2:19 And I will betroth you to me everlasting. Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice and in loving kindness and in mercies. ^2:20 I will even betroth you to me in faithfulness and you will know Jehovah.

^2:21 And it will happen in that day, I will answer, says Jehovah. I will answer the heavens and they will answer the earth, ^2:22 and the earth will answer the grain and the new wine and the oil and they will answer Jezreel. ^2:23 And I will sow her to me in the earth. And I will have mercy upon her who had not obtained mercy. And I will say to those who were not my people, You are my people and they will say, My God.

[Hosea 3] TOC

^3:1 And Jehovah said to me, Go again, love a woman beloved of her friend and an adulteress, even as Jehovah loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.

^3:2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer of barley and a half-homer of barley. ^3:3 And I said to her, You will abide for me many days. You will not play the prostitute and you will not be any man's wife. So I will also be toward you.

^3:4 For the sons of Israel will abide many days without king and without ruler and without sacrifice and without pillar and without ephod or household-idol. ^3:5 Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek Jehovah their God and David their king and will come with fear to Jehovah and to his goodness in the latter days.

[Hosea 4] TOC

^4:1 Hear the word of Jehovah, you^* sons of Israel, for Jehovah has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. ^4:2 There is nothing but swearing and breaking faith and killing and stealing and committing adultery. They break out and blood touches blood.

^4:3 Therefore the land will mourn and everyone who dwells in it will languish with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens. Yes, the fishes of the sea will also be taken away. ^4:4 Yet, let no man contend, nor let any man reprove, for your people are as those who contend with the priest. ^4:5 And you will stumble in the day and the prophet also will stumble with you in the night. And I will destroy your mother.

^4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you, that you will be no priest to me. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your sons. ^4:7 As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.

^4:8 They feed on the sin of my people and set their heart on their iniquity. ^4:9 And it will be, like people, like priest. And I will punish them for their ways and will requite them for their practices. ^4:10 And they will eat and not have enough. They will play the prostitute and will not increase, because they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.

^4:11 Prostitution and wine and new wine take away the understanding. ^4:12 My people ask counsel at their stock and their staff declares to them, for the spirit of prostitution has made them go-astray and they have played the prostitute, departing from under their God.

^4:13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinth trees, because the shadow of it is good. Therefore your^* daughters play the prostitute and your^* brides commit adultery. ^4:14 I will not punish your^* daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your^* brides when they commit adultery. For themselves go apart with prostitutes and they sacrifice with the temple-prostitutes. And the people who do not understand will fall.

^4:15 Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet do not let Judah offend and do not come to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, nor swear, As Jehovah lives. ^4:16 For Israel has behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Now Jehovah will feed them as a lamb in a large place. ^4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone. ^4:18 Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love shame. ^4:19 The wind has wrapped her up in its wings and they will be put to shame because of their sacrifices.

[Hosea 5] TOC

^5:1 Hear this, O you^* priests and listen, O house of Israel and listen, O house of the king, for to you^* is the judgment. For you^* have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread upon Tabor. ^5:2 And the revolters have gone deep in making slaughter, but I am a rebuker of them all.

^5:3 I know Ephraim and Israel is not hid from me. For now, O Ephraim, you have played the prostitute; Israel is defiled. ^5:4 Their practices will not allow them to turn to their God, for the spirit of prostitution is within them and they do not know Jehovah. ^5:5 And the pride of Israel testifies to his face.

Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them. ^5:6 They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah, but they will not find him. He has withdrawn himself from them. ^5:7 They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah, for they have borne strange sons. Now the new moon will devour them with their fields.

^5:8 Blow you^* the cornet in Gibeah and the trumpet in Ramah. Shout an alarm at Beth-aven, behind you, O Benjamin. ^5:9 Ephraim will become a desolation in the day of rebuke. I have made known what will surely be among the tribes of Israel.

^5:10 The rulers of Judah are like those who remove the landmark. I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. ^5:11 Ephraim is oppressed. He is crushed in judgment, because he was content to walk after man's command.

^5:12 Therefore I am to Ephraim as a moth and to the house of Judah as rottenness. ^5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah saw his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jareb. But he is not able to heal you^*, nor will he cure you^* of your^* wound.

^5:14 For I will be to Ephraim as a lion and as a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away, I will carry off and there will be none to deliver. ^5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly.

[Hosea 6] TOC

^6:1 Come and let us return to Jehovah, for he has torn and he will heal us. He has struck and he will bind us up. ^6:2 After two days he will revive us. On the third day he will raise us up and we will live before him. ^6:3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah. His going forth is sure as the morning and he will come to us as the rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.

^6:4 O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your^* goodness is as a morning cloud and as the dew that goes away early.^6:5 Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets. I have slain them by the words of my mouth. And your judgments are as the light that goes forth.

^6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings. ^6:7 But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant. They have dealt treacherously there against me.

^6:8 Gilead is a city of wickedness; it is stained with blood. ^6:9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem. Yes, they have committed wickedness. ^6:10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. Prostitution is there in Ephraim; Israel is defiled. ^6:11 Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you when I bring back the captivity of my people.

[Hosea 7] TOC

^7:1 When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered and the wickedness of Samaria. For they commit falsehood and the thief enters in and the troop of robbers ravages outside. ^7:2And they do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own practices have surrounded them; they are before my face. ^7:3 They make the king glad with their wickedness and the rulers with their lies.

^7:4 They are all adulterers. They are as an oven heated by the baker. He ceases to stir the fire, from the kneading of the dough, until it is leavened. ^7:5 On the day of our king the rulers made themselves sick with the heat of wine. He draws out his hand with scoffers. ^7:6 For they have made their heart ready like an oven, while they lie in wait. Their baker sleeps all the night. In the morning it burns as a flaming fire. ^7:7They are all hot as an oven and devour their judges. All their kings are fallen. There is none among those who call to me.

^7:8 Ephraim, he mixes himself among the peoples. Ephraim is a cake not turned. ^7:9 Strangers have devoured his strength and he does not know. Yes, gray hairs are here and there upon him and he does not know. ^7:10 And the pride of Israel testifies to his face. Yet they have not returned to Jehovah their God, nor sought him for all this.

^7:11 And Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria. ^7:12 When they will go, I will spread my net upon them. I will bring them down as the birds of the heavens. I will discipline them, as their congregation has heard.

^7:13 Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them! For they have trespassed against me. Though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me. ^7:14 And they have not cried to me with their heart, but they howl upon their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and new wine. They rebel against me.

^7:15 Though I have instructed and strengthened their arms, yet they devise mischief against me. ^7:16 They return, but not to him on high. They are like a deceitful bow. Their rulers will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their scorning in the land of Egypt.

[Hosea 8] TOC

^8:1 Set the trumpet to your mouth. As an eagle he comes against the house of Jehovah, because they have transgressed my covenant and trespassed against my law. ^8:2 They will cry to me, My God, we, Israel know you. ^8:3 Israel has cast off what is good. The enemy will pursue him.

^8:4 They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made rulers and I did not know. They have made themselves idols of their silver and their gold, that they may be cut off. ^8:5 He has cast off your calf, O Samaria. My anger is kindled against them. How long will it be ere they attain to innocence? ^8:6 For even this is from Israel: the workman made it and it is no God. Yes, the calf of Samaria will be broken in pieces.

^8:7 For they sow the wind and they will reap the whirlwind. He has no standing grain. The blade will yield no meal. Perhaps it yields, strangers will swallow it up. ^8:8 Israel is swallowed up. They are now among the nations as a vessel in which no man delights.

^8:9 For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey alone by himself. Ephraim has hired lovers.^8:10 Yes, though they hire among the nations, I will now gather them and they will begin to be diminished because of the burden of the king of rulers. ^8:11 Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, altars have been to him for sinning.

^8:12 I wrote for him the multitude of my law, but they are counted as a strange thing. ^8:13 As for the sacrifices of my offerings, they sacrifice flesh and eat it, but Jehovah does not accept them. He will now remember their iniquity and visit their sins. They will return to Egypt. ^8:14 For Israel has forgotten his maker and built palaces. And Judah has multiplied fortified cities. But I will send a fire upon his cities and it will devour the castles of it.

[Hosea 9] TOC

^9:1 Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy like the peoples, for you have played the prostitute, departing from your God. You have loved hire upon every grain-floor. ^9:2 The threshing floor and the winepress will not feed them and the new wine will fail her. ^9:3 They will not dwell in Jehovah's land, but Ephraim will return to Egypt and they will eat unclean food in Assyria.

^9:4 They will not pour out wine offerings to Jehovah, nor will they be pleasing to him. Their sacrifices will be to them as the bread of mourners. All who eat of it will be polluted, for their bread will be for their appetite. It will not come into the house of Jehovah.

^9:5 What will you^* do in the day of solemn assembly and in the day of the feast of Jehovah? ^9:6For behold, they have gone away from destruction, yet Egypt will gather them up. Memphis will bury them. Their pleasant things of silver, nettles will possess them. Thorns will be in their tents.

^9:7 The days of visitation have come. The days of recompense have come. Israel will know it. The prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the abundance of your iniquity and because the enmity is great.

^9:8 Ephraim was a watchman with my God. As for the prophet, a fowler's snare is in all his ways and enmity in the house of his God. ^9:9 They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will visit their sins.

^9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your^* fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at its first season. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the shameful thing and became abominable like what they loved.

^9:11 As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird. There will be no birth and none with child and no conception. ^9:12 Though they bring up their sons, yet I will bereave them, so that not a man will be left. Yes, woe also to them when I depart from them!

^9:13 Ephraim, just as I have seen Tyre, is planted in a pleasant place, but Ephraim will bring out his sons to the slayer. ^9:14 Give them, O Jehovah– what will you give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

^9:15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them. Because of the wickedness of their practices I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more. All their rulers are rebels.

^9:16 Ephraim is struck. Their root is dried up. They will bear no fruit. Yes, though they bring forth, yet I will kill the beloved fruit of their womb. ^9:17 My God will cast them away because they did not listen to him and they will be wanderers among the nations.

[Hosea 10] TOC

^10:1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that puts forth his fruit. According to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars. According to the goodness of their land they have made good pillars. ^10:2 Their heart is divided. Now they will be found guilty. He will kill^* their altars. He will destroy their pillars.

^10:3 Surely now they will say, We have no king, for we do not fear Jehovah. And the king, what can he do for us? ^10:4 They speak vain words, swearing falsely in making covenants. Therefore judgment springs up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

^10:5 The inhabitants of Samaria will be in terror for the calves of Beth-aven. For the people of it will mourn over it and the priests of it, who rejoiced over it for the glory of it, because it has departed from it.^10:6 It will also be carried to Assyria for a present to King Jareb. Ephraim will receive shame and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel.

^10:7 As for Samaria, its king is cut off, as foam upon the water. ^10:8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. The thorn and the thistle will come up on their altars and they will say to the mountains, Cover us and to the hills, Fall on us.

^10:9 O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah. They stood there. The battle against the sons of unrighteousness does not overtake them in Gibeah. ^10:10When it is my desire, I will discipline them. And the peoples will be gathered against them, when they are bound to their two transgressions.

^10:11 And Ephraim is a heifer that is taught, that loves to tread out the grain. But I have passed over upon her fair neck. I will set a rider on Ephraim. Judah will plow. Jacob will break his clods.

^10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness. Reap according to kindness. Break up your^* tillable ground, for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he comes and rains righteousness upon you^*.

^10:13 You^* have plowed wickedness. You^* have reaped unrighteousness. You^* have eaten the fruit of lies. For you trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men. ^10:14 Therefore a uproar will arise among your people and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle; the mother was dashed in pieces with her sons. ^10:15So will Bethel do to you^* because of your^* great wickedness. At daybreak the King of Israel will be utterly cut off.

[Hosea 11] TOC

^11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him and out of Egypt I called my son. ^11:2 The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals {Baalim} and burned incense to graven images. ^11:3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them on my arms, but they did not know that I healed them. ^11:4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love and I was to them as those who lift up the yoke on their jaws. And I laid food before them.

^11:5 They will not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to return to me. ^11:6 And the sword will fall upon their cities and will consume their bars and devour them, because of their own counsels. ^11:7 And my people are bent on backsliding from me. Though they call them to him who is on high, none at all will exalt him.

^11:8 How shall I give you up, Ephraim? How shall I cast you off, Israel? How shall I make you as Admah? How shall I set you as Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me. My compassions are kindled together. ^11:9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in the midst of you and I will not come in wrath.

^11:10 They will walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion. For he will roar and the sons will come trembling from the west. ^11:11 They will come trembling as a bird out of Egypt and as a dove out of the land of Assyria. And I will make them to dwell in their houses, says Jehovah.

^11:12 Ephraim encompasses me around with falsehood and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah yet rules with God and is faithful with the Holy One.

[Hosea 12] TOC

^12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind and follows after the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. And they make a covenant with Assyria and oil is carried into Egypt.

^12:2 Jehovah has also a controversy with Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways. He will recompense him according to his practices.

^12:3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel and in his manhood he had strength with God. ^12:4Yes, he had strength over the messenger and prevailed, as he wept and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel and he spoke with us there.^12:5 Even Jehovah, the God of hosts, Jehovah is his memorial. ^12:6 Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice and wait for your God continually.

^12:7 He is a Canaanite. The balances of deceit are in his hand. He loves to oppress. ^12:8 And Ephraim said, Surely I have become rich. I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors they will find no iniquity in me that is sin.

^12:9 But I am Jehovah your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast. ^12:10 I have also spoken to the prophets and I have multiplied visions. And I have used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets.

^12:11 Is Gilead wickedness? They are altogether false. In Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks. Yes, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field. ^12:12 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram and Israel served for a wife and for a wife he kept sheep. ^12:13 And Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt by a prophet and he was preserved by a prophet.

^12:14 Ephraim has provoked to anger most bitterly. Therefore his blood will be left upon him and his reproach his Lord will return to him.

[Hosea 13] TOC

^13:1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel, but when he offended in Baal, he died.

^13:2 And now they sin more and more and have made themselves molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen. They say of them, Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves.

^13:3 Therefore they will be as the morning cloud and as the dew that passes away early, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing-floor and as the smoke out of the chimney.

^13:4 Yet I am Jehovah your God from the land of Egypt and you will know no god but me and besides me there is no savior. ^13:5 I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. ^13:6According to their pasture, so they were filled. They were filled and their heart was exalted. Therefore they have forgotten me.

^13:7 Therefore I am to them as a lion. As a leopard I will watch by the way. ^13:8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her cubs and will tear the encasement of their heart. And there I will devour them like a lioness. The wild beast will tear them. ^13:9 It is your destruction, O Israel, that you are against me, against your help.

^13:10 Where now is your king, that he may save you in all your cities and your judges, of whom you said, Give me a king and rulers? ^13:11 I have given you a king in my anger and have taken him away in my wrath.

^13:12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up. His sin is laid up in store. ^13:13 The sorrows of a travailing woman will come upon him. He is an unwise son, for it is time he should not abide in the place of the breaking forth of sons.

^13:14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death. O death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Repentance will be hid from my eyes.

^13:15 Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of Jehovah coming up from the wilderness and his spring will become dry and his fountain will be dried up. He will make spoil of the treasure of all desirable vessels.

^13:16 Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces and their women with child will be ripped up.

[Hosea 14] TOC

^14:1 O Israel, return to Jehovah your God, for you have fallen by your iniquity. ^14:2 Take with you^* words and return to Jehovah. Say to him, Take away all iniquity and accept what is good. So we will render as bullocks the offering of our lips. ^14:3 Assyria will not save us. We will not ride upon horses, nor will we say any more to the work of our hands, Our gods. For in you the fatherless finds mercy.

^14:4 I will heal their backsliding. I will love them freely. For my anger is turned away from him. ^14:5 I will be as the dew to Israel. He will blossom as the lily and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. ^14:6 His offshoots will spread and his beauty will be as the olive tree and his smell as Lebanon.

^14:7 Those who dwell under his shadow will return. They will revive as the grain and blossom as the vine. The scent of it will be as the wine of Lebanon. ^14:8 Ephraim will say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered and will regard him. I am like a green fir tree. From me, your fruit is found.

^14:9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things, prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Jehovah are right and the just will walk in them. But transgressors will fall in them.

[Joel 1] TOC

^1:1 The word of Jehovah that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. ^1:2 Hear this, you^* old men and listen, all you^* inhabitants of the land. Has this been in your^* days, or in the days of your^* fathers? ^1:3 Tell you^* your^* sons of it and let your^* sons tell their sons and their sons another generation. ^1:4 What the palmer-worm has left the locust has eaten and what the locust has left the canker-worm has eaten and what the canker-worm has left the caterpillar has eaten.

^1:5 Awake, you^* drunkards and weep and wail, all you^* drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it is cut off from your^* mouth. ^1:6 For a nation has come up upon my land, strong and without number. His teeth are the teeth of a lion and he has the jaw-teeth of a lioness. ^1:7 He has laid my vine waste and barked my fig tree. He has made it clean bare and cast it away. The tendrils of it are made white.

^1:8 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. ^1:9 The food-offering and the drink-offering are cut off from the house of Jehovah. The priests, Jehovah's ministers, mourn. ^1:10The field is laid waste; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, the oil languishes.

^1:11 Be confounded, O you^* farmer. Wail, O you^* vine-dressers, for the wheat and for the barley, for the harvest of the field has perished. ^1:12 The vine is withered and the fig tree languishes. The pomegranate tree, the palm tree also and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field are withered. For joy has withered away from the sons of men.

^1:13 Gird yourselves with sackcloth and lament, you^* priests. Wail, you^* ministers of the altar. Come, lie all night in sackcloth, you^* ministers of my God. For the food-offering and the drink-offering are withheld from the house of your^* God. ^1:14 Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather the old men and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of Jehovah your^* God and cry to Jehovah.

^1:15 Alas for the day! For the day of Jehovah is at hand and it will come as destruction from the Almighty. ^1:16 Is not the food cut off before our eyes, yes, joy and gladness from the house of our God? ^1:17The seeds rot under their clods. The garners are laid desolate. The barns are broken down. For the grain is withered. ^1:18 How do the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because they have no pasture, yes, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

^1:19 O Jehovah, I cry to you. For the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness and the flame has burned all the trees of the field. ^1:20 Yes, the beasts of the field pant to you, for the water brooks are dried up and the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

[Joel 2] TOC

^2:1 You^* blow the trumpet in Zion and shout an alarm in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble. For the day of Jehovah comes, for it is near at hand, ^2:2 a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spreads upon the mountains, a great people and a strong, there has not been the like, everlasting, nor will be any more after them, even to the years of generations to generations.

^2:3 A fire devours before them and behind them a flame burns. The land is as the garden of Eden before them and behind them a desolate wilderness. Yes and none has escaped them.

^2:4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses and as horsemen, so do they run. ^2:5 They leap like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. ^2:6 At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces have grown pale.

^2:7 They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like men of war and they march each one on his ways. And they do not break their ranks. ^2:8 Neither does one push another. They march each one in his path and they burst through the weapons and do not break off. ^2:9 They leap upon the city. They run upon the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like a thief. ^2:10 The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened and the stars withdraw their shining.

^2:11 And Jehovah utters his voice before his army, for his camp is very great. For he is strong who executes his word. For the day of Jehovah is great and very fearful and who can abide it?

^2:12 Yet even now, says Jehovah, turn to me with all your^* heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning. ^2:13 And tear your^* heart and not your^* garments and turn to Jehovah your^* God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and relents of the evil. ^2:14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him, even a food-offering and a drink-offering to Jehovah your^* God?

^2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion. Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. ^2:16 Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the old men. Gather the sons and those who suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber and the bride out of her closet. ^2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar and let them say, Spare your people, O Jehovah and do not give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?

^2:18 Then Jehovah was jealous for his land and had pity on his people. ^2:19 And Jehovah answered and said to his people, Behold, I will send you^* grain and new wine and oil and you^* will be satisfied with it. And I will no more make you^* a reproach among the nations.

^2:20 But I will remove the northern army far off from you^* and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea and its rear part into the western sea. And its stench will come up and its foul odor will come up, because it has done great things.

^2:21 Do not fear, O land. Be glad and rejoice, for Jehovah has done great things. ^2:22 Do not be afraid, you^* beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness spring, for the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and the vine yield their strength. ^2:23 Be glad then, you^* sons of Zion and rejoice in Jehovah your^* God, for he gives you^* the former rain in just measure and he causes the rain to come down for you^*, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month. ^2:24 And the floors will be full of wheat and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

^2:25 And I will restore to you^* the years that the locust, the canker-worm and the caterpillar and the palmer-worm has eaten– my great army which I sent among you^*. ^2:26 And you^* will eat in plenty and be satisfied. And will praise the name of Jehovah your^* God, who has dealt wondrously with you^*. And my people will never be put to shame. ^2:27 And you^* will know that I am in the midst of Israel and that I am Jehovah your^* God and there is none else. And my people will not be put to shame, everlasting.

^2:28 And it will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your^* sons and your^* daughters will prophesy. Your^* old men will dream dreams. Your^* young men will see visions. ^2:29 And also I will pour out my Spirit upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days. ^2:30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke. ^2:31 The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and wonderful day of Jehovah comes.

^2:32 And it will happen, that whoever will call on the name of Jehovah will be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as Jehovah has said and among the remnant those whom Jehovah calls.

[Joel 3] TOC

^3:1 For, behold, in those days and in that time, when I will bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, ^3:2 I will gather all nations and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations. And they have parted my land, ^3:3and have cast lots for my people and have given a boy for a prostitute and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.

^3:4 Yes and what are you^* to me, O Tyre and Sidon and all the regions of Philistia? Will you^* render me a recompense? And if you^* recompense me, I will return your^* recompense swiftly and speedily upon your^* own head.

^3:5 Inasmuch as you^* have taken my silver and my gold and have carried into your^* temples my desirable precious things, ^3:6 and have sold the sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem to the sons of the Grecians, that you^* may remove them far from their border, ^3:7 behold, I will stir them up out of the place where you^* have sold them and will return your^* recompense upon your^* own head. ^3:8 And I will sell your^* sons and your^* daughters into the hand of the sons of Judah and they will sell them to the men of Sheba, to a nation far off. For Jehovah has spoken it.

^3:9 Proclaim you^* this among the nations: Prepare war. Stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near. Let them come up. ^3:10 Beat your^* plowshares into swords and your^* pruning-hooks into spears. Let the weak say, I am strong.

^3:11 You^* hasten and come, all you^* nations all around and gather yourselves together. Cause your mighty ones to come down there, O Jehovah. ^3:12 Let the nations move themselves and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations all around. ^3:13 Put you^* in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread you^*, for the winepress is full, the vats overflow. For their wickedness is great.

^3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision. ^3:15 The sun and the moon are darkened and the stars withdraw their shining. ^3:16 And Jehovah will roar from Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and the earth will shake. But Jehovah will be a refuge to his people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel.

^3:17 So you^* will know that I am Jehovah your^* God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy and no strangers will pass through her any more.

^3:18 And it will happen in that day, that the mountains will drop down sweet wine and the hills will flow with milk and all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters. And a fountain will come out from the house of Jehovah and will water the valley of Shittim.

^3:19 Egypt will be a desolation and Edom will be a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the sons of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

^3:20 But Judah will abide everlasting and Jerusalem from generation to generation. ^3:21 And I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed. For Jehovah dwells in Zion

[Amos 1] TOC

^1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

^1:2 And he said, Jehovah will roar from Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem and the pastures of the shepherds will mourn and the top of Carmel will wither.

^1:3 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of Damascus, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron. ^1:4 But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael and it will devour the palaces of Ben-hadad. ^1:5 And I will break the bar of Damascus and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven and he who holds the scepter from the house of Eden and the people of Syria will go into captivity to Kir, says Jehovah.

^1:6 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of Gaza, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because they carried away captive the whole people, to deliver them up to Edom. ^1:7 But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza and it will devour the palaces of it. ^1:8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod and he who holds the scepter from Ashkelon. And I will turn my hand against Ekron and the remnant of the Philistines will perish, says the Lord Jehovah.

^1:9 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of Tyre, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because they delivered up the whole people to Edom and did not remember the brotherly covenant. ^1:10 But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyre and it will devour the palaces of it.

^1:11 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of Edom, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity. And his anger tore perpetually and he kept his wrath forever. ^1:12 But I will send a fire upon Teman and it will devour the palaces of Bozrah.

^1:13 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of the sons of Ammon, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border. ^1:14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah and it will devour the palaces of it, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind. ^1:15 And their king will go into captivity, he and his rulers together, says Jehovah.

[Amos 2] TOC

^2:1 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of Moab, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime. ^2:2 But I will send a fire upon Moab and it will devour the palaces of Kerioth and Moab will die with uproar, with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. ^2:3 And I will cut off the judge from the midst of it and will kill all the rulers of it with him, says Jehovah.

^2:4 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of Judah, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because they have rejected the law of Jehovah and have not kept his statutes and their lies have made them go-astray, according to which their fathers walked. ^2:5 But I will send a fire upon Judah and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem.

^2:6 Jehovah says thus: For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away the punishment of it, because they have sold a righteous man for silver and a needy man for a pair of shoes–^2:7 those who pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor and turn aside the way of the meek. And a man and his father go to the same maiden, to profane my holy name. ^2:8 And they lay themselves down beside every altar upon clothes taken in pledge. And in the house of their God they drink the wine of such as have been fined.

^2:9 Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars and he was strong as the oaks, yet I destroyed his fruit from above and his roots from beneath. ^2:10 Also I brought you^* up out of the land of Egypt and led you^* forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. ^2:11 And I raised up of your^* sons for prophets and of your^* young men for Nazirites.

Is it not even thus, O you^* sons of Israel? says Jehovah. ^2:12 But you^* gave the Nazirites wine to drink and commanded the prophets, saying, Do not Prophesy.

^2:13 Behold, I will press you^* in your^* place, as a cart presses that is full of sheaves. ^2:14 And flight will perish from the swift and the strong will not strengthen his force, nor will the mighty deliver himself. ^2:15 Neither will he stand who handles the bow. And he who is swift of foot will not deliver himself, nor will he who rides the horse deliver himself. ^2:16 And he who is courageous among the mighty will flee away naked in that day, says Jehovah.

[Amos 3] TOC

^3:1 Hear this word that Jehovah has spoken against you^*, O sons of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying, ^3:2 You^* only I have known of all the families of the earth. Therefore I will visit upon you^* all your^* iniquities.

^3:3 Shall two walk together unless they have agreed? ^3:4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has taken nothing? ^3:5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no net is set for him? Shall a snare spring up from the ground and have taken nothing at all? ^3:6 Shall the trumpet be blown in a city and the people not be afraid? Shall evil befall a city and Jehovah has not done it?

^3:7 Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. ^3:8 The lion has roared, who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah has spoken, who can but prophesy?

^3:9 Proclaim you^* in the palaces at Ashdod and in the palaces in the land of Egypt and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria and behold what great commotions are in it and what oppressions are in the midst of it. ^3:10 For they do not know to do right, says Jehovah, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

^3:11 Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah: An adversary will be, even all around the land and he will bring down your strength from you and your palaces will be plundered.

^3:12 Jehovah says thus: As the shepherd rescues out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so will the sons of Israel be rescued who sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch and on the silken cushions of a bed.

^3:13 Hear and testify against the house of Jacob, says the Lord Jehovah, the God of hosts. ^3:14For in the day that I will visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, I will also visit the altars of Bethel and the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground. ^3:15 And I will kill^* the winter house with the summer house and the houses of ivory will perish and the great houses will have an end, says Jehovah.

[Amos 4] TOC

^4:1 Hear this word, you^* cows of Bashan, who are in the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to their lords, Bring and let us drink. ^4:2 The Lord Jehovah has sworn by his holiness, that behold, the days will come upon you^*, that they will take you^* away with hooks and your^* residue with fish-hooks. ^4:3 And you^* will go out at the breaches, each one straight before her and you^* will cast yourselves into Harmon, says Jehovah.

^4:4 Come to Bethel and transgress, to Gilgal and multiply transgression. And bring your^* sacrifices every morning and your^* tithes every three days. ^4:5And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of what is leavened and proclaim free-will offerings and proclaim them. For this pleases you^*, O you^* sons of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah.

^4:6 And I also have given you^* cleanness of teeth in all your^* cities and want of bread in all your^* places.

Yet you^* have not returned to me, says Jehovah.

^4:7 And I also have withheld the rain from you^*, when there were yet three months to the harvest. And I caused it to rain upon one city and caused it not to rain upon another city. One piece was rained upon and the piece upon which it did not rain withered. ^4:8 So two or three cities wandered to one city to drink water and were not satisfied.

Yet you^* have not returned to me, says Jehovah.

^4:9 I have struck you^* with blasting and mildew. The multitude of your^* gardens and your^* vineyards and your^* fig trees and your^* olive trees the palmer-worm has devoured.

Yet you^* have not returned to me, says Jehovah.

^4:10 I have sent among you^* the pestilence according to the manner of Egypt. I have slain your^* young men with the sword and have carried away your^* horses and I have made the stench of your^* camp to come up even into your^* nostrils.

Yet you^* have not returned to me, says Jehovah.

^4:11 I have overthrown cities among you^*, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and you^* were as a brand plucked out of the burning.

Yet you^* have not returned to me, says Jehovah.

^4:12 Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel. ^4:13 For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness and treads upon the high places of the earth– Jehovah, the God of hosts, is his name.

[Amos 5] TOC

^5:1 Hear this word which I take up for a lamentation over you^*, O house of Israel. ^5:2 The virgin of Israel has fallen; she will no more rise. She is cast down upon her land; there is none to raise her up.

^5:3 For thus says the Lord Jehovah: The city that went forth a thousand will have a hundred left and what went forth a hundred will have ten left, to the house of Israel.

^5:4 For Jehovah says thus to the house of Israel: Seek me and you^* will live. ^5:5 But do not seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal and pass not to Beer-sheba. For Gilgal will surely go into captivity and Bethel will come to nothing.

^5:6 Seek Jehovah and you^* will live, lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph and it devour and there is none to quench it in Bethel.

^5:7 You^* who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth, ^5:8 seek he who makes the Pleiades and Orion and turns the shadow of death into the morning and makes the day dark with night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the face of the earth (Jehovah is his name), ^5:9 who brings sudden destruction upon the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress.

^5:10 They hate he who reproves in the gate and they abhor he who speaks uprightly. ^5:11 Inasmuch therefore as you^* trample upon the poor and take exactions of wheat from him. You^* have built houses of hewn stone, but you^* will not dwell in them. You^* have planted pleasant vineyards, but you^* will not drink the wine of it.

^5:12 For I know how great are your^* transgressions and how mighty are your^* sins– you^* who afflict the just man, who take a bribe and who turn aside the needy in the gate. ^5:13 Therefore he who is prudent will keep silence in such a time, for it is an evil time.

^5:14 Seek good and not evil, that you^* may live and so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you^*, as you^* say. ^5:15 Hate the evil and love the good and establish justice in the gate. It may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

^5:16 Therefore Jehovah says thus, the God of hosts, the Lord: Wailing will be in all the broad ways. And they will say in all the streets, Alas! Alas! And they will call the farmer to mourning and such as are skillful in lamentation to wailing. ^5:17 And in all vineyards will be wailing, for I will pass through the midst of you, says Jehovah.

^5:18 Woe to you^* who desire the day of Jehovah! Why would you^* have the day of Jehovah? It is darkness and not light. ^5:19 As if a man fled from a lion and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall and a serpent bit him. ^5:20Shall not the day of Jehovah be darkness and not light, even very dark and no brightness in it?

^5:21 I hate, I despise your^* feasts and I will take no delight in your^* solemn assemblies. ^5:22 Yes, though you^* offer me your^* burnt-offerings and food-offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard the peace-offerings of your^* fat beasts. ^5:23 You take away from me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your viols. ^5:24 But let justice roll down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.

^5:25 Did you^* bring sacrifices and offerings to me in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? ^5:26Yes, you^* have borne the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your^* god Remphan, your^* images which you^* made to yourselves. ^5:27 Therefore I will cause you^* to go into captivity beyond Damascus, says Jehovah, whose name is the God of hosts.

[Amos 6] TOC

^6:1 Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who are secure in the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come! ^6:2 Pass to Calneh and see and from there go to Hamath the great, then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better than these kingdoms? Or is their border greater than your^* border?

^6:3 You^* who put far away the evil day and cause the seat of violence to come near, ^6:4 who lie upon beds of ivory and stretch themselves upon their couches and eat the lambs out of the flock and the calves out of the midst of the stall, ^6:5 who scatter-words to the mouth {i.e. sound} of the harp, who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David, ^6:6 who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the chief oils, but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

^6:7 Therefore they will now go into exile with the first who go into exile and the banqueting of those who stretched themselves will pass away.

^6:8 The Lord Jehovah has sworn by himself, Jehovah, the God of hosts says: I abhor the excellency of Jacob and hate his palaces, therefore I will deliver up the city with all that is in it.

^6:9 And it will happen, if there remain ten men in one house, that they will die. ^6:10 And when a man's uncle will take him up, even he who burns him, to bring out the bones out of the house and will say to him who is in the innermost parts of the house, Is there yet any with you? and he will say, No, then he will say, Hold your peace, for we may not make mention of the name of Jehovah. ^6:11 For, behold, Jehovah commands and the great house will be struck with breaches and the little house with clefts.

^6:12 Shall horses run upon the rock? Will a man plow there with oxen? That you^* have turned justice into gall and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood, ^6:13 you^* who rejoice in a thing of nothing, who say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength? ^6:14 For, behold, I will raise up against you^* a nation, O house of Israel, says Jehovah, the God of hosts and they will afflict you^* from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of the Arabah.

[Amos 7] TOC

^7:1 Thus the Lord Jehovah showed me: And behold, he formed locusts in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth, and behold, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.

^7:2 And it happened that, when they made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord Jehovah, forgive, I beseech you. How will Jacob stand, for he is small? ^7:3 Jehovah relented concerning this. It will not be, says Jehovah.

^7:4 Thus the Lord Jehovah showed me: And behold, the Lord Jehovah called to contend by fire and it devoured the great deep and would have eaten up the land.

^7:5 Then I said, O Lord Jehovah, cease, I beseech you. How will Jacob stand, for he is small? ^7:6Jehovah relented concerning this. This also will not be, says the Lord Jehovah.

^7:7 Thus he showed me: And behold, the Lord stood beside a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. ^7:8 And Jehovah said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb-line. Then the Lord said, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more. ^7:9 And the high places of Isaac will be desolate and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

^7:10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam King of Israel, saying, Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. ^7:11For thus Amos says: Jeroboam will die by the sword and Israel will surely be led away captive out of his land.

^7:12 Also Amaziah said to Amos, O you seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah and there eat bread and prophesy there. ^7:13 But do not prophesy again any more at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary and it is a royal house.

^7:14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, nor was I a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees. ^7:15 And Jehovah took me from following the flock and Jehovah said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.

^7:16 Now therefore hear the word of Jehovah: You say, Do not prophesy against Israel and do not drop your word against the house of Isaac. ^7:17Therefore Jehovah says thus: Your wife will be a prostitute in the city and your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword and your land will be divided by line and you yourself will die in a land that is unclean. And Israel will surely be led away captive out of his land.

[Amos 8] TOC

^8:1 Thus the Lord Jehovah showed me: And behold, a basket of summer fruit. ^8:2 And he said, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then Jehovah said to me, The end has come upon my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more. ^8:3 And the songs of the temple will be wailings in that day, says the Lord Jehovah. The dead bodies will be many. In every place they will cast them forth with silence.

^8:4 Hear this, O you^* who would swallow up a needy man and cause the poor of the land to fail, ^8:5saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the 10-gallon container small and the shekel great and dealing falsely with balances of deceit, ^8:6that we may buy the poor for silver and a needy man for a pair of shoes and sell the refuse of the wheat?

^8:7 Jehovah has sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.^8:8 Shall the land not tremble for this and everyone mourn who dwells in it? Yes, it will rise up all of it like the River and it will be troubled and sink again like the River of Egypt.

^8:9 And it will happen in that day, says the Lord Jehovah, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon and I will darken the earth in the clear day. ^8:10 And I will turn your^* feasts into mourning and all your^* songs into lamentation. And I will bring sackcloth upon all loins and baldness upon every head and I will make it as the mourning for an only son and the end of it as a bitter day.

^8:11 Behold, the days come, says the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. ^8:12 And they will wander from sea to sea and from the north even to the east. They will run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah and will not find it. ^8:13 In that day the fair virgins and the young men will faint for thirst.

^8:14 Those who swear by the sin of Samaria and say, As your god, O Dan, lives, and, As the way of Beer-sheba lives, they will fall and never rise up again.

[Amos 9] TOC

^9:1 I saw the Lord standing beside the altar. And he said, Strike the capitals, that the thresholds may shake and break them in pieces on the head of all of them and I will kill the last of them with the sword. There will not one of them flee away and there will not one of them escape.

^9:2 Though they dig into Sheol, from there my hand will take them and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down. ^9:3 And though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out from there. And though they are hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, from there I will command the serpent and it will bite them. ^9:4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies, from there I will command the sword and it will kill them. And I will set my eyes upon them for evil and not for good.

^9:5 For the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, is he who touches the land and it melts and all who dwell in it will mourn. And it will rise up all of it like the River and will sink again like the River of Egypt. ^9:6 He who builds his chambers in the heavens and has founded his vault upon the earth, he who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the face of the earth, Jehovah is his name.

^9:7 Are you^* not like the sons of the Ethiopians to me, O sons of Israel? says Jehovah. Have I not brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?

^9:8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord Jehovah are upon the sinful kingdom and I will destroy it from the face of the earth, except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, says Jehovah.

^9:9 For behold, I will command and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, just as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet the least kernel will not fall upon the earth. ^9:10 All the sinners of my people will die by the sword, who say, The evil will not overtake nor meet us.

^9:11 In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that has fallen and close up the breaches of it. And I will raise up its ruins and I will build it as in the days of old, ^9:12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that are called by my name, says Jehovah who does this.

^9:13 Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes he who draws seed and the mountains will drop sweet wine and all the hills will melt.

^9:14 And I will bring back the captivity of my people Israel and they will build the waste cities and inhabit them and they will plant vineyards and drink the wine of it. They will also make gardens and eat the fruit of them. ^9:15 And I will plant them upon their land and they will no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them, says Jehovah your God.

[Obadiah 1] TOC

^1:1 The vision of Obadiah. The Lord Jehovah says thus concerning Edom: We have heard news from Jehovah and an ambassador is sent among the nations, saying, Arise and let us rise up against her in battle. ^1:2 Behold, I have made you small among the nations. You are greatly despised.

^1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is high, who says in his heart, Who will bring me down to the ground? ^1:4 Though you mount on high as the eagle and though your nest is set among the stars, I will bring you down from there, says Jehovah.

^1:5 If thieves came to you, if robbers by night (how you are cut off!), would they not only steal till they had enough? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleaning grapes?

^1:6 How are the things of Esau searched! How are his hidden treasures sought out! ^1:7 All the men of your confederacy have brought you on your way, even to the border. The men who were at peace with you have deceived you and prevailed against you. Those who eat your bread lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him.

^1:8 Jehovah says, Shall I not in that day, destroy the wise men out of Edom and understanding out of the mountain of Esau? ^1:9 And your mighty men, O Teman, will be dismayed, to the end that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.

^1:10 Shame will cover you for the violence done to your brother Jacob and you will be cut off everlasting.^1:11 In the day that you stood on the other side, in the day that strangers carried away his substance and foreigners entered into his gates and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even you were as one of them.

^1:12 But do not look on the day of your brother in the day of his disaster and rejoice not over the sons of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor speak proudly in the day of distress. ^1:13 Do not enter into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity.

Yes, do not look on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor lay you^* hands on their substance in the day of their calamity. ^1:14 And stand not in the crossway, to cut off those of his who escape and do not deliver up those of his who remain in the day of distress.

^1:15 For the day of Jehovah is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealing will return upon your own head. ^1:16 For as you^* have drunk upon my holy mountain, so will all the nations drink continually. Yes, they will drink and swallow down and will be as though they had not been.

^1:17 But in Mount Zion there will be those who escape and it will be holy and the house of Jacob will possess their possessions. ^1:18 And the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame and the house of Esau for stubble. And they will burn among them and devour them and there will not be any remaining to the house of Esau, for Jehovah has spoken it.

^1:19 And those of the South will possess the mountain of Esau and those of the lowland the Philistines. And they will possess the field of Ephraim and the field of Samaria and Benjamin will possess Gilead.

^1:20 And the captives of this host of the sons of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even to Zarephath. And the captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the South. ^1:21 And saviors will come up on Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau and the kingdom will be Jehovah's.

[Jonah 1] TOC

^1:1 Now the word of Jehovah came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ^1:2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.

^1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah. And he went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare of it and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah.

^1:4 But Jehovah sent out a great wind upon the sea and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken.

^1:5 Then the mariners were afraid and cried every man to his god. And they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it to them. But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship and he lay and was fast asleep. ^1:6 So the captain came to him and said to him, What do you mean, O sleeper? Arise, call upon your God, perhaps that God will think upon us, that we not perish.

^1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots and the lot fell upon Jonah.

^1:8 Then they said to him, Please tell us for whose cause this evil is upon us. What is your occupation? And from where do you come? What is your country and of what people are you? ^1:9 And he said to them, I am a Hebrew and I fear Jehovah, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.

^1:10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, What is this that you have done? For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of Jehovah, because he had told them.

^1:11 Then they said to him, What will we do to you, that the sea may be calm to us? For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. ^1:12 And he said to them, Take me up and cast me forth into the sea, so will the sea be calm to you^*. For I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you^*.

^1:13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get themselves back to the land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.

^1:14 Therefore they cried to Jehovah and said, We beseech you, O Jehovah, we beseech you, let us not perish for this man's life and lay not upon us innocent blood. For you, O Jehovah, have done as it pleased you.

^1:15 So they took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea and the sea ceased from its raging. ^1:16 Then the men feared Jehovah exceedingly and they offered a sacrifice to Jehovah and made vows.

^1:17 And Jehovah prepared a great sea creature to swallow up Jonah and Jonah was in the belly of the sea creature three days and three nights.

[Jonah 2] TOC

^2:1 Then Jonah prayed to Jehovah his God out of the sea creatures belly. ^2:2 And he said, I called because of my affliction to Jehovah and he answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried and you heard my voice.

^2:3 For you cast me into the depth, in the heart of the seas and the flood was all around me. All your waves and your billows passed over me. ^2:4 And I said, I am cast out from before your eyes. Yet I will look again toward your holy temple.

^2:5 The waters encompassed me around, even to the soul. The deep was all around me. The weeds were wrapped around my head. ^2:6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains. The earth with its bars closed upon me everlasting. Yet you have brought up my life from the pit, O Jehovah my God.

^2:7 When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah. And my prayer came in to you, into your holy temple. ^2:8 Those who regard lying vanities forsake their own mercy. ^2:9 But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of Jehovah.

^2:10 And Jehovah spoke to the sea creature and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

[Jonah 3] TOC

^3:1 And the word of Jehovah came to Jonah the second time, saying, ^3:2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and preach to it the preaching that I bid you.

^3:3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Jehovah. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, of three days' journey. ^3:4And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey. And he cried out and said, Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.

^3:5 And the people of Nineveh believed God and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

^3:6 And the news reached the king of Nineveh and he arose from his throne and laid his robe from him and covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. ^3:7 And he made proclamation and proclaimed through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Do not let them feed, nor drink water, ^3:8 but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast and let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let them turn each one from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.

^3:9 Who knows whether God will not turn and relent and turn away from his fierce anger, that we not perish?

^3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. And God relented of the evil which he said he would do to them and he did not do it.

[Jonah 4] TOC

^4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly and he was angry. ^4:2 And he prayed to Jehovah and said, I beseech you, O Jehovah, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hastened to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and relent you of the evil.

^4:3 Therefore now, O Jehovah, I beseech you, take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.

^4:4 And Jehovah said, Do you well to be angry?

^4:5 Then Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city and there made himself a booth and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city.

^4:6 And Jehovah God prepared a gourd and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very glad because of the gourd.

^4:7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day and it killed^* the gourd, that it withered. ^4:8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a sultry east wind and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted and requested for himself that he might die and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

^4:9 And God said to Jonah, Do you well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even to death. ^4:10 And Jehovah said, You have had regard for the gourd, for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.

^4:11 And should not I have regard for Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand men who cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand and also much cattle?

[Micah 1] TOC

^1:1 The word of Jehovah that came to Micah the Morashtite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

^1:2 Hear, you^* peoples, all of you^*. Listen, O earth and all who are in it and let the Lord Jehovah be witness against you^*, the Lord from his holy temple. ^1:3 For, behold, Jehovah comes forth out of his place and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. ^1:4 And the mountains will be melted under him and the valleys will be split, as wax before the fire, as waters that are poured down a steep place.

^1:5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Are they not Jerusalem?

^1:6 Therefore I will make Samaria as a heap of the field and as places for planting vineyards. And I will pour down the stones of it into the valley and I will uncover the foundations of it. ^1:7 And all her graven images will be beaten to pieces. And all her wages will be burned with fire and I will lay desolate all her idols. For she has gathered them from the wages of a prostitute and to the wage of a prostitute they will return.

^1:8 For this I will lament and wail. I will go stripped and naked. I will make a wailing like the jackals and a lamentation like the ostriches. ^1:9 For her wounds are incurable. For it has come even to Judah. it reaches to the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.

^1:10 Do not tell it in Gath. Weep not at all. I have rolled myself in the dust at Beth-le-aphrah. ^1:11 Pass away, O inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan has not come forth. The wailing of Beth-ezel will take from you^* the stay of it. ^1:12 For the inhabitant of Maroth waits anxiously for good, because evil has come down from Jehovah to the gate of Jerusalem.

^1:13 Bind the chariot to the swift steed, O inhabitant of Lachish. She was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for the transgressions of Israel were found in you. ^1:14 Therefore you will give a parting gift to Moresheth-gath. The houses of Achzib will be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.

^1:15 I will yet bring to you, O inhabitant of Mareshah, he who will possess you. The glory of Israel will come even to Adullam. ^1:16 You make yourself bald and cut off your hair for the sons of your delight. Enlarge your baldness as the vulture, for they have gone into captivity from you.

[Micah 2] TOC

^2:1 Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil upon their beds! When the morning is light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. ^2:2And they desire fields and seize them and houses and take them away. And they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

^2:3 Therefore Jehovah says thus: Behold, I devise an evil against this family, from which you^* will not remove your^* necks, nor will you^* walk haughtily, for it is an evil time. ^2:4 In that day they will take up a taunt against you^* and lament with a lamenting lamentation. And say, We are utterly ruined. He changes the portion of my people. How he removes it from me! He divides our fields to the rebellious. ^2:5Therefore you will have nobody to cast the line by lot in the assembly of Jehovah.

^2:6 Prophesy you^* not, they prophesy. They will not prophesy to these, so reproaches will not depart.^2:7 Will it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the Spirit of Jehovah restricted? Are these his practices? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?

^2:8 But of late my people have risen up as an enemy. You^* strip off the robe with the garment from those who pass by securely as men turning back from war. ^2:9 You^* cast out the women of my people from their pleasant houses. You^* take away my glory from their young sons everlasting.

^2:10 Arise and depart, for this is not your^* resting-place, because of uncleanness that destroys, even with a grievous destruction. ^2:11 If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies, saying, I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink, he will even be the prophet of this people.

^2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of you. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the midst of their pasture. They will make great noise because of the multitude of men. ^2:13 The breaker has gone up before them. They have broken forth and passed on to the gate and have gone out there. And their king has passed on before them and Jehovah at the head of them.

[Micah 3] TOC

^3:1 And I said, Hear, I beseech you^*, you^* heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel. Is it not for you^* to know justice? ^3:2 You^* who hate the good and love the evil, who pluck off their skin from them and their flesh from their bones, ^3:3 who also eat the flesh of my people and flay their skin from them and break their bones and chop them in pieces, as for the pot and as flesh within the caldron.

^3:4 Then they will cry to Jehovah, but he will not answer them. Yes, he will hide his face from them at that time, just-as they have worked evil in their practices.

^3:5 Jehovah says thus concerning the prophets who make my people go-astray, who bite with their teeth and cry, Peace. And he who does not put into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

^3:6 Therefore it will be night to you^*, that you^* will have no vision. And it will be dark to you^*, that you^* will not divine. And the sun will go down upon the prophets and the day will be black over them. ^3:7And the seers will be put to shame and diviners confounded. Yes, they will all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.

^3:8 But as for me, I am full of power by the Spirit of Jehovah and of judgment and of might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

^3:9 Hear this, I beseech you^*, you^* heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert all equity. ^3:10 They build up Zion with blood and Jerusalem with unrighteousness. ^3:11 The heads of it judge for a bribe and the priests of it teach for a wage and the prophets of it divine for money.

Yet they lean upon Jehovah and say, Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? No evil will come upon us. ^3:12 Therefore for your^* sake Zion will be plowed as a field and Jerusalem will become heaps and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

[Micah 4] TOC

^4:1 But in the latter days it will happen, that the mountain of Jehovah's house will be established on the top of the mountains and it will be exalted above the hills and peoples will flow to it.

^4:2 And many nations will go and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion will go forth the law and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.

^4:3 And he will judge between many peoples and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. And they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war any more.

^4:4 But they will sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree and none will make them afraid. For the mouth of Jehovah of hosts has spoken it. ^4:5For all the peoples walk each one in the name of his god. And we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God everlasting and forever.

^4:6 In that day, says Jehovah, I will assemble what is lame and I will gather what is driven away and what I have afflicted. ^4:7 And I will make what was lame a remnant and what was cast far off a strong nation. And Jehovah will reign over them in Mount Zion from now and until everlasting.

^4:8 And you, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come. Yes, the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

^4:9 Now why do you cry out aloud? Is there no king in you. Has your counselor perished, that pains have taken hold of you as of a woman in childbirth? ^4:10Be in pain and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in childbirth.

For now you will go forth out of the city and will dwell in the field and will come even to Babylon. There you will be rescued. There Jehovah will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

^4:11 And now many nations are assembled against you, who say, Let her be defiled and let our eye see our desire upon Zion. ^4:12 But they do not know the thoughts of Jehovah, nor do they understand his counsel, for he has gathered them as the sheaves to the threshing-floor.

^4:13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron and I will make your hoofs brass and you will beat many peoples in pieces. And I will devote their gain to Jehovah and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.

[Micah 5] TOC

^5:1 Now you will gather yourself in troops, O daughter of troops. He has laid siege against us. They will kill^* the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

^5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, which are little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of you he will come out to me who is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from long-ago, from the days of everlasting.

^5:3 Therefore he will give them up until the time that she who travails has brought forth. Then the residue of his brothers will return to the sons of Israel. ^5:4 And he will stand and will feed his flock in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God and they will abide. For now he will be great to the ends of the earth. ^5:5 And this man will be our peace.

When the Assyrian will come into our land and when he will tread in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal men. ^5:6 And they will waste the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod in the entrances of it. And he will deliver us from the Assyrian, when he comes into our land and when he treads within our border.

^5:7 And the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Jehovah, as showers upon the grass, that do not abide for man, nor wait for the sons of men. ^5:8 And the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goes through, treads down and tears in pieces and there is none to deliver.

^5:9 Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries and let all your enemies be cut off. ^5:10And it will happen in that day, says Jehovah, that I will cut off your horses out of the midst of you and will destroy your chariots, ^5:11 and I will cut off the cities of your land and will throw down all your strongholds.

^5:12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of your hand and you will have no more soothsayers. ^5:13 And I will cut off your graven images and your pillars out of the midst of you and you will no more worship the work of your hands. ^5:14 And I will pluck up your Asherim {pole-images} out of the midst of you and I will destroy your cities. ^5:15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that did not listen.

[Micah 6] TOC

^6:1 Hear now what Jehovah says: Arise, contend before the mountains and let the hills hear your voice. ^6:2 Hear, O you^* mountains, Jehovah's controversy and you^* enduring foundations of the earth, for Jehovah has a controversy with his people and he will contend with Israel.

^6:3 O my people, what have I done to you? And in what have I wearied you? Testify against me. ^6:4For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. And I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam.

^6:5 O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him. Remember from Shittim to Gilgal, that you^* may know the righteous acts of Jehovah.

^6:6 With what shall I come before Jehovah and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? ^6:7 Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

^6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does Jehovah require of you, but to do justly and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?

^6:9 The voice of Jehovah cries to the city and the man of wisdom will see your name. Hear the rod and who has appointed it. ^6:10 Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked and a scant measure that is indignant? ^6:11 Shall I be pure with wicked balances and with a bag of deceitful weights? ^6:12 For the rich men of it are full of violence and the inhabitants of it have spoken lies and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

^6:13 Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound, I have made you desolate because of your sins. ^6:14 You will eat, but not be satisfied and your humiliation will be in the midst of you. And you will put away, but will not save and what you save I will give up to the sword. ^6:15 You will sow, but will not reap, you will tread the olives, but will not anoint you with oil and the vintage, but will not drink the wine.

^6:16 For the statutes of Omri are kept and all the works of the house of Ahab and you^* walk in their counsels, that I may make you a desolation and the inhabitants of it a hissing. And you^* will bear the reproach of my people.

[Micah 7] TOC

^7:1 Woe is me! For I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the vintage. There is no cluster to eat. My soul desires the first ripe fig.

^7:2 The devout man has perished out of the earth and there is none upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood. They hunt every man his brother with a net. ^7:3 Their hands are upon what is evil to do it diligently. The ruler asks and the judge asks for a bribe. And the great man, he utters the evil desire of his soul. Thus they weave it together.

^7:4 The best of them is as a brier. The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, even your visitation, has come. Now will be their perplexity.

^7:5 Trust you^* not in a neighbor. Put you^* not confidence in a friend. Keep the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. ^7:6 For the son dishonors the father. The daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies are the men of his own house.

^7:7 But as for me, I will look to Jehovah. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. ^7:8 Rejoice not against me, O my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light to me.

^7:9 I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case and executes judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light and I will behold his righteousness.

^7:10 Then my enemy will see it and shame will cover her who said to me, Where is Jehovah your God? My eyes will see my desire upon her. Now she will be trodden down as the mud of the streets.

^7:11 A day for building your walls! In that day the decree will be far removed. ^7:12 In that day they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt and from Egypt even to the River and from sea to sea and mountain to mountain. ^7:13 Yet the land will be desolate because of those who dwell in it, for the fruit of their practices.

^7:14 Feed your people with your rod, the flock of your heritage, which dwell solitarily in the forest in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. ^7:15 As in the days of your coming forth out of the land of Egypt I will show marvelous things to them.

^7:16 The nations will see and be ashamed of all their might. They will lay their hand upon their mouth. Their ears will be deaf. ^7:17 They will lick the dust like a serpent. Like crawling things of the earth they will come trembling out of their borders. They will come with fear to Jehovah our God and will be afraid because of you.

^7:18 Who is a God like to you, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.

^7:19 He will again have compassion upon us. He will tread our iniquities under foot and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. ^7:20 You will perform the truth to Jacob and the loving kindness to Abraham, which you have sworn to our fathers from the days of long-ago.

[Nahum 1] TOC

^1:1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

^1:2 Jehovah is a jealous God and avenges. Jehovah avenges and is full of wrath. Jehovah takes vengeance on his adversaries and he reserves wrath for his enemies. ^1:3 Jehovah is slow to anger and great in power and will by no means clear the guilty.

Jehovah has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm and the clouds are the dust of his feet. ^1:4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes and Carmel and the flower of Lebanon languishes. ^1:5 The mountains quake at him and the hills melt and the earth is upheaved at his presence. Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.

^1:6 Who can stand before his indignation? And who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire and the rocks are broken apart by him.

^1:7 Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and he knows those who take refuge in him.^1:8 But with an over running flood he will make a full end of her place and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

^1:9 What do you^* devise against Jehovah? He will make a full end. Affliction will not rise up the second time. ^1:10 For entangled like thorns and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly as dry stubble. ^1:11 He has gone forth out of you, who devises evil against Jehovah, who counsels wickedness.

^1:12 Jehovah says thus: Though they are in full strength and likewise many, even so they will be cut down. And he will pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. ^1:13 And now I will break his yoke from you and will burst your bonds apart.

^1:14 And Jehovah has given commandment concerning you, that no more of your name be sown. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the graven image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.

^1:15 Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah. Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.

[Nahum 2] TOC

^2:1 He who dashes in pieces has come up against you. Keep the fortress. Watch the way. Make your loins strong. Fortify your power mightily. ^2:2 For Jehovah restores the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel, for those emptying have emptied them out and destroyed their vine branches.

^2:3 The shield of his mighty men is made red. The valiant men are in scarlet. The chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation and the cypress spears are brandished. ^2:4 The chariots rage in the streets; they rush to and fro in the broad ways. The appearance of them is like torches. They run like the lightnings. ^2:5 He remembers his nobles. They stumble in their traveling. They make haste to the wall of it and the mantelet is prepared. ^2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

^2:7 And it is decreed. She is uncovered. She is carried away and her handmaids moan as with the voice of doves, beating upon their breasts.

^2:8 But Nineveh has been from of old like a pool of water. Yet they flee away. Stand, stand, they cry, but none looks back. ^2:9 You^* take the spoil of silver. Take the spoil of gold. For there is no end of the store, the glory of all desirable furniture. ^2:10 She is empty and void and waste. And the heart melts and the knees kill^* together and anguish is in all loins and the faces of them all have grown pale.

^2:11 Where is the den of the lions and the feeding-place of the young lions, where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion's cub and none made them afraid? ^2:12 The lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs and strangled for his lionesses and filled his caves with prey and his dens with prey.

^2:13 Behold, I am against you, says Jehovah of hosts and I will burn her chariots in the smoke and the sword will devour your young lions. And I will cut off your prey from the earth and the voice of your messengers will no more be heard.

[Nahum 3] TOC

^3:1 Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and pillage. The prey does not depart. ^3:2 The noise of the whip and the noise of the rattling of wheels and prancing horses and bounding chariots, ^3:3 the horseman mounting and the flashing sword and the glittering spear and a multitude of slain and a great heap of corpses and there is no end of the bodies. They stumble upon their bodies, ^3:4 because of the multitude of the prostitutions of the fine-looking prostitute, the mistress of witchcrafts, who sells nations through her prostitutions and families through her witchcrafts.

^3:5 Behold, I am against you, says Jehovah of hosts and I will uncover your skirts upon your face and I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. ^3:6 And I will cast abominable filth upon you and make you vile and will set you as a gazing-stock.

^3:7 And it will happen, that all those who look upon you will flee from you and say, Nineveh is laid waste. Who will sympathize with her? From where shall I seek comforters for you?

^3:8 Are you better than No-amon, that was situated among the rivers, that had the waters all around her, whose rampart was the sea and her wall was of the sea? ^3:9 Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength and it was infinite. Put and Lubim were your helpers. ^3:10 Yet she was carried away. She went into captivity. Her young sons also were dashed in pieces at the head of all the streets. And they cast lots for her honorable men and all her great men were bound in chains.

^3:11 You also will be drunken. You will be hid. You also will seek a stronghold because of the enemy. ^3:12 All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the first ripe figs. If they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

^3:13 Behold, your people in the midst of you are women. The gates of your land are set wide open to your enemies. The fire has devoured your bars. ^3:14Draw you water for the siege. Strengthen your fortresses. Go into the clay and tread the mortar. Make strong the brick kiln. ^3:15 There the fire will devour you. The sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the canker-worm. Make yourself many as the canker-worm. Make yourself many as the locust. ^3:16 You have multiplied your merchants above the stars of heaven. The canker-worm ravages and flees away. ^3:17 Your rulers are as the locusts and your marshals as the swarms of grasshoppers, which encamp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun arises they flee away and their place is not known where they are. ^3:18 Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria. Your nobles are at rest. Your people are scattered upon the mountains and there is none to gather them.

^3:19 There is no alleviation of your hurt. Your wound is grievous. All who hear the report of you clap their hands over you, for upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?

[Habakkuk 1] TOC

^1:1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet saw.

^1:2 O Jehovah, how long shall I cry and you will not hear? I cry out to you of violence and you will not save. ^1:3 Why do you show me wickedness and look upon perverseness? For destruction and violence are before me and there is strife and contention rises up.^1:4 Therefore the law is slacked and justice never goes forth. For the wicked man surrounds the righteous man, therefore justice goes forth perverted.

^1:5 Behold you^* scoffers and look and wonder marvelously. For I am working a work in your^* days, which you^* will not believe though it is told you^*. ^1:6For behold, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs.

^1:7 They are fearful and dreadful. Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. ^1:8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards and are more fierce than the evening wolves. And their horsemen press proudly on. Yes, their horsemen come from far. They fly as an eagle that hastens to devour. ^1:9They come all of them for violence. The set of their faces is forwards and they gather captives as the sand.

^1:10 Yes, he scoffs at kings and rulers are a mocking to him. He derides every stronghold, for he heaps up dust and takes it. ^1:11 Then he will sweep by as a wind and will pass over and be guilty; he whose might is his god.

^1:12 Are not you from long-ago, O Jehovah my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O Jehovah, you have placed him for judgment and you, O Rock, have established him for correction.

^1:13 You who are of purer eyes than to behold evil and who cannot look on perverseness, why do you look upon those who deal treacherously and hold your peace when the wicked man swallows up the man who is more righteous than he, ^1:14 and makes men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

^1:15 He takes all of them up with the hook. He catches them in his net and gathers them in his drag. Therefore he rejoices and is glad. ^1:16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his drag, because by them his portion is fat and his food plentiful. ^1:17 Shall he therefore empty his net and not spare to kill the nations continually?

[Habakkuk 2] TOC

^2:1 I will stand upon my watch and set myself upon the tower and will look forth to see what he will speak with me and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

^2:2 And Jehovah answered me and said, Write the vision and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run who reads it. ^2:3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time and it breathes-out toward the end and will not lie. Though it abide, wait for it, because it will surely come. It will not delay.

^2:4 Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright in him. (But the righteous man will live by his faith.) ^2:5 Yes, moreover, wine is treacherous. He is a haughty man, who does not keep at home, who enlarges his desire as Sheol and he is as death and cannot be satisfied, but gathers to him all nations and heaps to him all peoples.

^2:6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him and a taunting proverb against him and say, Woe to him who increases what is not his (how long?) and who loads himself with pledges! ^2:7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that will bite you and awake that will besiege you. And you will be for booty to them?

^2:8 Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples will plunder you, because of men's blood and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all who dwell in it.

^2:9 Woe to him who gets an evil gain for his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the hand of evil! ^2:10 You have devised shame to your house, by cutting off many peoples and have sinned against your soul. ^2:11 For the stone will cry out of the wall and the beam out of the timber will answer it.

^2:12 Woe to him who builds a town with blood and establishes a city by unrighteousness! ^2:13 Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire and the nations weary themselves for vanity? ^2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.

^2:15 Woe to him who gives his neighbor drink, who adds your venom and also makes him drunken, that you may look on their nakedness! ^2:16 You are filled with shame and not glory. Drink you also and be as one uncircumcised. The cup of Jehovah's right hand will come around to you and foul shame will be upon your glory.

^2:17 For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you and the plunder of the beasts (which made them afraid), because of men's blood and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all who dwell in it.

^2:18 What profits the graven image, that the maker of it has engraved it, the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make dumb idols?

^2:19 Woe to him who says to the wood, Awake! To the dumb stone, Arise! Shall this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

^2:20 But Jehovah is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before him.

[Habakkuk 3] TOC

^3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to Shigionoth {erring ones}.

^3:2 O Jehovah, I have heard the report of you and am afraid. O Jehovah, revive your work in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known. In wrath remember mercy.

^3:3 God came from Teman and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens and the earth was full of his praise. ^3:4 And his brightness was as the light. He had rays from his hand and there was the hiding of his power. ^3:5 Before him went the pestilence. And fiery bolts went forth at his feet.

^3:6 He stood and measured the earth. He beheld and drove apart the nations. And the eternal mountains were scattered. The everlasting hills bowed. His traveling are everlasting.

^3:7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction. The curtains of the land of Midian trembled. ^3:8 Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers, or your wrath against the sea, that you rode upon your horses, upon your chariots of salvation?

^3:9 Your bow was exposed. Naked are the oaths of the tribes to your word. Selah. You split the earth with rivers. ^3:10 The mountains saw you and were afraid. The tempest of waters passed by. The deep uttered its voice and lifted up its hands on high. ^3:11The sun and moon stood still in their dwelling, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shining of your glittering spear.

^3:12 You marched though the land in indignation. You threshed the nations in anger. ^3:13 You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed.

You wound the head out of the house of the wicked man, laying bare the foundation even to the neck. Selah. ^3:14 You pierced with his own staves the head of his warriors. They came as a whirlwind to scatter me. Their rejoicing was as to devour the poor man secretly. ^3:15 You walked through the sea with your horses, the heap of mighty waters.

^3:16 I heard and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness enters into my bones and I tremble in my place, because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us.

^3:17 For though the fig tree will not flourish, nor will fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive will fail and the fields will yield no food; the flock will be cut off from the fold and there will be no herd in the stalls; ^3:18 yet I will rejoice in Jehovah. I will joy in the God of my salvation.

^3:19 Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength. And he makes my feet like female-deers' feet and will make me to walk upon my high places

[Zephaniah 1] TOC

^1:1 The word of Jehovah which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

^1:2 I will utterly consume all things from the face of the ground, says Jehovah. ^1:3 I will consume man and beast. I will consume the birds of the heavens and the fishes of the sea and the stumbling blocks with the wicked. And I will cut off man from the face of the ground, says Jehovah.

^1:4 And I will stretch out my hand upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place and the names of the idolatrous priest with the pagan priests,^1:5 and those who worship the host of heaven upon the housetops and those who worship, who swear to Jehovah and swear by Malcam, ^1:6 and those who are turned back from following Jehovah and those who have not sought Jehovah, nor inquired after him.

^1:7 Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord Jehovah, for the day of Jehovah is at hand. For Jehovah has prepared a sacrifice. He has consecrated his guests. ^1:8 And it will happen in the day of Jehovah's sacrifice, that I will punish the rulers and the king's sons and all such as are clothed with foreign apparel. ^1:9 And in that day I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, who fill their master's house with violence and deceit.

^1:10 And in that day, says Jehovah, there will be the noise of a cry from the fish gate and a wailing from the second quarter and a great crashing from the hills. ^1:11 Wail, you^* inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the people of Canaan are undone. All those who were laden with silver are cut off.

^1:12 And it will happen at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with lamps and I will punish the men who are settled on their lees, who say in their heart, Jehovah will not do good, nor will he do evil.^1:13 And their wealth will become a spoil and their houses a desolation. Yes, they will build houses, but will not inhabit them and they will plant vineyards, but will not drink the wine of it.

^1:14 The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near and hastens greatly, the voice of the day of Jehovah. The mighty man cries there bitterly. ^1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of waste and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, ^1:16 a day of the trumpet and alarm, against the fortified cities and against the high battlements.

^1:17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against Jehovah and their blood will be poured out as dust and their flesh as manure. ^1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah's wrath, but the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. For he will make an end, yes, a terrible end, of all those who dwell in the land.

[Zephaniah 2] TOC

^2:1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O nation that has no shame; ^2:2 before the decree bring forth, before the day passes as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Jehovah comes upon you^*, before the day of Jehovah's anger comes upon you^*.

^2:3 Seek Jehovah, all you^* meek of the earth who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. It may be you^* will be hid in the day of Jehovah's anger.

^2:4 For Gaza will be forsaken and Ashkelon a desolation. They will drive out Ashdod at noonday and Ekron will be rooted up. ^2:5 Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Jehovah is against you^*, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines. I will destroy you, that there will be no inhabitant. ^2:6 And the seacoast will be pastures, with cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks. ^2:7 And the coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah. They will feed their flocks upon it. In the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down in the evening. For Jehovah their God will visit them and bring back their captivity.

^2:8 I have heard the reproach of Moab and the revilings of the sons of Ammon, with which they have reproached my people and magnified themselves against their border. ^2:9 Therefore as I live, says Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab will be as Sodom and the sons of Ammon as Gomorrah, a possession of nettles and salt pits and a everlasting desolation. The residue of my people will make a prey of them and the remnant of my nation will inherit them.

^2:10 They will have this for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of hosts. ^2:11 Jehovah will be terrible to them, for he will famish all the gods of the earth. And men will worship him, everyone from his place, even all the isles of the nations. ^2:12 You^* Ethiopians also, you^* will be slain by my sword.

^2:13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria and will make Nineveh a desolation and dry like the wilderness. ^2:14 And herds will lie down in the midst of her. All the beasts of the nations, both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in the capitals of it. Their voice will sing in the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds. For he has laid bare the cedar work.

^2:15 This is the joyous city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am and there is none besides me. How she has become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! Everyone who passes by her will hiss and wag his hand.

[Zephaniah 3] TOC

^3:1 Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city! ^3:2 She obeyed not the voice. She received not correction. She trusted not in Jehovah. She did not draw near to her God. ^3:3 Her rulers in the midst of her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing till the next-day.^3:4 Her prophets are airy and treacherous men. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.

^3:5 Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous. He will not do unrighteousness. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He does not fail, but the unjust man knows no shame.

^3:6 I have cut off nations. Their battlements are desolate. I have made their streets waste, so that none passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.

^3:7 I said, Only fear me. Receive correction, so her dwelling will not be cut off, according to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they rose early and corrupted all their practices.

^3:8 Therefore wait for me, says Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey. For my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them my indignation, even all my fierce anger. For all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

^3:9 For then I will turn to the peoples of a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him with one consent. ^3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, will bring my offering.

^3:11 In that day you will not be put to shame for all your practices, in which you have transgressed against me. For then I will take away out of the midst of you those who rejoice in your pride and you will no more be haughty in my holy mountain.

^3:12 But I will leave in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people and they will take refuge in the name of Jehovah. ^3:13 The remnant of Israel will not do unrighteousness, nor speak lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth. For they will feed and lie down and none will make them afraid.

^3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O Israel. Be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. ^3:15 Jehovah has taken away your judgments. He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of you. You will not fear evil any more.

^3:16 In that day it will be said to Jerusalem, Do not fear, O Zion. Do not let your hands be slack. ^3:17Jehovah your God is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love. He will joy over you with singing. ^3:18 I will gather those who sorrow for the solemn assembly, who were of you, to whom the burden upon her was a reproach.

^3:19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you. And I will save what is lame and gather what was driven away and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame has been in all the earth. ^3:20 At that time I will bring you^* in and at that time I will gather you^*. For I will make you^* a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth when I bring back your^* captivity before your^* eyes, says Jehovah.

[Haggai 1] TOC

^1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the word of Jehovah came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ^1:2 Thus speaks Jehovah of hosts, saying, This people say, It is not the time for us to come, the time for Jehovah's house to be built.

^1:3 Then the word of Jehovah came by Haggai the prophet, saying, ^1:4 Is it a time for you^* yourselves to dwell in your^* paneled houses while this house lies waste?

^1:5 Now therefore Jehovah of hosts says thus: Consider your^* ways. ^1:6 You^* have sown much and bring in little. You^* eat, but you^* have not enough. You^* drink, but you^* are not filled with drink. You^* clothe yourselves, but there is none warm. And he who earns wages earns wages to put into a bag with holes.

^1:7 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Consider your^* ways. ^1:8 Go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the house. And I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified, says Jehovah. ^1:9 You^* looked for much, and behold, it came to little and when you^* brought it home, I blew upon it.

Why? says Jehovah of hosts. Because of my house that lays waste while you^* run each man to his own house. ^1:10 Therefore for your^* sake the heavens withhold the dew and the earth withholds its fruit. ^1:11And I called for a drought upon the land and upon the mountains and upon the grain and upon the new wine and upon the oil and upon what the ground brings forth and upon men and upon cattle and upon all the labor of the hands.

^1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of Jehovah their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as Jehovah their God had sent him. And the people feared before Jehovah.

^1:13 Then Haggai, Jehovah's messenger, spoke in Jehovah's message to the people, saying, I am with you^*, says Jehovah.

^1:14 And Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and did work on the house of Jehovah of hosts, their God, ^1:15 in the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

[Haggai 2] TOC

^2:1 In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the word of Jehovah came by Haggai the prophet, saying, ^2:2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest and to the remnant of the people, saying, ^2:3 Who is left among you^* that saw this house in its former glory? And how do you^* see it now? Is it not in your^* eyes as nothing?

^2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says Jehovah and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest and be strong, all you^* people of the land, says Jehovah and work. For I am with you^*, says Jehovah of hosts, ^2:5 according to the word that I covenanted with you^* when you^* came out of Egypt and my Spirit abode among you^*. Do not fear.

^2:6 For Jehovah of hosts says thus: Yet once, it is a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. ^2:7 And I will shake all nations and the delight of all nations will come and I will fill this house with glory, says Jehovah of hosts. ^2:8 The silver is mine and the gold is mine, says Jehovah of hosts. ^2:9 The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says Jehovah of hosts and in this place I will give peace, says Jehovah of hosts.

^2:10 In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Jehovah came by Haggai the prophet, saying, ^2:11 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, ^2:12 If a man bears holy flesh in the skirt of his garment and with his skirt touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any food, will it become holy? And the priests answered and said, No.

^2:13 Then Haggai said, If a man who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It will be unclean. ^2:14 Then Haggai answered and said, So is this people and so is this nation before me, says Jehovah and so is every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.

^2:15 And now, I beseech you^*, consider from this day and backward, before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of Jehovah. ^2:16 Through all that time, when a man came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When he came to the wine vat to draw out fifty vessels, there were but twenty. ^2:17 I killed^* you^* with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the work of your^* hands, yet you^* turned not to me, says Jehovah.

^2:18 Consider, I beseech you^*, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of Jehovah's temple was laid, consider it. ^2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes, the vine and the fig tree and the pomegranate and the olive tree have not brought forth. From this day I will bless you^*.

^2:20 And the word of Jehovah came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, ^2:21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth.^2:22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. And I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them. And the horses and their riders will come down, each one by the sword of his brother.

^2:23 In that day, says Jehovah of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says Jehovah and will make you as a signet. For I have chosen you, says Jehovah of hosts.

[Zechariah 1] TOC

^1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Jehovah came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying, ^1:2 Jehovah was greatly displeased with your^* fathers. ^1:3 Therefore you say to them, Jehovah of hosts says thus:

Return to me, says Jehovah of hosts and I will return to you^*, says Jehovah of hosts. ^1:4 Do not be as your^* fathers, to whom the former prophets cried, saying, Jehovah of hosts says thus: Return now from your^* evil ways and from your^* evil practices, but they did not hear, nor listen to me, says Jehovah.

^1:5 Your^* fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live everlasting? ^1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your^* fathers? And they turned and said, Like as Jehovah of hosts thought to do to us, according to our ways and according to our practices, so he has dealt with us.

^1:7 Upon the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Jehovah came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying, ^1:8 I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding upon a red horse and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom. And behind him there were horses, red, sorrel and white.

^1:9 Then I said, O my lord, what are these? And the messenger who talked with me said to me, I will show you what these are. ^1:10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom Jehovah has sent to walk to and fro through the earth. ^1:11 And they answered the messenger of Jehovah who stood among the myrtle trees and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold, all the earth sits still and is at rest.

^1:12 Then the messenger of Jehovah answered and said, O Jehovah of hosts, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these seventy years? ^1:13 And Jehovah answered the messenger who talked with me with good words, comforting words.

^1:14 So the messenger who talked with me said to me, Cry, saying, Jehovah of hosts says thus: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. ^1:15 And I am very greatly displeased with the nations that are at ease. For I was but a little displeased and they helped forward the affliction.

^1:16 Therefore Jehovah says thus: I have returned to Jerusalem with mercies. My house will be built in it, says Jehovah of hosts and a line will be stretched forth over Jerusalem. ^1:17 Cry yet again, saying, Jehovah of hosts says thus: My cities will yet overflow with prosperity and Jehovah will yet comfort Zion and will yet choose Jerusalem.

^1:18 And I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns. ^1:19 And I said to the messenger who talked with me, What are these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.

^1:20 And Jehovah showed me four smiths. ^1:21Then I said, What are these coming to do? And he spoke, saying, These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man lifted up his head. But these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.

[Zechariah 2] TOC

^2:1 And I lifted up my eyes and looked. And behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. ^2:2Then I said, Where do you go? And he said to me, To measure Jerusalem. To see what is the breadth of it and what is the length of it.

^2:3 And behold, the messenger who talked with me went forth. And another messenger went out to meet him, ^2:4 and said to him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it. ^2:5 For I, says Jehovah, will be to her a wall of fire all around and I will be the glory in the midst of her.

^2:6 Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, says Jehovah. For I have spread you^* abroad as the four winds of the heavens, says Jehovah. ^2:7 Ho Zion, escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.

^2:8 For Jehovah of hosts says thus: After glory he has sent me to the nations which plundered you^*. For he who touches you^* touches the apple of his eye. ^2:9For, behold, I will shake my hand over them and they will be a spoil to those who served them. And you^* will know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me.

^2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says Jehovah. ^2:11 And many nations will join themselves to Jehovah in that day and will be my people and I will dwell in the midst of you. And you will know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me to you.^2:12 And Jehovah will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will yet choose Jerusalem. ^2:13 Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah, for he has arisen out of his holy dwelling.

[Zechariah 3] TOC

^3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the messenger of Jehovah and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. ^3:2 And Jehovah said to Satan, Jehovah rebuke you, O Satan. Yes, Jehovah who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you. Is this not a brand plucked out of the fire?

^3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the messenger. ^3:4 And he answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, Take the filthy garments from him. And to him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel. ^3:5 And I said, Let them set a clean headdress upon his head. So they set a clean headdress upon his head and clothed him with garments. And the messenger of Jehovah was standing by.

^3:6 And the messenger of Jehovah testified to Joshua, saying, ^3:7 Jehovah of hosts says thus: If you will walk in my ways and if you will keep my charge, then you also will judge my house and will also keep my courts and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.

^3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign. For, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch. ^3:9 For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua. Upon one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave the graving of it, says Jehovah of hosts and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. ^3:10 In that day, says Jehovah of hosts, you^* will invite each man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.

[Zechariah 4] TOC

^4:1 And the messenger who talked with me came again and awoke me, as a man who is awakened out of his sleep. ^4:2 And he said to me, What do you see? And I said, I have seen, and behold, a lamp-stand all of gold, with its bowl upon the top of it and its seven lamps on it. There are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are upon the top of it, ^4:3 and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side of it.

^4:4 And I answered and spoke to the messenger who talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? ^4:5 Then the messenger who talked with me answered and said to me, Do you not know what these are? And I said, No, my lord. ^4:6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says Jehovah of hosts. ^4:7Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of Favor, favor, to it.

^4:8 Moreover the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, ^4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands will also finish it. And you will know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me to you^*. ^4:10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven will rejoice and will see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

^4:11 Then I answered and said to him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the lamp-stand and upon the left side of it? ^4:12 And I answered the second time and said to him, What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts that empty the golden oil out of themselves?^4:13 And he answered me and said, Do you not know what these are? And I said, No, my lord. ^4:14 Then he said, These are the two anointed ones, who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

[Zechariah 5] TOC

^5:1 Then again I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying roll. ^5:2 And he said to me, What do you see? And I answered, I see a flying roll. The length of it is twenty cubits and the breadth of it ten cubits.

^5:3 Then he said to me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals will be cut off on the one side according to it and everyone who swears will be cut off on the other side according to it. ^5:4 I will cause it to go forth, says Jehovah of hosts and it will enter into the house of the thief and into the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it will abide in the midst of his house and will consume it, with the timber of it and the stones of it.

^5:5 Then the messenger who talked with me went forth and said to me, Lift up now your eyes and see what this is that goes forth. ^5:6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is the ephah that goes forth. He said moreover, This is their appearance in all the land ^5:7 (and, behold, a talant of lead was lifted up) and this is a woman sitting in the midst of the ephah.^5:8 And he said, This is Wickedness. And he cast her down into the midst of the ephah and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth of it.

^5:9 Then I lifted up my eyes and looked. And behold, there came out two women and the wind was in their wings. Now they had wings like the wings of a stork and they lifted up the ephah between earth and heaven. ^5:10 Then I said to the messenger who talked with me, Where do these carry the ephah? ^5:11And he said to me, To build her a house in the land of Shinar. And when it is prepared, she will be set there in her own place.

[Zechariah 6] TOC

^6:1 And again I lifted up my eyes and looked. And behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains and the mountains were mountains of brass. ^6:2 In the first chariot were red horses and in the second chariot black horses, ^6:3 and in the third chariot white horses and in the fourth chariot strong grayed horses.

^6:4 Then I answered and said to the messenger who talked with me, What are these, my lord? ^6:5 And the messenger answered and said to me, These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. ^6:6 The chariot in which are the black horses goes forth toward the north country and the white horses went forth after them and the grayed horses went forth toward the south country.

^6:7 And the strong ones went forth and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth. And he said, You^* get from here. Walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. ^6:8 Then he cried to me and spoke to me, saying, Behold, those who go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

^6:9 And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,^6:10 Take from those captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah and of Jedaiah and come you the same day and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have come from Babylon. ^6:11 Yes, take silver and gold and make crowns and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

^6:12 And speak to him, saying, Thus speaks Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the Branch. And he will grow up out of his place and he will build the temple of Jehovah, ^6:13even he will build the temple of Jehovah. And he will bear the glory and will sit and rule upon his throne. And he will be a priest upon his throne and the counsel of peace will be between them both. ^6:14And the crowns will be to Helem and to Tobijah and to Jedaiah and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of Jehovah.

^6:15 And those who are far off will come and build in the temple of Jehovah. And you^* will know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me to you^*. And this will happen, if you^* will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your^* God.

[Zechariah 7] TOC

^7:1 And it happened in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of Jehovah came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chislev.

^7:2 Now those of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men, to entreat the favor of Jehovah, ^7:3 and to speak to the priests of the house of Jehovah of hosts and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

^7:4 Then the word of Jehovah of hosts came to me, saying, ^7:5 Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, When you^* fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh month, even these seventy years, did you^* at all fast to me, even to me?^7:6 And when you^* eat and when you^* drink, do you^* not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?

^7:7 Should you^* not hear the words which Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity and the cities of it all around her and the South and the lowland were inhabited?

^7:8 And the word of Jehovah came to Zechariah, saying, ^7:9 Thus Jehovah of hosts has spoken, saying, Execute true justice and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother. ^7:10 And do not oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the traveler, nor the poor man. And let none of you^* devise evil against his brother in your^* heart.

^7:11 But they refused to listen and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears, that they might not hear. ^7:12 Yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from Jehovah of hosts.

^7:13 And it has happen that, as he cried and they would not hear, so they will cry and I will not hear, said Jehovah of hosts. ^7:14 But I will scatter them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they have not known. Thus the land was desolate after them, so that no man passed through nor returned. For they laid the desirable land desolate.

[Zechariah 8] TOC

^8:1 And the word of Jehovah of hosts came to me, saying, ^8:2 Jehovah of hosts says thus: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy and I am jealous for her with great wrath. ^8:3 Jehovah says thus: I am returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And Jerusalem will be called The city of truth and the mountain of Jehovah of hosts, The holy mountain.

^8:4 Jehovah of hosts says thus: There will yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, every man with his staff in his hand for very age. ^8:5 And the streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in the streets of it.

^8:6 Jehovah of hosts says thus: If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my eyes? says Jehovah of hosts. ^8:7 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country. ^8:8 And I will bring them and they will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they will be my people and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

^8:9 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Let your^* hands be strong, you^* who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets who were in the day that the foundation of the house of Jehovah of hosts was laid, even the temple, that it might be built. ^8:10For before those days there was no wage for man, nor any wage for beast, nor was there any peace to him who went out or came in, because of the adversary. For I set all men each one against his neighbor.

^8:11 But now I will not be to the remnant of this people as in the former days, says Jehovah of hosts.^8:12 For there will be the seed of peace. The vine will give its fruit and the ground will give its increase and the heavens will give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things.

^8:13 And it will happen that, as you^* were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you^* and you^* will be a blessing. Do not fear. Let your^* hands be strong.

^8:14 For Jehovah of hosts says thus: As I thought to do evil to you^*, when your^* fathers provoked me to wrath, says Jehovah of hosts and I did not relent,^8:15 so again I have thought in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear.

^8:16 These are the things that you^* will do: Speak to every man the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your^* gates. ^8:17And let none of you^* devise evil in your^* hearts against his neighbor and love no false oath. For all these are things that I hate, says Jehovah.

^8:18 And the word of Jehovah of hosts came to me, saying, ^8:19 Jehovah of hosts says thus: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth, will be to the house of Judah, joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

^8:20 Jehovah of hosts says thus: Peoples will yet come and the inhabitants of many cities. ^8:21 And the inhabitants of one city will go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of Jehovah and to seek Jehovah of hosts. I will go also. ^8:22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Jehovah of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of Jehovah.

^8:23 Jehovah of hosts says thus: In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, We will go with you^*, for we have heard that God is with you^*.

[Zechariah 9] TOC

^9:1 The burden of the word of Jehovah upon the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting-place (for the eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel is toward Jehovah), ^9:2 and also Hamath, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise. ^9:3And Tyre built herself a stronghold and heaped up silver as the dust and fine gold as the mud of the streets.

^9:4 Behold, the Lord will dispossess her and he will kill^* her power in the sea and she will be devoured with fire. ^9:5 Ashkelon will see it and fear, Gaza also and will be greatly pained and Ekron, for her expectation will be put to shame. And the king will perish from Gaza and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.

^9:6 And a bastard will dwell in Ashdod and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. ^9:7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth and his abominations from between his teeth. And he also will be a remnant for our God and he will be as a chieftain in Judah and Ekron as a Jebusite.

^9:8 And I will encamp the army around my house, that none pass through or return and no oppressor will pass through them any more. For now I have seen with my eyes.

^9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your king comes to you. He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding upon a donkey, even upon a colt the foal of a donkey.

^9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem and the battle bow will be cut off. And he will speak peace to the nations. And his dominion will be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

^9:11 As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.

^9:12 Turn back to the stronghold, you^* prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will render double to you. ^9:13 For I have bent Judah for me. I have filled the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece and will make you as the sword of a mighty man. ^9:14 And Jehovah will be seen over them. And his arrow will go forth as the lightning. And the Lord Jehovah will blow the trumpet and will go with whirlwinds of the south.

^9:15 Jehovah of hosts will defend them. And they will devour and will tread down the sling-stones. And they will drink and make a noise as through wine and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. ^9:16 And Jehovah their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people, as for the stones of a crown, lifted on high over his land. ^9:17 For how great is his goodness and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish and new wine the virgins.

[Zechariah 10] TOC

^10:1 Ask you^* of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain, even of Jehovah who makes lightnings and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field. ^10:2 For the household-idol have spoken vanity and the diviners have seen a lie and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are afflicted, because there is no shepherd.

^10:3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds and I will punish the male-goats. For Jehovah of hosts has visited his flock, the house of Judah and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle. ^10:4From him will come out the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. ^10:5 And they will be as mighty men, treading down their enemies in the mud of the streets in the battle. And they will fight, because Jehovah is with them and the riders on horses will be confounded.

^10:6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah and I will save the house of Joseph and I will bring them back. For I have mercy upon them and they will be as though I had not cast them off. For I am Jehovah their God and I will hear them. ^10:7 And Ephraim will be like a mighty man and their heart will rejoice as through wine. Yes, their sons will see it and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in Jehovah.

^10:8 I will whistle for them and gather them. For I have redeemed them and they will increase as they have increased. ^10:9 And I will sow them among the peoples and they will remember me in far countries. And they will live with their sons and will return.

^10:10 I will also bring them again out of the land of Egypt and gather them out of Assyria. And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon and until space will not be found for them. ^10:11 And he will pass through the sea of affliction and will kill^* the waves in the sea and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. And the pride of Assyria will be brought down and the scepter of Egypt will depart. ^10:12 And I will strengthen them in Jehovah and they will walk up and down in his name, says Jehovah.

[Zechariah 11] TOC

^11:1 Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars. ^11:2 Wail, O fir tree, for the cedar has fallen, because the fine ones are destroyed. Wail, O you^* oaks of Bashan, for the strong forest has come down. ^11:3 A voice of the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is destroyed. A voice of the roaring of young lions, for the pride of the Jordan is laid waste.

^11:4 Thus said Jehovah my God: Feed the flock of slaughter, ^11:5 whose possessors kill them and hold themselves not guilty. And those who sell them say, Praise Jehovah, for I am rich and their own shepherds pity them not. ^11:6 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, says Jehovah. But behold, I will deliver the men each one into his neighbor's hand and into the hand of his king. And they will kill^* the land and I will not deliver them out of their hand.

^11:7 So I fed the flock of slaughter, truly the poor of the flock. And I took to me two staves, the one I called Beauty and the other I called Bands and I fed the flock. ^11:8 And I cut off the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was weary of them and their soul also loathed me. ^11:9 Then I said, I will not feed you^*. What dies, let it die and what is to be cut off, let it be cut off and let those who are left eat each one the flesh of another.

^11:10 And I took my staff Beauty and cut it apart, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples. ^11:11 And it was broken in that day and thus the poor of the flock who gave heed to me knew that it was the word of Jehovah.

^11:12 And I said to them, If you^* think good, give me my wage and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my wage thirty pieces of silver. ^11:13 And Jehovah said to me, Cast it to the potter, the good price that I was valued by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of Jehovah.

^11:14 Then I cut apart my other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. ^11:15 And Jehovah said to me, Take to you yet again the instruments of a foolish shepherd. ^11:16For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those who are cut off, nor will he seek those who are scattered, nor heal what is broken, nor nourish what is standing, but he will eat the flesh of the fat and will tear their hoofs in pieces.

^11:17 Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock! The sword will be upon his arm and upon his right eye. His arm will be dried up and his right eye will be utterly darkened.

[Zechariah 12] TOC

^12:1 The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel.

Jehovah says thus, who stretches forth the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him: ^12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the peoples all around and upon Judah also it will be in the siege against Jerusalem.

^12:3 And it will happen in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.

^12:4 In that day, says Jehovah, I will kill^* every horse with terror and his rider with madness. And I will open my eyes upon the house of Judah and will kill^* every horse of the peoples with blindness.

^12:5 And the chieftains of Judah will say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Jehovah of hosts their God. ^12:6 In that day I will make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood and like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they will devour all the peoples all around, on the right hand and on the left and Jerusalem will yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem.

^12:7 Jehovah also will save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem not be magnified above Judah.

^12:8 In that day Jehovah will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And he who is feeble among them at that day will be as David and the house of David will be as God, as the messenger of Jehovah before them. ^12:9 And it will happen in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

^12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of favor and of supplication. And they will look to me whom they have pierced. And they will mourn for him, as a man mourns for his only son and will be in bitterness for him, as a man who is in bitterness for his firstborn.

^12:11 In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo {Megiddon}. ^12:12 And the land will mourn, every family apart, the family of the house of David apart and their wives apart, the family of the house of Nathan apart and their wives apart, ^12:13 the family of the house of Levi apart and their wives apart, the Shimeite family apart and their wives apart, ^12:14 all the families that remain, every family apart and their wives apart.

[Zechariah 13] TOC

^13:1 In that day there will be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. ^13:2 And it will happen in that day, says Jehovah of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land and they will no more be remembered. And I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

^13:3 And it will happen that, when any will yet prophesy, then his father and his mother who fathered him will say to him, You will not live, for you speak lies in the name of Jehovah. And his father and his mother who fathered him will thrust him through when he prophesies.

^13:4 And it will happen in that day, that the prophets will be ashamed each one of his vision, when he prophesies, nor will they wear a hairy mantle to deceive. ^13:5 But he will say, I am no prophet. I am a tiller of the ground, for I have been made a bondman from my youth. ^13:6 And a man will say to him, What are these wounds between your arms? Then he will answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

^13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd and against the man who is my companion, says Jehovah of hosts. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. And I will turn my hand upon the little ones.

^13:8 And it will happen, that in all the land, says Jehovah, two parts in it will be cut off and die, but the third will be left in it. ^13:9 And I will bring the third part into the fire and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as gold is tried. They will call on my name and I will hear them. I will say, It is my people and they will say, Jehovah is my God.

[Zechariah 14] TOC

^14:1 Behold, a day of Jehovah comes when your spoil will be divided in the midst of you. ^14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. And the city will be taken and the houses rifled and the women ravished and half of the city will go forth into captivity. And the residue of the people will not be cut off from the city.

^14:3 Then Jehovah will go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.^14:4 And his feet will stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives will be split in the midst of it toward the east and toward the west, a very great valley. And half of the mountain will remove toward the north and half of it toward the south.

^14:5 And you^* will flee by the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel. Yes, you^* will flee, just as you^* fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. And Jehovah my God will come and all the holy ones with you.

^14:6 And it will happen in that day, that there will not be light; the bright ones will withdraw themselves. ^14:7 But it will be one day which is known to Jehovah, not day and not night. But it will happen, that at evening time there will be light.

^14:8 And it will happen in that day, that living waters will go out from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea. In summer and in winter it will be. ^14:9And Jehovah will be King over all the earth. In that day Jehovah will be one and his name one.

^14:10 All the land will be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. And she will be lifted up and will dwell in her place, from Benjamin's gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate and from the tower of Hananel to the king's wine-presses. ^14:11 And men will dwell in it and there will be no more curse, but Jerusalem will dwell safely.

^14:12 And this will be the plague with which Jehovah will kill^* all the peoples who have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot-away while they stand upon their feet and their eyes will consume away in their sockets and their tongue will consume away in their mouth.

^14:13 And it will happen in that day, that a great commotion from Jehovah will be among them and they will lay hold each one on the hand of his neighbor and his hand will rise up against the hand of his neighbor. ^14:14 And Judah also will fight at Jerusalem.

And the wealth of all the nations all around will be gathered together, gold and silver and apparel, in great abundance. ^14:15 And so will be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel and of the donkey and of all the beasts that will be in those camps, as that plague.

^14:16 And it will happen, that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts and to keep the Feast of Booths.^14:17 And it will be, that of the families of the earth he who does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, upon them there will be no rain.

^14:18 And if the family of Egypt does not go up and does not come, that there will be the plague with which Jehovah will kill^* the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths. ^14:19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths.

^14:20 In that day there will be upon the bells of the horses, HOLY TO JEHOVAH and the pots in Jehovah's house will be like the bowls before the altar. ^14:21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to Jehovah of hosts. And all those who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in it. And in that day there will be no more a Canaanite in the house of Jehovah of hosts.

[Malachi 1] TOC

^1:1 The burden of the word of Jehovah to Israel by Malachi.

^1:2 I have loved you^*, says Jehovah. Yet you^* say, How have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother, says Jehovah. Yet I loved Jacob, ^1:3 but Esau I hated and made his mountains a desolation and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.

^1:4 If Edom says, We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places, Jehovah of hosts says thus: They will build, but I will throw down and men will call them the border of wickedness and the people against whom Jehovah has indignation everlasting. ^1:5 And your^* eyes will see and you^* will say, Jehovah be magnified beyond the border of Israel.

^1:6 A son honors his father and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says Jehovah of hosts to you^*, O priests, who despise my name. And you^* say, How have we despised your name? ^1:7 You^* offer polluted bread upon my altar. And you^* say, How have we polluted you? In that you^* say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible.

^1:8 And when you^* offer the blind for sacrifice, you^* say, It is no evil! and when you^* offer the lame and sick, It is no evil! Present it now to your governor. Will he be pleased with you, or will he accept your person? says Jehovah of hosts.

^1:9 You^* say, And now, I beseech you^*, entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us; this has been by your^* means. Will he accept any of your^* persons? says Jehovah of hosts.

^1:10 If only there was among you^* who would shut the doors, that you^* might not kindle my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you^*, says Jehovah of hosts, nor will I accept an offering at your^* hand. ^1:11For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name is great among the Gentiles. And in every place incense is offered to my name and a pure offering. For my name is great among the Gentiles, says Jehovah of hosts.

^1:12 But you^* profane it, in that you^* say, The table of Jehovah is polluted. And the fruit of it, even its food, is contemptible. ^1:13 You^* also say, Behold, what a weariness it is! And you^* have sniffed at it, says Jehovah of hosts. And you^* have brought what was taken by violence and the lame and the sick. Thus you^* bring the offering.

Should I accept this at your^* hand? says Jehovah. ^1:14 But cursed be the deceiver, who has in his flock a male and vows and sacrifices to the Lord a blemished thing. For I am a great King, says Jehovah of hosts and my name is feared among the Gentiles.

[Malachi 2] TOC

^2:1 And now, O you^* priests, this commandment is for you^*. ^2:2 If you^* will not hear and if you^* will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says Jehovah of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you^* and I will curse your^* blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you^* do not lay it to heart. ^2:3 Behold, I will rebuke your^* seed and will spread manure upon your^* faces, even the manure of your^* feasts and you^* will be taken away with it.

^2:4 And you^* will know that I have sent this commandment to you^*, that my covenant may be with Levi, says Jehovah of hosts. ^2:5 My covenant of life and peace was with him. And I gave them to him that he might fear and he feared me and stood in awe of my name. ^2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and turned many away from iniquity. ^2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth. For he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts.

^2:8 But you^* are turned aside out of the way. You^* have caused many to stumble in the law. You^* have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says Jehovah of hosts. ^2:9 Therefore I also have made you^* contemptible and base before all the people, just-as you^* have not kept my ways, but have had respect of persons in the law.

^2:10 Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers? ^2:11 Judah has dealt treacherously and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the holiness of Jehovah which he loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.

^2:12 Jehovah will cut off out of the tents of Jacob, the man who does this: he who wakes and he who answers and he who offers an offering to Jehovah of hosts.

^2:13 And this again you^* do: You^* cover the altar of Jehovah with tears, with weeping and with sighing, insomuch that he does not regard the offering any more, nor receives it with good will at your^* hand. ^2:14 Yet you^* say, Why?

Because Jehovah has testified between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt with treacherously, though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. ^2:15 And did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? And why one? He sought a godly seed.

Therefore take heed to your^* spirit and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. ^2:16For I hate putting away, says Jehovah, the God of Israel and he who covers his garment with violence, says Jehovah of hosts. Therefore take heed to your^* spirit, that you^* deal not treacherously.

^2:17 You^* have wearied Jehovah with your^* words. Yet you^* say, How have we wearied him? In that you^* say, Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of Jehovah and he delights in them, or Where is the God of justice?

[Malachi 3] TOC

^3:1 Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord, whom you^* seek, will suddenly come to his temple. And the messenger of the covenant, whom you^* desire, behold, he comes, says Jehovah of hosts. ^3:2 But who can abide the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like launder's soap.

^3:3 And he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. And he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them as gold and silver. And they will offer to Jehovah offerings in righteousness. ^3:4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to Jehovah, as in the days of old and as in ancient years.

^3:5 And I will come near to you^* to judgment and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against the false swearers and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless and who turn aside the traveler and do not fear me, says Jehovah of hosts.

^3:6 For I, Jehovah, do not change. Therefore you^*, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. ^3:7 From the days of your^* fathers you^* have turned aside from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me and I will return to you^*, says Jehovah of hosts. But you^* say, How will we return?

^3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you^* rob me. But you^* say, How have we robbed you? In tithes and heave-offerings. ^3:9 You^* are cursed with the curse, for you^* rob me, even this whole nation. ^3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house and prove me now with this, says Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open to you^* the windows of heaven and pour you^* out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for it.

^3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your^* sakes and he will not destroy the fruits of your^* ground, nor will your^* vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, says Jehovah of hosts. ^3:12 And all nations will call you^* fortunate, for you^* will be a delightful land, says Jehovah of hosts.

^3:13 Your^* words have been stout against me, says Jehovah. Yet you^* say, What have we spoken against you? ^3:14 You^* have said, It is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his charge and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts? ^3:15 And now we call the proud fortunate. Yes, those who work wickedness are built up. Yes, they challenge God and escape.

^3:16 Then those who feared Jehovah spoke with one another and Jehovah listened and heard and a book of remembrance was written before him, for those who feared Jehovah and who thought upon his name. ^3:17 And they will be mine, says Jehovah of hosts, my own possession, in the day that I make. And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. ^3:18 Then you^* will return and discern between the righteous man and the wicked man, between he who serves God and he who does not serve him.

[Malachi 4] TOC

^4:1 For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace and all the proud and all who work wickedness, will be stubble. And the day that comes will burn them up, says Jehovah of hosts, that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

^4:2 But to you^* who fear my name the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in its wings and you^* will go forth and frolic as calves of the stall. ^4:3And you^* will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your^* feet in the day that I make, says Jehovah of hosts.

^4:4 You^* remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.

^4:5 Behold, I will send you^* Elijah the prophet before the great and fearful day of Jehovah comes. ^4:6 And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the sons and the heart of the sons to their fathers, lest I come and kill^* the earth with a curse.

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