# verses

text:
 These were the musicians who were the heads of the Levite families. They lived in rooms in the temple and were free from other duties because they were on duty day and night.


text:
 They were the heads of the Levite families according to their ancestry. These head Levites lived in Jerusalem.


text:
 Ahaz was the father of Jarah. Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza.


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 Moza was the father of Binea. Binea's son was Rephaiah. Rephaiah's son was Eleasah. Eleasah's son was Azel.


text:
 When the Philistines fought against Israel, the men of Israel fled from the Philistines and were killed in battle on Mount Gilboa.


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 The heaviest fighting was against Saul. When the archers got him in their range, he was wounded by them.


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 Saul told his armorbearer, "Draw your sword! Stab me, or these godless men will come and make fun of me." But his armorbearer refused because he was terrified. So Saul took the sword and fell on it.


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 When all the people of Israel in the valley saw that [their army] had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities. So the Philistines came to live in these cities.


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 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons lying on Mount Gilboa.


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 They stripped him and took his head and his armor. Then they sent men throughout Philistine territory to tell their idols and the people this good news.


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 all the fighting men came and took away the dead bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried the bones under the oak tree in Jabesh. Then they fasted seven days.


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 So Saul died because of his unfaithfulness to the LORD: He did not obey the word of the LORD. He asked a medium to request information [from a dead person].


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 He didn't request information from the LORD. So the LORD killed him and turned the kingship over to David, Jesse's son.


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 "Even in the past when Saul ruled, you were the one who led Israel on its campaigns to war. The LORD your God has said to you, 'You will be shepherd of my people Israel, the leader of my people Israel.'"


text:
 All the leaders of Israel had come to Hebron. David made an agreement with them at Hebron in front of the LORD. So they anointed David king of Israel, as the LORD had spoken through Samuel.


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 They told David, "You will never get in here." But David captured the fortress Zion (that is, the City of David).


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 Now, David said, "Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will be made a general and a prince." Zeruiah's son Joab was the first to go [into Jerusalem], so he became the general.


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 He built the city [of Jerusalem] around it, starting from the Millo and making a complete circuit. Joab rebuilt the rest of the city.


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 Now, these were the commanders of David's fighting men, who exercised power with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel they made him king according to the LORD's word to Israel.


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 The first of David's fighting men was Jashobeam, son of Hachmon, the leader of the three. He used his spear to kill 300 men on one occasion.


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 Next in rank to him was Eleazar, another one of the three fighting men. He was the son of Dodo and grandson of Aho.


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 Eleazar was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. There was a field of ripe barley. When the troops fled from the Philistines,


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 they stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So the LORD saved [them] with an impressive victory.


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 Once three of the thirty leading men went down to David's rock at the cave of Adullam when the army of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim.


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 David was thirsty and said, "I wish I could have a drink of water from the cistern at the city gate of Bethlehem."


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 So the three burst into the Philistine camp and drew water from the cistern. They brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it out [as an offering] to the LORD


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 and said, "It's unthinkable that I would do this, God. Should I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives? They had to risk their lives to get this water." So he refused to drink it. These are the things which the three fighting men did.


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 Joab's brother Abishai was the leader of the thirty. He used his spear to kill 300 men, but he was not one of the three,


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 although he was honored more than they were. So he became their captain but didn't become a member of the three.


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 Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was from Kabzeel and was a brave man who did many things. He killed two distinguished soldiers from Moab. He also went into a cistern and killed a lion on the day it snowed.


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 He killed an eight-foot-tall Egyptian. The Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam in his hand. But Benaiah went to him with a club, grabbed the spear away from him, and killed him with it.


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 Adina (son of Shiza) from the tribe of Reuben (who was leader of the tribe of Reuben and had his own group of thirty soldiers),


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 These are the men who came to David at Ziklag when he was banished by Saul, son of Kish. They were among the soldiers who went into battle with David.


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 They were armed with bows and could sling stones or shoot arrows with either their right or their left hands. They were Saul's relatives, [from the tribe of] Benjamin.


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 Ahiezer was the leader, then Joash (they were the sons of Shemaah from Gibeah), Azmaveth's sons Jeziel and Pelet, Beracah and Jehu from Anathoth,


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 Ishmaiah from Gibeon (one of the thirty fighting men and one of their leaders), Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah,


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 Some men left Gad to join David at the fortified camp in the desert. They were warriors, trained soldiers, able to fight with shields and spears. They looked like lions and were as fast as gazelles on the hills.


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 These descendants of Gad were army officers. The least able one was in command of 100 men, and the best one was in command of 1,000.


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 In the first month of the year, these men crossed the Jordan River when it was flooding its banks. They chased away all the people in the valleys to the east and west.


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 David went to meet them. He told them, "If you've come to help me as friends would, then you may join me. But if you've come to betray me to my enemies, even though I haven't committed a crime, may the God of our ancestors see this and judge you."


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 Then the Spirit gave Amasai, the leader of the thirty, the strength [to say], "We are yours, David. We are with you, son of Jesse. Success, success to you! Success to those who help you, because your God is helping you." So David welcomed them and made them officers over his troops.


text:
 Some men from Manasseh had deserted [Saul's army] to join David when he went with the Philistines to attack Saul. (However, David didn't help the Philistines because their rulers sent him away after considering the matter. They said, "It will cost us our heads when he deserts and joins his master Saul.")


text:
 When David went to Ziklag, these men from Manasseh deserted to join him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each one was an officer over 1,000 men in Manasseh.


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 These are the numbers of the men equipped for war. The men joined David at Hebron to turn Saul's kingship over to David, as the LORD had said.


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 From Benjamin's descendants, Saul's relatives, there were 3,000 men, though most of them remained loyal to Saul's family.


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 From half of the tribe of Manasseh there were 18,000 who had been designated by name to make David king.


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 From Issachar's descendants there were 200 leaders who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Their relatives were under their command.


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 From Zebulun there were 50,000 experienced soldiers. They were equipped for battle with every kind of weapon. Their loyalty was unquestioned.


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 From Naphtali there were 1,000 commanders. With them were 37,000 who fought with shields and spears.


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 From the east side of the Jordan River, from Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 soldiers ready to fight with all kinds of weapons.


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 All of these soldiers, who were prepared for battle, came with a single purpose to Hebron-to make David king of all Israel. The rest of Israel also had agreed to make David king.


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 They ate and drank with David for three days because their relatives [in Judah] had provided enough for them.


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 Also, their neighbors as far as the territories of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. There was plenty of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, and sheep, because Israel was celebrating.


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 Then he told the whole assembly of Israel, "If you approve and if the LORD our God has consented, we will send [an invitation] to the rest of our relatives in every region of Israel and to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands so that they may join us.


text:
 So David gathered all Israel from the Shihor River near Egypt to the border of Hamath in order to bring God's ark from Kiriath Jearim.


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 David and all Israel went to Baalah in Kiriath Jearim, which is in Judah, to bring God's ark [to Jerusalem]. (The LORD is enthroned over the angels [on the ark] where his name is used.)


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 David and his men put God's ark on a new cart from Abinadab's home. Uzzah and Ahio guided the cart.


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 David and all Israel were celebrating in God's presence with all their might, with songs, with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.


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 But when they came to Chidon's threshing floor, the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out to grab the ark.


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 The LORD became angry with Uzzah and killed him for reaching for the ark. He died in God's presence.


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 So he didn't bring God's ark to his [home], the City of David. Instead, he rerouted it to the home of Obed Edom, who was from Gath.


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 God's ark stayed at the home of Obed Edom with his family for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed Edom's family and everything he owned.


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 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedarwood, masons, and carpenters to build a palace for David.


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 So David realized that the LORD had established him as king of Israel and that his kingdom was made famous for the sake of Israel, the LORD's people.


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 These are the names of the children who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,


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 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, all of them came to attack David. But David heard about it and went out to meet them.


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 David asked God, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered him, "Attack! I will hand them over to you."


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 So David [and his men] attacked and defeated the Philistines at Baal Perazim. David said, "Using my power like an overwhelming flood, God has overwhelmed my enemies." That is why they call that place Baal Perazim [The Lord Overwhelms].


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 Once more David asked God. God answered him, "Don't go after them. Circle around, and come at them in front of the balsam trees.


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 As you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out and fight because God has gone ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army."


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 After David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for God's ark and set up a tent for it.


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 Then David insisted that only the Levites carry God's ark because the LORD had chosen them to carry his ark and to serve him forever.


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 David called together all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the LORD's ark to the place he had prepared for it.


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 David called for the priests Zadok and Abiathar and for the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.


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 He said to them, "You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy. Then bring the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I prepared for it.


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 Because you weren't there the first time, the LORD our God struck us. We hadn't dedicated our lives to serving him in the way [he] designated."


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 So the priests and the Levites made themselves holy in order to move the ark of the LORD God of Israel.


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 The Levites carried God's ark on their shoulders. They used poles as Moses had commanded according to the LORD's instructions.


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 David told the Levite leaders to appoint some of their relatives to serve as musicians. They were expected to play music on harps, lyres, and cymbals to produce joyful music for singing.


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 So the Levites appointed Heman, son of Joel, and from his relatives they appointed Asaph, Berechiah's son. From their own relatives, Merari's descendants, they appointed Ethan, son of Kushaiah.


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 In addition, they appointed their relatives from the second division: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah. Obed Edom and Jeiel were appointed gatekeepers.


text:
 Zechariah, Jaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were appointed to play harps according to [alamoth].


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 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were appointed to play lyres and to conduct the [sheminith].


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 Chenaniah, a Levite leader, instructed others how to sing prophetic songs because he was skilled at it.


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 The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer blew trumpets in front of God's ark. Obed Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.


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 So David, the leaders of Israel, and the army's commanders joyfully went to get the ark of the LORD's promise from Obed Edom's house.


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 Because God helped the Levites who carried the ark of the LORD's promise, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.


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 David was dressed in a fine linen robe, as were all the Levites who carried the ark, the [Levites who were] singers, and Chenaniah, the leader of the musicians' prophetic songs. David also wore a linen ephod.


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 All Israel brought the ark of the LORD's promise with shouts of joy and the sounding of rams' horns, trumpets, cymbals, harps, and lyres.


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 When the ark of the LORD's promise came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, so she despised him.


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 The men carrying the ark set it inside the tent David had put up for it. They presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in God's presence.


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 When David had finished sacrificing burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.


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 He also distributed to every person in Israel-both men and women-a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.


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 David appointed some Levites to serve in front of the LORD's ark by offering prayers, thanks, and praise to the LORD God of Israel.


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 Asaph was the head; Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel with harps and lyres. Asaph played the cymbals.


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 The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel played trumpets all the time in front of the ark of God's promise.


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 For the first time David entrusted Asaph and his relatives with the task of singing songs of thanks to the LORD:


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 Give to the LORD the glory his name deserves. Bring an offering, and come to him. Worship the LORD in [his] holy splendor.


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 Then the trees in the forest will sing with joy in the presence of the LORD when he comes to judge the earth.


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 Say, 'Rescue us, O God our Savior. Gather us and save us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your holy name and make your praise our glory.'


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 Thanks be to the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting." Then all the people said amen and praised the LORD.


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 David left Asaph and his relatives to serve continually in front of the ark of the LORD's promise, as the daily work required.


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 David also left Obed Edom and 68 of his relatives [to serve there]. Obed Edom (Jeduthun's son) and Hosah were to be gatekeepers.


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 David left Zadok and his priestly relatives to serve in the LORD's tent at the place of worship in Gibeon.


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 They were ordered to sacrifice burnt offerings to the LORD. This happened on the altar of burnt offerings continually, morning and evening, as written in the LORD's Teachings that he gave Israel.


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 With Zadok and his relatives were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of the Levites who had been selected, chosen by name, to give thanks to the LORD [by singing,] "His mercy endures forever."


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 Also, Heman and Jeduthun played trumpets, cymbals, and the [other] musical instruments that accompany sacred songs. Jeduthun's sons were stationed at the gate.


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 When David was living in his house, he said to the prophet Nathan, "I'm living in a house made of cedar, while the ark of the LORD's promise is inside a tent."


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 "Say to David, my servant, 'This is what the LORD says: You must not build this house for me to live in.


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 I haven't lived in a house from the day I brought Israel out [of Egypt] to this day, but I've gone from tent site to tent site, moving the tent [of meeting] from one location [to another].


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 In all the places I've moved with all Israel, did I ever ask any of the judges of Israel whom I ordered to be shepherds of my people why they didn't build me a house of cedar?'


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 I was with you wherever you went, and I destroyed all your enemies in front of you. I will make your name like the names of the greatest people on earth.


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 I will make a place for my people Israel and plant them there. They will live in their own place and not be troubled anymore. The wicked will no longer frighten them as they used to do


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 ever since I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. I will crush all your enemies. I even tell you that I, the LORD, will build a house for you.


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 " 'When the time comes for you to go and be with your ancestors, I will send one of your descendants. He will be one of your sons. I will establish his kingdom.


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 I will be his Father, and he will be my Son. And I will never stop showing him my love as I did to your predecessor.


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 Then King David went into the tent and sat in front of the LORD. "Who am I, LORD God," he asked, "and why is my house so important that you have brought me this far?


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 And this you consider to be a small act, God. You've spoken about the distant future of my house. LORD God, you've shown me the generation of the great man.


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 "What more can I do for you in light of the honor [you have given] to me and since you know me so well!


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 LORD, you've done this great thing for my sake and your own desire. You made this great thing known to me.


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 "LORD, there is no one like you, and there is no other god except you, as we have heard with our own ears.


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 Who is like your people Israel? It is the one nation on earth that God came to free in order to make its people his own, to make your name known, and to do great and wonderful things for them. You forced the nations and their gods out of the way of your people, whom you freed from Egypt.


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 Your name will endure and be respected forever when [people] say, 'The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, is Israel's God.' And the house of David, your servant, will be established in your presence.


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 You, my God, have revealed especially to me that you will build me a house. That is why I have found [the courage] to pray to you.


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 Now, you were pleased to bless my house so that it may continue in your presence forever. Indeed, you, LORD, have blessed it. It will be blessed forever."


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 After this, David defeated and crushed the Philistines. He took Gath and its surrounding villages from them.


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 When David went to establish his control [over the territory] along the Euphrates River, he defeated King Hadadezer at Hamath.


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 David took 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him. David also disabled all but 100 of their horses so that they couldn't pull chariots.


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 David also took a large quantity of bronze from Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer's cities. ( [Later] Solomon used it to make the pool, pillars, and utensils [for the temple].)


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 he sent his son Hadoram to greet King David and congratulate him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer. (There had often been war between Hadadezer and Tou.)


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 King David dedicated all the articles of gold, silver, and bronze to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had taken from other nations-from Edom, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek.


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 He put troops in Edom, and all its people became David's subjects. Everywhere David went, the LORD gave him victories.


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 Jehoiada's son Benaiah was commander of the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And David's sons were his main officials.


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 David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun because his father Nahash showed me kindness." So David sent messengers to comfort Hanun after his father's [death]. But when David's servants entered Ammonite territory to comfort Hanun,


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 the Ammonite princes asked Hanun, "Do you think David is honoring your father because he sent men to comfort you? Haven't his servants come to explore, destroy, and spy on the country?"


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 So Hanun took David's men, shaved them, cut off their clothes from the waist down, and sent them away.


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 After people told David [what had happened] to the men, he sent [someone] to meet them because they were deeply humiliated. The king said to them, "Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return [to Jerusalem]."


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 The Ammonites realized that they had made themselves offensive to David. So Hanun and the Ammonites sent 75,000 pounds of silver to hire chariots and horses from the Arameans in Upper Mesopotamia, Maacah, and Zobah.


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 They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army. They camped near Medeba. The Ammonites gathered for the battle from their cities.


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 The Ammonites formed a battle line at the entrance of the city, while the Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the kings who had come remained by themselves in the open country.


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 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the troops. They organized for combat against the Ammonites.


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 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for my [troops], be ready to help me. And if the Ammonites are too strong for your [troops], I'll help you.


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 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they, too, fled from Joab's brother Abishai and went into the city. So Joab returned to Jerusalem.


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 Realizing that Israel had defeated them, the kings sent [messengers] to get [other] Arameans from beyond the Euphrates River. Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer's army, led them.


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 When David was told [about this], he assembled Israel's army, crossed the Jordan, and confronted them. David formed a battle line against the Arameans, and they fought him.


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 The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed 7,000 chariot drivers and 40,000 foot soldiers. David also killed Shophach.


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 When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that Israel had defeated them, they made peace with David and became his subjects. And the Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.


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 In the spring, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led the army [to war]. They destroyed the Ammonites and came to Rabbah to attack it, while David stayed in Jerusalem. Joab defeated Rabbah and tore it down.


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 He took the gold crown from the head of Rabbah's king and put it on David's head. (The crown was found to weigh 75 pounds, and in it was a precious stone.) David also took a lot of goods from the city.


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 After this, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai from Hushah killed Sippai, a descendant of Haraphah, and the Philistines were defeated.


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 When more fighting broke out with the Philistines, Elhanan, son of Jair, killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath from Gath. (The shaft of Lahmi's spear was like a beam used by weavers.)


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 In another battle at Gath, there was a tall man who had 24 fingers and toes: six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was a descendant of Haraphah.


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 David said to Joab and the leaders of the people, "Go, count Israel from Beersheba to Dan. Bring me [the results] so that I may know how many [people] there are."


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 Joab responded, "May the LORD multiply his people a hundred times over. But, Your Majesty, aren't they all your servants? Why are you trying to do this? Why do you wish to make Israel guilty of [this] sin?"


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 Joab reported the census figures to David: In Israel there were 1,100,000 men who could serve in the army, and in Judah there were 470,000 who could serve in the army.


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 Joab didn't include Levi and Benjamin in the number because he was disgusted with the king's order.


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 David said to God, "I have committed a terrible sin by doing this thing. Forgive me because I have acted very foolishly."


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 either three years of famine, or three months during which your enemies will chase you away when their swords catch up to you, or three days of the LORD's sword-a plague in the land with the Messenger of the LORD destroying the whole country of Israel.' Decide what answer I should give the one who sent me."


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 "I'm in a desperate situation," David told Gad. "Please let me fall into the LORD's hands because he is extremely merciful. But don't let me fall into human hands."


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 God also sent a Messenger to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was destroying it, the LORD reconsidered and changed his mind about the disaster. "Enough!" he said to the destroying Messenger. "Put down your weapon." The Messenger of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


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 When David looked up, he saw the Messenger of the LORD standing between heaven and earth. The Messenger had a sword in his hand and stretched it over Jerusalem. David and the leaders were dressed in sackcloth. They bowed down with their faces touching the ground.


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 David said to God, "I'm the one who ordered the people to be counted. I am the one who sinned and did wrong. What have these sheep done? LORD my God, let your punishment be against me and my father's family, but don't punish your people with a plague."


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 The LORD's Messenger told Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar for the LORD at Ornan the Jebusite's threshing floor.


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 Now, Ornan had turned around and seen the Messenger. Ornan's four sons who were with him hid, but Ornan kept on threshing the wheat.


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 When David arrived, Ornan looked up and saw him. So he left the threshing floor and bowed down with his face touching the ground in front of David.


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 David said to Ornan, "Let me have the land this threshing floor is on. I'll build an altar for the LORD on it. Sell it to me for the full price. Then the plague on the people will stop."


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 Ornan said to David, "Take it, Your Majesty, and do whatever you think is right. I'll give you oxen for the burnt offering, threshers for firewood, and wheat for the grain offering. I'll give you everything."


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 "No," King David told Ornan, "I insist on buying it for the full price. I won't take what is yours for the LORD and offer burnt sacrifices that cost me nothing."


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 David built an altar for the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the LORD, and the LORD answered him by [sending] fire from heaven on the altar for burnt offerings.


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 At that time, when David saw the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there.


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 The LORD's tent that Moses made in the desert and the altar for burnt offerings were at the worship site at Gibeon.


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 However, David couldn't go there to consult God because he was frightened by the sword of the LORD's Messenger.


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 Then David said, "This is where the LORD God's temple will be. Israel's altar for burnt offerings will also be here."


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 David ordered the foreigners living in Israel to gather. He appointed some of them to cut stones to build God's temple.


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 David prepared a large quantity of iron for nails and fittings on the doors of the gates. He also prepared so much bronze that it couldn't be weighed.


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 David thought, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the temple that will be built for the LORD must be magnificent, large, famous, praised, and honored in all other countries. I'll prepare [the building materials] for him." So David prepared many materials [for Solomon] before he died.


text:
 David told his son Solomon, "I had my heart set on building a temple for the name of the LORD, my God.


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 But the LORD spoke his word to me by saying, 'You have caused a lot of bloodshed and fought in a lot of wars. You must not build a temple for my name because you have caused so much bloodshed in my presence.


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 You will have a son who will be a peaceful man. I will give him peace from all the enemies around him. His name will be Solomon [Peace], and in his time I will give Israel peace and quiet.


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 He will build a temple for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish the throne of his kingdom permanently over Israel.'"


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 [David continued,] "Now, son, the LORD will be with you. You will be successful, and you will build the temple of the LORD your God as he predicted you would.


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 The LORD will give you insight and understanding as he commands you to take charge of Israel and to follow the Teachings of the LORD your God.


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 Then you will succeed if you will carefully obey the laws and decrees the LORD commanded Moses to give to Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or terrified.


text:
 "Despite my troubles I've made preparations for the LORD's temple. There are 7,500,000 pounds of gold, 75,000,000 pounds of silver, and so much bronze and iron that it can't be weighed. I've also prepared wood and stones, and you may add to them.


text:
 You have many kinds of workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in every kind of work.


text:
 The gold, silver, bronze, and iron are more than can be counted. So get to work! May the LORD be with you."


text:
 [David said,] "Isn't the LORD your God with you? Hasn't he given you peace with all your neighbors? He put the people who live in this country under my power, and the country has been conquered by the LORD and his people.


text:
 So dedicate your hearts and lives to serving the LORD your God. Start building the holy place of the LORD God so that you can bring the ark of the LORD's promise and God's holy utensils into the temple that will be built for the LORD's name."


text:
 Of these, 24,000 were appointed to supervise the work on the LORD's temple, 6,000 were appointed to be officers and judges,


text:
 4,000 were appointed to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 were appointed to praise the LORD with the instruments David had made for praising God.


text:
 David organized the Levites into divisions based on which of Levi's sons (Gershon, Kohath, or Merari) they were descended from.


text:
 Jahath was the first, and Ziza was the second. Jeush and Beriah didn't have many sons, so they were given an assignment as one family.


text:
 Amram's sons were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his sons were forever designated to dedicate the most holy things [to God], to offer sacrifices to the LORD, to serve him, and always give the blessing in his name.


text:
 Hebron's first son was Jeriah; his second was Amariah; his third was Jahaziel; his fourth was Jekameam.


text:
 Eleazar died without having any sons. He only had daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.


text:
 These were Levi's descendants, who were grouped according to their families. The heads of their families were registered by name as they were counted. Everyone who served in the LORD's temple was at least 20 years old.


text:
 David had said, "The LORD God of Israel has given his people rest. He will now live in Jerusalem forever.


text:
 They were appointed to stand beside Aaron's descendants to serve in the LORD's temple. They were appointed to be in charge of the courtyards and the temple rooms, to ensure that all the holy things were clean, and to serve in God's temple.


text:
 They were also responsible for the rows of bread, the flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened bread wafers, and the bread made in frying pans. In addition, they were responsible for mixing the ingredients and keeping track of all weights and measures.


text:
 They were appointed to stand to give thanks and praise to the LORD every morning. They were appointed to do the same thing in the evening.


text:
 They were appointed to stand in front of the LORD in the required numbers whenever burnt offerings were made-on weekly worship days, at New Moon Festivals, and on appointed annual festivals.


text:
 They were appointed to follow the regulations for the tent of meeting and the holy place and to help their relatives, Aaron's descendants, as they served in the LORD's temple.


text:
 The divisions of Aaron's descendants were as follows: Aaron's sons were Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.


text:
 Nadab and Abihu died before their father died, and neither had any children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.


text:
 David, Eleazar's descendant Zadok, and Ithamar's descendant Ahimelech divided Aaron's descendants into groups for service.


text:
 Since Eleazar's descendants had more men who were family heads than Ithamar's descendants, they were divided so that Eleazar's descendants had 16 family leaders and Ithamar's descendants had 8 family leaders.


text:
 Both groups were divided impartially by drawing lots so that there were officers for the holy place and officers for God among both Eleazar's and Ithamar's descendants.


text:
 The scribe Shemaiah was a son of Nethanel and a descendant of Levi. Shemaiah recorded their names in the presence of the king, the princes, the priest Zadok, Ahimelech (son of Abiathar), and the family leaders of the priests and Levites. One family was chosen for Eleazar, another for Ithamar.


text:
 These were their priestly groups when they went to serve at the LORD's temple. Their ancestor Aaron made these rules for them, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.


text:
 [The following men were leaders] for Levi's descendants [from Kohath]: Jehdeiah (for Amram's descendants through Shubael),


text:
 Jeriah (for Hebron's descendants), Amariah (the second [of Hebron's descendants]), Jahaziel (the third [of Hebron's descendants]), Jekameam (the fourth [of Hebron's descendants]),


text:
 The following men were leaders from Levi's descendants from Merari: Mahli, Mushi, and Merari's son Jaaziah,


text:
 Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth (for Mushi's descendants). These were Levi's descendants according to their families.


text:
 They drew lots as their relatives, Aaron's descendants, had done. They drew them in front of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the leaders of the families of the priests and Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated the same way as those of the youngest.


text:
 David and the army commanders appointed the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to serve as prophets with lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men who performed this service:


text:
 From the sons of Asaph were Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah. (They were directed by Asaph, who served as a prophet under the king's direction.)


text:
 From the sons of Jeduthun were Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, Mattithiah. (The six brothers were directed by their father, the prophet Jeduthun. They thanked and praised the LORD as they played lyres.)


text:
 From the sons of Heman were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.


text:
 (All of them were the sons of the king's seer Heman. They were given to him to make him prominent, as God had promised. So God gave Heman 14 sons and 3 daughters.)


text:
 All these [Levites] sang at the LORD's temple under the direction of their fathers Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. They played cymbals, lyres, and harps for worship in God's temple under the direction of the king.


text:
 They, along with their relatives, were trained, skilled musicians for the LORD. There were 288 of them.


text:
 They drew lots for their assignment of duties, the youngest as well as the oldest, the skilled [musicians] along with the students.


text:
 The first lot drawn chose Joseph, the son of Asaph. The second chose Gedaliah, his sons, and his relatives-12 men.


text:
 The following were the divisions of the gatekeepers: For Korah's descendants there was Meshelemiah, the son of Kore, from the descendants of Asaph.


text:
 Meshelemiah's sons were Zechariah (the firstborn), Jediael (the second), Zebadiah (the third), Jathniel (the fourth),


text:
 [Also for Korah's descendants] there were Obed Edom's sons Shemaiah (the firstborn), Jehozabad (the second), Joah (the third), Sachar (the fourth), Nethanel (the fifth),


text:
 Ammiel (the sixth), Issachar (the seventh), and Peullethai (the eighth). God had blessed Obed Edom.


text:
 Shemaiah's sons were Othni, and Othni's skilled brothers Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, as well as Elihu and Semachiah.


text:
 All of these people were Obed Edom's descendants. They, their sons, and their relatives were skilled and had the ability to perform the service. Obed Edom's family included 62 men.


text:
 From the descendants of Merari there were Hosah's sons. Shimri was the head, although he was not the firstborn. His father appointed him head.


text:
 Hosah's other sons were Hilkiah (the second), Tebaliah (the third), and Zechariah (the fourth). There were 13 sons and relatives of Hosah.


text:
 These divisions of gatekeepers through their head men were assigned duties with their relatives to serve in the LORD's temple.


text:
 Shelemiah was chosen for the east side. His son Zechariah, a counselor who displayed insight, was chosen for the north side.


text:
 Shuppim and Hosah were chosen for the west side with Shallecheth Gate at the gateway that goes to the palace. One squad of guards served its watch after another.


text:
 On the east side there were six Levites. On the north there were four every day. On the south there were four every day. At the storerooms there were four, two at each entrance.


text:
 At the courtyard on the west there were four Levites at the gateway to the palace and two at the courtyard itself.


text:
 Ahijah, a Levite, was in charge of the treasuries in God's temple and the treasuries of the gifts dedicated to God.


text:
 [There were also] the descendants of Ladan, who was descended from Gershon. [Those who served] for Ladan, the descendant of Gershon, were the heads of Ladan's families: Jehiel


text:
 there was Shebuel, a descendant of Moses' son Gershom. He was the highest-ranking official in charge of the treasuries.


text:
 From his relatives on Eliezer's side of the family was Shelomith. (Eliezer's son was Rehabiah; his grandson was Jeshaiah; his great-grandson was Joram. Joram's son was Zichri; his grandson was Shelomith.)


text:
 He and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of the gifts dedicated to God that King David, the heads of families, the commanders of regiments and battalions, and the commanders of the army had donated.


text:
 Everything that Samuel the seer, Saul (son of Kish), Abner (son of Ner), and Joab (son of Zeruiah) had donated-everything that had been donated-was under the supervision of Shelomith and his relatives.


text:
 From Izhar's descendants Chenaniah and his sons were assigned duties. They served as officials and judges outside [the temple] in Israel.


text:
 From Hebron's descendants Hashabiah and his 1,700 skilled, male relatives were appointed to serve Israel west of the Jordan River. They did everything the LORD wanted them to do, and they served the king.


text:
 Jeriah was the head of Hebron's descendants. In the fortieth year of David's reign, the ancestry of Hebron's descendants was researched family by family. Warriors from these families were found at Jazer in Gilead.


text:
 Jeriah's relatives were 2,700 skilled men, who were heads of families. King David appointed them to be overseers in every matter involving God or the king for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh.


text:
 This is a list of Israelite family heads, regiment and battalion commanders, and officers who were serving the king in all the army's units. Throughout each year they came for a month at a time and then left. Each unit consisted of 24,000 men.


text:
 Jashobeam, son of Zabdiel, was in charge of the first unit, the one during the first month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Dodai, Ahoh's descendant, was in charge of the unit during the second month. It was his unit. (Mikloth was one of its leaders.) In Dodai's unit there were 24,000.


text:
 The third commander of the army during the third month was Benaiah, son of the priest Jehoiada. He was the head, and in his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 This Benaiah was one of the thirty fighting men and commander of the thirty as well as his own unit. His son was Ammizabad.


text:
 Asahel, Joab's brother, was in charge of the fourth unit during the fourth month, and after him was his son Zebadiah. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Shamhuth, Izrah's descendant, was commander of the fifth unit during the fifth month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Ira, the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, was in charge of the sixth unit during the sixth month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Helez, a Pelonite from the descendants of Ephraim, was in charge of the seventh unit during the seventh month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Sibbecai, a descendant of Zerah from Hushah, was in charge of the eighth unit during the eighth month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Abiezer, a member of the tribe of Benjamin from Anathoth, was in charge of the ninth unit during the ninth month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Mahrai, a descendant of Zerah from Netophah, was in charge of the tenth unit during the tenth month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 Benaiah, a member of the tribe of Ephraim from Pirathon, was in charge of the eleventh unit during the eleventh month. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 During the twelfth month, the twelfth unit was commanded by Heldai from Netophah. He was Othniel's descendant. In his unit there were 24,000.


text:
 The following officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: for the tribe of Reuben Eliezer, son of Zichri for the tribe of Simeon Shephatiah, son of Maacah


text:
 for the tribe of Judah Elihu, one of David's brothers for the tribe of Issachar Omri, son of Michael


text:
 for the tribe of Zebulun Ishmaiah, son of Obadiah for the tribe of Naphtali Jerimoth, son of Azriel


text:
 for the tribe of Ephraim Hoshea, son of Azaziah for half of the tribe of Manasseh Joel, son of Pedaiah


text:
 for the half of Manasseh in Gilead Iddo, son of Zechariah for the tribe of Benjamin Jaasiel, son of Abner


text:
 David didn't count those under 20 years old, because the LORD had promised that the people of Israel would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.


text:
 Joab, son of Zeruiah, started to count them but didn't finish. God was angry with Israel because of this, and the report from it was never included in the official records of King David.


text:
 These were all the commanders in charge of King David's property: for the royal treasuries Azmaveth, son of Adiel for the goods in the fields, cities, villages, and watchtowers Jonathan, son of Uzziah


text:
 for the vineyards Shimei from Ramah for storing wine that came from the vineyards Zabdi from Shepham


text:
 for the herds grazing in Sharon Shitrai from Sharon for the herds in the valleys Shaphat, son of Adlai


text:
 David's uncle Jonathan, an educated man who possessed insight, was David's adviser. Jonathan and Jehiel, son of Hachmoni, were in charge of the king's sons.


text:
 Jehoiada (son of Benaiah) and Abiathar succeeded Ahithophel. Joab was the commander of the royal army.


text:
 David held a meeting in Jerusalem for all the leaders of Israel-the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the army units that served the king, the commanders of regiments and battalions, the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, the palace officials, the soldiers, and the fighting men.


text:
 David stood in front of them and said, "Listen to me, my relatives and subjects. I had my heart set on building the temple where the ark of the LORD's promise could be placed. This temple would be a stool for our God's feet, and I have made preparations to build it.


text:
 But God told me, 'You must not build the temple for my name. You have fought wars and caused bloodshed.'


text:
 Yet, from my entire family the LORD God of Israel chose me to be king of Israel permanently. He had chosen the tribe of Judah to lead [Israel]. From the families of Judah he chose my father's family. From among my father's sons he was pleased to make me king of all Israel.


text:
 And of all my sons (the LORD has given me many sons) he chose my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the LORD's kingdom to rule Israel.


text:
 "He told me, 'Your son Solomon will build my temple and my courtyards because I have chosen him to be my son. I will be his father.


text:
 I will establish his kingdom forever if he will remain determined to obey my commands and laws, as he is doing today.'


text:
 Now, [leaders, I order you] in the sight of Israel (the LORD's congregation) and as our God listens to dedicate your lives to doing everything the LORD your God has commanded. Then you will be able to possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants.


text:
 "And you, my son Solomon, learn to know your father's God. Serve the LORD wholeheartedly and willingly because he searches every heart and understands every thought [we have]. If you dedicate your life to serving him, he will accept you. But if you abandon him, he will reject you from then on.


text:
 So be careful, because the LORD has chosen you to build the temple as his holy place. Be strong, and do it."


text:
 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the entrance hall and the temple, its storerooms, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the throne of mercy.


text:
 He gave him plans for the courtyards of the LORD's temple and for all the rooms around it. (These rooms served as treasuries for God's temple and the gifts dedicated to God.)


text:
 He determined the divisions of priests and Levites. He planned all the work done for worship in the LORD's temple. He designed all the utensils for worship in the LORD's temple.


text:
 the weight of the gold lamp stands and their gold lamps ([that is,] the weight of gold for each lamp stand and its lamps), the weight of silver for each silver lamp stand and its lamps (according to the use of each lamp stand for worship),


text:
 the pure gold for the forks, bowls, and pitchers, the weight of each gold bowl, the weight of each silver bowl,


text:
 and the refined gold for the altar of incense. He also gave Solomon the plans for the chariot, that is, the gold angels with their wings spread to cover the ark of the LORD's promise.


text:
 [David said,] "All this was written for me by the LORD's hand. He made all the details of the plan clear to me."


text:
 David also told his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or terrified. The LORD God, my God, will be with you. He will not abandon you before all the work on the LORD's temple is finished.


text:
 Here are also the divisions of the priests and Levites for every type of worship in God's temple. You have with you every skilled worker to do all the work. In addition, all the leaders and people are at your command."


text:
 Then King David said to the whole assembly, "My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. Yet, the work is important because this palace is not for a person but for the LORD God.


text:
 With all my might I gathered [the materials] for the temple of my God: gold for gold objects, silver for silver objects, bronze for bronze objects, iron for iron objects, wood for wooden objects, onyx stones and settings, black stones, stones of different colors, gems, and marble.


text:
 Moreover, I delight in the temple of my God. I have a personal treasury of gold and silver that I'm giving to my God's temple in addition to everything else I gathered for the holy temple.


text:
 There are 225,000 pounds of gold from Ophir and 525,000 pounds of refined silver. They are to be used to cover the walls of the buildings,


text:
 to make gold objects, silver objects, and everything else the craftsmen will make. Who else is willing to make an offering and dedicate himself to the LORD today?"


text:
 Then the leaders of the families, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of regiments and battalions, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave generously.


text:
 They gave 375,186 pounds of gold, 750,000 pounds of silver, 135,000 pounds of bronze, and 7,500,000 pounds of iron for the work on God's temple.


text:
 Whoever happened to have precious stones gave them to Jehiel, Gershon's descendant, for the treasury of the LORD's temple.


text:
 The people were overjoyed that the leaders gave so generously and wholeheartedly to the LORD. King David was also overjoyed, and


text:
 he praised the LORD while the whole assembly watched. David said, "May you be praised, LORD God of Israel, our father forever and ever.


text:
 Greatness, power, splendor, glory, and majesty are yours, LORD, because everything in heaven and on earth is yours. The kingdom is yours, LORD, and you are honored as head of all things.


text:
 Riches and honor are in front of you. You rule everything. You hold power and strength in your hands, and you can make anyone great and strong.


text:
 But who am I and who are my people that you enable us to give so generously? Everything comes from you. We give you only what has come from your hands.


text:
 To you we are all like our ancestors- foreigners without permanent homes. Our days are as fleeting as shadows on the ground. There's no hope [for them].


text:
 "LORD, our God, all this wealth that we gathered to build a temple for your holy name is from you. All of it is yours.


text:
 I know, my God, that you examine hearts and delight in honesty. With an honest heart I have willingly offered all these things. I've been overjoyed to see your people here offering so willingly to you.


text:
 LORD God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, always watch over your people's deepest thoughts. Keep their hearts directed toward you.


text:
 Make my son Solomon completely committed [to you] so that he will obey your commands, requests, and laws and do everything to build the palace I have planned."


text:
 Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God!" So the whole assembly praised the LORD God of their ancestors and knelt in front of the LORD and the king.


text:
 The next day they sacrificed to the LORD. They sacrificed burnt offerings to the LORD: 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, 1,000 lambs, wine offerings, and many sacrifices for all Israel.


text:
 That day they ate and drank as they joyfully celebrated in front of the LORD. For the second time they made David's son Solomon king. On the LORD's behalf they anointed Solomon to be leader and Zadok to be the priest.


text:
 Then Solomon sat on the LORD's throne as king in place of his father David. Solomon was successful and all Israel obeyed him.


text:
 The LORD made Solomon extremely powerful, as all Israel could see. The people of Israel gave him royal honor like no king of Israel before him ever had.


text:
 He died at a very old age. His long life was full of wealth and honor. Then his son Solomon succeeded him as king.


text:
 Everything about King David from first to last is written in the records of the seer Samuel, the prophet Nathan, and the seer Gad.


text:
 It includes everything about his reign, his power, and the things that happened to him, Israel, and all the other kingdoms.


text:
 Solomon, son of David, strengthened his position over the kingdom. The LORD his God was with him and made him very powerful.


text:
 Solomon spoke to all Israel-to the commanders of regiments and battalions, judges, every prince, and the heads of Israel's families.


text:
 Then Solomon and the entire assembly went to the place of worship in Gibeon because God's tent of meeting was there. Moses, the LORD's servant, had made the tent in the desert.


text:
 (However, David had [already] brought God's ark from Kiriath Jearim to a place he had prepared for it. He had put up a tent for it in Jerusalem.)


text:
 The bronze altar that Bezalel, son of Uri and grandson of Hur, had made was in front of the LORD's tent. There Solomon and the assembly worshiped the LORD.


text:
 In the LORD's presence Solomon went to the bronze altar in front of the tent of meeting and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings on it.


text:
 Solomon responded to God, "You've shown great love to my father David, and you've made me king in his place.


text:
 Now, LORD God, you've kept the promise you made to my father David. You've made me king of people who are as numerous as specks of dust on the ground.


text:
 Give me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people. After all, who can judge this great people of yours?"


text:
 God replied to Solomon, "I know this request is from your heart. You didn't ask for riches, fortunes, honor, or the death of those who hate you. You didn't even ask for a long life. Instead, you've asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge my people, over whom I made you king.


text:
 So wisdom and knowledge will be given to you. I will also give you riches, fortunes, and honor like no other king before or after you."


text:
 Solomon went from the tent of meeting at the place of worship in Gibeon to Jerusalem. And he ruled Israel.


text:
 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as fig trees in the foothills.


text:
 They imported each chariot from Egypt for 15 pounds of silver and each horse for 6 ounces of silver. For the same price they obtained horses to export to all the Hittite and Aramean kings.


text:
 Solomon gave orders to begin building the temple for the LORD's name and a royal palace for himself.


text:
 Solomon drafted 70,000 men to carry heavy loads, 80,000 to quarry stones in the mountains, and 3,600 foremen.


text:
 Solomon sent word to King Huram of Tyre by saying, "Do what you did for my father David. You sent him cedar so that he could build a palace to live in.


text:
 I want to build the temple for the name of the LORD my God. I want to dedicate it to him, burn sweet-smelling incense in his presence, and have rows of bread there continually. I want to [sacrifice] burnt offerings every morning and evening, on weekly worship days, New Moon Festivals, and during the annual festivals appointed by the LORD our God. ( [These festivals] are always to be celebrated by Israel.)


text:
 But who is able to build him a temple when heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold him? Who am I to build him a temple except as a place to sacrifice in his presence?


text:
 "Send me a man who has the skill to work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron as well as purple, dark red, and violet cloth. He should know how to make engravings with the skilled men whom my father David provided for me in Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
 Send me cedar, cypress, and sandalwood from Lebanon. I know that your servants are skilled Lebanese lumberjacks. My workers will work with your workers.


text:
 They'll prepare plenty of lumber for me, because the temple I want to build will be large and astonishing.


text:
 I will give your lumberjacks 120,000 bushels of ground wheat, 120,000 bushels of barley, 200,000 gallons of wine, and 200,000 gallons of olive oil."


text:
 Then King Huram of Tyre responded to Solomon by sending a letter that said, "Because the LORD loves his people, he made you their king."


text:
 Huram added, "May the LORD God of Israel be praised. He made the heavens and the earth and has given King David a wise son who has insight and intelligence and can build the LORD's temple and a royal palace.


text:
 He was the son of a woman from the tribe of Dan, and his father is a native of Tyre. Huram knows how to work with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, wood, purple, violet, and dark red cloth, and linen. He also knows how to make all kinds of engravings and follow any set of plans that will be given to him. [He can work] with your skilled workmen and the skilled workmen of His Majesty David, your father.


text:
 We will cut all the lumber you need in Lebanon. Then we will make rafts out of it and send them to you in Joppa by sea. You can take it [from there] to Jerusalem."


text:
 Solomon counted all the men who were foreigners in the land of Israel, as his father David had counted them. Solomon counted 153,600 foreigners.


text:
 He made 70,000 of them carry heavy loads, 80,000 of them quarry stone in the mountains, and 3,600 of them supervise the work as foremen.


text:
 Solomon began to build the LORD's temple in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared to his father David. There David had prepared the site on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


text:
 This is how Solomon laid the foundation to build God's temple. It was 90 feet long and 30 feet wide. (They used the old standard measurement.)


text:
 The entrance hall in front of [the main room] was 30 feet wide (the same as the width of the temple) and 30 feet high. He covered its inside walls with pure gold.


text:
 He paneled the larger building with cypress, overlaid it with fine gold, and decorated it with [designs in the form of] palm trees and chains.


text:
 He also overlaid the building, the rafters, the threshold, the walls, and the doors with gold, and he carved angels into the walls.


text:
 He made the most holy place. It was as long as the temple was wide, 30 feet long. It was also 30 feet wide. He overlaid it with 45,000 pounds of fine gold.


text:
 The combined length of the angels' wings was 30 feet. A wing of one of the angels was 71/2 feet long and touched the wall of the building. Its other wing was 71/2 feet long and touched one wing of the other.


text:
 The wing of the other one of the angels was 71/2 feet long and touched the other wall of the building. Its other wing was 71/2 feet long and touched the wing of the first. So the angels' combined wingspan was 30 feet.


text:
 Solomon made the canopy of violet, purple, and dark red cloth and of linen and decorated it with angels.


text:
 He made two pillars for the front of the temple. They were 53 feet long, and the capital on each pillar was 71/2 feet [high].


text:
 He made chains for the inner room and [also] put them on the capitals. He made 100 pomegranates and put them on the chains.


text:
 He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right and the other on the left. He named the one on the right Jachin [He Establishes] and the one on the left Boaz [In Him Is Strength].


text:
 Huram made a pool from cast metal. It was 15 feet in diameter. It was round, 71/2 feet high, and had a circumference of 45 feet.


text:
 Under the rim were two rows of figurines shaped like bulls all around the 45-foot circumference of the pool. They were cast in metal when the pool was cast.


text:
 The pool was three inches thick. Its rim was like the rim of a cup, shaped like a lily's bud. It held 18,000 gallons.


text:
 Huram also made ten basins for washing and put five on the south side and five on the north side. The priests rinsed the meat prepared for the burnt offerings in them. They used the pool to wash themselves.


text:
 Huram made ten gold lamp stands according to their specifications and put them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north side.


text:
 He made ten tables and put them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north side. And he made 100 gold bowls.


text:
 He also made the priests' courtyard and the large courtyard and its doors. He covered the doors with bronze.


text:
 Huram also made the pots, shovels, and bowls. So Huram finished the work for King Solomon in God's temple:


text:
 2 pillars, bowl-shaped capitals on top of the 2 pillars, and 2 sets of filigree to cover the 2 bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars,


text:
 pots, shovels, and three-pronged forks. Huram made all of them out of polished bronze for the LORD's temple at King Solomon's request.


text:
 Solomon made all the furnishings for God's temple: the gold altar, the gold tables on which the bread of the presence was placed,


text:
 snuffers, basins, dishes, incense burners of pure gold, the gold entrance to the temple, the gold doors of the inner [room] (the most holy place), and the gold doors of the temple.


text:
 All the work Solomon did on the LORD's temple was finished. He brought the holy things that had belonged to his father David-the silver, gold, and all the utensils-and put them in the storerooms of God's temple.


text:
 Then Solomon assembled the respected leaders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the Israelite families. They came to Jerusalem to take the ark of the LORD's promise from the City of David (that is, Zion).


text:
 while King Solomon and the whole assembly from Israel were offering countless sheep and cattle sacrifices in front of the ark.


text:
 The angels' outstretched wings were over the place where the ark [rested] so that the angels became a covering above the ark and its poles.


text:
 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets Moses placed there at Horeb, where the LORD made a promise to the Israelites after they left Egypt.


text:
 All the priests who were present had performed the ceremonies to make themselves holy to God without regard to staying in their divisions.


text:
 All the Levites who were musicians-Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, their sons, and their relatives-were dressed in fine linen and stood east of the altar with cymbals, harps, and lyres. With the musicians were 120 priests blowing trumpets. When the priests left the holy place,


text:
 the trumpeters and singers praised and thanked the LORD in unison. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments, they sang in praise to the LORD: "He is good; his mercy endures forever." Then the LORD's temple was filled with a cloud.


text:
 'Ever since I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I didn't choose any city from the tribes of Israel as a place to build a temple for my name. And I didn't choose any man to be prince over my people Israel.


text:
 But now I've chosen Jerusalem to be a place for my name; I've chosen David to rule my people Israel.'


text:
 The LORD has kept the promise he made. I've taken my father David's place, and I sit on the throne of Israel as the LORD promised. I've built the temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.


text:
 In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of the LORD's altar. He stretched out his hands [to pray].


text:
 (Solomon had made a bronze platform 71/2 feet long, 71/2 feet wide, and 41/2 feet high. He put it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on the platform, knelt in front of the entire assembly, and stretched out his hands toward heaven.)


text:
 He said, "LORD God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth. You keep your promise of mercy to your servants, who obey you wholeheartedly.


text:
 "Does God really live on earth with people? If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you, then how can this temple that I have built?


text:
 Nevertheless, my LORD God, please pay attention to my prayer for mercy. Listen to my cry for help as I pray to you.


text:
 Day and night may your eyes be on this temple, the place about which you said your name will be there. Listen to me as I pray toward this place.


text:
 Hear the plea for mercy that your people Israel and I pray toward this place. Hear us in heaven, the place where you live. Hear and forgive.


text:
 then hear [that person] in heaven, take action, and make a decision. Repay the guilty person with the proper punishment, but declare the innocent person innocent.


text:
 "An enemy may defeat your people Israel because they have sinned against you. But when your people turn, praise your name, pray, and plead with you in this temple,


text:
 then hear [them] in heaven, forgive the sins of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land that you gave to them and their ancestors.


text:
 "When the sky is shut and there's no rain because they are sinning against you and they pray toward this place, praise your name, and turn away from their sin because you made them suffer,


text:
 [hear] every prayer for mercy made by one person or by all the people in Israel, all who know suffering or pain, who stretch out their hands toward this temple.


text:
 Hear [them] in heaven, where you live. Forgive [them], and give each person the proper reply. (You know what is in their hearts, because you alone know what is in people's hearts.)


text:
 Then, as long as they live in the land that you gave to our ancestors, they will fear you and follow you.


text:
 "People who are not Israelites will come from distant countries because of your great name, mighty hand, and powerful arm. When they come to pray facing this temple,


text:
 then hear [them] in heaven, the place where you live. Do everything they ask you so that all the people of the world may know your name and fear you like your people Israel and learn that this temple which I built bears your name.


text:
 "When your people go to war against their enemies (wherever you may send them) and they pray to you toward this city you have chosen and the temple I built for your name,


text:
 if they change their attitude toward you in the land where they are captives, if they pray to you toward the land that you gave their ancestors, and the city you have chosen, and the temple I have built for your name,


text:
 then in heaven, the place where you live, hear their prayer for mercy. Do what is right for them. Forgive your people, who have sinned against you.


text:
 "Finally, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers [offered] in this place.


text:
 "Now arise, and come to your resting place, LORD God- you and the ark of your power. Clothe your priests, LORD God, with salvation. Let your godly ones rejoice in what is good.


text:
 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and the other sacrifices, and the LORD's glory filled the temple.


text:
 The priests couldn't go into the LORD's temple because the LORD's glory had filled the LORD's temple.


text:
 When all the Israelites saw the fire come down and the LORD's glory on the temple, they knelt down with their faces on the pavement. They worshiped and praised the LORD, [by saying,] "He is good; his mercy endures forever."


text:
 King Solomon offered 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep as sacrifices to the LORD. So the king and all the people dedicated God's temple.


text:
 The priests were standing at their posts. So were the Levites who had the LORD's musical instruments which King David made for praising the LORD with "his mercy endures forever" and which he used to offer praise. The priests were opposite the Levites blowing trumpets while all Israel was standing [there].


text:
 Solomon designated the courtyard in front of the LORD's temple as a holy place. He sacrificed the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat because the bronze altar that he had made and that was in front of the LORD was not able to hold all of them.


text:
 At that time Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival [of Booths]. A very large crowd had come from [the territory between] the border of Hamath and the River of Egypt.


text:
 On the eighth day there was an assembly. They had observed the dedication of the altar for seven days and celebrated the festival for [another] seven days.


text:
 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon dismissed the people to their tents. They rejoiced with cheerful hearts for all the blessings the LORD had given David, Solomon, and his people Israel.


text:
 Solomon finished the LORD's temple and the royal palace and completed everything he had in mind for the LORD's temple and his own palace.


text:
 Then the LORD appeared to him at night. He said to Solomon, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.


text:
 I may shut the sky so that there is no rain, or command grasshoppers to devour the countryside, or send an epidemic among my people.


text:
 However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear [their prayer] from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country.


text:
 I have chosen and declared this temple holy so that my name may be placed there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.


text:
 "If you will be faithful to me as your father David was, do everything I command, and obey my laws and rules,


text:
 then I will establish your royal dynasty as I said in a promise to your father David, 'You will never fail to have an heir ruling Israel.'


text:
 But if you and your descendants turn away from me and abandon my commands and laws that I gave you, and follow and serve other gods and worship them,


text:
 then I will uproot Israel from the land I gave them. I will reject this temple that I declared holy for my name. I will make it an example and an object of ridicule for all the people of the world.


text:
 Everyone passing by this impressive temple will be appalled. They will ask, 'Why did the LORD do these things to this land and this temple?'


text:
 They will answer [themselves], 'They abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt. They adopted other gods, worshiped, and served them. That is why he brought this disaster on them.'"


text:
 He rebuilt Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon into cities fortified with walls, double-door gates, and bars.


text:
 [He also rebuilt] Baalath and all the storage cities that he owned. He built all the cities for his chariots, all the cities for his war horses, and whatever [else] he wanted to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, or the entire territory that he governed.


text:
 The Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites had been left [in the land] because the Israelites had not been able to destroy them. They were not Israelites,


text:
 but they had descendants who were still in the land. Solomon drafted them for slave labor. (They are still [slaves] today.)


text:
 But Solomon didn't make any of the Israelites slaves for his projects. Instead, they were the soldiers, officers, generals, and commanders of his chariot and cavalry units.


text:
 These were the officers in charge of King Solomon's projects: 250 foremen for the people who did the work.


text:
 Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter from the City of David to a palace he had built for her. He said, "My wife will not live in the palace of King David of Israel because these places where the LORD's ark has come are holy."


text:
 Then Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the LORD on the LORD's altar that he built in front of the entrance hall.


text:
 He sacrificed every day, on weekly worship days, on the New Moon Festivals, and on the three annual festivals (the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths) as Moses had commanded.


text:
 As Solomon's father David had directed, he set up the divisions of priests for their service and the [divisions of] Levites for their appointed places. [The Levites] were to lead in praising [the LORD] and to serve beside the priests by doing whatever needed to be done each day. Solomon also set up divisions of doorkeepers at every gate because this is what David, the man of God, had commanded.


text:
 No one neglected the king's orders to the priests or the Levites in any matter, including the [temple's] finances.


text:
 All of Solomon's work was carried out from the day the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid until it was completed. The LORD's temple was [now] finished.


text:
 Huram sent his own servants and his experienced sailors with ships to Solomon. They went with Solomon's servants to Ophir, got 33,750 pounds of gold, and brought it to King Solomon.


text:
 The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's reputation. So she came to Jerusalem to test him with riddles. She arrived with a large group of servants, with camels carrying spices, a large quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she talked to him about everything she had on her mind.


text:
 the food on his table, his officers' seating arrangement, the organization of his officials and the uniforms they wore, his cupbearers and their uniforms, and the burnt offerings that he sacrificed at the LORD's temple, she was breathless.


text:
 But I didn't believe the reports until I came and saw it with my own eyes. I wasn't even told about half of the extent of your wisdom. You've surpassed the stories I've heard.


text:
 How blessed your men must be! How blessed these servants of yours must be because they are always stationed in front of you and listen to your wisdom!


text:
 Thank the LORD your God, who is pleased with you. He has put you on his throne to be king on behalf of the LORD your God. Because of your God's love for the people of Israel, he has established them permanently and made you king over them so that you would maintain justice and righteousness."


text:
 She gave the king 9,000 pounds of gold, a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never was there such a large quantity of spices [in Israel] as those that the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon.


text:
 Huram's servants and Solomon's servants who brought gold from Ophir also brought sandalwood and precious stones.


text:
 With the sandalwood the king made gateways to the LORD's temple and the royal palace, and lyres and harps for the singers. No one had ever seen anything like them in Judah.


text:
 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba anything she wanted, whatever she asked for, more than what she had brought him. Then she and her servants went back to her country.


text:
 not counting [the gold] which the merchants and traders brought. All the Arab kings and governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.


text:
 He also made 300 small shields of hammered gold, using 71/2 pounds of gold on each shield. The king put them in the hall [named] the Forest of Lebanon.


text:
 Six steps led to the throne, which had a gold footstool attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat. Two lions stood beside the armrests.


text:
 All King Solomon's cups were gold, and all the utensils for the hall [named] the Forest of Lebanon were fine gold. (Silver wasn't considered valuable in Solomon's time.)


text:
 The king had ships going to Tarshish with Huram's sailors. Once every three years the Tarshish ships would bring gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.


text:
 Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 war horses. He stationed [some] in chariot cities and [others] with himself in Jerusalem.


text:
 He ruled all the kings from the Euphrates River to the country of the Philistines and as far as the Egyptian border.


text:
 Aren't the rest of Solomon's acts from first to last written in the records of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah from Shiloh, and in Iddo the seer's visions about Jeroboam (son of Nebat)?


text:
 [Israel] sent for Jeroboam and invited him back. Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak to Rehoboam. They said,


text:
 They told him, "If you are good to these people and try to please them by speaking gently to them, then they will always be your servants."


text:
 He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said, "If my father made your burden heavy, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will use scorpions."


text:
 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king, "What share do we have in David's kingdom? We won't receive an inheritance from Jesse's son. Everyone to his own tent, Israel! Now look after your own house, David!" So all Israel went home to their own tents.


text:
 Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram to the Israelites. He was in charge of forced labor, but they stoned him to death. So King Rehoboam got on his chariot as fast as he could and fled to Jerusalem.


text:
 When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 of the best soldiers, to fight against Israel and return the kingdom to Rehoboam.


text:
 This is what the LORD says: Don't wage war against your relatives. Everyone, go home. What has happened is my doing." So they obeyed the word of the LORD. They turned back from their attack on Jeroboam.


text:
 In each city he stored shields and spears. He made the cities very secure. So Rehoboam held on to Judah and Benjamin.


text:
 The priests abandoned their land and property and went to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his descendants rejected them as the LORD's priests.


text:
 Instead, Jeroboam appointed [his own] priests for the illegal worship sites and the goat and calf statues he had made as idols.


text:
 People from every tribe of Israel who were determined to seek the LORD God of Israel followed the Levitical priests to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD God of their ancestors.


text:
 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah by supporting Rehoboam, son of Solomon, for three years. During [those] three years they lived the way David and Solomon had lived.


text:
 Rehoboam married Mahalath, daughter of Jerimoth. (Jerimoth was the son of David and Abihail. Abihail was the daughter of Eliab, son of Jesse.)


text:
 After marrying Mahalath, he married Maacah, Absalom's granddaughter. She gave birth to Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.


text:
 Rehoboam loved Maacah, Absalom's granddaughter, more than all his other wives and concubines. (He had 18 wives and 60 concubines. He fathered 28 sons and 60 daughters.)


text:
 Rehoboam appointed Abijah, son of Maacah, as family head and prince among his brothers. By doing this, Rehoboam could make him king.


text:
 He wisely placed his sons in every region of Judah and Benjamin, in every fortified city. He gave them allowances and obtained many wives for them.


text:
 When Rehoboam had established his kingdom and made himself strong, he and all Israel abandoned the LORD's teachings.


text:
 In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. This happened because all Israel was not loyal to the LORD.


text:
 Shishak had 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horses, and an army of countless Libyans, Sukkites, and Sudanese from Egypt.


text:
 The prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered in Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, "This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned me, so I will abandon you. I will hand you over to Shishak."


text:
 When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, he spoke his word to Shemaiah: "They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them. In a little while I will give them an escape. I will not use Shishak to pour my anger on Jerusalem.


text:
 But they will become his servants so that they can learn the difference between serving me and serving foreign kings."


text:
 King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and took the treasures from the LORD's temple and the royal palace. He took them all. He took the gold shields Solomon had made.


text:
 After Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD was no longer angry with him and didn't completely destroy him. So things went well in Judah.


text:
 King Rehoboam strengthened his position in Jerusalem and ruled. He was 41 years old when he began to rule. He ruled for 17 years in Jerusalem, the city that the LORD chose from all the tribes of Israel, the city where the LORD put his name. (Rehoboam's mother was an Ammonite woman named Naamah.)


text:
 Aren't the events concerning Rehoboam from first to last written in the records of the prophet Shemaiah and the records of the seer Iddo in the genealogies? There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam as long as they lived.


text:
 Rehoboam lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Abijah succeeded him as king.


text:
 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Micaiah, daughter of Uriel from Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


text:
 Abijah prepared for battle with an army of 400,000 of the best soldiers, while Jeroboam arranged to oppose him with 800,000 of the best professional soldiers.


text:
 Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the mountains of Ephraim. He called out, "Jeroboam and all Israel, listen to me!


text:
 Don't you know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom of Israel to David and his descendants forever in a permanent promise?


text:
 But Jeroboam (Nebat's son) rebelled against his master. He had been the servant of David's son Solomon.


text:
 Worthless, good-for-nothing men gathered around him. They opposed Rehoboam, son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was too young and inexperienced to challenge them.


text:
 Do you now intend to challenge the LORD's kingdom, which has been placed in the hands of David's descendants? You are a large crowd, and you have the gold calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods.


text:
 You forced out the LORD's priests who were Aaron's descendants, and you forced out the Levites so that you could appoint your own priests, as the people in foreign countries do. Anyone who has a young bull and seven rams can be ordained as a priest of nonexistent gods.


text:
 "However, the LORD is our God. We haven't abandoned him. The priests who serve the LORD are Aaron's descendants, and the Levites assist them.


text:
 They sacrifice burnt offerings to the LORD every morning and every evening. They offer sweet-smelling incense and rows of bread on the clean table. The lamps on the gold lamp stand burn every evening. We're following the instructions the LORD our God gave us, but you have abandoned him.


text:
 God is with us as our leader. His priests will sound their trumpets to call [the army] to fight you. Men of Israel, don't wage war against the LORD God of your ancestors. You won't succeed."


text:
 But Jeroboam had set an ambush to attack them from behind. So Jeroboam's army was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.


text:
 When Judah's soldiers looked around, the battle was in front of them and behind them. They cried out to the LORD, the priests blew the trumpets,


text:
 and the men of Judah shouted. When they shouted, God attacked Jeroboam and all Israel in front of Abijah and Judah.


text:
 So the Israelites were humbled at that time, and the men of Judah won because they trusted the LORD God of their ancestors.


text:
 Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured some of his cities: Bethel and its villages, Jeshanah and its villages, and Ephron and its villages.


text:
 Jeroboam never regained power during Abijah's time. The LORD caused Jeroboam to become sick, and Jeroboam died.


text:
 Everything else about Abijah-how he lived and what he said-is written in the history by the prophet Iddo.


text:
 Abijah lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. His son Asa succeeded him as king. In Asa's time the land had peace for ten years.


text:
 He got rid of the altars of foreign gods, broke down the sacred stones, and cut down the poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah.


text:
 He told the people of Judah to dedicate their lives to serving the LORD God of their ancestors and follow his teachings and commands.


text:
 He got rid of the illegal places of worship and the altars for incense in all the cities of Judah. The kingdom was at peace during his reign.


text:
 He built fortified cities in Judah because the land had peace. There was no war during those years because the LORD gave him a time of peace.


text:
 So Asa told Judah, "Let's build these cities and make walls around them with towers and doors that can be barred. The country is still ours because we have dedicated our lives to serving the LORD our God. We have dedicated our lives to him, and he has surrounded us with peace." So they built the cities, and everything went well.


text:
 Asa had an army of 300,000 Judeans who were armed with large shields and spears and 280,000 Benjaminites who were armed with small shields and bows. All of these men were good fighting men.


text:
 Then Zerah from Sudan came with 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots to attack Asa. Zerah got as far as Mareshah.


text:
 Asa went to confront him, and the two armies set up their battle lines in the Zephathah Valley at Mareshah.


text:
 Asa called on the LORD his God. He said, "LORD, there is no one except you who can help those who are not strong so that they can fight against a large [army]. Help us, LORD our God, because we are depending on you. In your name we go against this large crowd. You are the LORD our God. Don't let anyone successfully oppose you."


text:
 Asa and his troops pursued them as far as Gerar. Many of the Sudanese died in battle. As a result, the Sudanese army couldn't fight again. It was crushed in front of the LORD and his army. The LORD's army captured a lot of goods.


text:
 It attacked all the cities around Gerar because the cities were afraid of the LORD. The army looted all the cities because there were many things to take.


text:
 It also attacked those who were letting their cattle graze and captured many sheep and camels. Then it returned to Jerusalem.


text:
 Azariah went to Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all you men from Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you will dedicate your lives to serving him, he will accept you. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.


text:
 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest who taught [correctly], and without Moses' Teachings.


text:
 But when they were in trouble, they turned to the LORD God of Israel. When they searched for him, he let them find him.


text:
 At those times no one could come and go in peace, because everyone living in the land had a lot of turmoil.


text:
 One nation crushed another nation; one city crushed another. God had tormented them with every kind of trouble.


text:
 When Asa heard the prophet Oded's words of prophecy, he was encouraged and put away the detestable idols from all of Judah, Benjamin, and the cities he had captured in the mountains of Ephraim. He also repaired the LORD's altar in front of the LORD's entrance hall.


text:
 Then Asa gathered all the people from Judah and Benjamin and the foreigners who had come from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon. (Many of them had come to him from Israel when they saw that Asa's God, the LORD, was with him.)


text:
 On that day they sacrificed to the LORD a part of the loot they had brought with them: 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep.


text:
 They made an agreement with one another to dedicate their lives to serving the LORD God of their ancestors with all their heart and soul.


text:
 All people (young or old, male or female) who refused to dedicate their lives to the LORD God of Israel were to be killed.


text:
 Asa and the people swore their oath to the LORD with shouts, singing, and the blowing of trumpets and rams' horns.


text:
 All the people of Judah were overjoyed because of the oath, since they took the oath wholeheartedly. They took great pleasure in looking for the LORD, and he let them find him. So the LORD surrounded them with peace.


text:
 King Asa also removed his grandmother Maacah from the position of queen mother because she made a statue of the repulsive goddess Asherah. Asa cut the statue down, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley.


text:
 Although the illegal worship sites in Israel were not taken down, Asa remained committed [to the LORD] his entire life.


text:
 He brought into God's temple the silver, the gold, and the utensils he and his father had set apart as holy.


text:
 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah to keep anyone from going to or coming from King Asa of Judah.


text:
 Then Asa brought out all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace. He sent them to Damascus to Aram's King Benhadad.


text:
 He said, "There's a treaty between you and me [as] there was between your father and my father. I'm sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel so that he will leave me alone."


text:
 Benhadad did what King Asa requested. He sent his generals and their armies to attack the cities of Israel. He conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities in the territory of Naphtali.


text:
 Then King Asa took everyone in Judah [to Ramah]. He made them carry the stones and lumber from Ramah. Baasha had been using those to fortify the city. Asa used the materials to fortify Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah.


text:
 At that time the seer Hanani came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, "Because you depended on the king of Syria and did not depend on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped your grasp.


text:
 Weren't the Sudanese and Libyans a large army with many chariots and drivers? But when you depended on the LORD, he handed them over to you.


text:
 The LORD's eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them. You acted foolishly in this matter. So from now on, you will have to fight wars."


text:
 Asa was furious at the seer. He was so angry with Hanani that he put Hanani in prison. Asa also oppressed some of the people at that time in his reign.


text:
 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa got a foot disease that became progressively worse. Instead of asking the LORD for help, he went to doctors.


text:
 They buried him in the tomb that he had prepared for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bed full of spices and blended perfumes. And they burned a bonfire in his honor.


text:
 Asa's son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself [to wage war] against Israel.


text:
 He put troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and placed military posts in Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.


text:
 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, who lived in the old way like his ancestor David. Jehoshaphat didn't dedicate his life to serving other gods-the Baals.


text:
 Instead, he dedicated his life to his ancestor's God and lived by God's commands. Jehoshaphat did not do what Israel was doing.


text:
 So the LORD established Jehoshaphat's power over the kingdom. All the people of Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat, and he had a lot of riches and honor.


text:
 He had the confidence to live the way the LORD wanted him to live. He also got rid of the illegal places of worship and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah in Judah.


text:
 In the third year of his reign, he sent his officers Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah.


text:
 With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram.


text:
 They taught in Judah. They had the Book of the LORD's Teachings with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah.


text:
 Fear of the LORD came to all the kingdoms around Judah. As a result, they didn't wage war against Jehoshaphat.


text:
 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as taxes. The Arabs also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.


text:
 So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah.


text:
 He had large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers with him in Jerusalem.


text:
 The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah (with 300,000 fighting men),


text:
 and next to him Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve the LORD (with 200,000 fighting men).


text:
 These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.


text:
 A few years later he went to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for a banquet in honor of Jehoshaphat and the people who were with him. And Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth in Gilead with him.


text:
 King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth in Gilead?" Jehoshaphat told the king of Israel, "I will do what you do. My troops will do what your troops do. [We will join] your troops in battle."


text:
 So the king of Israel called 400 prophets together. He asked them, "Should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?" "Go," they said. "God will hand over Ramoth to you."


text:
 The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat, "We can ask the LORD through Micaiah, son of Imla, but I hate him. Nothing he prophesies about me is good; it's always evil." Jehoshaphat answered, "The king must not say that."


text:
 The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were dressed in royal robes and seated on thrones. They were sitting on the threshing floor at the entrance to the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying in front of them.


text:
 Micaiah answered, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD lives, I will tell him whatever my God says to me."


text:
 When he came to the king, the king asked him, "Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?" Micaiah said, "Attack and you will win. They will be handed over to you."


text:
 So Micaiah said, "I saw Israel's troops scattered in the hills like sheep without a shepherd. The LORD said, 'These sheep have no master. Let each one go home in peace.'"


text:
 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you he wouldn't prophesy anything good about me?"


text:
 Micaiah added, "Then hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and the entire army of heaven was standing on his right and his left.


text:
 The LORD asked, 'Who will deceive King Ahab of Israel so that he will attack and be killed at Ramoth in Gilead?' Some answered one way, while others were saying something else.


text:
 "So the LORD has put into the mouths of these prophets of yours a spirit that makes them tell lies. The LORD has spoken evil about you."


text:
 Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, went to Micaiah and struck him on the cheek. "Which way did the Spirit go when he left me to talk to you?" he asked.


text:
 Say, 'This is what the king says: Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return home safely.'"


text:
 The king of Aram had given orders to the chariot commanders. He said, "Don't fight anyone except the king of Israel."


text:
 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "He must be the king of Israel." So they surrounded him in order to fight him. But when Jehoshaphat cried out, the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him,


text:
 and the chariot commanders realized that Jehoshaphat wasn't the king of Israel. Then they turned away from him.


text:
 One man aimed his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between his scale armor and his breastplate. Ahab told the chariot driver, "Turn around, and get me away from these troops. I'm badly wounded."


text:
 But the battle got worse that day, and the king propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. At sundown he died.


text:
 Jehu, son of the seer Hanani, asked King Jehoshaphat, "Why do you help wicked people and love those who hate the LORD? The LORD's anger is directed toward you because you have done this.


text:
 However, you've done some good things: You've burned the Asherah poles in this country, and you've wholeheartedly dedicated your life to serving God."


text:
 While Jehoshaphat was living in Jerusalem, he regularly went to the people between Beersheba and the mountains of Ephraim. He brought the people back to the LORD God of their ancestors.


text:
 He told the judges, "Pay attention to what you're doing. When you judge, you aren't doing it for a human but for the LORD. He will be with you when you hear a case.


text:
 May you have the fear of the LORD in you. Be careful about what you do. The LORD our God is never unjust. He is impartial and never takes bribes."


text:
 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some Levites, priests, and family heads from Israel to administer the LORD's laws and decide cases. They lived in Jerusalem.


text:
 Warn your relatives living in other cities about every case they bring to you, even if the case involves bloodshed or commands, rules, or regulations derived from Moses' Teachings. Then your relatives will not become guilty in front of the LORD. Otherwise, he will become angry with you and your relatives. Do this, and you won't be guilty [of anything].


text:
 Now, the chief priest Amariah will be in charge of you in every matter involving the LORD. Zebadiah, who is the son of Ishmael and the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be in charge of every matter involving the king. The Levites will serve as officers of the court. Be strong, and do your job. May the LORD be with those who do right."


text:
 Some men reported to Jehoshaphat, "A large crowd is coming against you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from Edom. The crowd is already in Hazazon Tamar" (also called En Gedi).


text:
 He said, "LORD God of our ancestors, aren't you the God in heaven? You rule all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess power and might, and no one can oppose you.


text:
 Didn't you, our God, force those who were living in this country out of Israel's way? Didn't you give this country to the descendants of your friend Abraham to have permanently?


text:
 'If evil comes in the form of war, flood, plague, or famine, we will stand in front of this temple and in front of you because your name is in this temple. We will cry out to you in our troubles, and you will hear us and save us.'


text:
 "The Ammonites, Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir have come here. However, you didn't let Israel invade them when they came out of Egypt. The Israelites turned away from them and didn't destroy them.


text:
 You're our God. Won't you judge them? We don't have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We don't know what to do, so we're looking to you."


text:
 Then the LORD's Spirit came to Jahaziel. (He was the son of Zechariah, grandson of Benaiah, great-grandson of Jeiel, whose father was Mattaniah, a Levite descended from Asaph.)


text:
 Jahaziel said, "Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says to you: Don't be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle isn't yours. It's God's.


text:
 Tomorrow go into battle against them. They will be coming up the Ziz Pass. You will find them at the end of the valley in front of the Jeruel Desert.


text:
 You won't fight this battle. [Instead,] take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD for you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be frightened or terrified. Tomorrow go out to face them. The LORD is with you."


text:
 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face touching the ground. Everyone from Judah and the people who lived in Jerusalem immediately bowed down in front of the LORD.


text:
 The Levites, descendants of Kohath and Korah, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with very loud songs.


text:
 They got up early in the morning and went to the desert of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem. Trust the LORD your God, and believe. Believe his prophets, and you will succeed."


text:
 After he had advised the people, he appointed people to sing to the LORD and praise him for the beauty of his holiness. As they went in front of the troops, they sang, "Thank the LORD because his mercy endures forever!"


text:
 As they started to sing praises, the LORD set ambushes against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir who had come into Judah. They were defeated.


text:
 Then the Ammonites and Moabites attacked the people from Mount Seir and annihilated them. After they had finished off the people of Seir, they helped destroy one another.


text:
 The people of Judah went to the watchtower in the desert and looked for the crowd. Corpses were lying on the ground. No one had escaped.


text:
 When Jehoshaphat and his troops came to take the loot, they found among them a lot of goods, clothes, and valuables. They found more than they could carry. They spent three days collecting the loot.


text:
 On the fourth day they gathered in the valley of Beracah. Because they thanked the LORD there, that place is still called the valley of Beracah [Thanks] today.


text:
 All the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They rejoiced while Jehoshaphat led them. The LORD gave them a reason to rejoice about [what had happened to] their enemies.


text:
 The fear of the LORD came over the kingdoms in that area when they heard how the LORD waged war against Israel's enemies.


text:
 Jehoshaphat ruled as king of Judah. He was 35 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi.


text:
 But the illegal worship sites on the hills were not torn down. The people still didn't have their hearts set on the God of their ancestors.


text:
 Everything else about Jehoshaphat from first to last is written in the records of Jehu, son of Hanani, which is included in the Book of the Kings of Israel.


text:
 After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil.


text:
 Then Eliezer, son of Dodavahu from Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, "The LORD will destroy your work because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah." So the ships were wrecked and couldn't go to Tarshish.


text:
 Jehoshaphat lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king.


text:
 He had the following brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. All were the sons of King Jehoshaphat of Israel.


text:
 Their father gave them many gifts: silver, gold, and other expensive things, along with fortified cities in Judah. But Jehoshaphat gave the kingdom to Jehoram, who was the firstborn.


text:
 After Jehoram had taken over his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position and then executed all his brothers and some of the officials of Israel.


text:
 But the LORD, recalling the promise he had made to David, didn't want to destroy David's family. The LORD had told David that he would always give him and his descendants a [shining] lamp.


text:
 Jehoram took all his chariot commanders to attack. The Edomites and their chariot commanders surrounded him, but he got up at night and broke through their lines.


text:
 So Edom rebelled against Judah's rule and is still independent today. At the same time Edom rebelled, Libnah rebelled because Jehoram had abandoned the LORD God of his ancestors.


text:
 Jehoram made illegal places of worship in the hills of Judah. This caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to chase after foreign gods as if they were prostitutes. So he led Judah astray.


text:
 Then a letter came to him from the prophet Elijah. It read, "This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: You haven't followed the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or the ways of King Asa of Judah.


text:
 Instead, you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel. You, like Ahab's family, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to chase after foreign gods as if they were prostitutes. You have killed your brothers, your father's family. Your brothers were better than you.


text:
 The LORD will strike a great blow to your people, your sons, your wives, and all your property because you did this.


text:
 The LORD prompted the Philistines and the Arabs who lived near the people of Sudan to attack Jehoram.


text:
 They fought against Judah, broke into the country, and took away everything that could be found in the royal palace. They even took Jehoram's sons and wives. The only son left was Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son.


text:
 Two years later, as his life was coming to an end, his intestines fell out because of his sickness. He died a painful death. His people did not make a bonfire in his honor as they had done for his ancestors.


text:
 He was 32 years old when he became king, and he ruled for 8 years in Jerusalem. No one was sorry to see him die. He was buried in the City of David but not in the tombs of the kings.


text:
 The people of Jerusalem made Jehoram's youngest son Ahaziah king in his place, because the raiders who came to the camp with the Arabs had killed all the older sons. So Jehoram's son Ahaziah became king of Judah.


text:
 Ahaziah was 42 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri.


text:
 Ahaziah also followed the ways of Ahab's family, because his mother gave him advice that led him to sin.


text:
 He did what the LORD considered evil, as Ahab's family had done. After his father died, they advised him to do what Ahab's family had done. They did this to destroy him.


text:
 Ahaziah followed their advice and went with Ahab's son King Joram of Israel to fight against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. There the Arameans wounded Joram.


text:
 Joram returned to Jezreel to let his wounds heal. (He had been wounded by the Arameans at Ramah when he fought against King Hazael of Aram.) Then Jehoram's son Ahaziah went to Jezreel to see Ahab's son Joram, who was sick.


text:
 God brought about Ahaziah's downfall when he went to Joram. He went with Joram to meet Jehu, grandson of Nimshi. (The LORD had anointed Jehu to destroy Ahab's family.)


text:
 When Jehu was executing judgment on Ahab's family, he found Judah's leaders (Ahaziah's nephews) who were serving Ahaziah, and he killed them.


text:
 He searched for Ahaziah, and Jehu's men captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and killed him. Then they buried him. They explained, "Ahaziah is Jehoshaphat's grandson. Jehoshaphat dedicated his life to serving the LORD with all his heart." But no one in Ahaziah's family was able to rule as king.


text:
 When Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah, saw that her son was dead, she began to destroy the entire royal family of the house of Judah.


text:
 But Jehoshebath, daughter of the king and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah's son Joash. She saved him from being killed with the king's other sons, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Jehoshebath was the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest. Because she was also Ahaziah's sister, she hid Joash from Athaliah. So he wasn't killed.


text:
 Joash was with the priests. He was hidden in God's temple for six years while Athaliah ruled the country.


text:
 In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada strengthened his position by making an agreement with the company commanders: Azariah, son of Jeroham, Ishmael, son of Jehohanan, Azariah, son of Obed, Maaseiah, son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat, son of Zichri.


text:
 They went around Judah, gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah and the leaders of the families of Israel, and came to Jerusalem.


text:
 The whole assembly made an agreement with the king in God's temple. Then Jehoiada said to them, "Here is the king's son. He should be king, as the LORD said about David's descendants.


text:
 This is what you must do: One third of you, the priests and Levites who are on duty on the day of worship, must guard the gates.


text:
 Another third must be at the royal palace. And another third must be at Foundation Gate. All the people must be in the courtyards of the LORD's temple.


text:
 No one should come into the LORD's temple except the priests and the Levites who are on duty with them. They may enter because they are holy, but all other people should follow the LORD's regulations.


text:
 The Levites should surround the king. Each man should have his weapon in his hand. Kill anyone who tries to come into the temple. Stay with the king wherever he goes."


text:
 So the Levites and all the Judeans did what the priest Jehoiada had ordered them. Each took his men who were coming on duty on the day of worship as well as those who were about to go off duty. Jehoiada had not dismissed the priestly divisions.


text:
 Jehoiada gave the commanders the spears and the small and large shields that had belonged to King David but were now in God's temple.


text:
 All the troops stood with their weapons drawn. They were stationed around the king and around the altar and the temple (from the south side to the north side of the temple).


text:
 Then they brought out the king's son, gave him the crown and the religious instructions, and Jehoiada and his sons made him king by anointing him. They said, "Long live the king!"


text:
 When Athaliah heard the people running and praising the king, she went into the LORD's temple, where the people were.


text:
 She looked, and the king was standing by the pillar at the entrance. The commanders and the trumpeters were by his side. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. The singers were leading the celebration with songs accompanied by musical instruments. As Athaliah tore her clothes [in distress], she said, "Treason, treason!"


text:
 Then the priest Jehoiada brought the company commanders who were in charge of the army out [of the temple]. He said to them, "Take her out of the temple. Use your sword to kill anyone who follows her." (The priest had said, "Don't kill her in the LORD's temple.")


text:
 Jehoiada made a promise to the LORD on behalf of the king and his people that they would be the LORD's people.


text:
 Then all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed Baal's altars and his statues and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.


text:
 Next, Jehoiada appointed officials to be in charge of the LORD's temple under the direction of the priests and Levites. (David had arranged them in divisions for the LORD's temple. They were appointed to sacrifice burnt offerings to the LORD as it is written in Moses' Teachings. They made these offerings with joy and singing as David had directed.)


text:
 Jehoiada appointed gatekeepers for the gates of the LORD's temple so that no one who was unclean for any reason could enter.


text:
 He took the company commanders, the nobles, the people's governors, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king from the LORD's temple. They went through Upper Gate to the royal palace and seated the king on the royal throne. The nobles, the governors of the people, and


text:
 all the people of the land were celebrating. But the city was quiet because they had killed Athaliah with a sword.


text:
 Joash was 7 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother was Zibiah from Beersheba.


text:
 He gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, "Go to the cities of Judah, and collect money throughout Israel to repair the temple of your God every year. Do it immediately!" But the Levites didn't do it immediately.


text:
 So the king called for the chief priest Jehoiada and asked him, "Why didn't you require the Levites to bring the contributions from Judah and Jerusalem? The LORD's servant Moses and the assembly had required Israel to give contributions for the use of the tent containing the words of God's promise."


text:
 (The sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into God's temple and used all the holy things of the LORD's temple [to worship] other gods-the Baals.)


text:
 Then they issued a proclamation in Judah and Jerusalem that the contributions should be brought to the LORD. (In the desert the LORD's servant Moses had required Israel to make contributions.)


text:
 All the officials and all the people were overjoyed. They brought the money and dropped it into the box until it was full.


text:
 Whenever the Levites brought the box to the king's officers and they saw a lot of money, the king's scribe and the chief priest's officer would empty the box and put it back in its place. They would do this every day, so they collected a lot of money.


text:
 The king and Jehoiada would give the money to the foremen who were working on the LORD's temple, and they hired masons and carpenters to renovate the LORD's temple. They also hired men who worked with iron and bronze to repair the LORD's temple.


text:
 As the men worked, the project progressed under the foremen's guidance. They restored God's temple to its proper condition and reinforced it.


text:
 When they finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, who used it to make utensils for the LORD's temple. They made dishes and gold and silver utensils for the service and for the offerings. As long as Jehoiada lived, they sacrificed burnt offerings in the LORD's temple.


text:
 He was buried in the City of David with the kings because of the good he had done in Israel for God and the temple.


text:
 After he died, the officials of Judah bowed in front of the king with their faces touching the ground. Then the king listened to their advice.


text:
 They abandoned the temple of the LORD God of their ancestors and worshiped idols and the poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah. This offense of theirs brought God's anger upon Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
 The LORD sent them prophets to bring them back to himself. The prophets warned them, but they wouldn't listen.


text:
 God's Spirit gave Zechariah, son of the priest Jehoiada, strength. Zechariah stood in front of the people and said to them, "This is what God says: Why are you breaking the LORD's commands? You won't prosper that way! The LORD has abandoned you because you have abandoned him."


text:
 But they plotted against Zechariah, and by the king's order they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD's temple.


text:
 King Joash did not remember how kind Zechariah's father, Jehoiada, had been to him. Instead, he killed Jehoiada's son. As Zechariah died, he said, "May the LORD see [this] and get revenge!"


text:
 At the end of the year, the Aramean army attacked Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the people's leaders. The Arameans sent all the loot they took from Judah and Jerusalem to the king of Damascus.


text:
 The Aramean army had come with a small number of men, but the LORD handed Joash's large army over to them because Joash's soldiers had abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors. So the Arameans carried out [the LORD's] judgment on Joash.


text:
 When the Arameans withdrew, they left him suffering from many wounds. His own officials plotted against him for murdering the son of the priest Jehoiada. They killed Joash in his bed. When he died, they buried him in the City of David, but they didn't bury him in the tombs of the kings.


text:
 These were the men who conspired against him: Zabad, son of an Ammonite woman named Shimeath, and Jehozabad, son of a Moabite woman named Shimrith.


text:
 The record about his sons, the many divine revelations against him, and the rebuilding of God's temple is in the notes made in the Book of the Kings. His son Amaziah succeeded him as king.


text:
 Amaziah was 25 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jehoaddan from Jerusalem.


text:
 As soon as he had firm control over the kingdom, he executed the officials who killed his father, the former king.


text:
 Amaziah called the people of Judah together and assigned them by families to regiment and battalion commanders for all of Judah and Benjamin. He organized those who were at least 20 years old and found that he had 300,000 of the best men for the army, those who could handle a spear and a shield.


text:
 But a man of God came to him and said, "Your Majesty, Israel's army must not go with you, because the LORD isn't with Israel. He's not with these men from Ephraim.


text:
 If you go into battle with them, no matter how courageous you are, God will use the enemy to defeat you, because God has the power to help you or to defeat you."


text:
 Amaziah asked the man of God, "What should I do about the 7,500 pounds of silver I gave the troops from Israel?" The man of God answered, "The LORD can give you much more than that."


text:
 Then Amaziah dismissed the troops that had come to him from Ephraim. But they became furious with Judah and returned home.


text:
 Amaziah courageously led his troops. When he came to the Dead Sea region, he killed 10,000 men from Seir.


text:
 The Judeans captured another 10,000 alive, took them to the top of a cliff, and threw them off the top of the cliff so that they were dismembered.


text:
 The troops that Amaziah sent back so that they couldn't go with him into battle raided the towns in Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon. They killed 3,000 people and took a lot of goods.


text:
 After Amaziah came back from defeating the Edomites, he brought the gods of the people of Seir, set them up as his gods, bowed down to them, and burned sacrifices to them.


text:
 The LORD became angry with Amaziah. He sent him a prophet who asked him, "Why do you dedicate your life to serving the gods of those people? Those gods couldn't save their own people from you."


text:
 As he was talking, the king asked him, "Did we make you an adviser to the king? Stop! Do you want me to have you killed?" The prophet stopped. He said, "I know that God has decided to destroy you because you did this, but you refuse to listen to my advice."


text:
 After getting advice [from his advisers], King Amaziah of Judah sent messengers to King Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz and grandson of Jehu of Israel, to declare war on Israel.


text:
 You say you defeated Edom, and now you've become arrogant enough to look for more fame. Stay home! Why must you invite disaster and your own defeat and take Judah with you?"


text:
 But Amaziah wouldn't listen. (God made this happen because he wanted to hand over the Judeans to Jehoash because they had sought help from Edom's gods.)


text:
 So King Jehoash of Israel attacked, and King Amaziah of Judah met him in battle at Beth Shemesh in Judah.


text:
 King Jehoash of Israel captured King Amaziah, son of Joash and grandson of Ahaziah of Judah, at Beth Shemesh and brought him to Jerusalem. He tore down a 600-foot section of the wall around Jerusalem from Ephraim Gate to Corner Gate.


text:
 [He took] all the gold, silver, and all the utensils he found in God's temple with Obed Edom and in the royal palace treasury. He also took hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.


text:
 Isn't everything else about Amaziah, from beginning to end, written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?


text:
 After Amaziah turned away from the LORD, conspirators in Jerusalem plotted against him. Amaziah fled to Lachish, but they sent men to Lachish after him and killed him there.


text:
 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was 16 years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.


text:
 Uzziah rebuilt Elath and returned it to Judah after King Amaziah lay down in death with his ancestors.


text:
 Uzziah was 16 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem.


text:
 He dedicated his life to serving God in the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. As long as he dedicated his life to serving the LORD, the LORD gave him success.


text:
 Uzziah went to wage war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. He built cities near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.


text:
 God helped him when he attacked the Philistines, the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunites.


text:
 The Ammonites paid taxes to Uzziah, and his fame spread to the border of Egypt because he became very powerful.


text:
 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at Corner Wall, Valley Gate, and the Angle, and he reinforced them.


text:
 He built towers in the desert. He dug many cisterns because he had a lot of herds in the foothills and the plains. He had farmers and vineyard workers in the mountains and the fertile fields because he loved the soil.


text:
 Uzziah had an army of professional soldiers. They were ready to go to war in their companies based on the number organized by the scribe Jeiel and the officer Maaseiah. They were commanded by Hananiah, one of the king's officials.


text:
 Under them was an army of 307,500 soldiers. They were a powerful force that could support the king against the enemy.


text:
 In Jerusalem he made machines designed by inventive people. The machines were placed on the towers and corners to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. Uzziah's fame spread far and wide because he had strong support until he became powerful.


text:
 But when he became powerful, his pride destroyed him. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God. He went into the LORD's temple to burn incense on the incense altar.


text:
 They opposed King Uzziah. They said to him, "Uzziah, you have no right to burn incense as an offering to the LORD. That right belongs to the priests, Aaron's descendants, who have been given the holy task of burning incense. Get out of the holy place because you have been unfaithful. The LORD God will not honor you for this."


text:
 Uzziah, who held an incense burner in his hand, became angry. While he was angry with the priests, a skin disease broke out on his forehead. This happened in front of the priests in the LORD's temple as Uzziah was at the incense altar.


text:
 When the chief priest Azariah and all the priests turned toward him, a skin disease was on his forehead. They rushed him away. Uzziah was in a hurry to get out because the LORD had inflicted him [with the disease].


text:
 King Uzziah had a skin disease until the day he died. Since he had a skin disease, he lived in a separate house and was barred from the LORD's temple. His son Jotham was in charge of the royal palace and governed the country.


text:
 Everything else about Uzziah, from beginning to end, is recorded by the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz.


text:
 Uzziah lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried with them in a field containing tombs that belonged to the kings. People said, "He had a skin disease." His son Jotham succeeded him as king.


text:
 Jotham was 25 years old when he began to rule. He ruled for 16 years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jerushah, daughter of Zadok.


text:
 He did what the LORD considered right, as his father Uzziah had done. But unlike his father, he didn't [illegally] enter the LORD's temple. Nevertheless, the people continued their corrupt ways.


text:
 Jotham built the Upper Gate of the LORD's temple and did extensive building of the wall at the Ophel.


text:
 He fought with the king of the Ammonites and conquered them. That year the Ammonites gave him 7,500 pounds of silver, 60,000 bushels of wheat, and 60,000 bushels of barley. The Ammonites gave him the same amount for two more years.


text:
 Everything else about Jotham-all his wars and his life-is written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.


text:
 Jotham lay down in death with his ancestors, and they buried him in the City of David. His son Ahaz succeeded him as king.


text:
 Ahaz was 20 years old when he began to rule. He ruled for 26 years in Jerusalem. He didn't do what the LORD considered right, as his ancestor David had done.


text:
 He followed the example of the kings of Israel and even made metal idols for worshiping other gods-the Baals.


text:
 He burned sacrifices in the valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his son by burning him alive, one of the disgusting things done by the nations that the LORD had forced out of the Israelites' way.


text:
 So the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Aram, who defeated him, captured many prisoners, and brought them to Damascus. He also handed him over to the king of Israel, who decisively defeated him.


text:
 In one day Pekah, son of Remaliah, killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah because they had abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors.


text:
 Zichri, a fighting man from Ephraim, killed Maaseiah, who was the king's son, Azrikam, who was in charge of the palace, and Elkanah, who was the king's second-in-command.


text:
 The Israelites captured 200,000 women, boys, and girls from their relatives [the Judeans]. They also took a lot of goods from Judah and brought them to Samaria.


text:
 A prophet of the LORD named Oded was there. He went to meet the army coming home to Samaria. He said to them, "The LORD God of your ancestors handed Judah over to you in his anger. You killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven.


text:
 Now you intend to enslave the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. But aren't you also guilty of sinning against the LORD your God?


text:
 Listen to me. Return these prisoners you have captured from your relatives, because the LORD is very angry with you."


text:
 Then Azariah, son of Jehohan, Berechiah, son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah, son of Shallum, and Amasa, son of Hadlai (some leaders of Ephraim) opposed those coming home from the army.


text:
 They said to the army, "Don't bring the prisoners here. You'll make us responsible for this sin against the LORD. Do you intend to add to all our sins? The LORD is very angry with Israel because we have already sinned."


text:
 Then the men who were mentioned by name took charge of the prisoners and gave clothes from the loot to all the prisoners who were naked. They provided clothes for them, gave them sandals, gave them something to eat and drink, and let them bathe. They put everyone who was exhausted on donkeys and brought them to Jericho (the City of Palms) near their own people. Then they returned to Samaria.


text:
 The Philistines had raided the foothills and the Negev in Judah. They captured and began living in Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco and its villages, Timnah and its villages, and Gimzo and its villages.


text:
 The LORD humbled Judah because of King Ahaz of Israel. Ahaz had spread sin throughout Judah and was unfaithful to the LORD.


text:
 King Tillegath Pilneser of Assyria attacked Ahaz. Instead of strengthening Ahaz, Tillegath Pilneser made trouble for him.


text:
 Ahaz took some of the things from the LORD's temple, the royal palace, and the princes, and he gave them to the king of Assyria. But that didn't help him.


text:
 He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, the gods who had defeated him. He thought, "The gods of the kings of Aram are helping them. I'll sacrifice to them so that they will help me." But they ruined him and all Israel.


text:
 Ahaz collected the utensils in God's temple, cut them up, and closed the doors to the LORD's temple. He made altars for himself on every corner in Jerusalem.


text:
 And in each city of Judah, he made places of worship to sacrifice to other gods. So he made the LORD God of his ancestors angry.


text:
 Everything else about him-everything from beginning to end-is written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
 Ahaz lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in the city of Jerusalem because they didn't put him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. His son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.


text:
 Hezekiah began to rule as king when he was 25 years old. He ruled for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abijah, daughter of Zechariah.


text:
 In the first month of his first year as king, he opened the doors of the LORD's temple and repaired them.


text:
 He said to them, "Listen to me, Levites. Perform the ceremonies to make the temple of the LORD God of your ancestors holy. Remove anything that has been corrupted from the holy place.


text:
 Our ancestors were unfaithful and did what the LORD our God considered evil. They deserted him. They turned away from the LORD's tent and turned their backs on him.


text:
 They also shut the doors of the [temple's] entrance hall, extinguished the lamps, and didn't burn incense or sacrifice burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.


text:
 So the LORD was angry with Judah and Jerusalem. He made them something that shocks and terrifies people and that people ridicule, as you can see with your own eyes.


text:
 Our fathers were killed in battle, and our sons, daughters, and wives are prisoners because of this.


text:
 Now I intend to make a pledge to the LORD God of Israel so that he may turn his burning anger away from us.


text:
 Don't be negligent, my sons. The LORD has chosen you to stand in front of him, serve him, be his servants, and burn sacrifices."


text:
 So the Levites started to work. From Kohath's descendants were Mahath, son of Amasai, and Joel, son of Azariah. From Merari's descendants were Kish, son of Abdi, and Azariah, son of Jehallelel. From Gershon's descendants were Joah, son of Zimmah, and Eden, son of Joah.


text:
 From Elizaphan's descendants were Shimri and Jeiel. From Asaph's descendants were Zechariah and Mattaniah.


text:
 From Heman's descendants were Jehiel and Shimei. From Jeduthun's descendants were Shemaiah and Uzziel.


text:
 These men gathered their relatives and performed the ceremonies to make themselves holy. Then they obeyed the king's order from the LORD's word and entered the temple to make it clean.


text:
 The priests entered the LORD's temple to make it clean. They carried into the courtyard every unclean thing that they found in the LORD's temple. Then the Levites took the unclean items outside the city to the Kidron Brook.


text:
 They started on the first day of the first month. On the eighth day they went into the LORD's entrance hall, and for eight days they performed the ceremonies to make the LORD's temple holy. They finished on the sixteenth day of the first month.


text:
 Then they went to King Hezekiah. They said [to him], "We have made all of the LORD's temple clean. This includes the altar for burnt offerings, all its utensils, the table for the rows of bread and all its utensils,


text:
 and all the utensils King Ahaz refused to use during his reign when he was unfaithful. We have restored them and made them holy. They are in front of the LORD's altar."


text:
 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as an offering for sin for the kingdom, the holy place, and Judah. Hezekiah told the priests, Aaron's descendants, to sacrifice the animals on the LORD's altar.


text:
 So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests sprinkled the blood on the altar. Then they slaughtered the rams and sprinkled the blood on the altar. After that, they slaughtered the lambs and sprinkled the blood on the altar.


text:
 Then they brought the male goats for the offering for sin in front of the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them.


text:
 The priests slaughtered the goats and made their blood an offering for sin at the altar to make peace with the LORD for Israel. The king had said that the burnt offerings and offerings for sin should be for all Israel.


text:
 He had the Levites stand in the LORD's temple with cymbals, harps, and lyres as David, the king's seer Gad, and the prophet Nathan had ordered. This command came from the LORD through his prophets.


text:
 Then Hezekiah ordered the sacrificing of burnt offerings on the altar. When the burnt offerings started, the songs to the LORD started. These songs were accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of King David of Israel.


text:
 The whole assembly bowed down with their faces touching the ground, singers began to sing, and the trumpets blew until the burnt offering was finished.


text:
 When the burnt offerings were finished, the king and everyone who was with him kneeled and bowed down.


text:
 Then King Hezekiah and the leaders told the Levites to praise the LORD with the words of David and the seer Asaph. They joyfully sang praises, bowed down, and worshiped.


text:
 Hezekiah said, "You have dedicated your lives to the LORD. Come, bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the LORD's temple." The assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and everyone who was willing brought burnt offerings.


text:
 The burnt offerings brought by the assembly totaled 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs. All of these were burnt offerings to the LORD.


text:
 But the priests needed more help to skin all the burnt offerings. So their relatives, the Levites, helped them until the work was completed and the priests could make themselves holy. The Levites were more diligent in making themselves holy than the priests were.


text:
 There were many burnt offerings in addition to the fat of the fellowship offerings and wine offerings that accompanied the burnt offerings. So the worship in the LORD's temple was reestablished.


text:
 Hezekiah and all the people were overjoyed because of what God had done for the people. Everything had happened so quickly.


text:
 Hezekiah sent a message to all Israel and Judah and wrote letters to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. He invited them to come to the LORD's temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover of the LORD God of Israel.


text:
 The king, his officials, and the whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month.


text:
 They couldn't celebrate it at the regular time because not enough priests had performed the ceremonies to make themselves holy and the people hadn't gathered in Jerusalem.


text:
 So they decided to send an announcement throughout Israel from Beersheba to Dan. They summoned everyone to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover of the LORD God of Israel. These people had not celebrated it in large numbers as the written instructions said they should.


text:
 Messengers took letters from the king and his officials throughout Israel and Judah. The king's order said, "Israelites, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Then he will return to the few of you who escaped from the power of the kings of Assyria.


text:
 Don't be like your ancestors and your relatives who were unfaithful to the LORD God of their ancestors. He made them something that shocks people, as you have seen.


text:
 Don't be impossible to deal with like your ancestors. Reach out for the LORD. Come to his holy place that he made holy forever. Serve the LORD your God, and he will turn his burning anger away from you.


text:
 When you return to the LORD, your relatives and children will find compassion from those who captured them. They will return to this land. The LORD your God is merciful and compassionate. He will not turn his face away from you if you return to him."


text:
 So the messengers went from city to city in the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun. But the people ridiculed them.


text:
 Also, God guided the people of Judah so that they united to carry out the command which the king and the leaders gave from the LORD's word.


text:
 Many people gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month. They formed a large assembly.


text:
 Then the people got rid of the [idols'] altars in Jerusalem. They got rid of all the altars for incense by dumping them in the Kidron Valley.


text:
 They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed, so they performed the ceremonies to make themselves holy. Then they brought burnt offerings to the LORD's temple.


text:
 They stood in their regular places as instructed by Moses' Teachings. (Moses was a man of God.) The priests sprinkled the blood they received from the Levites.


text:
 Many people in the assembly had not made themselves holy. So the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for all who weren't clean and couldn't make their lambs holy for the LORD.


text:
 Many people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not made themselves clean. So they ate the Passover, but not in the way the written instructions said they should. Hezekiah prayed for them: "May the good LORD forgive


text:
 those who have their hearts set on dedicating their lives to serving God. May the LORD God of their ancestors do this for those who are not clean as required for the holy place."


text:
 So the Israelites in Jerusalem celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy. Each day the Levites and priests praised the LORD in song. They played the LORD's instruments loudly.


text:
 Hezekiah spoke encouraging words to all the Levites who had the skills to serve the LORD. They ate the festival meals for seven days, sacrificed fellowship offerings, and confessed their sins to the LORD God of their ancestors.


text:
 Then the whole assembly decided to celebrate the festival for seven more days. So they joyfully celebrated for seven more days.


text:
 King Hezekiah of Judah provided 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep as sacrifices for the assembly. The leaders provided 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep for the assembly. So a large number of priests were able to perform the ceremonies to make themselves holy.


text:
 The whole assembly from Judah, the priests, the Levites, the whole assembly from Israel, the foreigners who came from Israel, and those who lived in Judah rejoiced.


text:
 The city of Jerusalem was filled with joy. Nothing like this had happened in Jerusalem since the days of King Solomon of Israel.


text:
 Then the Levitical priests blessed the people. Their voices were heard, and their prayers went to God's holy place in heaven.


text:
 When this was over, all the Israelites who were there went to the cities in Judah. They crushed the sacred stones, cut down the poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, and tore down the illegal places of worship and the altars throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. The Israelites destroyed all of these things. Then all the Israelites returned to their own cities. Each person went to his own property.


text:
 Hezekiah assigned the priests and the Levites to divisions. Each priest or Levite was put in a division based on the service he performed: sacrificing burnt offerings, sacrificing fellowship offerings, serving, giving thanks, or praising within the gates of the LORD's camp.


text:
 He set aside part of the king's property for burnt offerings, the morning and evening offerings, burnt offerings on the weekly worship days, the New Moon Festivals, and the annual festivals, as it is written in the LORD's Teachings.


text:
 He told the people living in Jerusalem to give the priests and Levites the portions they were due so that they could devote themselves to the LORD's Teachings.


text:
 As soon as the word spread, the Israelites brought plenty of offerings from the first of their produce: grain, new wine, fresh olive oil, honey, and every crop from the fields. They brought large quantities, a tenth of everything.


text:
 The people of Israel and Judah who were living in the cities of Judah brought a tenth of their cattle and sheep and a tenth of the holy things they had dedicated to the LORD their God. They piled these holy things in heaps.


text:
 The chief priest Azariah from Zadok's family said, "Since the people started to bring the offerings to the LORD's temple, we have had all we wanted to eat and plenty to spare. The LORD has blessed his people, and there's a lot left over."


text:
 they faithfully brought in the contributions, the offerings of one-tenth of the crops, and the gifts dedicated to God. The Levite Conaniah was in charge of these things, and his brother Shimei was his assistant.


text:
 King Hezekiah and Azariah, who was in charge of God's temple, appointed Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah to serve under Conaniah and his brother Shimei.


text:
 Kore, son of Imnah the Levite, was the gatekeeper at East Gate and had to take care of the freewill offerings made to God. His responsibility was to distribute the offerings made to the LORD and the holy gifts dedicated to God.


text:
 Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah served under him in the cities belonging to the priests. They were to distribute the offerings faithfully to all their relatives, young and old, by their divisions.


text:
 They were appointed to distribute them to males who were at least three years old. The way they were enrolled in the genealogical records did not matter. The six men who served under Kore were to distribute the offerings to everyone who went to the LORD's temple to perform the daily service that each division was responsible for.


text:
 They were to distribute offerings to the priests who were enrolled by families and to the Levites who were at least 20 years old. Distribution was based on the way they served in their divisions.


text:
 The priests and Levites were enrolled with their wives, sons, daughters, and other people who depended on them-the whole community. The priests and Levites had to be faithful in keeping themselves holy for the holy work.


text:
 Men were appointed to give a portion of the offerings to all the males in the priestly families and to everyone listed in the genealogies of the Levites. These men were Aaron's descendants, priests who lived in the pasturelands of every Levite city.


text:
 This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and right and true to the LORD his God.


text:
 Hezekiah incorporated Moses' Teachings and commands into worship and dedicated his life to serving God. Whatever he did for the worship in God's temple, he did wholeheartedly, and he succeeded.


text:
 After everything Hezekiah had done so faithfully, King Sennacherib of Assyria came to invade Judah. He set up camp [to attack] the fortified cities. He intended to conquer them himself.


text:
 he, his officers, and his military staff made plans to stop the water from flowing out of the springs outside the city. They helped him do it.


text:
 A large crowd gathered as they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the land. They said, "Why should the kings of Assyria find plenty of water?"


text:
 Hezekiah worked hard. He rebuilt all the broken sections of the wall, made the towers taller, built another wall outside [the city wall], strengthened the Millo in the City of David, and made plenty of weapons and shields.


text:
 He appointed military commanders over the troops and gathered the commanders in the square by the city gate. He spoke these words of encouragement:


text:
 "Be strong and courageous. Don't be frightened or terrified by the king of Assyria or the crowd with him. Someone greater is on our side.


text:
 The king of Assyria has human power on his side, but the LORD our God is on our side to help us and fight our battles." So the people were encouraged by what King Hezekiah of Judah said.


text:
 After this, while King Sennacherib of Assyria and all his royal forces were attacking Lachish, he sent his officers to King Hezekiah of Judah and to all of the people in Judah who were in Jerusalem to say:


text:
 "This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: Why are you so confident as you live in Jerusalem while it is blockaded?


text:
 Isn't Hezekiah misleading you and abandoning you to die from hunger and thirst when he says, 'The LORD our God will rescue us from the king of Assyria?'


text:
 Isn't this the same Hezekiah who got rid of the LORD's places of worship and altars and told Judah and Jerusalem, 'Worship and sacrifice at one altar?'


text:
 Don't you know what I and my predecessors have done to the people of all other countries? Were any of the gods of these other nations ever able to rescue their countries from me?


text:
 Were the gods of these nations able to rescue their people from my control? My predecessors claimed and destroyed those nations. Is your God able to rescue you from my control?


text:
 Don't let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you like this. Don't believe him. No god of any nation or kingdom could save his people from me or my ancestors. Certainly, your God will not rescue you from me!"


text:
 Sennacherib wrote letters cursing the LORD God of Israel. These letters said, "As the gods of the nations in other countries couldn't rescue their people from me, Hezekiah's God cannot rescue his people from me."


text:
 Sennacherib's officers shouted loudly in the Judean language to the troops who were on the wall of Jerusalem. They tried to frighten and terrify the troops so that they could capture the city.


text:
 They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as if he were one of the gods made by human hands and worshiped by the people in other countries.


text:
 The LORD sent an angel who exterminated all the soldiers, officials, and commanders in the Assyrian king's camp. Humiliated, Sennacherib returned to his own country. When he went into the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him with a sword.


text:
 So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people living in Jerusalem from King Sennacherib of Assyria and from everyone else. The LORD gave them peace with all their neighbors.


text:
 Many people still went to Jerusalem to bring gifts to the LORD and expensive presents to King Hezekiah of Judah. From then on, he was considered important by all the nations.


text:
 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was about to die. He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign.


text:
 But Hezekiah was conceited, so he didn't repay the LORD for his kindness. The LORD became angry with him, with Judah, and with Jerusalem.


text:
 Hezekiah and the people living in Jerusalem humbled themselves when they realized they had become conceited. So the LORD didn't vent his anger on them during Hezekiah's time.


text:
 Hezekiah became richer and was highly honored. He prepared storerooms for himself to hold silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuables.


text:
 He made sheds to store his harvests of grain, new wine, and fresh olive oil, and he made barns for all his cattle and stalls for his flocks.


text:
 He made cities for himself because he had many sheep and cattle. God had given him a lot of property.


text:
 Hezekiah was the one who stopped the water from flowing from the upper outlet of Gihon. He channeled the water directly underground to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah succeeded in everything he did.


text:
 When the leaders of Babylon sent ambassadors to ask him about the miraculous sign that had happened in the land, God left him. God did this to test him, to find out everything that was in Hezekiah's heart.


text:
 Everything else about Hezekiah, including his devotion to God, is written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, and in the records of the kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
 Hezekiah lay down in death with his ancestors. He was buried in the upper tombs of David's descendants. When Hezekiah died, all of Judah and the people in Jerusalem honored him. His son Manasseh succeeded him as king.


text:
 He rebuilt the illegal places of worship that his father Hezekiah had torn down. He set up altars dedicated to other gods-the Baals-and made a pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah as King Ahab of Israel had done. Manasseh, like Ahab, worshiped and served the entire army of heaven.


text:
 He built altars in the LORD's temple, where the LORD had said, "My name will be in Jerusalem forever."


text:
 He burned his son as a sacrifice in the valley of Ben Hinnom, consulted fortunetellers, cast evil spells, practiced witchcraft, and appointed [royal] mediums and psychics. He did many things that made the LORD furious.


text:
 Manasseh had a carved idol made. Then he set it up in God's temple, where God had said to David and his son Solomon, "I have chosen this temple and Jerusalem from all the tribes of Israel. I will put my name here forever.


text:
 I will never again remove Israel from the land that I set aside for their ancestors if they will obey all the commands, all the teachings, the ordinances, and the regulations [I gave] through Moses."


text:
 Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that they did more evil things than the nations that the LORD had destroyed when the Israelites arrived in the land.


text:
 So the LORD made the army commanders of the king of Assyria invade Judah. They took Manasseh captive, put a hook in his nose, put him in bronze shackles, and brought him to Babylon.


text:
 When he experienced this distress, he begged the LORD his God to be kind and humbled himself in front of the God of his ancestors.


text:
 He prayed to the LORD, and the LORD accepted his prayer and listened to his request. The LORD brought him back to his kingdom in Jerusalem. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.


text:
 After this, Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of Gihon Spring in the valley to the entrance of Fish Gate. He made the wall go around the Ophel, and he built it very high. He put army commanders in every fortified city in Judah.


text:
 Manasseh got rid of the foreign gods and the idol in the LORD's temple. He got rid of the altars he had built in the temple on the LORD's mountain and in Jerusalem.


text:
 He built the LORD's altar and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it. And he told Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.


text:
 The people continued to sacrifice at the illegal places of worship, but they sacrificed only to the LORD their God.


text:
 Everything else about Manasseh-including his prayer to his God and the words that the seers spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel-are in the records of the kings of Israel.


text:
 His prayer and how God accepted it are written in the records of Hozai. The things he did before he humbled himself are also written there. This includes all his sins and unfaithfulness and the places where he built illegal worship sites and set up idols and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah.


text:
 Manasseh lay down in death with his ancestors. They buried him in his own palace. His son Amon succeeded him as king.


text:
 He did what the LORD considered evil, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon sacrificed to all the idols his father Manasseh had made, and he worshiped them.


text:
 He didn't humble himself in front of the LORD as his father Manasseh had humbled himself. Instead, Amon continued to sin.


text:
 He did what the LORD considered right. He lived in the ways of his ancestor David and never stopped living this way.


text:
 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a boy, he began to dedicate his life to serving the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year as king, he began to make Judah and Jerusalem clean by destroying the illegal places of worship, poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, carved idols, and metal idols.


text:
 He had the altars of the various Baal gods torn down. He cut down the incense altars that were above them. He destroyed the Asherah poles, carved idols, and metal idols. He ground them into powder and scattered the powder over the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them.


text:
 tore down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and idols into powder, and cut down all the incense altars everywhere in Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem.


text:
 In the eighteenth year of his reign as he was making the land and the temple clean, Josiah sent Shaphan, son of Azaliah, Maaseiah, the mayor of the city, and Joah, the royal historian and son of Joahaz, to repair the temple of the LORD his God.


text:
 They came to the chief priest Hilkiah and gave him the money that had been brought to God's temple, the money that the Levite doorkeepers had collected from the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all who were left in Israel, from everyone in the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


text:
 They gave the money to the foremen who were in charge of the LORD's temple. These foremen gave it to the workmen who were restoring and repairing the temple.


text:
 (These workers included carpenters and builders.) They were to buy quarried stones and wood for the fittings and beams of the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to become run-down.


text:
 The men did their work faithfully under the supervision of Jahath and Obadiah (Levites descended from Merari), and Zechariah and Meshullam (descendants of Kohath). The Levites, who were skilled musicians,


text:
 also supervised the workers and directed all the workmen on the various jobs. Some of the Levites served as scribes, officials, or gatekeepers.


text:
 When they brought out the money that had been deposited in the LORD's temple, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the LORD's Teachings written by Moses.


text:
 Hilkiah told the scribe Shaphan, "I have found the book of the Teachings in the LORD's temple." Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan.


text:
 We took the money that was donated in the LORD's temple and gave it to the supervisors and the workmen."


text:
 Then the king gave an order to Hilkiah, Ahikam (son of Shaphan), Abdon (son of Micah), the scribe Shaphan, and the royal official Asaiah. He said,


text:
 "On behalf of those who are left in Israel and Judah and me, ask the LORD about the words in this book that was found. The LORD's fierce anger has been poured on us because our ancestors did not obey the word of the LORD by doing everything written in this book."


text:
 So Hilkiah and the king's officials went to talk to the prophet Huldah about this matter. She was the wife of Shallum, son of Tokhath and grandson of Hasrah. Shallum was in charge of the [royal] wardrobe. Huldah was living in the Second Part of Jerusalem.


text:
 'This is what the LORD says: I'm going to bring disaster on this place and on the people living here according to the curses written in the book that was read to the king of Judah.


text:
 I will do this because they have abandoned me and sacrificed to other gods in order to make me furious. Therefore, my anger will be poured on this place and will never come to an end.'"


text:
 [Huldah added,] "Tell Judah's king who sent you to me to ask the LORD a question, 'This is what the LORD God of Israel says about the words you heard:


text:
 You had a change of heart and humbled yourself in front of God when you heard my words against this place and those who live here. You humbled yourself, tore your clothes [in distress], and cried in front of me. So I will listen [to you], declares the LORD.


text:
 That is why I'm going to bring you to your ancestors. I'm going to bring you to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see any of the disaster I'm going to bring on this place and those who live here.' " So they reported this to the king.


text:
 The king, everyone in Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people (young and old) went up to the LORD's temple. He read everything written in the Book of the Promise found in the LORD's temple so that they could hear it.


text:
 The king stood in his place and made a promise to the LORD that he would follow the LORD and obey his commands, instructions, and laws with all his heart and soul. He said he would live by the terms of the promise written in this book.


text:
 He also made all those found in Jerusalem and Benjamin join with him [in the promise]. Then the people of Jerusalem lived according to the promise of God, the God of their ancestors.


text:
 Josiah got rid of all the disgusting idols throughout Israelite territory. He made all people found in Israel serve the LORD their God. As long as he lived, they didn't stop following the LORD God of their ancestors.


text:
 Josiah celebrated the Passover for the LORD in Jerusalem. The Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.


text:
 He told the Levites, who instructed all Israel and performed ceremonies to make themselves holy to the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the temple that Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, built. It shouldn't be carried on your shoulders any longer. Serve the LORD your God and his people Israel.


text:
 Get yourselves ready with the family groups of your divisions, which are listed in the records of King David of Israel and the records of his son Solomon.


text:
 Stand in the holy place representing the family divisions of your relatives, the people [of Israel]. Let the Levites be considered a part of each family.


text:
 Slaughter the Passover lamb, perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy, and prepare [the lambs] for the other Israelites as the LORD instructed [us] through Moses."


text:
 Josiah provided the people with 33,000 sheep and goats to be sacrificed as Passover offerings for all who were present. In addition, he provided 3,000 bulls. (These animals were the king's property.)


text:
 His officials also voluntarily gave animals to the people, priests, and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the men in charge of God's temple, gave the priests 2,600 sheep and goats and 300 bulls for Passover sacrifices.


text:
 Conaniah and his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, gave the Levites 5,000 sheep and goats and 500 bulls as Passover sacrifices.


text:
 So the service was prepared. The priests took their positions with the Levites according to their divisions, as the king had ordered.


text:
 They slaughtered the Passover lambs. The priests sprinkled the blood with their hands while the Levites skinned the lambs.


text:
 They set aside the burnt offerings to give them to the laypeople according to their family divisions. The laypeople could then present them to the LORD as written in the Book of Moses. The Levites did the same with the bulls.


text:
 They roasted the Passover lambs according to the directions. They boiled the holy offerings in pots, kettles, and pans and immediately served them to all the people.


text:
 Later, they prepared [the animals] for themselves and for the priests because the priests (Aaron's descendants) were sacrificing the burnt offerings and the fat until that evening. So the Levites prepared [the animals] for themselves and the priests.


text:
 The singers (Asaph's descendants) were in their places as David, Asaph, Heman, and the king's seer Jeduthun had commanded. The gatekeepers were stationed at each gate. They didn't need to leave their work, because their relatives, the Levites, prepared [animals] for them.


text:
 So everything was arranged that day for the worship of the LORD. The Passover was celebrated, and the burnt offerings were sacrificed on the LORD's altar as King Josiah had commanded.


text:
 The Israelites who were present celebrated the Passover at that time. They also celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days.


text:
 Never had a Passover like this been celebrated in Israel during the time of the prophet Samuel or the kings of Israel. They did not celebrate the Passover as Josiah celebrated it with priests, Levites, all of Judah, the people of Israel who could be found, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


text:
 After all this, when Josiah had repaired the temple, King Neco of Egypt came to fight a battle at Carchemish at the Euphrates River. Josiah went to attack him.


text:
 But Neco sent messengers to Josiah to say, "What's your quarrel with me, king of Judah? I'm not attacking you. I've come to fight those who are at war with me. God told me to hurry. God is with me, so stop now or else he will destroy you."


text:
 But Josiah would not stop his attack. He disguised himself as he went into battle. He refused to listen to Neco's words, which came from God, and he went to fight in the valley of Megiddo.


text:
 Some archers shot King Josiah. The king told his officers, "Take me away because I'm badly wounded."


text:
 His officers took him out of the chariot and brought him to Jerusalem in his other chariot. He died and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.


text:
 Jeremiah sang a funeral song about Josiah. All the male and female singers still sing funeral songs about Josiah today. This became a tradition in Israel. They are written in [the Book of] the Funeral Songs.


text:
 Everything else about Josiah-including his devotion to God by following what is written in the LORD's Teachings


text:
 Then people of the land took Josiah's son Jehoahaz and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father.


text:
 The king of Egypt removed him from office in Jerusalem and fined the country 7,500 pounds of silver and 75 pounds of gold.


text:
 The king of Egypt made Jehoahaz's brother Eliakim king of Judah and Jerusalem and changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Jehoahaz away to Egypt.


text:
 Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 11 years in Jerusalem. He did what the LORD his God considered evil.


text:
 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jehoiakim and put him in bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.


text:
 Nebuchadnezzar also brought some of the utensils of the LORD's temple to Babylon. He put them in his palace in Babylon.


text:
 Everything else about Jehoiakim-the disgusting things he did and all the charges against him-is written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. His son Jehoiakin succeeded him as king.


text:
 Jehoiakin was eight years old when he began to rule as king. He was king for three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what the LORD considered evil.


text:
 In the spring King Nebuchadnezzar sent for Jehoiakin and brought him to Babylon with the valuable utensils from the LORD's temple. Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiakin's uncle Zedekiah king of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
 He did what the LORD his God considered evil and didn't humble himself in front of the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke for the LORD.


text:
 Zedekiah also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had made Zedekiah swear an oath of allegiance to him in God's name. But Zedekiah became so stubborn and so impossible to deal with that he refused to turn back to the LORD God of Israel.


text:
 All the officials, the priests, and the people became increasingly unfaithful and followed all the disgusting practices of the nations. Although the LORD had made the temple in Jerusalem holy, they made the temple unclean.


text:
 The LORD God of their ancestors repeatedly sent messages through his messengers because he wanted to spare his people and his dwelling place.


text:
 But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words, and made fun of his prophets until the LORD became angry with his people. He could no longer heal them.


text:
 So he had the Babylonian king attack them and execute their best young men in their holy temple. He didn't spare the best men or the unmarried women, the old people or the sick people. God handed all of them over to him.


text:
 He brought to Babylon each of the utensils from God's temple, the treasures from the LORD's temple, and the treasures of the king and his officials.


text:
 They burned God's temple, tore down Jerusalem's walls, burned down all its palaces, and destroyed everything of value.


text:
 The king of Babylon took those who weren't executed to Babylon to be slaves for him and his sons. They remained captives until the Persian Empire began to rule.


text:
 This happened so that the LORD's words spoken through Jeremiah would be fulfilled. The land had its years of rest and was made acceptable [again]. While it lay in ruins, [the land had its] 70 years of rest.


text:
 The promise the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah was about to come true in Cyrus' first year as king of Persia. The LORD inspired the king to make this announcement throughout his whole kingdom and then to put it in writing.


text:
 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The LORD God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the world. And he has ordered me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem (which is in Judah). May the LORD God be with all of you who are his people. You may go.


text:
 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The LORD God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the world. And he has ordered me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem (which is in Judah).


text:
 May God be with all of you who are his people. You may go to Jerusalem (which is in Judah) and build a temple for the LORD God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem.


text:
 All who [choose to] remain behind, wherever they may be living, should provide the people who are leaving with silver, gold, supplies, livestock, and freewill offerings to be used in God's temple in Jerusalem.


text:
 Then the heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites-everyone God had inspired-came forward to rebuild the LORD's temple in Jerusalem.


text:
 All their neighbors [who were remaining behind] provided them with articles made from silver and gold, supplies, livestock, and valuable gifts besides everything that was freely offered.


text:
 King Cyrus brought out the utensils belonging to the LORD's temple. Nebuchadnezzar had taken these utensils from Jerusalem and put them in the temple of his own god.


text:
 King Cyrus of Persia put the treasurer Mithredath in charge of bringing them out. So Mithredath made a list of them for Prince Sheshbazzar of Judah.


text:
 The gold and silver utensils totaled 5,400. Sheshbazzar took all these utensils with him when the exiles left Babylon to go to Jerusalem.


text:
 These were the people in the province. They were the ones who left the place where the exiles had been taken captive. (King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken them to Babylon.) These exiles returned to Jerusalem and Judah. All of them went to their own cities.


text:
 They went with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the number of Israelite men from the people in exile:


text:
 These gatekeepers returned from exile: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai 139


text:
 These descendants of Solomon's servants returned from exile: the descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,


text:
 The following people came from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they couldn't prove they were Israelites on the basis of their father's family or their genealogy:


text:
 These descendants of the priests [couldn't prove their families were Israelites]: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai from Gilead and took that [family] name).


text:
 These people searched for their [family] names in the genealogical records, but their names couldn't be found there. For this reason they were considered contaminated and couldn't be priests.


text:
 The governor told them not to eat any of the most holy food until a priest could use the Urim and Thummim [to settle the problem].


text:
 In addition to the male and female servants who numbered 7,337, they also had 200 male and female singers.


text:
 When some of the heads of the families came to the LORD's temple in Jerusalem, they contributed freewill offerings to help rebuild God's temple on its [former] site.


text:
 They contributed as much as they could to the treasury for this work: 1,030 pounds of gold, 5,740 pounds of silver, and 100 robes for the priests.


text:
 The priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants settled in their own cities. All the other Israelites settled in their own cities.


text:
 When the seventh month came, the people gathered together in Jerusalem. (The Israelites had already settled in their cities.)


text:
 Then Jozadak's son Jeshua and his relatives [who were] priests and Shealtiel's son Zerubbabel and his relatives built an altar for the God of Israel. They built it in order to sacrifice burnt offerings. They [followed the directions] written in Moses' Teachings. (Moses was a man of God.)


text:
 So they rebuilt the altar on its original site, though they were afraid of the people in the neighboring regions. They sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD every morning and evening.


text:
 Following the written directions, they celebrated the Festival of Booths. Each day they sacrificed the required number of burnt offerings.


text:
 After that, they sacrificed the daily burnt offerings, the offerings for the New Moon Festival and all the other holy festivals of the LORD, and all the freewill offerings brought to the LORD.


text:
 They started to bring these burnt offerings to the LORD on the first day of the seventh month, even though the foundation of the LORD's temple had not yet been laid.


text:
 So they gave money to the stonecutters and carpenters. Then they gave food, drink, and olive oil to the men from Sidon and Tyre in exchange for cedar, which the men would bring by sea from Lebanon to Joppa as King Cyrus of Persia had authorized them to do.


text:
 Zerubbabel (who was Shealtiel's son), Jeshua (who was Jozadak's son), and the rest of the Jews, (the priests, Levites, and all the others who had come back from exile to Jerusalem) began to rebuild the temple. This happened in the second month of the second year following their return to [the site] of God's house in Jerusalem. They began by appointing the Levites who were at least 20 years old to direct the work on the LORD's house.


text:
 Then Jeshua with his sons and relatives and Kadmiel with his sons who were Judah's descendants joined Henadad's family and their sons and relatives, the Levites, in directing those working on God's house.


text:
 The builders laid the foundation of the LORD's temple. Then the priests who were dressed in their robes took their places with trumpets, and the Levites who were Asaph's descendants took their places with cymbals to praise the LORD according to the instructions of King David of Israel.


text:
 As they praised and gave thanks to the LORD, they sang antiphonally: "He is good; his mercy toward Israel endures forever." Then all the people shouted, "Praise the LORD," because the foundation for the house of the LORD had been laid.


text:
 But many of the priests, Levites, and the heads of the families who were old enough to have seen the first temple with their own eyes began to sob when they saw the foundation of this temple. Many others shouted for joy.


text:
 No one could distinguish between the joyful shouts and the loud sobbing because the people were shouting so loudly. The noise was heard from far away.


text:
 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people who returned from exile were building a temple for the LORD God of Israel,


text:
 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families. They told them, "We want to help you build because we worship the same God you worship. We have been sacrificing to him since the time of King Esarhaddon of Assyria, who brought us here."


text:
 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of Israel's families told them, "It isn't right for your people and our people to build a temple for our God together. We must build it alone for the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus of Persia ordered us to do."


text:
 Then the people of that region discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to continue building.


text:
 They bribed officials to keep the people of Judah from carrying out their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia until the reign of King Darius of Persia.


text:
 When Xerxes began to rule, the enemies of Judah and Jerusalem wrote a letter in which they made an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
 Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their group wrote to him when Artaxerxes was king of Persia. The letter was written with the Aramaic script and translated into the Aramaic language.


text:
 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote another letter against [the people of] Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes.


text:
 At that time, Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe were with the others of their group-the people from Denya, Partakka, Tarpel, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa, (that is, those of Elam),


text:
 and the rest of the people whom the great and noble Assurbanipal deported. (Assurbanipal settled them in the cities of Samaria and the rest of the lands west of the Euphrates River.)


text:
 This is the copy of the letter they sent to him: To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the people west of the Euphrates:


text:
 Your Majesty, you should know that the Jews who came to us from you are now in Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are close to finishing the walls. The foundations are already in place.


text:
 You should also know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, the Jews will no longer pay taxes, fees, and tolls. Ultimately, this will hurt the king's income.


text:
 Now, because we are paid by your palace, it isn't right for us to watch something happen that will dishonor the king. So we are sending this letter to inform you


text:
 that you should search the official records of your predecessors. You will find in those official records that this city has been rebellious and has been a threat to kings and provinces. This city has a history of rebelliousness. That's why this city was destroyed.


text:
 We want the king to know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will have nothing left [of your province] west of the Euphrates River.


text:
 Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their group living in Samaria, and to others west of the Euphrates River: I wish you peace and prosperity!


text:
 I gave the order, and a search was made. I discovered that this city has a long history of uprisings against kings. Its inhabitants are guilty of treason and rebellion.


text:
 Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled the whole [province] west of the Euphrates. Taxes, fees, and tolls were paid to them.


text:
 Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and their group hurried to Jerusalem after hearing a copy of King Artaxerxes' letter. They forced the Jews to stop rebuilding.


text:
 Then the work on God's temple in Jerusalem was stopped. Nothing more was done until Darius' second year as king of Persia.


text:
 The prophet Haggai and Zechariah, grandson of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of Israel's God, who was over them.


text:
 Then Zerubbabel, who was Shealtiel's son, and Jeshua, who was Jozadak's son, began to rebuild God's temple in Jerusalem. God's prophets were with them and supported them.


text:
 At the same time, Governor Tattenai [from the province] west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai, and their group went to the Jews and asked them, "Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and finish its walls?"


text:
 But the leaders of the Jews were under God's watchful eye. They couldn't be stopped until Darius received a report and sent a reply to it.


text:
 Here is a copy of the letter Governor Tattenai [from the province] west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai and his group (the Persians west of that river) sent to King Darius.


text:
 They sent him the following report: To King Darius, We wish you peace and prosperity in everything you do.


text:
 Your Majesty should know that we went to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The temple is being built with large stones and with wooden beams laid in its walls. The builders are doing an excellent job and making rapid progress.


text:
 We asked their leaders the following question: "Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and finish its walls?"


text:
 For your information, we also asked them for their names so that we would have a record of the men who were their leaders.


text:
 This was their reply to us: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth. We are rebuilding the temple that was originally built many years ago by a great king of Israel.


text:
 But because our ancestors made the God of heaven angry, he handed them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (a Chaldean). So Nebuchadnezzar destroyed this temple and deported its people to Babylon.


text:
 "However, in the first year of the reign of King Cyrus of Babylon, Cyrus gave permission for God's temple to be rebuilt.


text:
 In addition, Cyrus took out of a temple in Babylon the gold and silver utensils that belonged to God's temple. (Nebuchadnezzar had taken them out of God's temple in Jerusalem and brought them into a temple in Babylon.) Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.


text:
 Cyrus told him, 'Take these utensils. Place them in the temple in Jerusalem. Rebuild God's temple on its original site.'


text:
 Then Sheshbazzar laid the foundation of God's temple in Jerusalem. The temple has been under construction from that time until now, but it still isn't finished."


text:
 If it pleases Your Majesty, allow someone to search the king's archives in Babylon to determine whether King Cyrus gave permission for the temple of God to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Then please send us Your Majesty's decision on this matter.


text:
 A scroll was found in the palace of Ecbatana, which is in the province of Media. This was written on it: MEMORANDUM


text:
 Date: Cyrus' first year as king From: King Cyrus Subject: God's temple in Jerusalem. The temple should be rebuilt as a place to offer sacrifices. Its foundation should be laid. It should be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide


text:
 In addition, Cyrus took out of a temple in Babylon the gold and silver utensils that belonged to God's temple. (Nebuchadnezzar had taken them out of God's temple in Jerusalem and brought them into a temple in Babylon.) They should be returned to their proper place in the temple in Jerusalem. You should put each one in God's temple.


text:
 Governor Tattenai [from the province] west of the Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and those of your group (the Persians west of the river): You must stay away from there.


text:
 Don't interfere with the work on God's temple. Let the governor of the Jews and the leaders of Judah rebuild God's temple on its [original] foundation.


text:
 I am issuing this decree about how you must help the Jewish leaders rebuild God's temple: The cost [for this] should be paid out of the king's own money from the taxes [on the province] west of the Euphrates. Full payment should be made to these men so that the work is not interrupted.


text:
 Also, whatever the priests in Jerusalem need for burnt offerings to the God of heaven-young bulls, rams, lambs, wheat, salt, wine, and olive oil-should be provided for them each day. Make sure that nothing is omitted.


text:
 Then they can offer sacrifices that please the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.


text:
 I am also issuing a decree that if anyone tampers with my orders, that person should be impaled on a beam torn from his own house and his house should be turned into a pile of rubble.


text:
 May the God whose name is worshiped there cause the downfall of each king and nation who tries to tamper with my orders or tries to destroy the temple of the God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued a decree. It's to be carried out exactly as ordered.


text:
 Then Governor Tattenai [from the province] west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai, and their group did exactly what King Darius had ordered.


text:
 So the Jewish leaders continued to make progress because of the message from the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, the grandson of Iddo. They finished building as the God of Israel had ordered and as Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes (the kings of Persia) had ordered.


text:
 This temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar in the sixth year of King Darius' reign.


text:
 Then the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the others who had returned from exile celebrated at the dedication of God's temple.


text:
 At the dedication of God's temple, they sacrificed 100 bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs. They sacrificed 12 male goats as an offering for sin, one goat for each of the tribes of Israel.


text:
 The priests were assigned to their divisions and the Levites to their groups [to lead] the worship of God in Jerusalem by following the directions written in the Book of Moses.


text:
 On the fourteenth day of the first month, those who had returned from exile celebrated the Passover.


text:
 Since the priests and Levites had cleansed themselves, all of them were [now] clean. They killed the Passover lambs for all the people who had returned from exile, for the rest of the priests, and for themselves.


text:
 The lambs were eaten by the Israelites who had returned from exile and by all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of the non-Jews in the land to worship the LORD God of Israel.


text:
 So for seven days they celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread because the LORD had made them joyful. The LORD had made the king of Assyria change his mind so that he supported the people in their work on the temple of God, the God of Israel.


text:
 After these things, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra left Babylon. Ezra was the son of Seraiah, who was the son of Azariah, who was the son of Hilkiah,


text:
 who was the son of Abishua, who was the son of Phinehas, who was the son of Eleazer, who was the son of Aaron (the first priest).


text:
 As a scribe, Ezra was an expert in Moses' Teachings, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king gave Ezra everything he requested because the LORD his God was guiding him.


text:
 Some Israelites (including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants) went to Jerusalem in Artaxerxes' seventh year as king.


text:
 He had left Babylon on the first day of the first month, and on the first day of the fifth month, he arrived in Jerusalem, since his God was good to him.


text:
 Ezra was determined to study the LORD's Teachings, live by them, and teach their rules and regulations in Israel.


text:
 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest and scribe, a man with a thorough knowledge of the LORD's commands and laws for Israel:


text:
 From: Artaxerxes, king of kings To: Ezra the priest, a scribe for the Teachings of the God of Heaven: I wish you peace and prosperity!


text:
 I have issued a decree that any Israelites who are in my kingdom and want to go with you to Jerusalem may go. This also includes the priests and Levites.


text:
 I, the king, and my seven advisers are sending you to evaluate the situation in Judah and Jerusalem on the basis of your God's Teachings, which you hold in your hands.


text:
 Also, you must take the silver and gold that the king and his advisers willingly contributed to the God of Israel, the God whose temple is in Jerusalem.


text:
 Take any silver and gold that you find in the whole province of Babylon when you take the gifts contributed by the people and the priests. They willingly contributed these gifts for the temple of their God in Jerusalem.


text:
 You must use this money to buy bulls, rams, lambs, grain, and wine to offer on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem.


text:
 You and your relatives may do whatever you think is right with the rest of the silver and gold. However, what you do must conform to the will of your God.


text:
 The utensils that have been given to you so that they can be used in your God's temple must all be presented to the God of Jerusalem.


text:
 You may use the king's treasury to pay for anything else that you must provide for your God's temple.


text:
 I, King Artaxerxes, order all the treasurers [in the province] west of the Euphrates River to do exactly what Ezra the priest, a scribe for the Teachings of the God of Heaven, asks you to do.


text:
 [You may give him] up to 7,500 pounds of silver, 100 measures of wheat, 600 gallons of wine, 600 gallons of olive oil, and as much salt as he needs.


text:
 Whatever the God of heaven has commanded must be carried out in detail for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should God become angry with the king's empire and his sons?


text:
 Furthermore, we are notifying you that you are forbidden to make any priest, Levite, singer, gatekeeper, servant, or worker in the temple of this God pay any taxes, fees, or tolls.


text:
 You, Ezra, using your God's wisdom-the Teachings you hold in your hands-will appoint judges and administrators for all the people who know your God's Teachings and live [in the province] west of the Euphrates River. In addition, you will teach anyone who doesn't know the Teachings.


text:
 Whoever will not strictly follow your God's Teachings and the king's orders should be promptly exiled, have his goods confiscated, be imprisoned or be sentenced to die.


text:
 [I, Ezra, said:] Thanks be to the LORD God of our ancestors. He put this into the king's mind to make the LORD's temple in Jerusalem beautiful.


text:
 He made the king, his advisers, and all the king's powerful officials treat me kindly. I was encouraged because the LORD my God was guiding me. So I gathered leaders in Israel to go with me.


text:
 These are the leaders of the families and the genealogy of those who left Babylon with me during the reign of King Artaxerxes:


text:
 from the family of David: Hattush, son of Shecaniah from the family of Parosh: Zechariah, with 150 males whose genealogies were known


text:
 I had this group gather by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I noticed laypeople and priests there, but I didn't find any Levites.


text:
 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam (who were leading men) and for Joiarib and Elnathan (who were wise).


text:
 I sent them to Iddo, the leader in Casiphia. I told them to tell Iddo and his relatives, the temple servants in Casiphia, that they should bring us men who can serve in our God's temple.


text:
 God was guiding us, so Iddo and his relatives brought us someone competent, Sherebiah, who was a descendant of Mahli, Levi, and Israel. They brought us 18 of Sherebiah's sons and relatives.


text:
 They also brought Hashabiah, Jeshaiah (who was a descendant of Merari), 20 of Jeshaiah's relatives and their sons,


text:
 and 220 temple servants. [They were descended] from the temple servants whom David and his officials had appointed to work for the Levites. These were all listed by name.


text:
 Then I announced a fast there at the Ahava River so that we might humble ourselves in the presence of our God to ask him for a safe journey for ourselves, for our little ones, and for all our goods.


text:
 I was ashamed to ask the king for an armed escort with cavalry to help us against an enemy attack on the way. We had already told the king, "Our God works things out for the good of everyone who dedicates his life to serving him, but his power and his anger oppose everyone who abandons him."


text:
 I weighed for them the silver, the gold, and the utensils. [These were] the contributions that the king, his advisers, his officials, and all the Israelites had contributed for our God's temple.


text:
 I weighed [the contributions] for them to guard: about 24 tons of silver, 100 silver utensils weighing 150 pounds apiece, 7,500 pounds of gold,


text:
 20 gold bowls weighing 18 pounds apiece, and two utensils of fine polished bronze that were as precious as gold.


text:
 I told them, "You and the utensils are holy to the LORD. The silver and gold are freewill offerings to the LORD God of your ancestors.


text:
 Guard them carefully. In Jerusalem, inside the storerooms of the LORD's temple, weigh these items. Do this in front of the chief priests, Levites, and the leaders of Israel's families."


text:
 So the priests and the Levites took charge of the silver, the gold, and the utensils. They were responsible for bringing these items to the temple of our God in Jerusalem.


text:
 Then we left the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. God was guiding us, and he rescued us from our enemies and from ambushes along the way.


text:
 On the fourth day we weighed the silver, the gold, and the utensils in our God's temple. We put them under the supervision of Meremoth, son of the priest Uriah, as well as Eleazar, the son of Phinehas. The Levites, Jeshua's son Jozabad, and Binnui's son Noadiah, assisted them.


text:
 The exiles who had come back from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel: 12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and 12 male goats for an offering for sin. All of these animals were burnt offerings for the LORD.


text:
 The exiles delivered the king's orders to the king's satraps and governors [in the province] west of the Euphrates River. These officials then gave their support to the people and the temple of God.


text:
 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have failed to keep themselves separate from the neighboring groups of people and from the disgusting practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.


text:
 The Israelites and their sons have married some of these foreign women. They have mixed our holy race with the neighboring groups of people. Furthermore, the leaders and officials have led the way in being unfaithful."


text:
 When I heard this, I tore my clothes [in distress], pulled hair from my scalp and my beard, and sat down in shock.


text:
 Since the former exiles had been unfaithful, everyone who gathered around me there trembled at the words of the God of Israel. I sat in shock until the evening sacrifice.


text:
 At the evening sacrifice I got up from my misery, and with my clothes torn, I knelt down, stretched out my hands to the LORD my God in prayer,


text:
 and said, "I am ashamed, my God. I am embarrassed to look at you. Our sins have piled up over our heads, and our guilt is so overwhelming that it reaches heaven.


text:
 From our ancestors' days until now, we have been deep in guilt. Our kings and our priests have been handed over to foreign kings to be executed. We have been taken captive, robbed, and humiliated, as we still are today because of our sins.


text:
 And now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been kind enough to leave us a few survivors from Babylon and to give us a secure hold on his holy place. Our God has made our eyes light up and has given us new opportunities while we were slaves.


text:
 We are slaves, but our God hasn't abandoned us in our slavery. Instead, he has made the kings of Persia treat us kindly. He did this to give us an opportunity to rebuild our God's temple and restore its ruins and to give us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
 The commandments you gave us through your servants the prophets, said, 'The land you are going to take possession of has been polluted by its perverted people and by their disgusting practices that have filled it with wickedness from one end to another.


text:
 So never let your daughters marry their sons or your sons marry their daughters, and never seek peace or trade with them. Then you will be strong, be able to eat the good things the land produces, and be able to give this land as a long-lasting inheritance to your children.'


text:
 "After all that has happened to us because of the evil things we have done and because of our overwhelming guilt, you, our God, have punished us far less than we deserve and have permitted a few of us to survive.


text:
 If we break your commandments again and intermarry with people doing these disgusting things, you will become even more angry with us until you finally destroy us and no survivors are left.


text:
 LORD God of Israel, because you are fair, a few of us continue to remain as survivors. Look at us. All of us are guilty. None of us can stand in your presence because of this."


text:
 While Ezra was praying, confessing [these sins], crying, and throwing himself down in front of God's temple, a large crowd of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. They also began to cry bitterly.


text:
 Then Shecaniah, son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, interrupted by saying to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women who came from the people around us. However, there is still hope for Israel.


text:
 So we must now make a promise to our God to get rid of all foreign women and the children born from them, as my lord [Ezra] and the others who tremble at the commandments of our God have advised us to do. We must do what Moses' Teachings tell us.


text:
 Then Ezra got up and made the leaders, priests, Levites, and all the rest of Israel swear to do what they had said. So they took an oath.


text:
 Then Ezra left the front of God's temple and went to the room of Jehohanan, son of Eliashib. Ezra didn't eat any food or drink any water while he was there. He was mourning because these former exiles had been so unfaithful.


text:
 Then he sent a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the former exiles must gather in Jerusalem.


text:
 If any of them didn't come within three days as the leaders and the older men had advised, then they would lose all their property and be excluded from the community of former exiles.


text:
 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered within three days in Jerusalem. On the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the courtyard of God's temple. They were trembling because of this matter and shivering because of the heavy rain.


text:
 Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, "You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, and now you have added to Israel's guilt.


text:
 Confess to the LORD God of your ancestors what you have done, and do what he wants. Separate yourselves from the people of this land and from your foreign wives."


text:
 But the crowd is too large, and it's the rainy season. We can't take care of this outside. Besides, there are so many of us who are involved in this sin that it can't be taken care of in a day or two.


text:
 Let our leaders represent the whole community. At a set time, everyone who has married a foreign woman must meet with the leaders and judges of each city until our God's burning anger has turned away from us in this matter."


text:
 (Only Jonathan, Asahel's son, and Jahzeiah, Tikvah's son, opposed this. Meshullam and Shabbethai, the Levite, supported Jonathan and Jahzeiah.)


text:
 The former exiles did this. Ezra the priest chose men who were heads of families. He chose one from each family division. (They were all [listed] by name.) They sat down on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter.


text:
 By the first day of the first month, they had finished dealing with all the men who had married foreign women.


text:
 Among the descendants of the priests, the following were married to foreign women: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah, a descendant of Jeshua (who was Jozadak's son) and his brothers.


text:
 They shook hands as a pledge that they would get rid of their wives. They sacrificed a ram from their flock as an offering for guilt because they were guilty.


text:
 From the other Israelites: From the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchiah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchiah, and Benaiah


text:
 From the descendants of Pahath Moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh


text:
 From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei


text:
 These are the words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev, in Artaxerxes' twentieth year as king, while I was in the fortress at Susa,


text:
 one of my brothers, Hanani, arrived with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had survived captivity and about Jerusalem.


text:
 They told me, "Those who survived captivity are in the province. They are enduring serious troubles and being insulted. The wall of Jerusalem has been broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire."


text:
 When I heard this, I sat down and cried. I mourned for days. I continued to fast and pray to the God of heaven.


text:
 I said, "LORD God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments.


text:
 Open your eyes, and pay close attention with your ears to what I, your servant, am praying. I am praying to you day and night about your servants the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against you as well as the sins that my father's family and I have committed.


text:
 We have done you a great wrong. We haven't obeyed the commandments, laws, or regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.


text:
 Please remember what you told us through your servant Moses: 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations.


text:
 But if you return to me and continue to obey my commandments, though your people may be driven to the most distant point on the horizon, I will come and get you from there and bring you to the place where I chose to put my name.'


text:
 These are your servants and your people whom you have saved by your great power and your strong hand.


text:
 Lord, please pay attention to my prayer and to the prayers of all your other servants who want to worship your name. Please give me success today and make this man, King Artaxerxes, show me compassion." I was cupbearer to the king at this time.


text:
 In the month of Nisan, in Artaxerxes' twentieth year as king, after some wine was brought for the king, I picked up the cup of wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence before.


text:
 The king asked me, "Why do you look so sad? You aren't sick, are you? You must be troubled about something." (I was really afraid.)


text:
 "May the king live forever!" I said to the king. "Why shouldn't I look sad when the city, the place where my ancestors are buried, is in ruins and its gates are burned down?"


text:
 and I asked the king, "If it pleases Your Majesty, and you are willing to grant my request, let me go to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I can rebuild it."


text:
 Then, while the queen was sitting beside him, the king asked me, "How long will you be gone, and when will you come back?" When I gave him a specific date, he was willing to let me go.


text:
 I also asked the king, "If it pleases Your Majesty, let me have letters addressed to the governors [of the province] west of the Euphrates River. In the letters tell them to grant me safe conduct until I arrive in Judah.


text:
 Also, let me have a letter addressed to Asaph, the supervisor of Your Majesty's forest. In the letter order him to give me wood for the gates of the fortress near the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I'll move into." (The king let me have the letters, because God was guiding me.)


text:
 I went to the governors [of the province] west of the Euphrates River and gave them the king's letters. (The king had sent army officers and cavalry to be with me.)


text:
 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, they were very upset that someone had come to give the people of Israel so much assistance.


text:
 During the night I went out with a few men without telling anyone what my God had inspired me to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I had was the one I was riding.


text:
 I went through Valley Gate that night toward Snake Fountain and Dung Gate and examined the places where the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and where its gates had been burned.


text:
 Passing through Fountain Gate, I arrived at King's Pool, but the animal I was riding couldn't get through.


text:
 So I went through the valley that night and examined the wall. Then I turned back, entered Valley Gate, and returned.


text:
 The officials didn't know where I had gone or what I had done. I hadn't yet told the Jews, the priests, the leaders, the other officials, or any of the rest who would be doing the work.


text:
 Then I told them, "You see the trouble we're in. Jerusalem is in ruins, and its gates are burned down. Let's rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be insulted."


text:
 Then I told them that my God had been guiding me and what the king had told me. They replied, "Let's begin to rebuild." So they encouraged one another to begin this God-pleasing work.


text:
 When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they made fun of us and ridiculed us. They asked, "What are you doing? Are you going to rebel against the king?"


text:
 "The God of heaven will give us success," I answered them. "We, his servants, are going to rebuild. You have no property or claim or historic right in Jerusalem."


text:
 The chief priest Eliashib and his relatives, the priests, started by rebuilding Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place. They rebuilt as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and then as far as the Tower of Hananel.


text:
 The sons of Hassenaah rebuilt Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, locks, and bars in place.


text:
 Next to them Meremoth, son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam, son of Berechiah and grandson of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok, son of Baana, made repairs.


text:
 Next to them the men from Tekoa made repairs. However, the nobles wouldn't lower themselves to work under supervisors.


text:
 Joiada, Paseah's son, and Meshullam, Besodeiah's son, made repairs on Old Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, locks, and bars in place.


text:
 Next to them Melatiah from Gibeon and Jadon from Meronoth, with men from Gibeon and Mizpah, made repairs on the wall. They did this under the authority of the governor [from the province] west of the Euphrates River.


text:
 Next to them Uzziel, Harhaiah's son, a goldsmith, made repairs. Next to him Hananiah, a perfume maker, made repairs. They left out part of Jerusalem as far as Broad Wall.


text:
 Next to them Rephaiah, Hur's son, an official in charge of half a district of Jerusalem, made repairs.


text:
 Next to them Jedaiah, Harumaph's son, made repairs across from his own home. Next to them Hattush, Hashabneiah's son, made repairs.


text:
 Malchiah, Harim's son, and Hasshub, Pahath Moab's son, made repairs on a section that included the Tower of the Ovens.


text:
 Next to them Shallum, Hallohesh's son, an official in charge of half a district of Jerusalem, made repairs with the help of his daughters.


text:
 Hanun and the people of Zanoah repaired Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, locks, and bars in place, and they repaired 1,500 feet of the wall, as far as Dung Gate.


text:
 Dung Gate itself was repaired by Malchiah, Rechab's son, the official in charge of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and set its doors, locks, and bars in place.


text:
 Shallun, Col Hozeh's son, the official in charge of the district of Mizpah, repaired Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it, put a roof over it, and set its doors, locks, and bars in place. He also made repairs on the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King's Garden as far as the stairs going down from the City of David.


text:
 After him Nehemiah, Azbuk's son, the official in charge of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs all the way to a point across from the tombs of David as far as the pool and the soldiers' barracks.


text:
 After him the Levites, including Rehum (Bani's son), made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, the official in charge of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.


text:
 After him their relatives made repairs. This included Binnui, Henadad's son, the official in charge of half the district of Keilah.


text:
 Next to him Ezer, Jeshua's son, the official in charge of Mizpah, repaired a section across from the ascent to the Armory at the Angle.


text:
 After him Baruch, Zabbai's son, made repairs on a section from the Angle to the door of the house of the chief priest Eliashib.


text:
 After him Meremoth, son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz, made repairs on a section from the door of Eliashib's house to the end of Eliashib's house.


text:
 After them Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs across from their own homes. After them Azariah, son of Maaseiah and grandson of Ananiah, made repairs next to his home.


text:
 After him Binnui, Henadad's son, made repairs on a section from Azariah's home to the Angle and to the corner of the wall.


text:
 Palal, Uzai's son, made repairs across from the Angle and the upper tower that projects from the king's palace to the guards' courtyard. After him Pedaiah, Parosh's son,


text:
 and the temple servants who were living on the Ophel made repairs on the wall as far as a point across from Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.


text:
 After him the men from Tekoa repaired a section across from the large projecting tower as far as the Wall of the Ophel.


text:
 After them Zadok, Immer's son, made repairs across from his own home. After him Shemaiah, Shecaniah's son, the guard at East Gate, made repairs.


text:
 After him Hananiah, Shelemiah's son, and Hanun, Zalaph's sixth son, repaired another section. After him Meshullam, Berechiah's son, made repairs across from his living quarters.


text:
 After him Malchiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the building that housed the temple servants and merchants across from Inspection Gate and as far as the upper room at the corner.


text:
 In front of his allies and the army from Samaria, he said, "What do these miserable Jews think they're doing? Can they rebuild it by themselves? Are they going to offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in a day? Will they get the stones out of the rubbish heaps, burned as these stones are, and give them new strength?"


text:
 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside Sanballat, said, "Even a fox would make their stone wall collapse if it walked on top of what they're building!"


text:
 [Nehemiah prayed,] "Our God, hear us. We are despised. Turn their insults back on them, and let them be robbed in the land where they are prisoners.


text:
 Don't ignore their guilt, and don't let their sins disappear from your records. They have insulted you in front of these builders."


text:
 So we rebuilt the wall, which was rebuilt to about half its [original] height. The people worked with determination.


text:
 When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from Ashdod heard that the repair work on the walls of Jerusalem was making progress and that the gaps were being filled in, they became furious.


text:
 Then the people of Judah said, "The work crews are worn out, and there is too much rubble. We can't continue to rebuild the wall."


text:
 Our enemies said, "Before they know what is happening or see a thing, we will be right in the middle of them. We'll kill them and bring the work to an end."


text:
 Jews who were living near our enemies warned us ten times that our enemies would attack us from every direction.


text:
 That is why I positioned people by their families behind the wall where it was lowest and most exposed. The people were armed with swords, spears, and bows.


text:
 I looked them over and proceeded to tell the nobles, the leaders, and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of our enemies. Remember how great and awe-inspiring the LORD is. Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."


text:
 When our enemies heard that we knew about their plots and that God had prevented their plans from being successful, we all went back to the work on the wall. Each person performed his own job.


text:
 From that day on, half of my men worked on the wall, and the other half were wearing body armor and holding spears, shields, and bows. The leaders stood behind all the Judeans


text:
 who were rebuilding the wall. The workers who were carrying loads did the work with one hand and held their weapons with the other,


text:
 and each builder had his sword fastened to his side. The man who was supposed to sound the trumpet alarm was with me.


text:
 I told the nobles, the leaders, and the rest of the people, "So much work has to be done in different places that we are widely separated from one another on the wall.


text:
 At that time I told the people, "Every man and his servant should stay overnight in Jerusalem so that we can set a guard at night and work during the day."


text:
 My brothers, my servants, and the guards assigned to me never changed their clothes. Neither did I. We each kept our weapons at hand.


text:
 Then some of the people, the men and their wives, complained publicly about their Jewish relatives.


text:
 Some of them said, "We have large families! We need some grain [if we are going] to eat and stay alive."


text:
 Others said, "We've had to mortgage our fields, our vineyards, and our homes in order to get some grain because of this famine."


text:
 We have the same flesh and blood as our relatives. Our children are just like theirs. Yet, we have to force our sons and daughters to become slaves. Some of our daughters have already become slaves. But we can't do anything else when our fields and vineyards belong to others."


text:
 After thinking it over, I confronted the nobles and the leaders. I told them, "You are charging interest on loans made to your own relatives." I arranged for a large meeting to deal with them.


text:
 Then I told them, "We have done our best to buy back our Jewish relatives who had been sold to other nations. Now you are selling your Jewish relatives so that we have to buy them back again!" They were unable to say anything.


text:
 I added, "What you're doing is wrong. Shouldn't you live in the fear of our God to keep our enemies from ridiculing us?


text:
 My brothers, my servants, and I are lending money and grain to the poor. But we must stop charging them interest.


text:
 You must return their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their homes today. Also, you must return the interest on the money, grain, new wine, and olive oil you've been charging them."


text:
 They responded, "We'll return it and not try to get it from them [again]. We'll do what you say." Then I called the priests and made them swear to do what they promised.


text:
 I brushed off my clothes and said, "In the same way, may God brush off from home and work everyone who refuses to keep this promise. In the same way, may everyone be brushed off and left with nothing." Then the whole congregation said amen and praised the LORD. The people did what they had promised.


text:
 During the 12 years that I was governor of Judah, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign to the thirty-second year of his reign, my brothers and I never ate any food that was paid for by the governor's food allowance.


text:
 Those who were governors before me had made life difficult for the people by taking from them food and wine plus one pound of silver. Even the governors' servants took advantage of their power over the people. But I didn't do that, because I feared God.


text:
 Instead, I put my best effort into the work on this wall, and we bought no land. All my men gathered here for work.


text:
 Preparing one ox and six choice sheep was necessary every day. Poultry was prepared for me. Once every ten days a supply of wine was ordered. Yet, in spite of all this, I never demanded anything from the governor's food allowance, because these people were already carrying a heavy load.


text:
 Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gaps had been left in it (although at that time I had not yet hung the doors in the city gates).


text:
 Then Sanballat and Geshem sent this message to me: "Let's meet in Hakkephirim on the plain of Ono." They were planning to harm me.


text:
 I sent messengers to tell them, "I'm working on an important project and can't get away. Why should the work stop while I leave to meet with you?"


text:
 When Sanballat sent me the same message a fifth time, his servant held in his hand an unsealed letter.


text:
 In it was written: It has been reported throughout the nations, and Geshem has confirmed it, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel. That's why you're rebuilding the wall. According to this report, you want to become their king.


text:
 You've appointed prophets to announce about you in Jerusalem, 'There's a king in Judah!' This report will get back to the king. So let's talk about this.


text:
 Then I sent someone to tell him, "None of your accusations are true. You are making them up out of your own imagination."


text:
 They were all trying to intimidate us. They thought we would give up and not finish the work. But God made me strong.


text:
 [One day] I went to the home of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel. Shemaiah who was confined to his house, said, "Let's meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and close the temple doors. Some men are coming at night to kill you."


text:
 But I asked, "Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I won't go."


text:
 Then I realized that God hadn't sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to prophesy against me.


text:
 He was hired to intimidate me into doing this so that I would sin. Then they could give me a bad reputation in order to discredit me.


text:
 [Nehemiah prayed,] "My God, remember what Tobiah and Sanballat have done. Also, remember the female prophet Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me."


text:
 The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul. The wall took 52 days to finish.


text:
 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence. They realized we had done this work with the help of our God.


text:
 In those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah sent many letters back to them.


text:
 Many in Judah had promised to support Tobiah because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, Arah's son. In addition, Tobiah's son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam, Berechiah's son.


text:
 The nobles were singing Tobiah's praises to me and reporting to him what I said. Tobiah kept sending letters to intimidate me.


text:
 The gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites were assigned their duties after the wall had been rebuilt and I had hung the doors.


text:
 I put my brother Hanani and Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem. Hananiah was a trustworthy man, and he feared God more than most people do.


text:
 I told them, "The gates of Jerusalem should not be opened at the hottest time of the day. While the [gatekeepers] are still standing there, they should shut the doors and bar them. Order some of the men in Jerusalem to stand guard, some at their posts and others in front of their homes."


text:
 Then my God put the idea into my head that I should gather the nobles, leaders, and people so that they could check their genealogy. I found the book with the genealogy of those who came back the first time. I found the following written in it:


text:
 These were the people in the province. They were the ones who left the place where the exiles had been taken captive. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken them captive. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah. All of them went to their own cities.


text:
 They went with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the number of Israelite men from the people in exile:


text:
 These Levites returned from exile: the descendants of Jeshua, that is, of Kadmiel [and] of Hodeiah 74


text:
 These gatekeepers returned from exile: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai 138


text:
 These descendants of Solomon's servants returned from exile: the descendants of Sotai, Sophereth, Perida,


text:
 These priests [couldn't prove they were Israelites]: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai from Gilead and took that [family] name).


text:
 In addition to the male and female servants who numbered 7,337, they also had 245 male and female singers.


text:
 Some of the heads of the families contributed to this work. The governor contributed the following to the treasury: nearly 18 pounds of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 robes for the priests.


text:
 Some of the heads of the families contributed to the treasury for this work: 337 pounds of gold and 3,215 pounds of silver.


text:
 The rest of the people contributed 337 pounds of gold, 2,923 pounds of silver, and 67 robes for the priests.


text:
 The priests, Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and the rest of Israel settled in their own cities. When the seventh month came, the people of Israel were in their own cities.


text:
 [When the seventh month came,] all the people gathered together in the courtyard in front of Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of Moses' Teachings, which the Lord had commanded Israel [to follow].


text:
 Then Ezra the priest brought the Teachings in front of the assembly. This included men, women, and any [children] who could understand what they heard. This took place on the first day of the seventh month.


text:
 From daybreak until noon, he read from it in the courtyard in front of Water Gate to the men, women, and [children] who could understand it. All the people listened to the Book of Moses' Teachings.


text:
 Ezra the scribe stood on a raised wooden platform made for this occasion. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right. Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam stood beside him on his left.


text:
 Ezra, standing higher than all the other people, opened the book in front of all the people. As he opened it, all the people stood up.


text:
 Ezra thanked the LORD, the great God. All the people responded, "Amen! Amen!" as they raised their hands and then bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD.


text:
 The Levites-Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah-explained the Teachings to the people while they were standing there.


text:
 They read the Book of God's Teachings clearly and explained the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.


text:
 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people told them, "This is a holy day for the LORD your God. Don't mourn or cry." All the people were crying as they listened to the reading of God's Teachings.


text:
 Then he told them, "Go, eat rich foods, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who cannot provide for themselves. Today is a holy day for the Lord. Don't be sad because the joy you have in the LORD is your strength."


text:
 Then all the people went to eat and drink and to send portions. They had a big, joyful celebration because they understood the words that had been explained to them.


text:
 On the second day the leaders of the families of all the people, including the priests and the Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to study the words of God's Teachings.


text:
 They found written in the Teachings that the LORD had given an order through Moses that the people of Israel should live in booths during a festival in the seventh month.


text:
 They should announce this command and send this message throughout all their cities and Jerusalem: "Go to the mountains, and get branches-olive and wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other thick-leaved branches-to make booths as it is written."


text:
 So the people went to get branches to make booths for themselves. Some made booths on their roofs, others in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God's temple, in the open area by Water Gate, or in the open area at Ephraim Gate.


text:
 The whole assembly that had come back from exile made booths and lived in them. From the time of Jeshua (son of Nun) to that day, the people of Israel had not done this. There was a big, joyful celebration.


text:
 Day by day, from the first day of the festival to the last day, Ezra continued to read from the Book of God's Teachings. The people celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, they had a closing festival assembly in accordance with the regulations.


text:
 When the Israelites assembled on the twenty-fourth day of this month, they fasted, wore sackcloth, and threw dirt on their heads.


text:
 Those who were descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins as well as the wicked things their ancestors had done.


text:
 They stood in their places, and for one-fourth of the day, [they listened as] the Book of the Teachings of the LORD their God was read, and for another fourth [of the day], they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.


text:
 Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chanani stood on the stairs built for the Levites and cried loudly to the LORD their God.


text:
 Then the Levites-Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah-said, "Stand up, and thank the LORD your God: From everlasting to everlasting your glorious name is praised and lifted high above all blessing and praise.


text:
 You alone are the LORD. You made heaven, the highest heaven, with all its armies. You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to them all, and the armies of heaven worship you.


text:
 You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram and took him from Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.


text:
 You found that his heart was faithful to you. You made a promise to him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites to his descendants. You kept your promise because you are fair.


text:
 You performed miraculous signs and did amazing things to Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people in his land because you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You made a name for yourself, a name which remains to this day.


text:
 You divided the sea in front of them so that they could walk through the sea on dry ground. You threw into deep water those who pursued your people as someone throws a stone into raging water.


text:
 You led them during the day by a column of smoke and during the night by a column of fire to give them light to see the way they should go.


text:
 You came from heaven to Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them fair rules, trustworthy teachings, and good laws and commandments.


text:
 You taught them about your holy day of worship. You gave them commandments, laws, and teachings through your servant Moses.


text:
 You gave them bread from heaven to satisfy their hunger and made water flow from a rock to quench their thirst. You told them to take possession of the land that you swore you would give them.


text:
 They refused to listen. They forgot the miracles you performed for them. They became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to slavery [in Egypt]. But you are a forgiving God, one who is compassionate, merciful, patient, and always ready to forgive. You never abandoned them,


text:
 even when they made a metal statue of a calf for themselves and said, 'This is your god who took you out of Egypt.' They committed outrageous sins.


text:
 But because of your endless compassion, you didn't abandon them in the desert. The column of smoke didn't leave them during the day, but it led them on their way. The column of fire didn't leave them during the night, but it gave them light to see the way they should go.


text:
 You gave them your good Spirit to teach them. You didn't keep your manna to yourself. You gave them water to quench their thirst.


text:
 You provided for them in the desert for 40 years, and they had everything they needed. Their clothes didn't wear out, and their feet didn't swell.


text:
 You gave kingdoms and nations to the Israelites and assigned them their boundaries. So they took possession of the land of Sihon, the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of King Og of Bashan.


text:
 You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky. You brought them into the land you told their parents to enter and possess.


text:
 Their children took possession of the land. You defeated for them the Canaanites, who lived in the land. You handed the Canaanite kings and their people over to them to do whatever they wanted with the Canaanites.


text:
 The Israelites captured fortified cities and a rich land. They took possession of houses filled with all sorts of good things, cisterns, vineyards, olive trees, and plenty of fruit trees. So they ate and were satisfied and grew fat. They enjoyed the vast supply of good things you gave them.


text:
 But they were defiant and rebelled against you. They threw your teachings over their shoulders and killed your prophets who warned them to turn back to you. They committed outrageous sins.


text:
 You handed them over to their enemies, who made them suffer. When they began to suffer, they cried to you. You heard them from heaven. You gave them saviors to rescue them from their enemies because of your endless compassion.


text:
 As soon as they felt some relief, they were again doing what you considered evil. You abandoned them to their enemies, who conquered them. They cried to you again, and you heard them from heaven. You rescued them many times because of your compassion.


text:
 You warned them in order to bring them back to your teachings, but they became arrogant and would not obey your commandments. They sinned by not following your regulations. If anyone follows them, he will find life in them. But they gave you the cold shoulder, became impossible to deal with, and wouldn't listen.


text:
 You were patient with them for many years. You warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. However, they wouldn't listen. So you handed them over to the people in the surrounding nations.


text:
 But your compassion is endless. You didn't destroy them or abandon them. You are a merciful and compassionate God.


text:
 And now, our God, you are the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God. You faithfully keep your promises. Do not consider all the hardships that we have been going through as unimportant. The hardships have come to our kings, leaders, priests, prophets, ancestors, and all your people from the time of the kings of Assyria until now.


text:
 But you were fair about everything that has happened to us. You have been faithful, but we have been wicked.


text:
 Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors didn't obey your teachings. They didn't pay attention to your commandments or the warnings that you gave them.


text:
 When they lived in their own kingdom and enjoyed the many good things that you gave them in a vast, fertile land which was set in front of them, they didn't serve you or turn away from their wicked lives.


text:
 Look [at us] now. We're slaves! In the land you gave our ancestors, they could eat its produce and [enjoy] its good things. But now we're slaves!


text:
 The many products [from our land] go to the kings you put over us. This is because of our sins. These kings have control over our bodies, and they do as they please with our livestock. We are in agony.


text:
 "We are making a binding agreement [and putting it] in writing because of all this. Our leaders, Levites, and priests are putting their seals on the document."


text:
 The rest of the people took an oath. These people included the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the inhabitants of the land for the sake of God's Teachings. Their wives, sons, daughters, and everyone who is capable of understanding also took an oath.


text:
 They joined their relatives, the nobles, in binding themselves with a curse and an oath to follow God's teachings given by Moses, God's servant. They also bound themselves to follow all the commandments, rules, and regulations of the LORD our Lord.


text:
 We will not allow our daughters to marry the inhabitants of the land or allow their daughters to marry our sons.


text:
 If the inhabitants of the land bring merchandise or grain to sell on the day of worship, we won't buy anything from them on the day of worship or any other holy day. During the seventh year, we won't plant the fields or collect any debts.


text:
 Also, we take upon ourselves the obligation to give an eighth of an ounce of silver every year for worship in our God's temple:


text:
 for rows of the bread of the presence, and for the daily grain offerings and daily burnt offerings, on the weekly days of worship, and on the New Moon Festivals, and at the appointed annual festivals, for the holy gifts and offerings for sin that make peace with God for Israel, and for all the other work in the temple of our God.


text:
 We priests, Levites, and laypeople have drawn lots to decide the order in which the heads of our families should bring wood to our God's temple to burn on the altar of the LORD our God at appointed times every year according to the directions in the Teachings.


text:
 We have drawn lots to decide who should bring the first produce harvested and the first fruit from every tree each year to the LORD's temple.


text:
 Following the directions in the Teachings, we have drawn lots to decide who should bring the firstborn of our sons, our cattle, and our flocks to the priests serving in our God's temple.


text:
 Also, we have drawn lots to decide who should bring the best of our coarse flour, contributions, fruit from every tree, new wine, and olive oil to the priests, to the storerooms. We will bring for the Levites one-tenth of the produce from our fields, because the Levites are the ones who collect one-tenth of the produce from all our farm communities.


text:
 A priest-one of Aaron's descendants-should be with the Levites when they collect the tenth. Then the Levites should bring one-tenth of these tenths to our God's temple, into the rooms of the storehouses there.


text:
 The Israelites and the Levites should bring into the storerooms their contributions of grain, new wine, and olive oil. They should bring these products to the place where the utensils of the holy place are and where the priests who serve and the gatekeepers and the singers are. We won't neglect our God's temple.


text:
 The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people drew lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city. The remaining nine-tenths were supposed to live in the other cities.


text:
 These were the officials of the province who settled in Jerusalem. Some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants settled in the cities of Judah. They lived on their own property in their own cities.


text:
 Some of the descendants of Judah and of Benjamin settled in Jerusalem. The descendants of Judah were Athaiah, who was the son of Uzziah, who was the son of Zechariah, who was the son of Amariah, who was the son of Shephatiah, who was the son of Mahalalel, who was the son of Perez;


text:
 Maaseiah was the son of Baruch, who was the son of Col Hozeh, who was the son of Hazaiah, who was the son of Adaiah, who was the son of Joiarib, who was the son of Zechariah, who was the son of Shiloni.


text:
 These are the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu, who was the son of Meshullam, who was the son of Joed, who was the son of Pedaiah, who was the son of Kolaiah, who was the son of Maaseiah, who was the son of Ithiel, who was the son of Jeshaiah,


text:
 Seraiah, who was the son of Hilkiah, who was the son of Meshullam, who was the son of Zadok, who was the son of Meraioth, who was the son of Ahitub, who was the supervisor of God's temple.


text:
 From Seraiah's relatives 822 did the work in the temple. Also, Adaiah worked in the temple. He was the son of Jeroham, who was the son of Pelaliah, who was the son of Amzi, who was the son of Zechariah, who was the son of Pashhur, who was the son of Malchiah.


text:
 Adaiah's relatives, the heads of the families, totaled 242. Amashsai was the son of Azarel, who was the son of Ahzai, who was the son of Meshillemoth, who was the son of Immer.


text:
 Their relatives, who were warriors, totaled 128. The man in charge of them was Zabdiel, son of Haggedolim.


text:
 These were the Levites: Shemaiah who was the son of Hasshub, who was the son of Azrikam, who was the son of Hashabiah, who was the son of Bunni.


text:
 Mattaniah was the son of Mica, who was the son of Zabdi, who was the son of Asaph, the leader who led the prayer of thanksgiving. The Levite leader Bakbukiah was the second-in-command among his relatives; and so was Abda who was the son of Shammua, who was the son of Galal, who was the son of Jeduthum.


text:
 The rest of the Israelites, priests, and Levites lived in all the cities of Judah. Everyone lived on his own inherited property.


text:
 The man in charge of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi, who was the son of Bani, who was the son of Hashabiah, who was the son of Mattaniah, who was the son of Mica from Asaph's descendants who were the singers in charge of worship in God's temple.


text:
 They were under orders from the king, orders that determined which duties they should perform day by day.


text:
 Pethahiah, son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah, Judah's son, was the king's adviser on all matters concerning the people.


text:
 Many people lived in villages that had fields. Some people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its villages, in Dibon and its villages, in Jekabzeel and its villages,


text:
 Zanoah, and Adullam and their villages, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its villages. So they settled in the land from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.


text:
 These are the priests and Levites who came back with Zerubbabel (Shealtiel's son) and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


text:
 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and of their relatives at the time of Jeshua.


text:
 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his relatives was in charge of the thanksgiving hymns.


text:
 Jeshua was the father of Joiakim. Joiakim was the father of Eliashib. Eliashib was the father of Joiada.


text:
 At the time of Joiakim, these were the priests who were the leaders of their families: From Seraiah, Meraiah; from Jeremiah, Hananiah;


text:
 [The names of] the family heads of the Levites and the priests at the time of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua were recorded until the reign of Darius the Persian.


text:
 [The names of] the family heads of the Levites were recorded in the Book of Chronicles until the time of Johanan, grandson of Eliashib.


text:
 The heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua (son of Kadmiel). They and their relatives stood in groups across from one another to sing hymns of praise and thanksgiving antiphonally as David, the man of God, had ordered.


text:
 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses by the gates.


text:
 They lived in the days of Joiakim, son of Jeshua, grandson of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest and scribe.


text:
 When the wall of Jerusalem was going to be dedicated, they went to wherever the Levites lived and had them come to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication joyfully with hymns of thanksgiving, with songs and cymbals, and with harps and lyres.


text:
 So the groups of singers came together from the countryside around Jerusalem, from the villages of Netophah,


text:
 from Beth Gilgal, and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth. The singers had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem.


text:
 The priests and the Levites cleansed themselves. Then they cleansed the people, the gates, and the wall.


text:
 Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on the wall, and I arranged two large choirs to give thanks and march in procession. One choir went to the right on the wall to Dung Gate.


text:
 So did some priests with trumpets: Zechariah, who was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Shemaiah, who was the son of Mattaniah, who was the son of Micaiah, who was the son of Zaccur, who was the son of Asaph.


text:
 Also, these relatives of Zechariah followed: Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani with the musical instruments of David, the man of God. Ezra the scribe led them.


text:
 At Fountain Gate they went straight up the stairs of the City of David. There the wall rises past David's palace and reaches Water Gate on the east.


text:
 The other choir went to the left. I followed them with the other half of the people. We walked on the wall, past the Tower of the Ovens, as far as Broad Wall,


text:
 then past Ephraim Gate, over Old Gate and Fish Gate, and by the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as Sheep Gate. The choir stopped at Guard's Gate.


text:
 Likewise, these priests stood in God's temple: Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah with trumpets,


text:
 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchiah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang under the direction of Jezrahiah.


text:
 That day they offered many sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them reason to rejoice. The women and children rejoiced as well. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard from far away.


text:
 On that day men were put in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, the first produce harvested, and a tenth of the people's money. They stored in those rooms the gifts designated by Moses' Teachings for the priests and Levites from the fields around the cities. The people of Judah were pleased with the ministry of the priests and Levites.


text:
 They were doing what their God required, what needed to be done for cleansing. The singers and the gatekeepers did what David and his son Solomon had ordered them to do.


text:
 Long ago in the time of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers to lead [in singing] the songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God.


text:
 At the time of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all the Israelites were giving gifts for the daily support of the singers and the gatekeepers. They set aside holy gifts for [the daily support of] the Levites, and the Levites set aside holy gifts for support of Aaron's descendants.


text:
 On that day the Book of Moses was read while the people were listening. They heard the passage that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into God's assembly.


text:
 (After all, they didn't welcome the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. But our God turned the curse into a blessing.)


text:
 Even before this, the priest Eliashib, who was related to Tobiah and had been put in charge of the storerooms of our God's temple,


text:
 had provided a large room for Tobiah. Previously, this room had been used to store grain offerings, incense, utensils, a tenth of all the grain harvested, new wine, and olive oil. These things belonged by law to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers. The contributions for the priests had also been stored there.


text:
 While all of this was taking place, I wasn't in Jerusalem. In the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes' reign in Babylon, I returned to the king. Later, I asked the king for permission to return.


text:
 I went to Jerusalem and discovered the evil thing Eliashib had done by providing Tobiah with a room in God's temple.


text:
 Then I told them to cleanse the rooms, and I put back in there the utensils from God's temple, the offerings, and the incense.


text:
 I learned that the Levites had not been given their portions. So each of the Levites and singers, who conducted the worship [in the temple], had left for their own fields.


text:
 I reprimanded the leaders. "Why is God's temple being neglected?" I asked. So I brought the Levites back together and put them back in their places of service.


text:
 Then all Judah brought a tenth of all the grain harvested, new wine, and olive oil to the storerooms.


text:
 I appointed the following men to be in charge of the storerooms: Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah the Levite, and I appointed Hanan, son of Zaccur and grandson of Mattaniah to help them. Since they could be trusted, I made them responsible for distributing [the portions] to their relatives.


text:
 [Nehemiah prayed,] "Remember me for what I have done, my God, and don't wipe out the good things that I have done for your temple and for the worship that is held there."


text:
 In those days I saw people in Judah stomping grapes in the winepresses on the day of worship. I saw them bringing in loads of wine, grapes, figs, and every other kind of load. They piled the loads on donkeys and brought them into Jerusalem on the day of worship. I warned them about selling food on that day.


text:
 People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of goods. They were selling them on the day of worship to the people of Judah, even in Jerusalem.


text:
 I reprimanded the nobles of Judah and asked them, "What is this evil thing you're doing? How dare you treat the day of worship as unholy!


text:
 Isn't this what your ancestors did, with the results that our God brought all these evils on us and on this city? Now you're making him even more angry with Israel by treating the day of worship as unholy."


text:
 Before the day of worship, when the gates of Jerusalem were cleared of traffic, I ordered the doors to be shut and not to be reopened until after the day of worship. I stationed some of my men by the gates to make sure that no loads could be brought in on the day of worship.


text:
 I warned them. "Why are you spending the night in front of the wall?" I asked them. "If you do it again, I'll arrest you." After that, they no longer came on the day of worship.


text:
 Then I told the Levites to cleanse themselves and guard the gates to keep the day of worship holy. [Nehemiah prayed,] "Remember me also for this, my God, and spare me, since you are very kind."


text:
 Half their children spoke the language of Ashdod or one of the other languages, but they couldn't understand the language of Judah well enough to speak it.


text:
 So I reprimanded those Jews, cursed them, beat some of them, and pulled out their hair. I made them swear by God: "We won't allow our daughters to marry their sons, and we won't allow their daughters to marry us or our sons."


text:
 I said, "Wasn't it because of marriages like these that King Solomon of Israel sinned? There wasn't a king like him among all nations. God loved him, and God made him king of all Israel. But his non-Israelite wives led him to sin.


text:
 Should we follow your example, commit such a serious crime against our God, and be unfaithful to him by marrying non-Israelite women?"


text:
 Even one of Joiada's sons was a son-in-law of Sanballat from Beth Horon. (Joiada was the son of the chief priest Eliashib.) I chased Joiada's son away from me.


text:
 [Nehemiah prayed,] "Remember them, my God, because they have contaminated the priestly office and the promise you made to the priests and Levites."


text:
 So I cleansed them from everything that was foreign. I assigned duties to the priests and Levites. Each one had his own assignment.


text:
 I also arranged for delivering wood at regular times and for bringing the first produce to be harvested. [Nehemiah prayed,] "Remember me, my God, for my benefit."


text:
 In the days of Xerxes the following events took place. This was the same Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Sudan.


text:
 he held a banquet in the third year of his reign. The banquet was for all his officials and advisers, that is, the military officers of the Persians and Medes, the nobles and officials of the provinces who had access to him.


text:
 He showed them the enormous wealth of his kingdom and the costly splendor of his greatness for many days, 180 to be exact.


text:
 When those days were over, the king held a banquet lasting seven days. This banquet was held in the enclosed garden of the king's palace for all people in the fortress of Susa, whatever their rank.


text:
 The garden had white and violet linen curtains. These curtains were attached to silver rods and marble pillars by cords made of white and purple fine linen. Gold and silver couches were on a mosaic pavement of purple rock, white marble, pearl-like stone, and black marble.


text:
 People drank from golden cups. No two cups were alike. The king also provided plenty of royal wine out of his royal generosity.


text:
 The drinking followed this rule: Drink as you please. (The king had ordered all the waiters in his palace to let everyone do as he pleased.)


text:
 On the seventh day when the king was drunk on wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who served under King Xerxes,


text:
 to bring Queen Vashti in front of the king, wearing her royal crown. He wanted to show the people, especially the officials, her beauty, because she was very attractive.


text:
 But Queen Vashti refused the king's command that the eunuchs delivered to her. As a result, the king became very angry, and his rage burned inside him.


text:
 from those closest to him-Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These seven officials of the Persians and Medes had access to the king and held the highest rank in the kingdom. The king asked these wise men who knew the times,


text:
 "According to the royal decrees, what must we do with Queen Vashti since she did not obey King Xerxes' command, which the eunuchs delivered?"


text:
 Then Memucan spoke up in the presence of the king and the officials, "Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the officials and all the people in every province of King Xerxes.


text:
 The news of what the queen has done will spread to all women, and they will despise their husbands. They will say, 'King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought to him, but she would not come.'


text:
 Today the wives of the officials in Persia and Media who have heard what the queen did will talk back to all the king's officials. There will be contempt and short tempers.


text:
 If it pleases you, Your Majesty, issue a royal decree. It should be recorded in the decrees of the Persians and Medes, never to be repealed, that Vashti may never again appear in front of King Xerxes. Furthermore, Your Majesty, you should give her royal position to another woman who is more worthy than she.


text:
 When you issue your decree, your whole kingdom, great as it is, will hear it. Then all the wives will honor their husbands, regardless of their status."


text:
 He sent official documents to all the king's provinces, to each province in its own script and to the people in each province in their own language: "Let every husband be the ruler in his own house and speak with authority."


text:
 Later, when King Xerxes got over his raging anger, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decided against her.


text:
 And appoint scouts in all the provinces of your kingdom to gather all the attractive young virgins and bring them to the fortress of Susa, to the women's quarters. There, in the care of the king's eunuch Hegai, the guardian of the women, they will have their beauty treatment.


text:
 Then the young woman who pleases you, Your Majesty, will become queen instead of Vashti." The king liked the suggestion, and so he did just that.


text:
 In the fortress of Susa there was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the grandson of Shimei, and the great-grandson of Kish.


text:
 (Kish had been taken captive from Jerusalem together with the others who had gone into exile along with Judah's King Jehoiakin, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away.)


text:
 Mordecai had raised Hadassah, also known as Esther, his uncle's daughter, because she was an orphan. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was very attractive. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter.


text:
 When the king's announcement and decree were heard, many young women were gathered together and brought to the fortress of Susa. They were placed in the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king's palace and placed in the care of Hegai, the guardian of the women.


text:
 The young woman pleased him and won his affection. So he immediately provided her with the beauty treatment, a daily supply of food, and seven suitable female servants from the king's palace. Then he moved her and her servants to the best place in the women's quarters.


text:
 Esther did not reveal her nationality or her family background, because Mordecai had ordered her not to.


text:
 Every day Mordecai would walk back and forth in front of the courtyard of the women's quarters to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.


text:
 Each young woman had her turn to go to King Xerxes after she had completed the required 12-month treatment for women. The time of beauty treatment was spent as follows: six months using oil of myrrh and six months using perfumes and other treatments for women.


text:
 After that, the young woman would go to the king. Anything she wanted to take with her from the women's quarters to the king's palace was given to her.


text:
 She would go in the evening and come back in the morning to the other quarters for women. There she would be in the care of the king's eunuch Shaashgaz, the guardian of the concubines. She never went to the king again unless the king desired her and requested her by name.


text:
 (Esther was the daughter of Abihail, Mordecai's uncle. Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.) When Esther's turn came to go to the king, she asked only for what the king's eunuch Hegai, the guardian of the women, advised. Everyone who saw Esther liked her.


text:
 So Esther was taken to King Xerxes in his royal palace in the month of Tebeth, the tenth month, in the seventh year of his reign.


text:
 Now, the king loved Esther more than all the other women and favored her over all the other virgins. So he put the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.


text:
 Then the king held a great banquet for Esther. He invited all his officials and his advisers. He also declared that day a holiday in the provinces, and he handed out gifts from his royal generosity.


text:
 Esther still had not revealed her family background or nationality, as Mordecai had ordered her. Esther always did whatever Mordecai told her, as she did when she was a child.


text:
 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, became angry and planned to kill King Xerxes.


text:
 But Mordecai found out about it and informed Queen Esther. Then Esther told the king, on behalf of Mordecai.


text:
 When the report was investigated and found to be true, the dead bodies of Bigthan and Teresh were hung on a pole. The matter was written up in the king's presence in his official record of daily events.


text:
 Later, King Xerxes promoted Haman. (Haman was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag.) He gave Haman a position higher in authority than all the other officials who were with him.


text:
 All the king's advisers were at the king's gate, kneeling and bowing to Haman with their faces touching the ground, because the king had commanded it. But Mordecai would not kneel and bow to him.


text:
 Then the king's advisers at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you ignore the king's command?"


text:
 Although they asked him day after day, he paid no attention to them. So they informed Haman to see if Mordecai's actions would be tolerated, since Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.


text:
 Because the king's advisers had informed him about Mordecai's nationality, he thought it beneath himself to kill only Mordecai. So Haman planned to wipe out Mordecai's people-all the Jews in the entire kingdom of Xerxes.


text:
 In Xerxes' twelfth year as king, [Pur] (which means [the lot]) was thrown in front of Haman for every day of every month, from Nisan, the first month, until Adar, the twelfth month.


text:
 Now, Haman told King Xerxes, "Your Majesty, there is a certain nationality scattered among-but separate from-the nationalities in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws differ from those of all other nationalities. They do not obey your decrees. So it is not in your interest to tolerate them, Your Majesty.


text:
 If you approve, have the orders for their destruction be written. For this I will pay 750,000 pounds of silver to your treasurers to be put in your treasury."


text:
 At that, the king removed his signet ring and gave it to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. (Haman was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag.)


text:
 On the thirteenth day of the first month the king's scribes were summoned. All Haman's orders were written to the king's satraps, the governors of every province, and the officials of every people. They wrote to each province in its own script and to the people in each province in their own language. The orders were signed in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king's ring.


text:
 Messengers were sent with official documents to all the king's provinces. [The people were ordered] to wipe out, kill, and destroy all the Jews-young and old, women and children-on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Their possessions were also to be seized.


text:
 A copy of the document was made public in a decree to every province. All the people were to be ready for this day.


text:
 The messengers hurried out as the king told them. The decree was also issued at the fortress of Susa. So the king and Haman sat down to drink a toast, but the city of Susa was in turmoil.


text:
 When Mordecai found out about everything that had been done, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went into the middle of the city and cried loudly and bitterly.


text:
 In every province touched by the king's command and decree, the Jews went into mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing. Many put on sackcloth and ashes.


text:
 Esther's servants and eunuchs came and informed her [about Mordecai]. The queen was stunned. She sent clothing for Mordecai to put on in place of his sackcloth, but he refused to accept it.


text:
 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs appointed to serve her. She commanded him to go to Mordecai and find out what was going on and why.


text:
 Mordecai informed him about everything that had happened to him. He told him the exact amount of silver that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasury to destroy the Jews.


text:
 He also gave him a copy of the decree that was issued in Susa. The decree gave permission to exterminate the Jews. Hathach was supposed to show it to Esther to inform and command her to go to the king, beg him for mercy, and appeal to him for her people.


text:
 "All the king's advisers and the people in the king's provinces know that no one approaches the king in the throne room without being summoned. By law that person must be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to him will he live. I, myself, have not been summoned to enter the king's presence for 30 days now."


text:
 Mordecai sent this answer back to Esther, "Do not imagine that just because you are in the king's palace you will be any safer than all the rest of the Jews.


text:
 The fact is, even if you remain silent now, someone else will help and rescue the Jews, but you and your relatives will die. And who knows, you may have gained your royal position for a time like this."


text:
 "Assemble all the Jews in Susa. Fast for me: Do not eat or drink at all for three entire days. My servants and I will also fast. After that, I will go to the king, even if it is against a royal decree. If I die, I die."


text:
 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes. She stood in the courtyard of the king's palace, facing the king's throne room. The king was sitting on the royal throne inside the palace, facing the entrance.


text:
 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the entrance, she won his favor. So the king held out the golden scepter that was in his hand to Esther. Esther went up to him and touched the top of the scepter.


text:
 Then the king asked her, "What is troubling you, Queen Esther? What would you like? Even if it is up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted to you."


text:
 So Esther answered, "If it pleases you, Your Majesty, come today with Haman to a dinner I have prepared for you."


text:
 The king replied, "Bring Haman right away, and do whatever Esther asks." So the king and Haman came to the dinner that Esther had prepared.


text:
 While they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "What is your request? It will be granted to you. What would you like? Even if it is up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted."


text:
 Your Majesty, come with Haman to a dinner I will prepare for you. And tomorrow I will answer you, Your Majesty. If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, Your Majesty, may you [then] grant my request and do what I would like."


text:
 When Haman left that day, he was happy and feeling good. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king's gate, neither getting up nor trembling in his presence, Haman was furious with Mordecai.


text:
 Then Haman began to relate in detail to them how very rich he was, the many sons he had, and all about how the king promoted him to a position over the officials and the king's advisers.


text:
 Haman went on to say, "What's more, Queen Esther allowed no one except me to come with the king to the dinner she had prepared. And again tomorrow I am her invited guest together with the king.


text:
 Yet, all this is worth nothing to me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."


text:
 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a pole set up, 75 feet high, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai's [dead body] hung on it. Then go with the king to the dinner in good spirits." Haman liked the idea, so he had the pole set up.


text:
 That night the king could not sleep. So he told [a servant] to bring the official daily records, and they were read to the king.


text:
 The records showed how Mordecai had informed him that Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted a rebellion against King Xerxes.


text:
 The king asked, "How did I reward and promote Mordecai for this?" The king's personal staff replied, "Nothing was done for him."


text:
 The king asked, "Who is in the courtyard?" At that moment, Haman came through the courtyard to the king's palace to ask the king about hanging Mordecai on the pole he had prepared for him.


text:
 The king's staff answered him, "Haman happens to be standing in the courtyard." "Let him come in," the king said.


text:
 So Haman came in. The king then asked him, "What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to reward?" Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king wish to reward more than me?"


text:
 [The servants] should bring a royal robe that the king has worn and a horse that the king has ridden, one that has a royal crest on its head.


text:
 Give the robe and the horse to one of the king's officials, who is a noble. Put the robe on the man whom the king wishes to reward and have him ride on the horse in the city square. The king's servants are also to shout ahead of him, 'This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward.'"


text:
 The king told Haman, "Hurry, take the robe and the horse as you said. Do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king's gate. Do not omit anything you have said."


text:
 So Haman took the robe and the horse. He put the robe on Mordecai and had him ride in the city square, shouting ahead of him, "This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward."


text:
 After that, Mordecai returned to the king's gate, but Haman hurried home. He was in despair and covered his head.


text:
 There, Haman began to relate in detail to his wife Zeresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his counselors and his wife Zeresh told him, "You are starting to lose power to Mordecai. If Mordecai is of Jewish descent, you will never win out over him. He will certainly lead to your downfall."


text:
 While they were still speaking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and quickly took Haman to the dinner Esther had prepared.


text:
 On the second day, while they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "What is your request, Queen Esther? It will be granted to you. And what would you like? Even if it is up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted."


text:
 Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, Your Majesty, spare my life. That is my request. And spare the life of my people. That is what I ask for.


text:
 You see, we-my people and I-have been sold so that we can be wiped out, killed, and destroyed. If our men and women had only been sold as slaves, I would have kept silent because the enemy is not worth troubling you about, Your Majesty."


text:
 Then King Xerxes interrupted Queen Esther and said, "Who is this person? Where is the person who has dared to do this?"


text:
 Esther answered, "Our vicious enemy is this wicked man Haman!" Then Haman became panic-stricken in the presence of the king and queen.


text:
 The king was furious as he got up from dinner and went into the palace garden. But Haman stayed to beg Queen Esther for his life, because he saw that the king had a terrible end in mind for him.


text:
 When the king returned from the palace garden to the palace dining room, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was lying. The king thought, "Is he even going to rape the queen while I'm in the palace?" Then the king passed sentence on him, and servants covered Haman's face.


text:
 Harbona, one of the eunuchs present with the king, said, "What a coincidence! The 75-foot pole Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke up for the well-being of the king, is still standing at Haman's house." The king responded, "Hang him on it!"


text:
 So servants hung Haman's [dead body] on the very pole he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king got over his raging anger.


text:
 On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Also, Mordecai came to the king because Esther had told him how Mordecai was related to her.


text:
 Then the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther put Mordecai in charge of Haman's property.


text:
 Esther spoke again to the king. She fell down at his feet crying and begged him to have mercy and to undo the evil plot of Haman, who was from Agag, and his conspiracy against the Jews.


text:
 She said, "Your Majesty, if it pleases you, and if I have found favor with you, if you consider my cause to be reasonable and if I am pleasing to you, cancel the official orders [concerning] the plot of Haman (who was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag). He signed [the order] to destroy the Jews in all your provinces, Your Majesty.


text:
 I cannot bear to see my people suffer such evil. And I simply cannot bear to see the destruction of my relatives."


text:
 King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, "I have given Haman's property to Esther, and Haman's [dead body] was hung on the pole because he tried to kill the Jews.


text:
 You write what you think is best for the Jews in the king's name. Seal it also with the king's signet ring, because whatever is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's signet ring cannot be canceled."


text:
 At that time on the twenty-third day of Sivan, the third month, the king's scribes were summoned. What Mordecai had ordered was written to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and officers of the 127 provinces from India to Sudan. It was written to each province in its own script, to each people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and their own language.


text:
 Mordecai wrote in King Xerxes' name and sealed the official documents with the king's signet ring. Then he sent them by messengers who rode special horses bred for speed. [He wrote]


text:
 that the king had given permission for the Jews in every city to assemble, to defend themselves, to wipe out, to kill, and to destroy every armed force of the people and province that is hostile to them, even women and children, and to seize their goods.


text:
 [This was permitted] on one day in all the provinces of King Xerxes, on the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.


text:
 The copy of the document was made public in a decree to every province for all people. On that day the Jews were to be ready to take revenge on their enemies.


text:
 The messengers rode the king's fastest horses. They left quickly, in keeping with the king's command. The decree was issued also in the fortress of Susa.


text:
 Mordecai went out from the presence of the king wearing the royal violet and white robe, a large gold crown, and a purple outer robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa cheered and rejoiced.


text:
 In every province and every city where the king's message and decree arrived, the Jews were happy and joyful, feasting and enjoying a holiday. Then many common people pretended to be Jews because they were terrified of the Jews.


text:
 On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, the king's command and decree were to be carried out. On that very day, when the enemies of the Jews expected to overpower them, the exact opposite happened: The Jews overpowered those who hated them.


text:
 The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes to kill those who were planning to harm them. No one could stand up against them, because all the people were terrified of them.


text:
 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the king's treasurers assisted the Jews because they were terrified of Mordecai.


text:
 Mordecai was an important man in the king's palace. Moreover, his reputation was spreading to all the provinces, since Mordecai was becoming more and more powerful.


text:
 Then with their swords, the Jews attacked all their enemies, killing them, destroying them, and doing whatever they pleased to those who hated them.


text:
 These were the ten sons of Haman, who was the son of Hammedatha and the enemy of the Jews. But the Jews did not seize any of their possessions.


text:
 So the king said to Queen Esther, "In the fortress of Susa the Jews have killed and wiped out 500 men and Haman's 10 sons. What must they have done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now, what is your request? It will be granted to you. And what else would you like? It, too, will be granted."


text:
 Esther said, "If it pleases you, Your Majesty, allow the Jews in Susa to do tomorrow what was decreed for today. Let them hang Haman's ten sons on poles."


text:
 The Jews in Susa also assembled on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed 300 men in Susa, but they did not seize any of their possessions.


text:
 The other Jews who were in the king's provinces had also assembled to defend and free themselves from their enemies. They killed 75,000 of those who hated them, but they did not seize any of their possessions.


text:
 This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. On the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and celebration.


text:
 But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth. They rested on the fifteenth and made it a day of feasting and celebration.


text:
 That is why the Jews who live in the villages and in the unwalled towns make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a holiday for feasting and celebration. They also send gifts of food to one another.


text:
 Now, Mordecai wrote these things down and sent official letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far.


text:
 He established the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as days they must observe every year.


text:
 They were to observe them just like the days when the Jews freed themselves from their enemies. In that month their grief turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday. He declared that these days are to be days for feasting and celebrating and for sending gifts of food to one another, especially gifts to the poor.


text:
 It was because Haman, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them. (Haman was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag.) Haman had the [Pur] (which means [the lot]) thrown [in order to determine when] to crush and destroy them.


text:
 But when this came to the king's attention, he ordered, in the well-known letter, that the evil plan Haman had plotted against the Jews should turn back on his own head. As a result, they hung Haman and his sons on poles.


text:
 So the Jews called these days Purim, based on the word [Pur]. Therefore, because of everything that was said in this letter-both what they had seen and what had happened to them-


text:
 the Jews established a tradition for themselves and their descendants and for anyone who would join them. The tradition was that a person should never fail to observe these two days every year, as they were described and at their appointed time.


text:
 So these days must be remembered and observed in every age, family, province, and city. These days of Purim must not be ignored among the Jews, and the importance of these days must never be forgotten by the generations to come.


text:
 Abihail's daughter Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority in order to establish with this second letter the well-known celebration of Purim.


text:
 Mordecai sent official documents granting peace and security to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes.


text:
 He did this in order to establish these days of Purim at the appointed time. Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther established them for themselves, as they had established for themselves and their descendants the practices of fasting with sadness.


text:
 All his acts of power and might along with the whole account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in the history of the kings of the Medes and Persians.


text:
 Mordecai the Jew was ranked second only to King Xerxes. He was greatly respected by, and popular with, all of the other Jews, since he provided for the good of his people and spoke for the welfare of his fellow Jews.


text:
 A man named Job lived in Uz. He was a man of integrity: He was decent, he feared God, and he stayed away from evil.


text:
 He owned 7,000 sheep and goats, 3,000 camels, 1,000 oxen, 500 donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the most influential person in the Middle East.


text:
 His sons used to go to each other's homes, where they would have parties. (Each brother took his turn having a party.) They would send someone to invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.


text:
 When they finished having their parties, Job would send for them in order to cleanse them from sin. He would get up early in the morning and sacrifice burnt offerings for each of them. Job thought, "My children may have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job offered sacrifices for them all the time.


text:
 One day when the sons of God came to stand in front of the LORD, Satan the Accuser came along with them.


text:
 The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From wandering all over the earth."


text:
 The LORD asked Satan, "Have you thought about my servant Job? No one in the world is like him! He is a man of integrity: He is decent, he fears God, and he stays away from evil."


text:
 Haven't you put a protective fence around him, his home, and everything he has? You have blessed everything he does. His cattle have spread out over the land.


text:
 The LORD told Satan, "Everything he has is in your power, but you must not lay a hand on him!" Then Satan left the LORD's presence.


text:
 One day when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's home,


text:
 a messenger came to Job. He said, "While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,


text:
 men from Sheba attacked. They took the livestock and massacred the servants. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you."


text:
 While he was still speaking, another [messenger] came and said, "A fire from God fell from heaven and completely burned your flocks and servants. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you."


text:
 While he was still speaking, another [messenger] came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three companies and made a raid on the camels. They took the camels and massacred the servants. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you."


text:
 While he was still speaking, another [messenger] came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine at their oldest brother's home


text:
 when suddenly a great storm swept across the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young people, and they died. I'm the only one who has escaped to tell you."


text:
 Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped.


text:
 He said, "Naked I came from my mother, and naked I will return. The LORD has given, and the LORD has taken away! May the name of the LORD be praised."


text:
 The LORD asked Satan, "Have you thought about my servant Job? No one in the world is like him! He is a man of integrity: He is decent, he fears God, and he stays away from evil. And he still holds on to his principles. You're trying to provoke me into ruining him for no reason."


text:
 Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! Certainly, a man will give everything he has for his life.


text:
 Satan left the LORD's presence and struck Job with painful boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.


text:
 He said to her, "You're talking like a godless fool. We accept the good that God gives us. Shouldn't we also accept the bad?" Through all this Job's lips did not utter one sinful word.


text:
 When Job's three friends heard about all the terrible things that had happened to him, each of them came from his home-Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah, Zophar of Naama. They had agreed they would go together to sympathize with Job and comfort him.


text:
 When they saw him from a distance, they didn't even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept, and each of them tore his own clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads.


text:
 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him because they saw that he was in such great pain. Job Curses the Day He Was Born


text:
 "That day- let it be pitch-black. Let God above not [even] care about it. Let no light shine on it.


text:
 Let the darkness and long shadows claim it as their own. Let a dark cloud hang over it. Let the gloom terrify it.


text:
 "That night- let the blackness take it away. Let it not be included in the days of the year or be numbered among the months.


text:
 Let its stars turn dark before dawn. Let it hope for light and receive none. Let it not see the first light of dawn


text:
 I would be with the kings and the counselors of the world who built for themselves [what are now] ruins.


text:
 I would be buried like a stillborn baby. I would not exist. I would be like infants who never saw the light.


text:
 There the captives have no troubles at all. There they do not hear the shouting of the slave driver.


text:
 There [you find] both the unimportant and important people. There the slave is free from his master.


text:
 to those who long for death but it never comes- though they dig for it more than for buried treasure?


text:
 I have no peace! I have no quiet! I have no rest! And trouble keeps coming!" Be Patient and Listen, Job


text:
 When someone stumbled, you lifted him up with your words. When knees were weak, you gave them strength.


text:
 "Now think about this: Which innocent person [ever] died [an untimely death]? Find me a decent person who has been destroyed.


text:
 Though the roar of the lion and the growl of the ferocious lion [is loud], the young lions have had their teeth knocked out.


text:
 Something stood there. I couldn't tell what it was. A vague image was in front of my eyes. I heard a soft voice:


text:
 How much more will he accuse those who live in clay houses that have their foundation in the dust. Those houses can be crushed quicker than a moth!


text:
 From morning to evening, they are shattered. They will disappear forever without anyone paying attention.


text:
 His children are far from help. They are crushed at the city gate, and no one is there to rescue them.


text:
 What a stubborn fool gathers, hungry people eat. They take it even from among the thorns, and thirsty people pant after his wealth.


text:
 "Blessed is the person whom God corrects. That person should not despise discipline from the Almighty.


text:
 "When the tongue lashes out, you will be safe, and you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes.


text:
 "You will be able to laugh at destruction and starvation, so do not be afraid of wild animals on the earth.


text:
 "You will have a binding agreement with the stones in the field, and wild animals will be at peace with you.


text:
 "We have studied all of this thoroughly! This is the way it is. Listen to it, and learn it for yourself." God Has Attacked Me Without Cause


text:
 because the arrows of the Almighty [have found their target] in me, and my spirit is drinking their poison. God's terrors line up in battle against me.


text:
 Then I would still have comfort. I would be happy despite my endless pain, because I have not rejected the words of the Holy One.


text:
 What strength do I have [left] that I can go on hoping? What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life?


text:
 Do you think my words need correction? Do you think they're what a desperate person says to the wind?


text:
 Please change your mind. Don't permit any injustice. Change your mind because I am still right about this!


text:
 Is there injustice on my tongue, or is my mouth unable to tell the difference between right and wrong?


text:
 Likewise, I have been given months that are of no use, and I have inherited nights filled with misery.


text:
 When I lie down, I ask, 'When will I get up?' But the evening is long, and I'm exhausted from tossing about until dawn.


text:
 So I won't keep my mouth shut, but I will speak from the distress that is in my spirit and complain about the bitterness in my soul.


text:
 If I sin, what can I [possibly] do to you since you insist on spying on people? Why do you make me your target? I've become a burden even to myself.


text:
 Why don't you forgive my disobedience and take away my sin? Soon I'll lie down in the dust. Then you will search for me, but I'll be gone!" You Are Unjustly Accusing God of Doing Evil, Job


text:
 If your children sinned against him, he allowed them to suffer the consequences of their sinfulness.


text:
 if you are moral and ethical, then he will rise up on your behalf and prove your righteousness by rebuilding your home.


text:
 Then what you had in the past will seem small compared with the great prosperity you'll have in the future.


text:
 We have only been around since yesterday, and we know nothing. Our days on earth are only a fleeting shadow.


text:
 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will cease to exist." The Futility of Arguing With God


text:
 He made [the constellations] Ursa Major, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the clusters of stars in the south.


text:
 If it is a matter of strength, then he is the mighty one. If it is about justice, who will charge me with a crime?


text:
 If I am righteous, my own mouth would condemn me. It would declare that I am corrupt even if I am a man of integrity.


text:
 The earth is handed over to the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If he isn't the one [doing this], who is?


text:
 What do you gain by mistreating me, by rejecting the work of your hands while you favor the plans of the wicked?


text:
 How terrible it will be for me if I'm guilty! Even if I'm righteous, I dare not lift up my head. I am filled with disgrace while I look on my misery.


text:
 You keep finding new witnesses against me. You keep increasing your anger toward me. You keep bringing new armies against me.


text:
 " 'Why did you take me out of the womb? I wish I had breathed my last breath before anyone had laid eyes on me.


text:
 to a dismal land of long shadows and confusion where light is as bright as darkness. I'll never return.' " Your Words Call for an Answer, Job


text:
 He would tell you the secrets of wisdom, because [true] wisdom is twice [as great as your wisdom], and you would know that God forgets your sin.


text:
 [God's wisdom is] higher than heaven. What can you do? It is deeper than [the depths] of hell. What can you know?


text:
 Then you will be able to show your face without being ashamed, and you will be secure and unafraid.


text:
 Then your life will be brighter than the noonday sun. The darkness in your life will become like morning.


text:
 But the wicked will lose their eyesight. Their escape route will be closed. Their only hope is to take their last breath." My Friends Have No Wisdom


text:
 I am a laughingstock to my neighbors. I am one who calls on God and expects an answer. A man of integrity, a man who is righteous, has become a laughingstock.


text:
 "A person who has an easy life has no appreciation for misfortune. He thinks it is the fate of those who slip up.


text:
 [But] robbers' tents are prosperous, and there is security for those who provoke God, for those whose god is their power.


text:
 When he tears [something] down, it cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, that person cannot be freed.


text:
 He takes away the common sense of a country's leaders and makes them stumble about in a pathless wilderness.


text:
 Will it go well when he cross-examines you? Will you try to trick him as one mortal tricks another?


text:
 If God would kill me, I would have no hope [left]. Nevertheless, I will defend my behavior to his face.


text:
 If the number of his days and the number of his months are determined by you, and you set his limit, then he cannot go past it.


text:
 There is hope for a tree when it is cut down. It will sprout again. Its shoots will not stop sprouting.


text:
 so each person lies down and does not rise until the heavens cease to exist. He does not wake up. He is not awakened from his sleep.


text:
 I wish you would hide me in Sheol and keep me hidden there until your anger cools. Set a specific time for me when you will remember me.


text:
 "If a person dies, will he go on living? I will wait for my relief to come as long as my hard labor continues.


text:
 His sons are honored, and he doesn't know it. Or they become unimportant, and he doesn't realize it.


text:
 how much less will he trust the one who is disgusting and corrupt, the one who drinks wickedness like water.


text:
 "The wicked person is tortured all his days. Only a few years are reserved for the ruthless person.


text:
 "He won't escape the darkness. A flame will shrivel his branches. He will be blown away by his own breath.


text:
 He shouldn't trust in worthless things and deceive himself because he will get worthless things in return.


text:
 because a mob of godless people produces nothing, and fire burns up the tents of those who offer bribes.


text:
 They conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Their wombs produce deception." My Friends Do Not Help Ease My Pain


text:
 I, too, could speak like you if we could trade places. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you.


text:
 You have shriveled me up, which itself is a witness [against me]. My frail body rises up and testifies against me.


text:
 "God's anger tore me [apart] and attacked me. He gritted his teeth at me. My opponent looked sharply at me.


text:
 I was at ease, and he shattered me. He grabbed me by the back of the neck and smashed [my skull]. He set me up as his target,


text:
 and his archers surrounded me. He slashes open my kidneys without mercy and spills my blood on the ground.


text:
 Will hope go down with me to the gates of the grave? Will my hope rest with me in the dust?" Why Do You Think You Are So Great, Job?


text:
 Why do you rip yourself apart in anger? Should the earth be abandoned for your sake or a boulder be dislodged?


text:
 All memory about him will vanish from the earth, and his reputation will not be known on the street corner.


text:
 He will not have any children or descendants among his people or any survivor where he used to live.


text:
 This is what happens to the homes of wicked people and to those who do not know God." Admit That God Is Mistreating Me


text:
 Even if it were true that I've made a mistake without realizing it, my mistake would affect only me.


text:
 If you are trying to make yourselves look better than me by using my disgrace as an argument against me,


text:
 Indeed, I cry, 'Help! I'm being attacked!' but I get no response. I call for help, but there is no justice.


text:
 Fear death, because [your anger] is punishable by death. Then you will know there is a judge." Here Is My Answer


text:
 I have heard criticism that makes me ashamed, but a spirit beyond my understanding gives me answers.


text:
 He will give back what he earned without enjoying it. He will get no joy from the profits of his business


text:
 He will never know peace in his heart. He will never allow anything he desires to escape [his grasp].


text:
 Let that misery fill his belly. [God] throws his burning anger at the godless person and makes his wrath come down on him like rain.


text:
 He pulls it out, and it comes out of his back. The glittering point comes out of his gallbladder. "Terrors come quickly to the godless person:


text:
 Total darkness waits in hiding for his treasure. A fire that no one fans will burn him. Whatever is left in his tent will be devoured.


text:
 This is the reward God gives to the wicked person, the inheritance God has appointed for him." Comfort Me by Listening to Me


text:
 They send their little children out [to play] like a flock of lambs, and their children dance around.


text:
 Anyhow, isn't their happiness in their own power? (The plan of the wicked is foreign to my way of thinking.)


text:
 "How often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does disaster happen to them? How often does an angry God give them pain?


text:
 "[You say,] 'God saves a person's punishment for his children.' God should pay back that person so that he would know that it is a punishment.


text:
 How can he be interested in his family after he's gone, when the number of his months is cut short?


text:
 because you ask, 'Where is the house of the influential person? Where is the tent where wicked people live?'


text:
 How can you comfort me with this nonsense when your answers continue to betray me?" Admit You Are Wicked, Job


text:
 Is the Almighty pleased when you are righteous? Does he gain anything when you follow the path of integrity?


text:
 For no reason you take your brothers' goods as security for a loan and strip them of their clothes.


text:
 Yet, he filled their homes with good things. (The plan of the wicked is foreign to my way of thinking.)


text:
 He will rescue one who is not innocent. That person will be rescued by your purity." Where Can I Find God?


text:
 I want to know the words he would use to answer me. I want to understand the things he would say to me.


text:
 Would he sue me and hide behind great legal maneuvers? No, he certainly would press charges against me.


text:
 [I can't find him] because he knows the road I take. When he tests me, I'll come out as pure as gold.


text:
 "Why doesn't the Almighty set aside times [for punishment]? Why don't those who are close to him see his days [of judgment]?


text:
 Like wild donkeys in the desert, poor people go out to do their work, looking for food. The plains provide food for their children.


text:
 They harvest animal food in the field [to feed themselves]. They pick the leftover grapes in the wicked person's vineyard.


text:
 They are drenched by the rainstorms in the mountains. They hug the rocks because they can't find shelter.


text:
 "[People] snatch the [nursing] orphan from a breast and take a poor woman's baby as security for a loan.


text:
 They press out olive oil between rows [of olive trees]. They stomp on grapes in wine vats, yet they are thirsty.


text:
 Those dying in the city groan. Wounded people cry for help, but God pays no attention to their prayers.


text:
 "Such people are among those who rebel against the light. They are not acquainted with its ways. They do not stay on its paths.


text:
 In the dark, they break into houses, [but] by day they lock themselves in. They do not [even] know the light,


text:
 because morning and deep darkness are the same to them, because they are familiar with the terrors of deep darkness.


text:
 Such people are like scum on the surface of the water. Their property is cursed in the land. People do not travel the road that goes to their vineyards.


text:
 The womb forgets them. Worms feast on them. No one remembers them anymore, and wickedness is snapped like a twig.


text:
 [God] will drag away [these] mighty men by his power. These people may prosper, but they will never feel secure about life.


text:
 [Such people] may be prosperous for a little while, but then they're gone. They are brought down low and disappear like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.


text:
 "If it isn't so, who can prove I'm a liar and show that my words are worthless?" No One Is Righteous to God


text:
 How much less pure is a mortal-who is only a maggot- a descendant of Adam-who is only a worm!" My Friends Have Offered Useless Advice


text:
 "These are only glimpses of what he does. We [only] hear a whisper of him! Who can understand the thunder of his power?"


text:
 "I swear an oath by God, the one who has taken away my rights, by the Almighty, who has made my life bitter:


text:
 It's unthinkable for me to admit that you are right. Until I breathe my last breath, I will never give up my claim of integrity.


text:
 "Let my enemy be [treated] like wicked people. Let anyone who attacks me be [treated] like unrighteous people.


text:
 After all, what hope does the godless person have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?


text:
 This is what God has waiting for the wicked person, the inheritance that tyrants receive from the Almighty:


text:
 righteous people will wear what he piles up, and the innocent will divide the silver [among themselves].


text:
 He may go to bed rich, but he'll never be rich again. When he opens his eyes, nothing will be left.


text:
 They open up a mineshaft far from civilization, where no one has set foot. [In this shaft] men dangle and swing back and forth.


text:
 I put on righteousness, and it was my clothing. I practiced justice, and it was my robe and my turban.


text:
 They were as eager to hear me as they were for rain. They opened their mouths wide as if waiting for a spring shower.


text:
 I decided how they should live. I sat as their leader. I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.


text:
 "But now those who are younger than I am laugh at me. I didn't think their fathers were fit to sit with the dogs of my flock.


text:
 Since they consider me disgusting, they keep their distance from me and don't hesitate to spit in my face.


text:
 Because God has untied my cord and has made me suffer, they are no longer restrained in my presence.


text:
 They have attacked me on my right side like a mob. They trip my feet and then prepare ways to destroy me.


text:
 Yes, they remove all traces of my path in order to destroy me. No one is there to help me against them.


text:
 Terrors are directed toward me. They blow away my dignity like the wind. My prosperity vanishes like a cloud.


text:
 "But God doesn't stretch out his hand against one who is ruined when that person calls for help in his disaster.


text:
 "If my steps have left the [proper] path, or my heart has followed [the desire of] my eyes, or my hands are stained [with sin],


text:
 (From my youth the orphan grew up with me as though I were his father, and from my birth I treated the widow kindly.)


text:
 "If the people who were in my tent had said, 'We wish we had never filled [our stomachs] with his food'....


text:
 because I dreaded the large, noisy crowd and because the contempt of the [local] mobs terrified me so that I kept quiet and didn't go outside....


text:
 "If only I had someone who would listen to me! Look, here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me. Let the prosecutor write [his complaint] on a scroll.


text:
 [then] let it grow thistles instead of wheat, and foul-smelling weeds instead of barley." This is the end of Job's words.


text:
 Then Elihu, son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job because Job thought he was more righteous than God.


text:
 Elihu was also very angry with Job's three friends because they had found no answer. They made it look as if God were wrong.


text:
 When Elihu saw that the three men had no further responses, he became very angry. The Reason for Elihu's Discourse


text:
 So Elihu, son of Barachel, the descendant of Buz, replied [to Job], "I am young, and you are old. That's why I refrained from speaking and was afraid to tell you what I know.


text:
 People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don't understand what justice is merely because they're old.


text:
 I waited for you to speak. I listened for you to share your understanding until you could find the right words.


text:
 I've paid close attention to you, but none of you refuted Job. None of you has an answer to what he says.


text:
 "Job's friends have been overwhelmed and don't have any more answers. They don't have another word to say.


text:
 My belly is like [a bottle of] wine that has not been opened, like new wineskins that are ready to burst.


text:
 In a dream, a prophetic vision at night, when people fall into a deep sleep, when they sleep on their beds,


text:
 "If they have a messenger for them, a spokesman, one in a thousand, to tell people what is right for them,


text:
 then he will have pity on them and say, 'Free them from going into the pit. I have found a ransom.'


text:
 They will pray to God, who will be pleased with them. They will see God's face and shout for joy as he restores their righteousness.


text:
 Each one sings in front of other people and says, 'I sinned and did wrong instead of what was right, and it did me no good.


text:
 I'm considered a liar in spite of my rights. I've been wounded by a deadly arrow, though I haven't been disobedient.'


text:
 "You people who have understanding, listen to me. It is unthinkable that God would ever do evil or that the Almighty would ever do wicked things.


text:
 Should anyone who hates justice be allowed to govern? Will you condemn the one who is righteous and mighty?


text:
 Should anyone [even] say to a king, 'You good-for-nothing scoundrel!' or to nobles, 'You wicked people!'


text:
 The one who is righteous and mighty does not grant special favors to princes or prefer important people over poor people because his hands made them all.


text:
 They die suddenly in the middle of the night. People have seizures and pass away. Mighty people are taken away but not by human hands.


text:
 If he keeps quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him whether it is a nation or a single person?


text:
 Should God reward you on your own terms since you have rejected his? You must choose, not I. Tell me what you know. Speak!


text:
 He adds disobedience to his sin. He claps his hands to insult us. He multiplies his words against God."


text:
 If you've sinned, what effect can you have on God? If you've done many wrongs, what can you do to him?


text:
 Your wickedness affects only someone like yourself. Your righteousness affects only the descendants of Adam.


text:
 who teaches us more than he teaches the animals of the earth, who makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?'


text:
 Although you say that you pay attention to him, your case is in front of him, but you'll have to wait for him.


text:
 "Be patient with me a little longer, and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's defense.


text:
 He doesn't take his eyes off righteous people. He seats them on thrones with kings to honor them forever.


text:
 "If righteous people listen and serve [him], they will live out their days in prosperity and their years in comfort.


text:
 But if they don't listen, they will cross the River [of Death] and die like those who have no knowledge.


text:
 But those who have godless hearts remain angry. They don't even call for help when he chains them up.


text:
 "Yes, he lured you away from the jaws of trouble into an open area where you were not restrained, and your table was covered with rich foods.


text:
 Be careful that you are not led astray with riches. Don't let a large bribe turn you [to evil ways].


text:
 "Certainly, God is so great that he is beyond our understanding. The number of his years cannot be counted.


text:
 It is followed by the roar of his voice. He thunders with his majestic voice. He doesn't hold the lightning back when his thunder is heard.


text:
 He guides the clouds as they churn round and round over the face of the inhabited earth to do everything he orders them.


text:
 Whether for discipline, or for [the good of] his earth, or out of mercy, he makes the storm appear.


text:
 People can't look at the sun when it's bright among the clouds or after the wind has blown and cleared those clouds away.


text:
 The Almighty, whom we can't reach, is great in power and judgment, has more than enough righteousness, and does not oppress.


text:
 That is why people should fear him. He does not respect those who think they're wise." Who Is Able to Challenge Me?


text:
 The earth changes like clay stamped by a seal, and [parts of it] stand out like [folds in] clothing.


text:
 Which is the way to the place where light is scattered and the east wind is spread across the earth?


text:
 "Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch the does when they are in labor?


text:
 It acts harshly toward its young as if they weren't its own. It is not afraid that its work is for nothing


text:
 As often as the horn sounds, the horse says, 'Aha!' and it smells the battle far away- the thundering [orders] of the captains and the battle cries.


text:
 "Will the person who finds fault with the Almighty correct him? Will the person who argues with God answer him?"


text:
 Though the river flows powerfully against it, it's not alarmed. It's confident [even] when the Jordan rushes against its mouth.


text:
 When Leviathan sneezes, it gives out a flash of light. Its eyes are like the first rays of the dawn.


text:
 Its underside is like sharp pieces of broken pottery. It stretches out like a threshing sledge on the mud.


text:
 It looks down on all high things. It is king of everyone who is arrogant." I Admit That I Was Wrong


text:
 "[You said,] 'Who is this that belittles my advice without having any knowledge [about it]?' Yes, I have stated things I didn't understand, things too mysterious for me to know.


text:
 After the LORD had said those things to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz from Teman, "I'm very angry with you and your two friends because you didn't speak what is right about me as my servant Job has done.


text:
 So take seven young bulls and seven rams. Go to my servant Job, and make a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you. Then I will accept his prayer not to treat you as godless fools. After all, you didn't speak what is right about me as my servant Job has done."


text:
 Then Eliphaz of Teman, Bildad of Shuah, and Zophar of Naama went and did what the LORD had told them to do. And the LORD accepted Job's prayer.


text:
 After Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored Job's prosperity and gave him twice as much [as he had before].


text:
 Then all his brothers and sisters and everyone who had previously known him came to him. They ate with him at his house, sympathized with him, and comforted him for all the evil the LORD had brought to him. Each one gave him some money and a gold ring.


text:
 The LORD blessed the latter years of Job's life more than the earlier years. He had 14,000 sheep and goats, 6,000 camels, 2,000 oxen, and 1,000 donkeys.


text:
 Nowhere in the whole country could be found women who were as beautiful as Job's daughters. Their father gave them and their brothers an inheritance.


text:
 Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.


text:
 He is like a tree planted beside streams- a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does.


text:
 That is why wicked people will not be able to stand in the judgment and sinners will not be able to stand where righteous people gather.


text:
 Kings take their stands. Rulers make plans together against the LORD and against his Messiah by saying,


text:
 I will announce the LORD's decree. He said to me: "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.


text:
 Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your own possession.


text:
 Kiss the Son, or he will become angry and you will die on your way because his anger will burst into flames. Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.


text:
 [A psalm by David when he fled from his son Absalom.] O LORD, look how my enemies have increased! Many are attacking me.


text:
 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! You have slapped all my enemies in the face. You have smashed the teeth of wicked people.


text:
 [For the choir director; with stringed instruments; a psalm by David.] Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have freed me from my troubles. Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!


text:
 You important people, how long are you going to insult my honor? How long are you going to love what is empty and seek what is a lie? [Selah]


text:
 Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?" Let the light of your presence shine on us, O LORD.


text:
 I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone, O LORD, enable me to live securely.


text:
 [For the choir director; for flutes; a psalm by David.] Open your ears to my words, O LORD. Consider my innermost thoughts.


text:
 But I will enter your house because of your great mercy. Out of reverence for you, I will bow toward your holy temple.


text:
 O LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of those who spy on me. Make your way in front of me smooth.


text:
 Nothing in their mouths is truthful. Destruction comes from their hearts. Their throats are open graves. They flatter with their tongues.


text:
 Condemn them, O God. Let their own schemes be their downfall. Throw them out for their many crimes because they have rebelled against you.


text:
 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing with joy forever. Protect them, and let those who love your name triumph in you.


text:
 [For the choir director; with stringed instruments, on the [sheminith]; a psalm by David.] O LORD, do not punish me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.


text:
 All my enemies will be put to shame and deeply shaken with terror. In a moment they will retreat and be put to shame.


text:
 [A [shiggaion] by David; he sang it to the LORD about the [slanderous] words of Cush, a descendant of Benjamin.] O LORD my God, I have taken refuge in you. Save me, and rescue me from all who are pursuing me.


text:
 then let the enemy chase me and catch me. Let him trample my life into the ground. Let him lay my honor in the dust. [Selah]


text:
 Arise in anger, O LORD. Stand up against the fury of my attackers. Wake up, my God. You have already pronounced judgment.


text:
 The LORD judges the people of the world. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity.


text:
 Let the evil within wicked people come to an end, but make the righteous person secure, O righteous God who examines thoughts and emotions.


text:
 If a person does not change, God sharpens his sword. By bending his bow, he makes it ready [to shoot].


text:
 I will give thanks to the LORD for his righteousness. I will make music to praise the name of the LORD Most High.


text:
 [For the choir director; on the [gittith]; a psalm by David.] O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth! Your glory is sung above the heavens.


text:
 From the mouths of little children and infants, you have built a fortress against your opponents to silence the enemy and the avenger.


text:
 When I look at your heavens, the creation of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have set in place-


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [muth labben]; a psalm by David.] I will give [you] thanks, O LORD, with all my heart. I will tell about all the miracles you have done.


text:
 The enemy is finished-in ruins forever. You have uprooted their cities. Even the memory of them has faded.


text:
 Those who know your name trust you, O LORD, because you have never deserted those who seek your help.


text:
 Have pity on me, O LORD. Look at what I suffer because of those who hate me. You take me away from the gates of death


text:
 The nations have sunk into the pit they have made. Their feet are caught in the net they have hidden [to trap others].


text:
 The LORD is known by the judgment he has carried out. The wicked person is trapped by the work of his own hands. [Higgaion Selah]


text:
 The wicked person arrogantly pursues oppressed people. He will be caught in the schemes that he planned.


text:
 He turns up his nose [and says], "God doesn't care." His every thought [concludes], "There is no God."


text:
 He always seems to succeed. Your judgments are beyond his understanding. He spits at all his opponents.


text:
 His mouth is full of cursing, deception, and oppression. Trouble and wrongdoing are on the tip of his tongue.


text:
 He waits in ambush in the villages. From his hiding places he kills innocent people. His eyes are on the lookout for victims.


text:
 He lies in his hiding place like a lion in his den. He hides there to catch oppressed people. He catches oppressed people when he draws them into his net.


text:
 You have seen [it]; yes, you have taken note of trouble and grief and placed them under your control. The victim entrusts himself to you. You alone have been the helper of orphans.


text:
 You have heard the desire of oppressed people, O LORD. You encourage them. You pay close attention to them


text:
 in order to provide justice for orphans and oppressed people so that no mere mortal will terrify them again.


text:
 [For the choir director; by David.] I have taken refuge in the LORD. How can you say to me: "Flee to your mountain like a bird?


text:
 Wicked people bend their bows. They set their arrows against the strings to shoot in the dark at people whose motives are decent.


text:
 The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD's throne is in heaven. His eyes see. They examine Adam's descendants.


text:
 He rains down fire and burning sulfur upon wicked people. He makes them drink from a cup filled with scorching wind.


text:
 [For the choir director; on the [sheminith]; a psalm by David.] Help, O LORD. No godly person is left. Faithful people have vanished from among Adam's descendants!


text:
 "Because oppressed people are robbed and needy people groan, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will provide safety for those who long for it."


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?


text:
 How long must I make decisions alone with sorrow in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me?


text:
 and my enemy will say, "I have overpowered him." My opponents will rejoice because I have been shaken.


text:
 [For the choir director; by David.] Godless fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They do disgusting things. There is no one who does good things.


text:
 The LORD looks down from heaven on Adam's descendants to see if there is anyone who acts wisely, if there is anyone who seeks help from God.


text:
 Everyone has turned away. Together they have become rotten to the core. No one, not even one person, does good things.


text:
 Are all those troublemakers, those who devour my people as if they were devouring food, so ignorant that they do not call on the LORD?


text:
 If only salvation for Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice. Israel will be glad.


text:
 [A psalm by David.] The one who walks with integrity, does what is righteous, and speaks the truth within his heart.


text:
 The one who does not slander with his tongue, do evil to a friend, or bring disgrace on his neighbor.


text:
 The one who despises those rejected by God but honors those who fear the LORD. The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it.


text:
 The one who does not collect interest on a loan or take a bribe against an innocent person. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.


text:
 Those who quickly chase after other gods multiply their sorrows. I will not pour out their sacrificial offerings of blood or use my lips to speak their names.


text:
 Your boundary lines mark out pleasant places for me. Indeed, my inheritance is something beautiful.


text:
 You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever.


text:
 [A prayer by David.] Hear my plea for justice, O LORD. Pay attention to my cry. Open your ears to my prayer, [which comes] from lips free from deceit.


text:
 You have probed my heart. You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have determined that my mouth will not sin.


text:
 I have called on you because you answer me, O God. Turn your ear toward me. Hear what I have to say.


text:
 Reveal your miraculous deeds of mercy, O Savior of those who find refuge by your side from those who attack them.


text:
 They have tracked me down. They have surrounded me. They have focused their attention on throwing me to the ground.


text:
 Each one of them is like a lion eager to tear [its prey] apart and like a young lion crouching in hiding places.


text:
 Arise, O LORD; confront them! Bring them to their knees! With your sword rescue my life from wicked people.


text:
 With your power rescue me from mortals, O LORD, from mortals who enjoy their inheritance only in this life. You fill their bellies with your treasure. Their children are satisfied [with it], and they leave what remains to their children.


text:
 I will see your face when I am declared innocent. When I wake up, I will be satisfied [with seeing] you.


text:
 [For the choir director; by David, the servant of the LORD. He sang this song to the LORD when the LORD rescued him from all his enemies, especially from Saul. He said,] I love you, O LORD, my strength.


text:
 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my Savior, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold.


text:
 I called on the LORD in my distress. I cried to my God for help. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help reached his ears.


text:
 Then the earth shook and quaked. Even the foundations of the mountains trembled. They shook violently because he was angry.


text:
 The LORD thundered in the heavens. The Most High made his voice heard with hailstones and lightning.


text:
 He shot his arrows and scattered them. He flashed streaks of lightning and threw them into confusion.


text:
 Then the ocean floor could be seen. The foundations of the earth were laid bare at your stern warning, O LORD, at the blast of the breath from your nostrils.


text:
 You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand supports me. Your gentleness makes me great.


text:
 They cried out for help, but there was no one to save them. They cried out to the LORD, but he did not answer them.


text:
 I beat them into a powder as fine as the dust blown by the wind. I threw them out as though they were dirt on the streets.


text:
 You rescued me from my conflicts with the people. You made me the leader of nations. A people I did not know will serve me:


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made.


text:
 [Yet,] their sound has gone out into the entire world, their message to the ends of the earth. He has set up a tent in the heavens for the sun,


text:
 It rises from one end of the heavens. It circles around to the other. Nothing is hidden from its heat.


text:
 The teachings of the LORD are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of the LORD is dependable. It makes gullible people wise.


text:
 The instructions of the LORD are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The command of the LORD is radiant. It makes the eyes shine.


text:
 The fear of the LORD is pure. It endures forever. The decisions of the LORD are true. They are completely fair.


text:
 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb.


text:
 Keep me from sinning. Do not let anyone gain control over me. Then I will be blameless, and I will be free from any great offense.


text:
 May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my defender.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] The LORD will answer you in times of trouble. The name of the God of Jacob will protect you.


text:
 We will joyfully sing about your victory. We will wave our flags in the name of our God. The LORD will fulfill all your requests.


text:
 Now I know that the LORD will give victory to his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty deeds of his powerful hand.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] The king finds joy in your strength, O LORD. What great joy he has in your victory!


text:
 When you appear, you will make them [burn]like a blazing furnace. The LORD will swallow them up in his anger. Fire will devour them.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [ayyeleth hashachar]; a psalm by David.] My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away from helping me, so far away from the words of my groaning?


text:
 "Put yourself in the LORD's hands. Let the LORD save him! Let God rescue him since he is pleased with him!"


text:
 Indeed, you are the one who brought me out of the womb, the one who made me feel safe at my mother's breasts.


text:
 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. It has melted within me.


text:
 My strength is dried up like pieces of broken pottery. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me down in the dust of death.


text:
 All who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him! Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel.


text:
 The LORD has not despised or been disgusted with the plight of the oppressed one. He has not hidden his face from that person. The LORD heard when that oppressed person cried out to him for help.


text:
 My praise comes from you while I am among those assembled for worship. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who fear the LORD.


text:
 Oppressed people will eat until they are full. Those who look to the LORD will praise him. May you live forever.


text:
 All the ends of the earth will remember and return to the LORD. All the families from all the nations will worship you


text:
 All prosperous people on earth will eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust will kneel in front of him, even those who are barely alive.


text:
 Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and your staff give me courage.


text:
 You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.


text:
 Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the LORD's house for days without end.


text:
 [A psalm by David.] The earth and everything it contains are the LORD's. The world and all who live in it are his.


text:
 [The one who] has clean hands and a pure heart and does not long for what is false or lie when he is under oath.


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 No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame, but all who are unfaithful will be put to shame.


text:
 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my rebellious ways. Remember me, O LORD, in keeping with your mercy and your goodness.


text:
 Every path of the LORD is [one of] mercy and truth for those who cling to his promise and written instructions.


text:
 Who, then, is this person that fears the LORD? He is the one whom the LORD will teach which path to choose.


text:
 [By David.] Judge me favorably, O LORD, because I have walked with integrity and I have trusted you without wavering.


text:
 [By David.] The LORD is my light and my salvation. Who is there to fear? The LORD is my life's fortress. Who is there to be afraid of?


text:
 Even though an army sets up camp against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, I will still have confidence [in the LORD].


text:
 I have asked one thing from the LORD. This I will seek: to remain in the LORD's house all the days of my life in order to gaze at the LORD's beauty and to search for an answer in his temple.


text:
 He hides me in his shelter when there is trouble. He keeps me hidden in his tent. He sets me high on a rock.


text:
 Now my head will be raised above my enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy in his tent. I will sing and make music to praise the LORD.


text:
 Do not hide your face from me. Do not angrily turn me away. You have been my help. Do not leave me! Do not abandon me, O God, my savior!


text:
 Do not surrender me to the will of my opponents. False witnesses have risen against me. They breathe out violence.


text:
 Wait with hope for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the LORD.


text:
 [By David.] O LORD, I call to you. O my rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. If you remain silent, I will be like those who go into the pit.


text:
 Hear my prayer for mercy when I call to you for help, when I lift my hands toward your most holy place.


text:
 Do not drag me away with wicked people, with troublemakers who speak of peace with their neighbors but have evil in their hearts.


text:
 Pay them back for what they have done, for their evil deeds. Pay them back for what their hands have done, and give them what they deserve.


text:
 The LORD will tear them down and never build them up again, because they never consider what he has done or what his hands have made.


text:
 The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart trusted him, so I received help. My heart is triumphant; I give thanks to him with my song.


text:
 The voice of the LORD rolls over the water. The God of glory thunders. The LORD shouts over raging water.


text:
 The voice of the LORD makes the wilderness tremble. The LORD makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble.


text:
 The voice of the LORD splits the oaks and strips [the trees of] the forests bare. Everyone in his temple is saying, "Glory!"


text:
 [A psalm by David sung at the dedication of the temple.] I will honor you highly, O LORD, because you have pulled me out [of the pit] and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.


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 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave. You called me back to life from among those who had gone into the pit.


text:
 Make music to praise the LORD, you faithful people who belong to him. Remember his holiness by giving thanks.


text:
 His anger lasts only a moment. His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night, but there is a song of joy in the morning.


text:
 O LORD, by your favor you have made my mountain stand firm. When you hid your face, I was terrified.


text:
 "How will you profit if my blood is shed, if I go into the pit? Will the dust [of my body] give thanks to you? Will it tell about your truth?"


text:
 so that my soul may praise you with music and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.


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 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] I have taken refuge in you, O LORD. Never let me be put to shame. Save me because of your righteousness.


text:
 Turn your ear toward me. Rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.


text:
 I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy. You have seen my misery. You have known the troubles in my soul.


text:
 Have pity on me, O LORD, because I am in distress. My eyes, my soul, and my body waste away from grief.


text:
 My life is exhausted from sorrow, my years from groaning. My strength staggers under [the weight of] my guilt, and my bones waste away.


text:
 I have become a disgrace because of all my opponents. I have become someone dreaded by my friends, even by my neighbors. Those who see me on the street run away from me.


text:
 I have heard the whispering of many people- terror on every side- while they made plans together against me. They were plotting to take my life.


text:
 O LORD, I have called on you, so do not let me be put to shame. Let wicked people be put to shame. Let them be silent in the grave.


text:
 Let [their] lying lips be speechless, since they speak against righteous people with arrogance and contempt.


text:
 Your kindness is so great! You reserve it for those who fear you. Adam's descendants watch as you show it to those who take refuge in you.


text:
 You hide them in the secret place of your presence from those who scheme against them. You keep them in a shelter, safe from quarrelsome tongues.


text:
 When I was panic-stricken, I said, "I have been cut off from your sight." But you heard my pleas for mercy when I cried out to you for help.


text:
 Love the LORD, all you godly ones! The LORD protects faithful people, but he pays back in full those who act arrogantly.


text:
 [A psalm by David; a [maskil] Blessed is the person whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned.


text:
 I made my sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt. I decided to confess them to you, O LORD. Then you forgave all my sins. [Selah]


text:
 For this reason let all godly people pray to you when you may be found. Then raging floodwater will not reach them.


text:
 You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyous songs of salvation. [Selah]


text:
 [The LORD says,] "I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.


text:
 Don't be stubborn like a horse or mule. [They need] a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them, or they will not come near you."


text:
 Be glad and find joy in the LORD, you righteous people. Sing with joy, all whose motives are decent.


text:
 No king achieves a victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength.


text:
 [By David when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech; Abimelech threw him out, so David left.] I will thank the LORD at all times. My mouth will always praise him.


text:
 Young lions go hungry and may starve, but those who seek the LORD's help have all the good things they need.


text:
 Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgraced. Let those who plan my downfall be turned back in confusion.


text:
 Let destruction surprise them. Let the net that they hid catch them. Let them fall into their own pit and be destroyed.


text:
 All my bones will say, "O LORD, who can compare with you? You rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him and weak and needy people from the one who robs them."


text:
 But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. When my prayer returned unanswered,


text:
 I walked around as if I were mourning for my friend or my brother. I was bent over as if I were mourning for my mother.


text:
 Yet, when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me. Unknown attackers tore me apart without stopping.


text:
 O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue me from their attacks. Rescue my precious life from the lions.


text:
 Do not let my treacherous enemies gloat over me. Do not let those who hate me for no reason wink [at me].


text:
 Let those who gloat over my downfall be thoroughly put to shame and confused. Let those who promote themselves at my expense be clothed with shame and disgrace.


text:
 Let those who are happy when I am declared innocent joyfully sing and rejoice. Let them continually say, "The LORD is great. He is happy when his servant has peace."


text:
 [For the choir director; by David, the LORD's servant.] There is an inspired truth about the wicked person who has rebellion in the depths of his heart: He is not terrified of God.


text:
 The words from his mouth are [nothing but] trouble and deception. He has stopped doing what is wise and good.


text:
 He invents trouble while lying on his bed and chooses to go the wrong direction. He does not reject evil.


text:
 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, your judgments like the deep ocean. You save people and animals, O LORD.


text:
 They are refreshed with the rich foods in your house, and you make them drink from the river of your pleasure.


text:
 Continue to show your mercy to those who know you and your righteousness to those whose motives are decent.


text:
 Look at the troublemakers who have fallen. They have been pushed down and are unable to stand up again.


text:
 Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with [an evildoer]who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes.


text:
 Evildoers will be cut off [from their inheritance], but those who wait with hope for the LORD will inherit the land.


text:
 In a little while a wicked person will vanish. Then you can carefully examine where he was, but there will be no trace of him.


text:
 Wicked people pull out their swords and bend their bows to kill oppressed and needy people, to slaughter those who are decent.


text:
 But wicked people will disappear. The LORD's enemies will vanish like the best part of a meadow. They will vanish like smoke.


text:
 I have been young, and now I am old, but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned or his descendants begging for food.


text:
 The LORD loves justice, and he will not abandon his godly ones. They will be kept safe forever, but the descendants of wicked people will be cut off.


text:
 But the LORD will not abandon him to the wicked person's power or condemn him when he is brought to trial.


text:
 Wait with hope for the LORD, and follow his path, and he will honor you by giving you the land. When wicked people are cut off, you will see it.


text:
 The LORD helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from wicked people. He saves them because they have taken refuge in him.


text:
 [A psalm by David; to be kept in mind.] O LORD, do not angrily punish me or discipline me in your wrath.


text:
 No healthy spot is left on my body because of your rage. There is no peace in my bones because of my sin.


text:
 My loved ones and my friends keep their distance and my relatives stand far away because of my sickness.


text:
 Those who seek my life lay traps for me. Those who are out to harm me talk about ruining me. All day long they think of ways to deceive me.


text:
 I said, "Do not let them gloat over me. When my foot slips, do not let them promote themselves at my expense."


text:
 [For the choir director; for Jeduthun; a psalm by David.] I said, "I will watch my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue. I will bridle my mouth while wicked people are in my presence."


text:
 I remained totally speechless. I kept silent, although it did me no good. While I was deep in thought, my pain grew worse.


text:
 "Teach me, O LORD, about the end of my life. Teach me about the number of days I have left so that I may know how temporary my life is.


text:
 Indeed, you have made the length of my days [only] a few inches. My life span is nothing compared to yours. Certainly, everyone alive is like a whisper in the wind. [Selah]


text:
 Each person who walks around is like a shadow. They are busy for no reason. They accumulate riches without knowing who will get them."


text:
 With stern warnings you discipline people for their crimes. Like a moth you eat away at what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a whisper in the wind. [Selah]


text:
 Listen to my prayer, O LORD. Open your ear to my cry for help. Do not be deaf to my tears, for I am a foreign resident with you, a stranger like all my ancestors.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me and heard my cry for help.


text:
 He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure.


text:
 He placed a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see this and worship. They will trust the LORD.


text:
 Blessed is the person who places his confidence in the LORD and does not rely on arrogant people or those who follow lies.


text:
 You have done many miraculous things, O LORD my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count.


text:
 You were not pleased with sacrifices and offerings. You have dug out two ears for me. You did not ask for burnt offerings or sacrifices for sin.


text:
 I will announce the good news of righteousness among those assembled for worship. I will not close my lips. You know that, O LORD.


text:
 I have not buried your righteousness deep in my heart. I have been outspoken about your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not hidden your mercy and your truth from those assembled for worship.


text:
 Countless evils have surrounded me. My sins have caught up with me so that I can no longer see. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost heart.


text:
 Let all those who seek to end my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who want my downfall be turned back and disgraced.


text:
 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, "The LORD is great!"


text:
 But I am oppressed and needy. May the Lord think of me. You are my help and my savior. O my God, do not delay!


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] Blessed is the one who has concern for helpless people. The LORD will rescue him in times of trouble.


text:
 The LORD will protect him and keep him alive. He will be blessed in the land. Do not place him at the mercy of his enemies.


text:
 My enemies say terrible things about me: "When will he die, and when will his family name disappear?"


text:
 When one of them comes to visit me, he speaks foolishly. His heart collects gossip. [Then] he leaves to tell others.


text:
 and my enemy cannot shout in triumph over me. When you do this, I know that you are pleased with me.


text:
 [For the choir director; a [maskil] by Korah's descendants.] As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.


text:
 I will remember these things as I pour out my soul: how I used to walk with the crowd and lead it in a procession to God's house. [I sang] songs of joy and thanksgiving while crowds of people celebrated a festival.


text:
 Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God.


text:
 My soul is discouraged. That is why I will remember you in the land of Jordan, on the peaks of Hermon, on Mount Mizar.


text:
 One deep sea calls to another at the roar of your waterspouts. All the whitecaps on your waves have swept over me.


text:
 The LORD commands his mercy during the day, and at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life.


text:
 I will ask God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk around in mourning while the enemy oppresses me?"


text:
 With a shattering blow to my bones, my enemies taunt me. They ask me all day long, "Where is your God?"


text:
 Judge me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation. Rescue me from deceitful and unjust people.


text:
 You are my fortress, O God! Why have you rejected me? Why must I walk around in mourning while the enemy oppresses me?


text:
 Send your light and your truth. Let them guide me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain and to your dwelling place.


text:
 Then let me go to the altar of God, to God my [highest] joy, and I will give thanks to you on the lyre, O God, my God.


text:
 [For the choir director; a [maskil] by Korah's descendants.] O God, we have heard it with our own ears. Our ancestors have told us about the miracle you performed in their day, in days long ago.


text:
 By your power you forced nations [out of the land], but you planted our ancestors [there]. You shattered many groups of people, but you set our ancestors free.


text:
 It was not with their swords that they took possession of the land. They did not gain victory with their own strength. It was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your presence [that did it], because you were pleased with them.


text:
 because of the words of those who insult and slander us, because of the presence of the enemy and the avenger.


text:
 Indeed, we are being killed all day long because of you. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [shoshannim]; a [maskil] by Korah's descendants; a love song.] My heart is overflowing with good news. I will direct my song to the king. My tongue is a pen for a skillful writer.


text:
 You are the most handsome of Adam's descendants. Grace is poured on your lips. That is why God has blessed you forever.


text:
 Ride on victoriously in your majesty for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand teach you awe-inspiring things.


text:
 You have loved what is right and hated what is wrong. That is why God, your God, has anointed you, rather than your companions, with the oil of joy.


text:
 All your robes are [fragrant] with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. From ivory palaces the music of stringed instruments delights you.


text:
 The daughters of kings are among your noble ladies. The queen takes her place at your right hand and wears gold from Ophir.


text:
 Listen, daughter! Look closely! Turn your ear [toward me]. Forget your people, and forget your father's house.


text:
 Wearing a colorful gown, she is brought to the king. Her bridesmaids follow her. They will be brought to you.


text:
 I will cause your name to be remembered throughout every generation. That is why the nations will give thanks to you forever and ever.


text:
 [For the choir director; a song by the descendants of Korah; according to [alamoth].] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.


text:
 That is why we are not afraid even when the earth quakes or the mountains topple into the depths of the sea.


text:
 There is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God, the holy place where the Most High lives.


text:
 He puts an end to wars all over the earth. He breaks an archer's bow. He cuts spears in two. He burns chariots.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by Korah's descendants.] Clap your hands, all you people. Shout to God with a loud, joyful song.


text:
 The influential people from the nations gather together as the people of the God of Abraham. The rulers of the earth belong to God. He rules everything.


text:
 [A song; a psalm by Korah's descendants.] The LORD is great. He should be highly praised. His holy mountain is in the city of our God.


text:
 Its beautiful peak is the joy of the whole earth. Mount Zion is on the northern ridge. It is the city of the great king.


text:
 The things we had only heard about, we have now seen in the city of the LORD of Armies, in the city of our God. God makes Zion stand firm forever. [Selah]


text:
 Like your name, O God, your praise [reaches] to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by Korah's descendants.] Listen to this, all you people. Open your ears, all who live in the world-


text:
 Indeed, one can see that wise people die, that foolish and stupid people meet the same end. They leave their riches to others.


text:
 Although they named their lands after themselves, their graves have become their homes for ages to come, their dwelling places throughout every generation.


text:
 This is the final outcome for fools and their followers who are delighted by what they say: [Selah]


text:
 Like sheep, they are driven to hell with death as their shepherd. (Decent people will rule them in the morning.) Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes.


text:
 Even though he blesses himself while he is alive (and they praise you when you do well for yourself),


text:
 [A psalm by Asaph.] The LORD, the only true God, has spoken. He has summoned the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets.


text:
 Our God will come and will not remain silent. A devouring fire is in front of him and a raging storm around him.


text:
 "Listen, my people, and I will speak. Listen, Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God!


text:
 [But] I will not accept [another] young bull from your household or a single male goat from your pens.


text:
 When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery.


text:
 When you did these things, I remained silent. [That] made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see.


text:
 Consider this, you people who forget God. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you.


text:
 Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God."


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David's adultery with Bathsheba.] Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy. In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts.


text:
 I have sinned against you, especially you. I have done what you consider evil. So you hand down justice when you speak, and you are blameless when you judge.


text:
 Rescue me from the guilt of murder, O God, my savior. Let my tongue sing joyfully about your righteousness!


text:
 You are not happy with any sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one [to you]. You are not pleased with burnt offerings.


text:
 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.


text:
 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit- with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Young bulls will be offered on your altar.


text:
 [For the choir director; a [maskil]; a psalm by David when Doeg (who was from Edom) told Saul that David had come to Ahimelech's home.] Why do you brag about the evil you've done, you hero? The mercy of God lasts all day long!


text:
 But God will ruin you forever. He will grab you and drag you out of your tent. He will pull your roots out of this world of the living. [Selah]


text:
 "Look at this person who refused to make God his fortress! Instead, he trusted his great wealth and became strong through his greed."


text:
 I will give thanks to you forever for what you have done. In the presence of your godly people, I will wait with hope in your good name.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [mahalath], a [maskil] by David.] Godless fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They do disgusting things. There is no one who does good things.


text:
 God looks down from heaven on Adam's descendants to see if there is anyone who acts wisely, if there is anyone who seeks help from God.


text:
 Everyone has fallen away. Together they have become rotten to the core. No one, not even one person, does good things.


text:
 Are all those troublemakers, those who devour my people as if they were devouring food, so ignorant that they do not call on God?


text:
 There they are-panic-stricken- [but] there was no reason to panic, because God has scattered the bones of those who set up camp against you. You put them to shame. After all, God has rejected them.


text:
 If only salvation for Israel would come from Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice. Israel will be glad.


text:
 [For the choir director; on stringed instruments; a [maskil] by David when people from the city of Ziph told Saul that David was hiding among them.] O God, save me by your name, and defend me with your might.


text:
 I will make a sacrifice to you along with a freewill offering. I will give thanks to your good name, O LORD.


text:
 [For the choir director; on stringed instruments; a [maskil] by David.] Open your ears to my prayer, O God. Do not hide from my plea for mercy.


text:
 because my enemy shouts at me and a wicked person persecutes me. They bring misery crashing down on me, and they attack me out of anger.


text:
 If an enemy had insulted me, then I could bear it. If someone who hated me had attacked me, then I could hide from him.


text:
 We used to talk to each other in complete confidence and walk into God's house with the festival crowds.


text:
 Let death suddenly take [wicked people]! Let them go into the grave while they are still alive, because evil lives in their homes as well as in their hearts.


text:
 With [his] peace, he will rescue my soul from the war waged against me, because there are many [soldiers fighting] against me.


text:
 God will listen. The one who has sat enthroned from the beginning will deal with them. [Selah] They never change. They never fear God.


text:
 His speech is smoother than butter, but there is war in his heart. His words are more soothing than oil, but they are like swords ready to attack.


text:
 Turn your burdens over to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble.


text:
 But you, O God, will throw [wicked people]into the deepest pit. Bloodthirsty and deceitful people will not live out half their days. But I will trust you.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [yonath elem rechokim]; a [miktam] by David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.] Have pity on me, O God, because people are harassing me. All day long warriors oppress me.


text:
 (You have kept a record of my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. They are already in your book.)


text:
 You have rescued me from death. You have kept my feet from stumbling so that I could walk in your presence, in the light of life.


text:
 [For the choir director; [al tashcheth]; a [miktam] by David when he fled from Saul into the cave.] Have pity on me, O God. Have pity on me, because my soul takes refuge in you. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until destructive storms pass by.


text:
 He sends his help from heaven and saves me. He disgraces the one who is harassing me. [Selah] God sends his mercy and his truth!


text:
 My soul is surrounded by lions. I must lie down with man-eating lions. Their teeth are spears and arrows. Their tongues are sharp swords.


text:
 [My enemies] spread out a net to catch me. (My soul is bowed down.) They dug a pit to trap me, but then they fell into it. [Selah]


text:
 I want to give thanks to you among the people, O Lord. I want to make music to praise you among the nations


text:
 [For the choir director; [al tashcheth]; a [miktam] by David.] Do you rulers really give fair verdicts? Do you judge Adam's descendants fairly?


text:
 Let them disappear like water that drains away. When they aim their bows, let their arrows miss the target.


text:
 Let them become like a snail that leaves behind a slimy trail or like a stillborn child who never sees the sun.


text:
 Righteous people will rejoice when they see [God] take revenge. They will wash their feet in the blood of wicked people.


text:
 Then people will say, "Righteous people certainly have a reward. There is a God who judges on earth."


text:
 [For the choir director; [al tashcheth]; a [miktam] by David when Saul sent men to watch David's home and kill him.] Rescue me from my enemies, O my God. Protect me from those who attack me.


text:
 They lie in ambush for me right here! Fierce men attack me, O LORD, but not because of any disobedience,


text:
 or any sin, or any guilt on my part. They hurry to take positions against me. Wake up, and help me; see [for yourself].


text:
 O LORD God of Armies, God of Israel, arise to punish all the nations. Have no pity on any traitors. [Selah]


text:
 Do not kill them. Otherwise, my people may forget. Make them wander aimlessly by your power. Bring them down, O Lord, our shield,


text:
 [because of] the sins from their mouths and the words on their lips. Let them be trapped by their own arrogance because they speak curses and lies.


text:
 Destroy them in your rage. Destroy them until not one of them is left. Then they will know that God rules Jacob to the ends of the earth. [Selah]


text:
 They wander around to find something to eat. If they are not full enough, they will stay all night.


text:
 But I will sing about your strength. In the morning I will joyfully sing about your mercy. You have been my stronghold and a place of safety in times of trouble.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [shushan eduth]; a [miktam] by David; for teaching. When David fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and [when] Joab came back and killed 12,000 men from Edom in the Dead Sea region.] O God, you have rejected us. You have broken down our defenses. You have been angry. Restore us!


text:
 You made the land quake. You split it wide open. Heal the cracks in it because it is falling apart.


text:
 Yet, you have raised a flag for those who fear you so that they can rally to it when attacked by bows [and arrows]. [Selah]


text:
 God has promised the following through his holiness: "I will triumph! I will divide Shechem. I will measure the valley of Succoth.


text:
 [For the choir director; on a stringed instrument; by David.] Listen to my cry for help, O God. Pay attention to my prayer.


text:
 From the ends of the earth, I call to you when I begin to lose heart. Lead me to the rock that is high above me.


text:
 I would like to be a guest in your tent forever and to take refuge under the protection of your wings. [Selah]


text:
 O God, you have heard my vows. You have given me the inheritance that belongs to those who fear your name.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to Jeduthun; a psalm by David.] My soul waits calmly for God alone. My salvation comes from him.


text:
 How long will all of you attack a person? How long will you try to murder him, as though he were a leaning wall or a sagging fence?


text:
 They plan to force him out of his high position. They are happy to lie. They bless with their mouths, but in their hearts they curse. [Selah]


text:
 Trust him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts in his presence. God is our refuge. [Selah]


text:
 Common people are only a whisper in the wind. Important people are only a delusion. When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing. They are less than a whisper in the wind.


text:
 Do not count on extortion [to make you rich]. Do not hope to gain anything through robbery. When riches increase, do not depend on them.


text:
 [A psalm by David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.] O God, you are my God. At dawn I search for you. My soul thirsts for you. My body longs for you in a dry, parched land where there is no water.


text:
 But the king will find joy in God. Everyone who takes an oath by God will brag, but the mouths of liars will be shut.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David.] Hear my voice, O God, when I complain. Protect my life from a terrifying enemy.


text:
 to shoot at innocent people from their hiding places. They shoot at them suddenly, without any fear.


text:
 They encourage one another in their evil plans. They talk about setting traps and say, "Who can see them?"


text:
 They search for the perfect crime and say, "We have perfected a foolproof scheme!" Human nature and the human heart are a mystery!


text:
 Everyone will be afraid and conclude, "This is an act of God!" They will learn from what he has done.


text:
 Righteous people will find joy in the LORD and take refuge in him. Everyone whose motives are decent will be able to brag.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David; a song.] You are praised with silence in Zion, O God, and vows [made] to you must be kept.


text:
 Blessed is the person you choose and invite to live with you in your courtyards. We will be filled with good food from your house, from your holy temple.


text:
 You answer us with awe-inspiring acts [done] in righteousness, O God, our savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the most distant sea,


text:
 Those who live at the ends of the earth are in awe of your miraculous signs. The lands of the morning sunrise and evening sunset sing joyfully.


text:
 You take care of the earth, and you water it. You make it much richer than it was. (The river of God is filled with water.) You provide grain for them. Indeed, you even prepare the ground.


text:
 You drench plowed fields [with rain] and level their clumps of soil. You soften them with showers and bless what grows in them.


text:
 The pastures are covered with flocks. The valleys are carpeted with grain. All of them shout triumphantly. Indeed, they sing.


text:
 Say to God, "How awe-inspiring are your deeds! Your power is so great that your enemies will cringe in front of you.


text:
 The whole earth will worship you. It will make music to praise you. It will make music to praise your name." [Selah]


text:
 He turned the sea into dry land. They crossed the river on foot. We rejoiced because of what he did there.


text:
 He rules forever with his might. His eyes watch the nations. Rebels will not be able to oppose him. [Selah]


text:
 You let people ride over our heads. We went through fire and water, but then you brought us out and refreshed us.


text:
 I will offer you a sacrifice of fattened livestock for burnt offerings with the smoke from rams. I will offer cattle and goats. [Selah]


text:
 [For the choir director; on stringed instruments; a psalm; a song.] May God have pity on us and bless us! May he smile on us. [Selah]


text:
 Let the nations be glad and sing joyfully because you judge everyone with justice and guide the nations on the earth. [Selah]


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by David; a song.] God will arise. His enemies will be scattered. Those who hate him will flee from him.


text:
 But let righteous people rejoice. Let them celebrate in God's presence. Let them overflow with joy.


text:
 Sing to God; make music to praise his name. Make a highway for him to ride through the deserts. The LORD is his name. Celebrate in his presence.


text:
 The God who is in his holy dwelling place is the father of the fatherless and the defender of widows.


text:
 God places lonely people in families. He leads prisoners out of prison into productive lives, but rebellious people must live in an unproductive land.


text:
 the earth quaked and the sky poured in the presence of the God of Sinai, in the presence of the God of Israel.


text:
 [They say,] "The kings of the armies flee; they run away. The women who remained at home will divide the goods.


text:
 Though you stayed among the sheep pens, [you will be like] the wings of a dove covered with silver, its feathers with yellow gold.


text:
 The mountain of Bashan is the mountain of God. The mountain of Bashan is the mountain with many peaks.


text:
 Why do you look with envy, you mountains with many peaks, at the mountain where God has chosen to live? Certainly, the LORD will live there forever.


text:
 The chariots of God are twenty thousand in number, thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them. [The God of] Sinai is in his holy place.


text:
 You went to the highest place. You took prisoners captive. You received gifts from people, even from rebellious people, so that the LORD God may live there.


text:
 Certainly, God will crush the heads of his enemies [and destroy even] the hair on the heads of those who continue to be guilty.


text:
 The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan. I will bring them back from the depths of the sea


text:
 so that you, [my people,] may bathe your feet in blood and the tongues of your dogs may lick the blood of your enemies."


text:
 Your festival processions, O God, can be seen by everyone. They are the processions for my God, my king, into the holy place.


text:
 The singers are in front. The musicians are behind them. The young women beating tambourines are between them.


text:
 Benjamin, the youngest, is leading them, [next] the leaders of Judah with their noisy crowds, [then] the leaders of Zebulun, [then] the leaders of Naphtali.


text:
 Threaten the beast who is among the cattails, the herd of bulls with the calves of the nations, until it humbles itself with pieces of silver. Scatter the people who find joy in war.


text:
 God rides through the ancient heaven, the highest heaven. Listen! He makes his voice heard, his powerful voice.


text:
 God, the God of Israel, is awe-inspiring in his holy place. He gives strength and power to his people. Thanks be to God!


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [shoshannim]; by David.] Save me, O God! The water is already up to my neck!


text:
 I am sinking in deep mud. There is nothing to stand on. I am in deep water. A flood is sweeping me away.


text:
 I am exhausted from crying for help. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are strained [from] looking for my God.


text:
 Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. Those who want to destroy me are mighty. They have no reason to be my enemies. I am forced to pay back what I did not steal.


text:
 Do not let those who wait with hope for you be put to shame because of me, O Almighty LORD of Armies. Do not let those who come to you for help be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel.


text:
 Indeed, devotion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.


text:
 May my prayer come to you at an acceptable time, O LORD. O God, out of the greatness of your mercy, answer me with the truth of your salvation.


text:
 Rescue me from the mud. Do not let me sink [into it]. I want to be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep water.


text:
 Do not let floodwaters sweep me away. Do not let the ocean swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.


text:
 You know that I have been insulted, put to shame, and humiliated. All my opponents are in front of you.


text:
 Insults have broken my heart, and I am sick. I looked for sympathy, but there was none. I looked for people to comfort me, but I found no one.


text:
 Let their [names] be erased from the Book of Life. Do not let them be listed with righteous people.


text:
 I want to praise the name of God with a song. I want to praise its greatness with a song of thanksgiving.


text:
 Oppressed people will see [this] and rejoice. May the hearts of those who look to God for help be refreshed.


text:
 When God saves Zion, he will rebuild the cities of Judah. His servants will live there and take possession of it.


text:
 [For the choir director; by David; to be kept in mind.] Come quickly to rescue me, O God! Come quickly to help me, O LORD!


text:
 Let those who seek my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who want my downfall be turned back and disgraced.


text:
 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, "God is great!"


text:
 But I am oppressed and needy. O God, come to me quickly. You are my help and my savior. O LORD, do not delay!


text:
 Be a rock on which I may live, a place where I may always go. You gave the order to save me! Indeed, you are my rock and my fortress.


text:
 I depended on you before I was born. You took me from my mother's womb. My songs of praise constantly speak about you.


text:
 Let those who accuse me come to a shameful end. Let those who want my downfall be covered with disgrace and humiliation.


text:
 My mouth will tell about your righteousness, about your salvation all day long. Even then, it is more than I can understand.


text:
 I will come with the mighty deeds of the Almighty LORD. I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.


text:
 O God, you have taught me ever since I was young, and I still talk about the miracles you have done.


text:
 Even when I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me live to tell the people of this age what your strength has accomplished, to tell about your power to all who will come.


text:
 Your righteousness reaches to the heavens, O God. You have done great things. O God, who is like you?


text:
 You have made me endure many terrible troubles. You restore me to life again. You bring me back from the depths of the earth.


text:
 Because of your faithfulness, O my God, even I will give thanks to you as I play on a lyre. I will make music with a harp to praise you, O Holy One of Israel.


text:
 My lips will sing with joy when I make music to praise you. My soul, which you have rescued, also will sing joyfully.


text:
 My tongue will tell about your righteousness all day long, because those who wanted my downfall have been disgraced and put to shame.


text:
 May he grant justice to the people who are oppressed. May he save the children of needy people and crush their oppressor.


text:
 May righteous people blossom in his day. May there be unlimited peace until the moon no longer [shines].


text:
 May the kings from Tarshish and the islands bring presents. May the kings from Sheba and Seba bring gifts.


text:
 May he live long. May the gold from Sheba be given to him. May [the people] pray for him continually. May [they] praise him all day long.


text:
 May there be plenty of grain in the land. May it wave [in the breeze] on the mountaintops, its fruit like [the treetops of] Lebanon. May those from the city flourish like the grass on the ground.


text:
 May his name endure forever. May his name continue as long as the sun [shines]. May all nations be blessed through him and call him blessed.


text:
 Thanks be to his glorious name forever. May the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!


text:
 They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. They are not plagued [with problems] like others.


text:
 As [someone] gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them when you wake up.


text:
 My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever.


text:
 Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty LORD my refuge so that I may report everything that he has done.


text:
 [A [maskil] by Asaph.] Why, O God, have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep in your care?


text:
 Remember your congregation. Long ago you made it your own. You bought this tribe to be your possession. This tribe is Mount Zion, where you have made your home.


text:
 Turn your steps toward these pathetic ruins. The enemy has destroyed everything in the holy temple.


text:
 Your opponents have roared inside your meeting place. They have set up their own emblems as symbols.


text:
 We no longer see miraculous signs. There are no prophets anymore. No one knows how long this will last.


text:
 Why do you hold back your hand, especially your right hand? Take your hands out of your pockets. Destroy your enemies!


text:
 Remember how the enemy insulted you, O LORD. Remember how an entire nation of godless fools despised your name.


text:
 Do not hand over the soul of your dove to wild animals. Do not forget the life of your oppressed people forever.


text:
 Do not forget the shouting of your opponents. Do not forget the uproar made by those who attack you.


text:
 [For the choir director; [al tashcheth]; a psalm by Asaph; a song.] We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks. You are present, and your miracles confirm that.


text:
 When the earth and everyone who lives on it begin to melt, I will make its foundations as solid as rock. [Selah]


text:
 The [authority] to reward someone does not [come] from the east, from the west, or [even] from the wilderness.


text:
 A cup is in the LORD's hand. (Its foaming wine is thoroughly mixed with spices.) He will empty it, [and] all the wicked people on earth will have to drink every last drop.


text:
 I will destroy all the weapons of wicked people, but the weapons of righteous people will be raised proudly.


text:
 [For the choir director; on stringed instruments; a psalm by Asaph; a song.] God is known in Judah. His name is great in Israel.


text:
 Make vows to the LORD your God, and keep them. Let everyone around him bring gifts to the one who must be feared.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to Jeduthun; a psalm by Asaph.] Loudly, I cried to God. Loudly, I cried to God so that he would open his ears to [hear] me.


text:
 On the day I was in trouble, I went to the Lord for help. At night I stretched out my hands in prayer without growing tired. Yet, my soul refused to be comforted.


text:
 The sound of your thunder rumbled in the sky. Streaks of lightning lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.


text:
 Your road went through the sea. Your path went through raging water, but your footprints could not be seen.


text:
 [A [maskil] by Asaph.] Open your ears to my teachings, my people. Turn your ears to the words from my mouth.


text:
 We will not hide them from our children. We will tell the next generation about the LORD's power and great deeds and the miraculous things he has done.


text:
 He established written instructions for Jacob's people. He gave his teachings to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to make them known to their children


text:
 so that the next generation would know them. Children yet to be born [would learn them]. They will grow up and tell their children


text:
 Then they will not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation. Their hearts were not loyal. Their spirits were not faithful to God.


text:
 True, he did strike a rock, and water did gush out, and the streams did overflow. But can he also give us bread or provide us, his people, with meat?"


text:
 When the LORD heard this, he became furious. His fire burned against Jacob and his anger flared up at Israel


text:
 the anger of God flared up against them. He killed their strongest men and slaughtered the best young men in Israel.


text:
 He brought their days to an end like a whisper in the wind. He brought their years to an end in terror.


text:
 When he killed [some of] them, [the rest] searched for him. They turned from their sins and eagerly looked for God.


text:
 But he is compassionate. He forgave their sin. He did not destroy them. He restrained his anger many times. He did not display all of his fury.


text:
 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness! How often they caused him grief in the desert!


text:
 He sent his burning anger, rage, fury, and hostility against them. He sent an army of destroying angels.


text:
 He slaughtered every firstborn in Egypt, the ones born in the tents of Ham when their fathers were young.


text:
 He forced nations out of their way and gave them the land of the nations as their inheritance. He settled the tribes of Israel in their own tents.


text:
 They were disloyal and treacherous like their ancestors. They were like arrows shot from a defective bow.


text:
 They made him angry because of their illegal worship sites. They made him furious because they worshiped idols.


text:
 Then the Lord woke up like one who had been sleeping, like a warrior sobering up from [too much] wine.


text:
 He built his holy place to be like the high heavens, like the earth which he made to last for a long time.


text:
 He brought him from tending the ewes that had lambs so that David could be the shepherd of the people of Jacob, of Israel, the people who belonged to the LORD.


text:
 [A psalm by Asaph.] O God, the nations have invaded the land that belongs to you. They have dishonored your holy temple. They have left Jerusalem in ruins.


text:
 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to the birds for food. They have given the flesh of your godly ones to the animals.


text:
 They have shed the blood of your people around Jerusalem as though it were water. There is no one to bury your people.


text:
 Do not hold the crimes of our ancestors against us. Reach out to us soon with your compassion, because we are helpless.


text:
 Help us, O God, our savior, for the glory of your name. Rescue us, and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.


text:
 Why should the nations [be allowed to] say, "Where is their God?" Let us watch as the nations learn that there is punishment for shedding the blood of your servants.


text:
 Let the groans of prisoners come into your presence. With your powerful arm rescue those who are condemned to death.


text:
 Pay each one of our neighbors back with seven times the number of insults they used to insult you, O Lord.


text:
 Then we, your people, the flock in your pasture, will give thanks to you forever. We will praise you throughout every generation.


text:
 [For the choir director; according to [shoshannim eduth]; by Asaph; a psalm.] Open your ears, O Shepherd of Israel, the one who leads [the descendants of] Joseph like sheep, the one who is enthroned over the angels.


text:
 O LORD God, commander of armies, how long will you smolder in anger against the prayer of your people?


text:
 [For the choir director; on the [gittith]; by Asaph.] Sing joyfully to God, our strength. Shout happily to the God of Jacob.


text:
 These are the instructions God set in place for Joseph when Joseph rose to power over Egypt. I heard a message I did not understand:


text:
 When you were in trouble, you called out [to me], and I rescued you. I was hidden in thunder, but I answered you. I tested your [loyalty] at the oasis of Meribah. [Selah]


text:
 I am the LORD your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.


text:
 Those who hate the LORD would cringe in front of him, and their time [for punishment]would last forever.


text:
 [A psalm by Asaph.] God takes his place in his own assembly. He pronounces judgment among the gods:


text:
 "How long are you going to judge unfairly? How long are you going to side with wicked people?" [Selah]


text:
 Wicked people do not know or understand anything. As they walk around in the dark, all the foundations of the earth shake.


text:
 [A song; a psalm by Asaph.] O God, do not remain silent. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. Do not keep quiet, O God.


text:
 Treat their influential people as you treated Oreb and Zeeb. Treat all their leaders like Zebah and Zalmunna.


text:
 so that they must acknowledge you. Your name is the LORD. You alone are the Most High God of the whole earth.


text:
 [For the choir director; on the [gittith]; a psalm by Korah's descendants.] Your dwelling place is lovely, O LORD of Armies!


text:
 My soul longs and yearns for the LORD's courtyards. My whole body shouts for joy to the living God.


text:
 Even sparrows find a home, and swallows find a nest for themselves. There they hatch their young near your altars, O LORD of Armies, my king and my God.


text:
 As they pass through a valley where balsam trees grow, they make it a place of springs. The early rains cover it with blessings.


text:
 One day in your courtyards is better than a thousand [anywhere else]. I would rather stand in the entrance to my God's house than live inside wicked people's homes.


text:
 The LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD grants favor and honor. He does not hold back any blessing from those who live innocently.


text:
 [For the choir director; a psalm by Korah's descendants.] You favored your land, O LORD. You restored the fortunes of Jacob.


text:
 I want to hear what God the LORD says, because he promises peace to his people, to his godly ones. But they must not go back to their stupidity.


text:
 [A prayer by David.] Turn your ear [toward me], O LORD. Answer me, because I am oppressed and needy.


text:
 O God, arrogant people attack me, and a mob of ruthless people seeks my life. They think nothing of you.


text:
 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive.


text:
 Turn toward me, and have pity on me. Give me your strength because I am your servant. Save me because I am the son of your female servant.


text:
 Grant me some proof of your goodness so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame. You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.


text:
 [By Korah's descendants; a psalm; a song.] [The city] the LORD has founded [stands]on holy mountains.


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 [The LORD says,] "I will add Egypt and Babylon as well as Philistia, Tyre, and Sudan to the list of those who acknowledge me. Each nation [will claim that it]was born there."


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 The LORD will record this in the Book of Nations: "Every race [claims that it] was born there." [Selah]


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 [A song; a psalm by Korah's descendants; for the choir director; according to [mahalath leannoth]; a [maskil] by Heman the Ezrahite.] O LORD God, my savior, I cry out to you during the day and at night.


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 abandoned with the dead, like those who have been killed and lie in graves, like those whom you no longer remember, who are cut off from your power.


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 You have taken my friends far away from me. You made me disgusting to them. I'm shut in, and I can't get out.


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 My eyes grow weak because of my suffering. All day long I call out to you, O LORD. I stretch out my hands to you [in prayer].


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 Will you perform miracles for those who are dead? Will the spirits of the dead rise and give thanks to you? [Selah]


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 Will anyone know about your miracles in that dark place or about your righteousness in the place where forgotten people live?


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 Ever since I was young, I have been suffering and near death. I have endured your terrors, and now I am in despair.


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 [A [maskil] by Ethan the Ezrahite.] I will sing forever about the evidence of your mercy, O LORD. I will tell about your faithfulness to every generation.


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 'I will make your dynasty continue forever. I built your throne to last throughout every generation.' " [Selah]


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 God is terrifying in the council of the holy ones. He is greater and more awe-inspiring than those who surround him.


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 Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne. Mercy and truth stand in front of you.


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 Blessed are the people who know how to praise you. They walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.


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 Once in a vision you said to your faithful ones: "I set a boy above warriors. I have raised up one chosen from the people.


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 How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your anger continue to burn like fire?


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 Can a mortal go on living and never see death? Who can set himself free from the power of the grave? [Selah]


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 Where is the evidence of your mercy, Lord? You swore an oath to David on [the basis of] your faithfulness.


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 Remember, O LORD, how your servant has been insulted. Remember how I have carried in my heart [the insults] from so many people.


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 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, you were God. You are God from everlasting to everlasting.


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 Indeed, in your sight a thousand years are like a single day, like yesterday-already past- like an hour in the night.


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 Each of us lives for 70 years- or even 80 if we are in good health. But the best of them [bring] trouble and misery. Indeed, they are soon gone, and we fly away.


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 Who fully understands the power of your anger? A person fears you more when he better understands your fury.


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 Make us rejoice for as many days as you have made us suffer, for as many years as we have experienced evil.


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 Let the kindness of the Lord our God be with us. Make us successful in everything we do. Yes, make us successful in everything we do.


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 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.


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 They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side.


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 When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you.


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 [A psalm; a song; for the day of worship.] It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to make music to praise your name, O Most High.


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 You made me find joy in what you have done, O LORD. I will sing joyfully about the works of your hands.


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 that wicked people sprout like grass and all troublemakers blossom [like flowers], only to be destroyed forever.


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 Now look at your enemies, O LORD. Now look at your enemies. They disappear, and all troublemakers are scattered.


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 The LORD rules as king! He is clothed with majesty. The LORD has clothed himself; he has armed himself with power. The world was set in place; it cannot be moved.


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 The LORD above is mighty- mightier than the sound of raging water, mightier than the foaming waves of the sea.


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 Your written testimonies are completely reliable. O LORD, holiness is what makes your house beautiful for days without end.


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 He disciplines nations. Do you think he can't punish? He teaches people. Do you think he doesn't know anything?


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 The decisions of judges will again become fair, and everyone whose motives are decent will pursue justice.


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 He has turned their own wickedness against them. He will destroy them because of their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.


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 because he is our God and we are the people in his care, the flock that he leads. If only you would listen to him today!


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 For 40 years I was disgusted with those people. So I said, 'They are a people whose hearts continue to stray. They have not learned my ways.'


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 Say to the nations, "The LORD rules as king!" The earth stands firm; it cannot be moved. He will judge people fairly.


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 in the LORD's presence because he is coming. He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and its people with his truth.


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 The mountains melt like wax in the presence of the LORD, in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.


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 Everyone who worships idols and brags about false gods will be put to shame. All the gods will bow to him.


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 You, O LORD, the Most High, are above the whole earth. You are highest. You are above all the gods.


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 Let those who love the LORD hate evil. The one who guards the lives of his godly ones will rescue them from the power of wicked people.


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 [A psalm.] Sing a new song to the LORD because he has done miraculous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gained victory for him.


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 He has not forgotten to be merciful and faithful to Israel's descendants. All the ends of the earth have seen how our God saves [them].


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 with trumpets and the playing of a ram's horn. Shout happily in the presence of the king, the LORD.


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 in the LORD's presence because he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice and its people with fairness.


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 The LORD rules as king. Let the people tremble. He is enthroned over the angels. Let the earth quake.


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 The king's strength is that he loves justice. You have established fairness. You have done what is fair and right for Jacob.


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 Moses and Aaron were among his priests. Samuel was among those who prayed to him. They called to the LORD, and he answered them.


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 He spoke to them from a column of smoke. They obeyed his written instructions and the laws that he gave them.


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 O LORD, our God, you answered them. You showed them that you are a forgiving God and that you are a God who punishes their [sinful] deeds.


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 Realize that the LORD alone is God. He made us, and we are his. We are his people and the sheep in his care.


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 Enter his gates with a song of thanksgiving. Come into his courtyards with a song of praise. Give thanks to him; praise his name.


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 I want to understand the path to integrity. When will you come to me? I will live in my own home with integrity.


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 I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes. I hate what unfaithful people do. I want no part of it.


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 I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor. I will not tolerate anyone with a conceited look or arrogant heart.


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 My eyes will be watching the faithful people in the land so that they may live with me. The person who lives with integrity will serve me.


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 The one who does deceitful things will not stay in my home. The one who tells lies will not remain in my presence.


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 Every morning I will destroy all the wicked people in the land to rid the LORD's city of all troublemakers.


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 [A prayer by someone who is suffering, when he is weary and pours out his troubles in the LORD's presence.] O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry for help come to you.


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 Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble. Turn your ear toward me. Answer me quickly when I call.


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 You will rise and have compassion on Zion, because it is time to grant a favor to it. Indeed, the appointed time has come.


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 He will turn his attention to the prayers of those who have been abandoned. He will not despise their prayers.


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 This will be written down for a future generation so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:


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 I said, "My God, don't take me now in the middle of my life. Your years [continue on] throughout every generation.


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 They will come to an end, but you will still go on. They will all wear out like clothing. You will change them like clothes, and they will be thrown away.


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 The children of your servants will go on living [here]. Their descendants will be secure in your presence."


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 As high as the heavens are above the earth- that is how vast his mercy is toward those who fear him.


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 As far as the east is from the west- that is how far he has removed our rebellious acts from himself.


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 But from everlasting to everlasting, the LORD's mercy is on those who fear him. His righteousness belongs to their children and grandchildren,


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 Praise the LORD, all his angels, you mighty beings who carry out his orders and are ready to obey his spoken orders.


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 Praise the LORD, my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty.


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 You cover yourself with light as though it were a robe. You stretch out the heavens as though they were curtains.


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 You lay the beams of your home in the water. You use the clouds for your chariot. You move on the wings of the wind.


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 You make grass grow for cattle and make vegetables for humans to use in order to get food from the ground.


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 You make wine to cheer human hearts, olive oil to make faces shine, and bread to strengthen human hearts.


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 What a large number of things you have made, O LORD! You made them all by wisdom. The earth is filled with your creatures.


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 You give it to them, and they gather it up. You open your hand, and they are filled with blessings.


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 You hide your face, and they are terrified. You take away their breath, and they die and return to dust.


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 May sinners vanish from the world. May there no longer be any wicked people. Praise the LORD, my soul! Hallelujah!


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 He changed their minds so that they hated his people, and they dealt treacherously with his servants.


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 Who can speak about all the mighty things the LORD has done? Who can announce all the things for which he is worthy of praise?


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 so that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, find joy in our people's happiness, and brag with the people who belong to you.


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 When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles. They did not remember your numerous acts of mercy, so they rebelled at the sea, the Red Sea.


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 He angrily commanded the Red Sea, and it dried up. He led them through deep water as though it were a desert.


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 In the camp certain men became envious of Moses. They also became envious of Aaron, the LORD's holy one.


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 God said he was going to destroy them, but Moses, his chosen one, stood in his way to prevent him from exterminating them.


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 They joined in worshiping the god Baal while they were at Peor, and they ate what was sacrificed to the dead.


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 They made God angry by the water at Meribah. Things turned out badly for Moses because of what they did,


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 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their own sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land became polluted with blood.


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 The LORD burned with anger against his own people. He was disgusted with those who belonged to him.


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 He rescued them many times, but they continued to plot rebellion against him and to sink deeper because of their sin.


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 Rescue us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your holy name and make your praise our glory.


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 Thanks be to the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say amen. Hallelujah!


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 Let the people the LORD defended repeat these words. They are the people he defended from the power of their enemies


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 and gathered from other countries, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.


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 Let them give thanks to the LORD because of his mercy. He performed his miracles for Adam's descendants.


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 Those who lived in the dark, in death's shadow were prisoners in misery. They were held in iron chains


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 Let them bring songs of thanksgiving as their sacrifice. Let them tell in joyful songs what he has done.


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 The sailors aboard ship rose toward the sky. They plunged into the depths. Their courage melted in [the face of] disaster.


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 Let them glorify him when the people are gathered for worship. Let them praise him in the company of respected leaders.


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 Let those who [think] they are wise pay attention to these things so that they may understand the LORD's blessings.


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 [A song; a psalm by David.] My heart is confident, O God. I want to sing and make music even with my soul.


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 I want to give thanks to you among the people, O LORD. I want to make music to praise you among the nations


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 Wicked and deceitful people have opened their mouths against me. They speak against me with lying tongues.


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 Let their guilt and sin always remain on record in front of the LORD. Let the LORD remove every memory of him from the earth,


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 because he did not remember to be kind. "He drove oppressed, needy, and brokenhearted people to their graves.


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 He loved to put curses [on others], so he, too, was cursed. He did not like to bless [others], so he never received a blessing.


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 He wore cursing as though it were clothing, so cursing entered his body like water and his bones like oil.


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 Let those who accuse me wear disgrace as though it were clothing. Let them be wrapped in their shame as though it were a robe.


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 [A psalm by David.] The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit in the highest position in heaven until I make your enemies your footstool."


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 Your people will volunteer when you call up your army. Your young people will come to you in holy splendor like dew in the early morning.


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 The LORD has taken an oath and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever, in the way Melchizedek was a priest."


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 He will pass judgment on the nations and fill them with dead bodies. Throughout the earth he will crush [their] heads.


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 Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company of decent people and in the congregation.


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 He has revealed the power of his works to his people by giving them the lands of other nations as an inheritance.


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 He has sent salvation to his people. He has ordered that his promise should continue forever. His name is holy and terrifying.


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 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Good sense is shown by everyone who follows [God's guiding principles]. His praise continues forever.


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 The wicked person sees this and becomes angry. He angrily grits his teeth and disappears. The hope that wicked people have will vanish.


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 Don't give glory to us, O LORD. Don't give glory to us. Instead, give glory to your name because of your mercy and faithfulness.


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 They have hands, but they cannot feel. They have feet, but they cannot walk. They cannot [even] make a sound with their throats.


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 The LORD, who is [always] thinking about us, will bless us. He will bless the descendants of Israel. He will bless the descendants of Aaron.


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 The ropes of death became tangled around me. The horrors of the grave took hold of me. I experienced pain and agony.


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 O LORD, I am indeed your servant. I am your servant, the son of your female servant. You have freed me from my chains.


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 During times of trouble I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me [and] set me free [from all of them].


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 They surrounded me. Yes, they surrounded me, [but armed] with the name of the LORD, I defeated them.


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 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thornbushes. [So armed] with the name of the LORD, I defeated them.


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 The sound of joyful singing and victory is heard in the tents of righteous people. The right hand of the LORD displays strength.


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 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. March in a festival procession with branches to the horns of the altar.


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 I find joy in the way [shown by] your written instructions more than I find joy in all kinds of riches.


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 Remove the insults and contempt that have fallen on me because I have obeyed your written instructions.


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 I lift my hands [in prayer] because of your commandments, which I love. I will reflect on your laws.


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 At midnight I wake up to give thanks to you for the regulations, which are based on your righteousness.


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 Your hands created me and made me what I am. Help me understand so that I may learn your commandments.


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 Let arrogant people be put to shame because they lied about me, [yet] I reflect on your guiding principles.


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 Give me a new life through your mercy so that I may obey the written instructions, [which came] from your mouth.


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 Your faithfulness endures throughout every generation. You set the earth in place, and it continues to stand.


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 The wicked people have waited for me in order to destroy me, [yet] I want to understand your written instructions.


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 I have more wisdom than those with many years of experience, because I have obeyed your guiding principles.


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 From your guiding principles I gain understanding. That is why I hate every path that leads to lying.


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 I took an oath, and I will keep it. I took an oath to follow your regulations, which are based on your righteousness.


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 You get rid of all wicked people on earth as if they were rubbish. That is why I love your written instructions.


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 My eyes are strained from looking for you to save me and from looking for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.


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 I have many persecutors and opponents, [yet] I have not turned away from your written instructions.


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 See how I have loved your guiding principles! O LORD, in keeping with your mercy, give me a new life.


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 Influential people have persecuted me for no reason, but it is only your words that fill my heart with terror.


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 I have followed your guiding principles and your written instructions, because my whole life is in front of you.


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 I have wandered away like a lost lamb. Search for me, because I have never forgotten your commandments.


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 [A song for going up to worship.] When I was in trouble, I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me.


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 [A song by David for going up to worship.] I was glad when they said to me, "Let's go to the house of the LORD."


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 All of the LORD's tribes go to that city because it is a law in Israel to give thanks to the name of the LORD.


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 As servants depend on their masters, as a maid depends on her mistress, so we depend on the LORD our God until he has pity on us.


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 We have suffered more than our share of ridicule from those who are carefree. We have suffered more than our share of contempt from those who are arrogant.


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 [A song by David for going up to worship.] "If the LORD had not been on our side..." (Israel should repeat this.)


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 [A song for going up to worship.] Those who trust the LORD are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken. It remains firm forever.


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 A wicked ruler will not be allowed to govern the land set aside for righteous people. That is why righteous people do not use their power to do wrong.


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 But when people become crooked, the LORD will lead them away with troublemakers. Let there be peace in Israel!


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 [A song for going up to worship.] When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, it was as if we were dreaming.


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 Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs. Then the nations said, "The LORD has done spectacular things for them."


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 The person who goes out weeping, carrying his bag of seed, will come home singing, carrying his bundles of grain.


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 [A song by Solomon for going up to worship.] If the LORD does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the LORD does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert.


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 It is useless to work hard for the food you eat by getting up early and going to bed late. The LORD gives [food] to those he loves while they sleep.


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 Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. He will not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the city gate.


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 You will certainly eat what your own hands have provided. Blessings to you! May things go well for you!


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 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine inside your home. Your children will be like young olive trees around your table.


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 May the LORD bless you from Zion so that you may see Jerusalem prospering all the days of your life.


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 [A song for going up to worship.] "From the time I was young, people have attacked me..." (Israel should repeat this.)


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 Those who pass by will never say [to them], "May you be blessed by the LORD" or "We bless you in the name of the LORD."


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 My soul waits for the LORD more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.


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 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, because with the LORD there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness.


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 [A song by David for going up to worship.] O LORD, my heart is not conceited. My eyes do not look down on others. I am not involved in things too big or too difficult for me.


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 Instead, I have kept my soul calm and quiet. My soul is content as a weaned child is content in its mother's arms.


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 The LORD swore an oath to David. This is a truth he will not take back: "I will set one of your own descendants on your throne.


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 If your sons are faithful to my promise and my written instructions that I will teach them, then their descendants will also sit on your throne forever."


