# verses

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 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Yahweh filled the house.


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 The priests could not enter into the house of Yahweh, because the glory of Yahweh filled Yahweh's house.


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 All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of Yahweh was on the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshipped and gave thanks to Yahweh saying, For He is good; for His grace endures for ever.


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 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated God's house.


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 The priests stood, according to their positions; the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh, which David the king had made to give thanks to Yahweh, when David praised by their ministry saying, For His grace endures forever. The priests sounded trumpets before them; and all Israel stood.


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 Moreover Solomon made the middle of the court holy that was before the house of Yahweh; for there he offered the burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offering, and the meal offering, and the fat.


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 So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt.


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 On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.


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 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the grace that Yahweh had shown to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people.


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 Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh, and the king's house. He successfully completed all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Yahweh, and in his own house. God Responds to Solomon's Prayer 


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 Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice.


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 If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send plague among My people;


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 if My people who are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


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 For now have I chosen and made this house holy, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.


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 As for you, if you will walk before Me as David your father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances;


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 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your father saying, There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.


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 But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;


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 then I will pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them; and this house, which I have made holy for My name, I will cast out of My sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.


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 This house, which is so high, everyone who passes by it shall be astonished, and shall say, "Why has Yahweh done thus to this land, and to this house?'


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 They shall answer, "Because they abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and took other gods, worshipped them, and served them. Therefore He has brought all this evil on them'.


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 Solomon's Building Projects It happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of Yahweh and his own house,


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 that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.


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 Also he built Beth Horon the upper, and Beth Horon the lower, fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars;


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 and Baalath, and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.


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 As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel;


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 of their children who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel didn't consume, of them Solomon conscripted forced labour to this day.


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 But of the children of Israel, Solomon made no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen.


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 These were the chief officers of king Solomon, even two-hundred and fifty, who ruled over the people.


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 Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her; for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places where the ark of Yahweh has come are holy.


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 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of Yahweh, which he had built before the porch,


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 even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts, three times in the year, in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tents.


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 He appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their offices, to praise, and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required; the doorkeepers also by their divisions at every gate; for so had David the man of God commanded.


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 They didn't depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.


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 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared to the day of the foundation of the house of Yahweh, and until it was finished. So the house of Yahweh was completed.


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 Huram sent him ships and servants who had knowledge of the sea by the hands of his servants; and they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and fetched from there four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.


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 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to prove Solomon with hard questions, with a very great train, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance and precious stones. When she had come to Solomon, she talked with him of all that was in her heart.


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 Solomon told her all her questions; and there was not anything hidden from Solomon which he didn't tell her.


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 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers and their clothing, his cup bearers also and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Yahweh; there was no more spirit in her.


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 She said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.


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 However I didn't believe their words until I came, and my eyes had seen it; and behold, the half of the greatness of your wisdom wasn't told me: you exceed the fame that I heard.


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 Happy are your men, and happy are these your servants who stand continually before you, and hear your wisdom.


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 Blessed be Yahweh your God, who delighted in you to set you on His throne, to be king for Yahweh your God: because your God loved Israel to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.


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 She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices in great abundance, and precious stones. Neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.


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 The servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.


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 The king made of the algum trees terraces for the house of Yahweh and for the king's house, and harps and stringed instruments for the singers. There were none like these seen before in the land of Judah.


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 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides that which she had brought to the king. So she returned to her own land, she and her servants. Solomon's Wealth 


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 besides that which the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.


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 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one large shield.


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 He made three hundred other shields of beaten gold; three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.


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 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.


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 Twelve lions stood there on both sides of the six steps: there was nothing like it made in any kingdom.


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 All king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.


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 For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.


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 All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.


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 They brought each man his tribute, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and clothing, armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.


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 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.


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 He ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.


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 The king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.


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 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren't they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?


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 Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father. Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.


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 When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), then Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.


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 Your father made our yoke grievous. Now therefore make lighter the grievous service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.


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 King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What advice do you give me to return answer to this people?


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 They spoke to him saying, "If you are kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever'.


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 But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.


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 He said to them, What advice do you give, that we may return answer to this people who have spoken to me saying, "Make the yoke that your father put on us lighter?'


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 The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him saying, Thus you shall tell the people who spoke to you saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter on us; thus you shall say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.


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 Now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.


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 and spoke to them after the advice of the young men saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.


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 So the king didn't listen to the people; for it was brought about of God, that Yahweh might establish His word, which He spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.


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 When all Israel saw that the king didn't listen to them, the people answered the king saying, What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse! Every man to your tents, Israel! Now see to your own house, David. So all Israel departed to their tents.


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 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to forced labour; and the children of Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam made speed to get himself up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.


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 When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.


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 Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin saying,


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 Thus says Yahweh, "You shall not go up nor fight against your brothers! Return every man to his house; for this thing is of Me'. So they listened to the words of Yahweh, and returned from going against Jeroboam.


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 He put shields and spears in every city, and made them exceedingly strong. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.


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 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem; for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priests' office to Yahweh.


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 He appointed priests for the high places, and for the male goats, and for the calves which he had made.


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 After them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.


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 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.


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 Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.


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 Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines. (He took eighteen wives, and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.)


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 Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers; for he intended to make him king.


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 He dealt wisely, and settled some of his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them food in abundance. He sought for them many wives.


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 When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and he had made himself strong, he forsook the law of Yahweh, and all Israel with him.


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 It happened in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Yahweh,


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 with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim and the Ethiopians.


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 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, Thus says Yahweh, You have forsaken Me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.


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 When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.


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 Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know My service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.


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 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king's house. He took it all away. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made.


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 King Rehoboam made in their place shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard who kept the door of the king's house.


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 It was so, that as often as the king entered into the house of Yahweh, the guard came and carried them back into the guard room.


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 When he humbled himself, the wrath of Yahweh turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. Moreover, in Judah there were good things found.


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 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.


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 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, aren't they written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the way of genealogies? There were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.


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 Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son reigned in his place.


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 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


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 Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men. Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valour.


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 Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel.


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 Ought you not to know that Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?


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 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.


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 There were gathered to him vain men, base fellows, who strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.


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 Now you think to withstand the kingdom of Yahweh in the hand of the sons of David. You are a great multitude, and there are with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods.


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 Haven't you driven out the priests of Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves after the ways of the peoples of other lands? So that whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, the same may be a priest of those who are not gods.


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 But as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we have not forsaken Him. We have priests ministering to Yahweh, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites in their work:


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 and they burn to Yahweh every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also set the showbread in order on the pure table; and the lampstand of gold with its lamps, to burn every evening. We keep the instruction of Yahweh our God; but you have forsaken Him.


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 Behold, God is with us at our head, and His priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don't fight against Yahweh, the God of your fathers; for you shall not prosper.


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 But Jeroboam caused an ambush to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambush was behind them.


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 When Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind them; and they cried to Yahweh, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.


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 Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened, that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.


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 Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter; so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.


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 Thus the children of Israel were overcome at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on Yahweh, the God of their fathers.


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 Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him: Bethel with its suburbs, Jeshanah with its suburbs and Ephron with its suburbs.


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 But Abijah grew mighty, and took to himself fourteen wives, and became the father of twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters.


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 The rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.


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 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land was quiet ten years.


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 He took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and cut down the Asherim,


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 and commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and to obey the law and the commandment.


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 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun images. The kingdom was quiet before him.


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 He built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Yahweh had given him rest.


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 For he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make walls around them, with towers, gates, and bars. The land is yet before us, because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.


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 Asa had an army that carried shields and spears: out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and eighty thousand. All these were mighty men of valour.


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 There came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a million troops, and three hundred chariots; and he came to Mareshah.


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 Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.


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 Asa cried to Yahweh his God and said, Yahweh, there is none apart from You to help, between the mighty and him who has no strength. Help us, Yahweh our God; for we rely on You, and in Your name are we come against this multitude. Yahweh, You are our God. Don't let man prevail against You.


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 Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar. There fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before Yahweh and before His army; and they carried away very much booty.


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 They struck all the cities around Gerar; for the fear of Yahweh came on them. They despoiled all the cities; for there was much spoil in them.


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 They struck also the tents of the herdsmen, and carried away sheep in abundance, and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.


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 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin! Yahweh is with you, while you are with Him; and if you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.


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 Now for a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.


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 But when in their distress they turned to Yahweh the God of Israel and sought Him, He was found by them.


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 In those times there was no peace to him who went out, nor to him who came in; but great troubles were on all the inhabitants of the lands.


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 They were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God troubled them with all adversity.


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 When Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill country of Ephraim; and he renewed the altar of Yahweh that was before the porch of Yahweh.


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 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who lived with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon; for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him.


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 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.


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 They sacrificed to Yahweh in that day, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred head of cattle and seven thousand sheep.


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 They entered into the covenant to seek Yahweh the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul;


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 and that whoever would not seek Yahweh the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.


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 All Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them: and Yahweh gave them rest all around.


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 Also Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.


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 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.


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 He brought into God's house the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.


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 In the thirty sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.


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 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Yahweh and of the king's house, and sent to Ben Hadad king of Syria, who lived at Damascus saying,


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 Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold. Go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.


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 Ben Hadad listened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they struck Ijon, and Dan, and Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.


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 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.


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 At that time Hanani the seer of visions came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, therefore is the army of the king of Syria escaped out of your hand.


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 Weren't the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with exceeding many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, He delivered them into your hand.


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 For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars.


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 Then Asa was angry with the seer of visions, and put him in the prison; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.


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 Behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was diseased in his feet. His disease was exceeding great; yet in his disease he didn't turn to Yahweh, but to the physicians.


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 They buried him in his own tombs, which he had dug out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer's art; and they made a very great burning for him.


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 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken.


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 Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn't seek the Baals,


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 but sought to the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not after the doings of Israel.


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 Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honour in abundance.


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 His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.


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 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;


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 and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.


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 They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.


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 The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.


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 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.


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 This was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand;


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 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.


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 Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;


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 These were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.


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 After certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. Ahab killed sheep and cattle for him in abundance, and for the people who were with him, and moved him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead.


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 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead? He answered him, I am as you are, and my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.


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 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I desist? They said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.


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 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla. Jehoshaphat said, Don't let the king say so.


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 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, arrayed in their robes. They were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.


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 The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Let your word therefore, please be like one of theirs, and speak good.


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 When he had come to the king, the king said to him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I desist? He said, Go up, and prosper. They shall be delivered into your hand.


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 The king said to him, How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?


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 He said, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Yahweh said, These have no master. Let them return every man to his house in peace.


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 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Didn't I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil? Micaiah's Vision of Angels 


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 Micaiah said, Therefore hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on His throne, and all the army of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left.


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 Yahweh said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead? One spoke saying this way, and another saying that way.


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 He said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. He said, You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go forth, and do so.


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 Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you.


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 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way did the spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak to you?


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 Micaiah said, Behold, you shall see on that day, when you shall go into an inner room to hide yourself.


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 Say, "Thus says the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace'.


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 Micaiah said, If you return at all in peace, Yahweh has not spoken by me. He said, Listen, you peoples, all of you! 


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 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle.


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 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots saying, Fight neither with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel.


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 It happened that when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, It is the king of Israel! Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.


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 A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armour. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, Turn your hand, and carry me out of the army; for I am severely wounded.


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 The battle increased that day. However the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the evening. About the time of the going down of the sun, he died.


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 Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate Yahweh? Because of this, wrath is on you from before Yahweh.


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 Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.


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 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. He went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.


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 and said to the judges, Consider what you do. You don't judge for man, but for Yahweh; and He is with you in the judgment.


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 Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be upon you. Be careful and do so; for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.


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 Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers' households of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem.


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 He commanded them saying, Thus you shall do in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.


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 Whenever any controversy shall come to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them, that they not be guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you shall not be guilty.


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 Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters. The Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may Yahweh be with the good.


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 It happened after this that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the other Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.


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 Then some came who told Jehoshaphat saying, A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria. Behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar (that is, En Gedi).


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 Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and set himself to seek to Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.


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 Judah gathered themselves together to seek help from Yahweh. They came out of all the cities of Judah to seek Yahweh.


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 Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Yahweh, before the new court;


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 and he said, Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren't You God in heaven? Aren't You ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, so that no one is able to stand against You.


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 Didn't You, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham Your friend forever?


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 If evil comes on us--the sword, judgment, plague or famine--we will stand before this house and before You, (for Your name is in this house), and cry to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.


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 Now, consider the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn't destroy them.


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 See how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.


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 Our God, will You not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are toward You.


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 Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.


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 He said, Listen, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, king Jehoshaphat. Thus says Yahweh to you, "Don't be afraid, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.


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 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz. You shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel.


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 You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you'.


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 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh.


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 The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.


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 They rose early in the morning and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in Yahweh your God, so you shall be established! Believe His prophets, so you shall prosper.


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 When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Yahweh and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks to Yahweh; for His grace endures forever.


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 When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck.


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 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, utterly to kill and destroy them. When they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, each one helped to destroy another.


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 When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude which were now dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped.


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 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much.


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 On the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed Yahweh. Therefore the name of that place is called The valley of Beracah to this day.


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 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in their forefront, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for Yahweh had made them to rejoice over their enemies.


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 The fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that Yahweh fought against the enemies of Israel. Jehoshaphat's Last Years 


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 Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.


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 He walked in the way of Asa his father, and didn't turn aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh.


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 However the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts to the God of their fathers.


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 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is inserted in the book of the kings of Israel.


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 After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly.


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 He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.


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 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works. The ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.


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 Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Jehoram his son reigned in his place.


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 He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael and Shephatiah. All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.


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 Their father gave them great gifts, of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.


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 Now when Jehoram was risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and various also of the princes of Israel.


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 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife: and he did that which was evil in the eyes of Yahweh.


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 However Yahweh would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and as He promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always.


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 Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him. He rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, along with the captains of the chariots.


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 So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken Yahweh, the God of his fathers.


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 Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, and led Judah astray.


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 A letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, "You have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,


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 but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute like the house of Ahab did, and also have slain your brothers of your father's house, who were better than yourself.


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 Therefore, Yahweh will strike with a great plague your people and your children and your wives, and all your substance;


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 and you shall have great sickness by disease of your bowels, until your bowels fall out by reason of the sickness, day by day'. Jehoram's Punishments Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians.


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 They came up against Judah and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also and his wives; so that there was no son left him except Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.


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 It happened, in process of time, at the end of two years, that his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness, and he died of severe diseases. His people made no burning for him, like the burning for his fathers.


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 Thirty-two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He departed without being desired; and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.


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 The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place; for the band of men who came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the older ones. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.


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 Forty-two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.


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 He did that which was evil in the eyes of Yahweh, as did the house of Ahab; for they were his counsellors after the death of his father, to his destruction.


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 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.


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 He returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.


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 Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram; for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.


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 It happened, when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, that he found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah, and killed them.


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 He sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu, and killed him. They buried him, for they said, He is the descendant of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart. The house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.


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 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed of the house of Judah.


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 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she didn't kill him.


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 In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.


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 They went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers' households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.


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 All the assembly made a covenant with the king in God's house. He said to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David.


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 This is the thing that you shall do. A third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters at the thresholds.


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 A third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation. All the people shall be in the courts of Yahweh's house.


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 But let no one come into the house of Yahweh, except the priests, and those who minister of the Levites. They shall come in, for they are holy, but all the people shall follow Yahweh's instructions.


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 The Levites shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be slain. Be with the king when he comes in, and when he goes out.


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 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. They took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest didn't dismiss the shift.


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 Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, large shields and shields that had been king David's, which were in God's house.


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 He set all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, surrounding the king.


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 Then they brought out the king's son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said, Long live the king!


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 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Yahweh.


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 She looked, and, behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. The singers also played musical instruments, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and said, Treason! Treason!


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 Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army and said to them, Bring her out between the ranks; and whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Don't kill her in Yahweh's house.


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 So they made way for her. She went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king's house; and they killed her there. 


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 Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh's people.


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 All the people went to the house of Baal and broke it down, and broke his altars and his images in pieces, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.


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 Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Yahweh under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings of Yahweh, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David.


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 He set the porters at the gates of the house of Yahweh, that no one who was unclean in any matter should enter in.


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 He took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of Yahweh. They came through the upper gate to the king's house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom.


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 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. Athaliah they had slain with the sword.


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 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.


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 He gathered together the priests and the Levites and said to them, Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather money to repair the house of your God from all Israel from year to year. See that you hasten this matter. However the Levites didn't do it right away.


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 The king called for Jehoiada the chief and said to him, Why haven't you required of the Levites to bring in the tax of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and of the assembly of Israel, out of Judah and out of Jerusalem, for the tent of the testimony?


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 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up God's house; and they also gave all the dedicated things of the house of Yahweh to the Baals.


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 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of Yahweh.


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 They made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness.


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 All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.


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 It was so, that whenever the chest was brought to the king's officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the chief priests' officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.


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 The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of Yahweh. They hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Yahweh, and also those who worked iron and brass, so as to repair the house of Yahweh.


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 So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing advanced in their hands, and they restored God's house to its proper condition and strengthened it.


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 When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, from which were made vessels for the house of Yahweh, even vessels with which to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh continually all the days of Jehoiada.


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 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died. He was one hundred and thirty years old when he died.


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 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and His house. 


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 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king listened to them.


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 They forsook the house of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. Wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.


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 Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh; and they testified against them. But they would not listen.


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 The spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, Thus says God, "Why do you disobey the commandments of Yahweh, so that you can't prosper? Because you have forsaken Yahweh, He has also forsaken you'.


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 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Yahweh.


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 Thus Joash the king didn't remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, May Yahweh witness it, and require it.


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 It happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him. They came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.


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 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash.


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 When they had departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn't bury him in the tombs of the kings.


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 These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.


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 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of God's house, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.


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 Amaziah's Incomplete Devotion Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.


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 Now it happened that when the kingdom was established to him, he killed his servants who had killed the king his father.


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 But he didn't put their children to death, but did according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses, as Yahweh commanded saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.


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 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin. He numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, who could handle spear and shield.


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 He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver.


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 A man of God came to him, saying, O king, don't let the army of Israel go with you; for Yahweh is not with Israel, with all the children of Ephraim.


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 But if you will go, go and take action, be strong for the battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy; for God has power to help, and to overthrow.


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 Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? The man of God answered, Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.


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 Then Amaziah separated them, the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again. Therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger.


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 Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and struck ten thousand of the children of Seir.


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 The children of Judah carried away ten thousand alive, and brought them to the top of the rock, and threw them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces.


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 But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell on the cities of Judah, from Samaria even to Beth Horon, and struck of them three thousand, and took much spoil. Amaziah's Spiritual Decline 


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 Now it happened, after that Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them.


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 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Amaziah, and He sent to him a prophet who said to him, Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?


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 It happened, as he talked with him, that the king said to him, Have we made you one of the king's counsellors? Stop! Why should you be struck down? Then the prophet stopped, and said, I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel.


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 Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us face off against each other.


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 Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon saying, Give your daughter to my son as his wife. Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle.


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 You say to yourself that you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast. Now stay at home. Why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?


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 But Amaziah would not listen; for it was of God, that He might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom.


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 So Joash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah confronted each other at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.


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 Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.


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 He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in God's house with Obed-Edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.


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 Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.


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 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, aren't they written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?


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 Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Yahweh, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. He fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and killed him there.


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 Uzziah's Industry and Success All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.


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 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem.


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 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.


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 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God. As long as he sought Yahweh, God made him to prosper.


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 He went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod and among the Philistines.


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 God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal and the Meunim.


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 The Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah. His name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he grew extremely strong.


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 Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate and the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.


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 He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock; in the lowland also, and in the plain. He had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved farming.


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 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.


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 The whole number of the heads of fathers' households, even the mighty men of valour, was two thousand six hundred.


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 Under their hand was an army, three hundred and seven thousand five hundred, who made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.


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 Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, spears, helmets, coats of armour, bows and stones for slinging.


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 He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, until he was strong.


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 Uzziah's Failure But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into Yahweh's temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.


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 They resisted Uzziah the king, and said to him, It isn't for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespassed; neither shall it be for your honour from Yahweh God.


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 Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense.


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 Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked on him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from there. Yes, he himself hurried also to go out, because Yahweh had struck him.


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 Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Yahweh; and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.


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 So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper. Jotham his son reigned in his place.


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 Jotham's Good Reign Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.


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 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he didn't enter into Yahweh's temple. The people still did corruptly.


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 Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.


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 He fought also with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. The children of Ammon gave him the same year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat and ten thousand of barley. The children of Ammon gave that much to him in the second year also, and in the third.


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 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.


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 Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.


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 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he didn't do that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as David his father did;


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 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and additionally made molten images for the Baals.


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 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel.


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 Therefore Yahweh his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they struck him, and carried away from him a great multitude of captives, and brought them to Damascus. He was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with a great slaughter.


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 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah one hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers.


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 Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah who was next to the king.


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 The children of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand, women, sons and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.


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 But a prophet of Yahweh was there, whose name was Oded. He went out to meet the army that came to Samaria and said to them, Behold, because Yahweh, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven.


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 Now you purpose to oppress the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondservants and bondmaids for yourselves. Aren't there even with you trespasses of your own against Yahweh your God?


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 Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that you have taken captive from your brothers; for the fierce wrath of Yahweh is on you.


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 Then some of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came back from the war.


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 They said to them, You shall not bring in the captives here; for you purpose that which will bring on us a trespass against Yahweh, to add to our sins and to our trespass; for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.


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 The men mentioned by name rose up and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them, gave them sandals, and gave them something to eat and to drink, anointed them, carried all the feeble of them on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.


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 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco with its towns, Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and its towns; and settled there.


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 For Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he had dealt wantonly in Judah, and trespassed severely against Yahweh.


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 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of Yahweh, and out of the house of the king and of the princes, and gave it to the king of Assyria: but it didn't help him.


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 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which struck him. He said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, so I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.


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 Ahaz gathered together the vessels of God's house, cut in pieces the vessels of God's house, and shut up the doors of the house of Yahweh; and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.


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 In every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked to anger Yahweh, the God of his fathers.


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 Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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 Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem; for they didn't bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel; and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.


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 Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.


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 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that David his father had done.


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 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of Yahweh, and repaired them.


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 He brought in the priests and the Levites and gathered them together into the broad place on the east,


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 and said to them, Listen to me, you Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of Yahweh, the God of your fathers, and carry all the abominations out of the holy place.


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 For our fathers have trespassed and done that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh our God, and have forsaken Him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of Yahweh, and turned their backs.


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 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.


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 Therefore the wrath of Yahweh was on Judah and Jerusalem, and He has delivered them to be tossed back and forth, to be an astonishment and a hissing, as you see with your eyes.


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 For, behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.


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 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Yahweh, the God of Israel, that His fierce anger may turn away from us.


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 My sons, don't be negligent now; for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before Him to minister to Him, and that you should be His ministers, and burn incense.


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 Then the Levites arose, Mahath son of Amasai, and Joel son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;


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 They gathered their brothers and sanctified themselves, and went in, according to the commandment of the king by the words of Yahweh, to cleanse the house of Yahweh.


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 The priests went in to the inner part of the house of Yahweh to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in Yahweh's temple into the court of the house of Yahweh. The Levites took it, to carry it out abroad to the brook Kidron.


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 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of Yahweh. They sanctified the house of Yahweh in eight days, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.


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 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king within the palace and said, We have cleansed all the house of Yahweh, and the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and the table of showbread, with all its vessels.


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 Moreover all the vessels which king Ahaz in his reign threw away when he trespassed, have we prepared and sanctified; and behold, they are before the altar of Yahweh. A Service of Re-dedication 


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 Then Hezekiah the king arose early, and gathered the princes of the city, and went up to the house of Yahweh.


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 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. He commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of Yahweh.


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 So they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar. They killed the rams, and sprinkled the blood on the altar: they killed also the lambs, and sprinkled the blood on the altar.


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 They brought near the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly; and they laid their hands on them:


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 and the priests killed them, and they made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to make atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.


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 He set the Levites in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer and Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was of Yahweh by His prophets.


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 Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Yahweh began also, and the trumpets, together with the instruments of David king of Israel.


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 All the assembly worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished.


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 When they had made an end of offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshipped.


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 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.


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 Then Hezekiah answered, Now you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Yahweh. The assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.


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 The number of the burnt offerings which the assembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs. All these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh.


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 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.


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 Also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and with the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of Yahweh was set in order.


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 Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which God had prepared for the people; for this was done suddenly.


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 Hezekiah's Great Passover Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel.


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 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the Passover in the second month.


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 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.


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 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem; for they had not kept it in great numbers in the manner that is written.


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 So the couriers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king saying, You children of Israel, turn again to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may return to the remnant that have escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.


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 Don't be like your fathers, and like your brothers, who trespassed against Yahweh, the God of their fathers, so that He gave them up to destruction, as you see.


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 Now don't be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves to Yahweh, and enter into His sanctuary which He has sanctified forever. Serve Yahweh your God, that His fierce anger may turn away from you.


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 For if you turn again to Yahweh, your brothers and your children shall find compassion before those who led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you if you return to Him.


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 So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even to Zebulun; but there they were ridiculed and despised.


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 Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.


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 Also on Judah came the hand of God to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Yahweh.


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 Many people assembled at Jerusalem to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly.


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 They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.


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 Then they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh.


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 They stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of God, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of the hand of the Levites. 


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 There were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Yahweh.


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 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them saying, May the good Yahweh pardon everyone


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 who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his fathers, even if they aren't clean according to the purification of the sanctuary.


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 The children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day by day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh.


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 Hezekiah spoke to the heart of all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.


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 The whole assembly took counsel to keep another seven days; and they kept another seven days with gladness.


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 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.


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 All the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the assembly who came out of Israel, and the foreigners who came out of the land of Israel, and who lived in Judah, rejoiced.


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 So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.


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 Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to His holy habitation, even to heaven


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 Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned each man to his possession, into their own cities.


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 Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, each man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of Yahweh.


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 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Yahweh.


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 Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of Yahweh.


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 As soon as the commandment was published, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.


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 The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to Yahweh their God, and laid them by heaps.


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 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.


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 Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, Since people began to bring the offerings into the house of Yahweh, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty; for Yahweh has blessed His people. That which is left is this great store.


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 They brought in the offerings, the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them, and Shimei his brother was second.


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 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of God's house.


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 Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the offerings of Yahweh and the most holy things.


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 Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, both to the great and small.


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 Also under him were those who were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even each one who entered into the house of Yahweh, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions;


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 and those who were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers' houses; and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions;


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 and those who were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, their sons and their daughters, through all the congregation. In their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.


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 Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.


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 Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he worked that which was good and right and faithful before Yahweh his God.


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 In every work that he began in the service of God's house, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.


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 After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself.


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 he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city; and they helped him.


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 So many people gathered together, and they stopped all the springs, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?


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 He took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall outside, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.


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 He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spoke to their hearts saying,


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 Be strong and courageous, don't be afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater One with us than with him.


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 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Yahweh our God to help us, and to fight our battles. The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.


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 After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem, (now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him), to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah who were at Jerusalem saying,


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 Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, In whom do you trust, that you remain under siege in Jerusalem?


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 Doesn't Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst by saying, "Yahweh our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?'


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 Hasn't the same Hezekiah taken away His high places and His altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, You shall worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn incense?


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 Don't you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any way able to deliver their land out of my hand?


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 Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?


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 Now therefore don't let Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you in this way, neither believe him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand?


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 He also wrote letters insulting Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to speak against Him saying, As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall the God of Hezekiah not deliver His people out of my hand.


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 They cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.


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 They spoke of the God of Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands.


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 Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.


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 Yahweh sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. When he had come into the house of his god, those who came forth from his own bowels killed him there with the sword.


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 Thus Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.


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 Many brought gifts to Yahweh to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that He was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. Hezekiah's Poor Response to Grace 


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 In those days Hezekiah was sick even to death. He prayed to Yahweh; and He spoke to him, and gave him a sign.


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 But Hezekiah didn't render again according to the grace done to him. His heart was lifted up; therefore there was wrath on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem.


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 Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Yahweh didn't come on them in the days of Hezekiah.


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 Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour and he set up treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all kinds of goodly vessels;


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 storehouses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all kinds of animals, and flocks in folds.


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 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance.


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 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.


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 However concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart.


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 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.


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 Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. Manasseh his son reigned in his place.


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 Manasseh's Great Wickedness Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.


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 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, after the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel.


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 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baals, and made Asheroth, and worshipped all the army of the sky, and served them.


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 He built altars in the house of Yahweh, of which Yahweh said, My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.


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 He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practised sorcery and used enchantments, and practised witchcraft and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards. He worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke Him to anger.


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 He set the engraved image of the idol, which he had made, in God's house, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put My name forever:


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 neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances given by Moses.


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 Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than the nations did whom Yahweh had destroyed before the children of Israel.


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 Therefore Yahweh brought on them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. Manasseh's Repentance 


text:
 When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.


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 He prayed to Him; and He was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.


text:
 Now after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate; and he encircled Ophel with it, and raised it up to a very great height; and he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.


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 He took away the foreign gods, and the idol out of the house of Yahweh, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the house of Yahweh, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.


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 He built up the altar of Yahweh, and offered thereon sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and commanded Judah to serve Yahweh, the God of Israel.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, behold, they are written among the acts of the kings of Israel.


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 His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the engraved images, before he humbled himself: they are written in the history of Hozai.


text:
 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house; and Amon his son reigned in his place. Amon's Wicked Reign 


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed to all the engraved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them.


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 He didn't humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more.


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 But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place.


text:
 Josiah's Good Reign Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.


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 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn't turn aside to the right hand or to the left.


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 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father. In the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the engraved images, and the molten images.


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 They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence. He cut down the incense altars that were on high above them. He broke in pieces the Asherim, and the engraved images, and the molten images, and made dust of them, and strewed it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.


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 He did this in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon, even to Naphtali, in their surrounding ruins.


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 He broke down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.


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 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of Yahweh his God.


text:
 They came to Hilkiah the high priest, and delivered the money that was brought into God's house, which the Levites, the keepers of the threshold, had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin, and of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


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 They delivered it into the hand of the workmen who had the oversight of the house of Yahweh. The workmen who laboured in the house of Yahweh gave it to mend and repair the house;


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 even to the carpenters and to the builders they gave it, to buy cut stone, and timber for couplings, and to make beams for the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.


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 The men did the work faithfully; and their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and others of the Levites, all who were skilful with instruments of music.


text:
 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and set forward all who did the work in every kind of service. Of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters. 


text:
 When they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Yahweh given by Moses.


text:
 Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh. Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.


text:
 Shaphan carried the book to the king, and moreover brought back word to the king, saying, All that was committed to your servants, they are doing.


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 They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Yahweh, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and into the hand of the workmen.


text:
 Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book. Shaphan read therein before the king.


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 The king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant saying,


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 Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found. Great is the wrath of Yahweh that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of Yahweh, to do according to all that is written in this book.


text:
 So Hilkiah, and they whom the king had commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter), and they spoke to her to that effect.


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 Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on its inhabitants, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah.


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 Because they have forsaken Me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore is My wrath poured out on this place, and it shall not be quenched'.


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 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, thus you shall tell him, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: "As touching the words which you have heard,


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 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place, and against its inhabitants, and have humbled yourself before Me and have torn your clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard you, says Yahweh.


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 Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, neither shall your eyes see all the evil that I will bring on this place, and on its inhabitants'. They brought back word to the king.


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 The king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small; and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of Yahweh.


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 The king stood in his place, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep His commandments, His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.


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 He caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. The inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.


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 Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all who were found in Israel to serve, even to serve Yahweh their God. All his days they didn't depart from following Yahweh, the God of their fathers.


text:
 Josiah's Passover Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem: and they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.


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 He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Yahweh, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built. There shall no more be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve Yahweh your God and His people Israel.


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 Prepare yourselves after your fathers' houses by your divisions, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.


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 Stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of your brothers the children of the people, and let there be for each a portion of a father's house of the Levites.


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 Kill the Passover and sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brothers, to do according to the word of Yahweh by Moses.


text:
 Josiah gave to the children of the people of the flock, lambs and young goats, all of them for the Passover offerings, to all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls. These were of the king's substance.


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 His princes gave for a freewill offering to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of God's house, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small livestock, and three hundred head of cattle.


text:
 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings five thousand small livestock, and five hundred head of cattle.


text:
 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their divisions, according to the king's commandment.


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 They killed the Passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand, and the Levites flayed them.


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 They removed the burnt offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of the children of the people, to offer to Yahweh, as it is written in the book of Moses. So they did with the cattle.


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 They roasted the Passover with fire according to the ordinance. They boiled the holy offerings in pots, in caldrons and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the people.


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 Afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron were busy with offering the burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.


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 The singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's prophet. The porters were at every gate: they didn't need to depart from their service; for their brothers the Levites prepared for them.


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 So all the service of Yahweh was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover, and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, according to the commandment of king Josiah.


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 The children of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.


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 There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


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 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him.


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 But he sent ambassadors to him saying, What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you this day, but against the house with which I have war. God has commanded me to make haste. Beware and know that it is God who is with me, that he not destroy you.


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 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn't listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.


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 The archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Take me away, because I am seriously wounded!


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 So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.


text:
 Jeremiah lamented for Josiah. All the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel. These are written in the lamentations.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds, according to that which is written in the law of Yahweh,


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 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.


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 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's place in Jerusalem.


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 Joahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.


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 The king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem, and fined the land one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.


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 The king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.


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 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in the eyes of Yahweh his God.


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 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.


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 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of Yahweh to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.


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 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.


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 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh.


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 At the return of the year king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the beautiful vessels of the house of Yahweh, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.


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 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.


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 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God; he didn't humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking the words of Yahweh.


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 He also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning to Yahweh, the God of Israel.


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 Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted the house of Yahweh which He had made holy in Jerusalem.


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 Yahweh, the God of their fathers, sent to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.


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 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of Yahweh arose against His people, until there was no remedy. 


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 Therefore He brought on them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or gray-headed. He gave them all into his hand.


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 All the vessels of God's house, great and small, and the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes, all these he brought to Babylon.


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 They burnt God's house and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all the beautiful vessels of it.


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 He carried those who had escaped from the sword away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:


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 to fulfil the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. As long as it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfil seventy years.


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 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing saying,


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 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, Yahweh, the God of heaven has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me; and He has commanded me to build Him a house in Jerusalem which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, Yahweh his God be with him, and let him go up.


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 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia.


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 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,


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 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those that are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.


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 For as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, even so our comfort is also in abundance through Christ.


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 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which works in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.


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 And our hope for you is steadfast. Knowing that, as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort.


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 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant in regards to the hardships which we encountered in Asia. We were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much so that we feared even for our lives.


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 Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in the God who raises the dead-


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 who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver. On whom we have set our hope, that He will also still deliver us.


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 You also helping together on our behalf by your prayers, so that it works out that for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf. Paul's Change of Travel Plans 


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 For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and Godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world- and more abundantly toward you.


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 For we write no other things to you, than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end;


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 as also you did once partially acknowledge us, that we are your boasting, even as you are also ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.


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 And in this confidence I had decided to come first of all to you, that you might have a second benefit;


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 and by you to pass into Macedonia and again from Macedonia to come to you, and from you proceed on my journey to Judea.


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 When I planned this, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, so that in the same breath I say, Yes, yes and then No, no?


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 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no; but in him is yes.


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 For no matter how many and whatever be the promises of God, in him is the ultimate Yes! Therefore also through him is the Amen, to the glory of God through us.


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 Not that we have lordship over your faith but are helpers of your joy. For in faith you must stand fast. 


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 And I wrote this very thing, lest when I came, I should receive sorrow from those in whom I ought to rejoice- having confidence in you all, that my joy is in you all.


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 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears. Not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have more abundantly for you.


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 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not so much to me but in a sense (not to put it too severely) to you all.


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 So that to the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.


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 For to this end also did I write, that I might know, by putting you to the test, if you are obedient in all things.


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 But to whom you forgive anything, I also. When I also forgive- if I need to forgive- then I do it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so


text:
 Now when I came to Troas for the sake of the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,


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 I had no relief for my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went into Macedonia.


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 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and makes manifest through us the savour of His knowledge in every place.


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 To the one a savour from death to death; to the other a savour from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?


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 For we are not as most, corrupting the word of God; but as of sincerity and as of God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 


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 Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?


text:
 being revealed before all that you are as it were a letter from Christ, delivered by us; written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. Not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.


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 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God,


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 who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the spirit. For the letter kills but the spirit gives life. 


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 But if that which ministered death, written, engraved on stones, came with glory (so that the children of Israel could not look continually upon the presence of Moses' face because of its brightness, fading as this glory was);


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 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness exceed in glory.


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 For truly, that which has been made glorious has not been made ultimately glorious in that the other glory is simply so surpassing.


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 For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains permanently is yet more glorious.


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 and are not like Moses, who put a veil upon his face so the children of Israel could not gaze to see the outcome of that which was fading away.


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 But their minds were hardened. For until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, it not being revealed to them that it is made redundant through Christ.


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 But we, with an unveiled face and reflecting the glory of the Lord, are all transformed into his likeness from glory to glory by the Lord the Spirit. 


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 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.


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 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn.


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 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.


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 Seeing it is God that said: Light shall shine out of darkness, He shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


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 But we have this treasure in earthly vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.


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 Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.


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 For we who live are always being delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.


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 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe and on this basis we also speak.


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 Knowing that He that raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.


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 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace may be multiplied through many, causing thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.


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 Therefore we do not give up, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.


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 For our slight momentary affliction accomplishes for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison;


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 whilst meantime we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.


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 Paul's Longing for the Judgment Seat of Christ For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.


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 For indeed we that are in this tent do groan, being burdened. Not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.


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 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.


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 Being therefore always of good courage and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord


text:
 yes, we are of good courage; and we would rather be absent from the body and at home with the Lord.


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 For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the result of the things done in a bodily form, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad. 


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 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.


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 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.


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 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have judged that in that one has died for all, therefore all have died.


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 And he died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who for their sakes died and rose again.


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 Therefore we, from this time forward, know no one after the flesh. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.


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 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things are passed away, behold, all things have become new.


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 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation.


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 That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.


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 Therefore, we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating the world by us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.


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 He who knew no sin, he became a sin offering on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.


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 For He said: In a time of acceptance I hearkened to you, and in a day of salvation did I succour you. Behold, now is the time of acceptance; behold, now is the day of salvation. Paul's Ministry Commended by God 


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 But in everything, commending ourselves as servants of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,


text:
 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,


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 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.


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 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness?


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 And what agreement has a temple of God with idols? For we are a temple of the living God, even as God said: I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God and they shall be My people.


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 Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will welcome you,


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 Therefore beloved, having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Paul's Sufferings 


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 I say it not to condemn you. For as I have said before, you are in our hearts, to die together and live together.


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 Great is my confidence in you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort, in all our affliction I am overflowing with joy!


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 For even when we went into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Without were conflicts, within were fears.


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 And not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me. So that I rejoiced yet more. 


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 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it, for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though only for a time.


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 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a Godly way, that you might suffer harm from us in nothing.


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 For Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, it brings no regret; but the sorrow of the world works death.


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 For observe this very thing: you sorrowed in a Godly manner, and what diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be pure in the matter.


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 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong; but that your earnest care for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.


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 Therefore we have been comforted, and in our comfort we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.


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 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.


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 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.


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 Moreover brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia.


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 For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.


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 For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,


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 begging us earnestly to accept this grace as a token of their fellowship in this service to the saints.


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 And their giving was beyond our hope; for through the will of God, first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us.


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 So much so that we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you also this act of grace.


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 So as you abound in everything, in faith and speech and knowledge and in all earnestness and in your love to us, see that you excel in this grace also.


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 I speak not as direct commandment; but rather through showing you the earnestness of others I am probing the sincerity of your love.


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 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor as a pauper, that you through his poverty might become rich.


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 And herein I give my judgment. For this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to desire to give but to actually give.


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 But now complete the doing also. That as there was the willingness to want to give, so there may be the completion of the desire also, according to your ability.


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 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.


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 But that as a matter of fairness, your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be an equality.


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 As it is written: He that gathered much did not have too much, and he that gathered little had no lack.


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 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches.


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 And not only this but he is the one who was appointed by the churches to travel with us in this act of grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord and to show our own willingness to help.


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 For we take care to do things honourably, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men.


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 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things; but now, much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.


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 Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker toward you; or our brothers, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.


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 Therefore show them in the presence of the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf. 


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 An Appeal for Generous Giving For concerning the service to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you.


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 For I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those in Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year; and your zeal has stirred up very many of them.


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 But I have sent the brothers, that our boasting on your behalf may not be made void in this respect. That, even as I said: You may be prepared.


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 Lest by any means, if there come with me some Macedonians and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be embarrassed for my being so confident of your generosity.


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 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not, as it were, as an extortion.


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 But this I say: He that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.


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 Let each man do according to what he intends in his heart. Not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.


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 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that you, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.


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 As it is written: He has scattered abroad, He has given to the poor. His righteousness abides for ever.


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 And He that supplies seed to the sower and bread for food shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.


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 You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.


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 For the administration of this charity not only provides for the wants of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God.


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 By their approval of this service they glorify God for your loyalty which you confess to the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all.


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 While they also, with prayers on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.


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 Now I Paul, I myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you but being absent am bold toward you:


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 I beg you now, so that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.


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 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds),


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 casting down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.


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 Look at the things that are before your face, staring at you. If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that, even as he is Christ's, so also are we!


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 I could boast, unashamedly and somewhat abundantly, concerning our authority- authority which the Lord gave for building you up and not for casting you down.


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 For they say: His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech of no account.


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 Well, let such a person reckon this, that what we are in word by letters, when we are absent, such will we be also in deed, when we are present.


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 For we are not bold enough to class or compare ourselves with those that commend themselves. These are without understanding, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, which is unwise.


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 But we will not boast beyond our measure but rather according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us- a measure to reach even to you.


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 For we are not overextending ourselves in our boasting, as though we did not reach unto you. For we were the first to come as far as you in preaching the gospel of Christ.


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 So we are not boasting beyond our measure in other men's labours; but rather we hope that as your faith grows, our influence among you may be greatly increased,


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 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence.


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 For I am jealous over you with a Godly jealousy. For I betrothed you to one husband, that is, that I might present you a pure virgin to Christ.


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 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve with his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.


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 For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different gospel, which you did not accept- it seems you think you do well to go along with him.


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 Although rude in speech, I am not in knowledge. No, in every way have we made this manifest to you in all things.


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 Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself so you might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nothing?


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 And when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on anyone. For the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied all my needs; indeed in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I remain.


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 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me boasting about this throughout the regions of Achaia.


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 But what I do, that I will continue to do, so I may not provide an opportunity to those that desire such an opportunity, and so that their boasting will be shown to be not the same as ours.


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 It is no great thing therefore if his servants also fashion themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 


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 I say again, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, accept me as a fool so that I may also boast a little.


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 What I will now speak in this confidence of boasting, I speak not after the Lord but as in foolishness.


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 For it seems you follow a man if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he hits you on the face.


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 To my shame, I can say, we were too weak to do that. Yet wherein any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.


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 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as like a madman) I more, with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.


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 Three times I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been adrift at sea.


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 On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own people, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, in danger from false brothers;


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 in toil and hardship, in many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold and nakedness.


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 Besides those things that are without, there is the daily pressure of my anxiety for all the churches.


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 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed for always, knows that I do not lie to you.


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 In Damascus, the governor, under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to capture me.


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 I must go on boasting (though there is nothing to be gained by it). I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.


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 I knew a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows), such a person was caught up to the third heaven.


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 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.


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 On behalf of such a one will I boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, save in my weaknesses.


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 For if I wanted to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be speaking the truth. But I will not boast, lest anyone should account me above that which he saw me to be, or hears from me.


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 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, that I should not be exalted too much.


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 And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


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 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. The Motives for Paul's Planned Visit to Corinth 


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 I have become foolish. You compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you. For in nothing was I behind the super apostles, though I am nothing.


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 Truly the signs of an apostle were done among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.


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 For in what way were you made inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.


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 Behold, this is the third time I have been ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you. For I do not seek your things, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.


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 And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less by you because of this?


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 But granting that I myself did not burden you, you say I was crafty, and got the better of you by deceit.


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 I urged Titus to go and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?


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 You think all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you. But in the sight of God we speak in Christ. All things, beloved, are for your upbuilding.


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 For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not as I would wish, and should myself be found by you such as you would not wish. Lest by any means there should be quarrelling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.


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 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced. 


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 Paul's Final Appeal This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.


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 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them-


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 seeing you seek proof that Christ speaks in me (who toward you is not weak but is powerful in you).


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 For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him; but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you.


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 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you fail to meet the test!


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 Now we pray to God that you do no evil. Not so we may appear to have met the test, but so you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.


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 For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present with you deal sharply with you, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.


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 Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.


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 (13:13) All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.


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 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth.


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 Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


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 I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.


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 And now lady, I urge you not as though I write a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.


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 And this is love, that we should walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. 


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 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, especially those that do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.


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 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose the things which we have done but that we receive a full reward.


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 Whoever goes ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. He that continues in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.


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 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him into your house and give him no greeting.


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 Having many things to write to you, I would not write them with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.


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 Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper room that was in Samaria, and was sick. So he sent messengers and said to them, Go, inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness.


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 But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and tell them, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?


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 Now therefore thus says Yahweh, You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die'. Elijah departed.


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 They said to him, A man came up to meet us and said to us, "Go, return to the king who sent you, and tell him, Thus says Yahweh, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you send to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die'.


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 They answered him, He was a hairy man, and wearing a leather belt around his waist. He said, It is Elijah the Tishbite. 


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 Then the king sent a captain of fifty with his fifty to him. He went up to him; and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. He said to him, Man of God, the king has said, "Come down!'


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 Elijah answered to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty! Fire came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty.


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 Again he sent to him another captain of fifty and his fifty. He answered him, Man of God, the king has said, "Come down quickly!'


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 Elijah answered them, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty! The fire of God came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty.


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 Again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. The third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and begged him and said to him, Man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight.


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 Behold, fire came down from the sky, and consumed the two former captains of fifty with their fifties. But now let my life be precious in your sight.


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 The angel of Yahweh said to Elijah, Go down with him. Don't be afraid of him. He arose, and went down with him to the king.


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 He said to him, Thus says Yahweh, "Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die'.


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 So he died according to the word of Yahweh which Elijah had spoken. Jehoram began to reign in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.


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 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?CHAPTER


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 Elijah's Public Ministry Ends It happened, when Yahweh would take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.


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 Elijah said to Elisha, Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me as far as Bethel. Elisha said, As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel.


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 The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from your head today? He said, Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.


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 Elijah said to him, Elisha, please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to Jericho. He said, As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho.


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 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came near to Elisha and said to him, Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from your head today? He answered, Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.


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 Elijah said to him, Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to the Jordan. He said, As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. They both went on.


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 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood opposite them at a distance; and they both stood by the Jordan.


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 Elijah took his mantle, wrapped it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that they two went over on dry ground.


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 When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you. Elisha said, Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.


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 He said, You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.


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 It happened, as they still went on, and talked, that behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into the sky.


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 Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horseman! He saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and tore them in two pieces.


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 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan.


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 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the waters, and said, Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah? When he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha went over.


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 When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha. They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.


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 They said to him, See now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. Perhaps the spirit of Yahweh has taken him up, and put him on some mountain, or into some valley. He said, You shall not send them.


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 When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, Send them. They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched for three days, but didn't find him.


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 They came back to him while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, Didn't I tell you, "Don't go?' Elisha's First Miracles 


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 The men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, please, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land miscarries.


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 He went out to the spring of the waters, and threw salt into it, and said, Thus says Yahweh, "I have healed these waters. There shall not be from there any more death or miscarrying'.


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 He went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up by the way, some youths came out of the city and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, you baldy! Go up, you baldhead!


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 He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Two female bears came out of the woods, and mauled forty-two of those youths.


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 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.


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 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, but not like his father or his mother; for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made.


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 Nevertheless he held to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; he didn't depart from them.


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 Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder; and he rendered to the king of Israel the wool of one hundred thousand lambs, and of one hundred thousand rams.


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 He went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle? He said, I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.


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 So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey. There was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them.


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 The king of Israel said, Alas! For Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.


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 But Jehoshaphat said, Isn't there here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him? One of the king of Israel's servants answered, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.


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 Jehoshaphat said, The word of Yahweh is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.


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 Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father, and to the prophets of your mother. The king of Israel said to him, No; for Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.


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 Elisha said, As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you.


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 But now bring me a minstrel. It happened, when the minstrel played, that the hand of Yahweh came on him.


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 For thus says Yahweh, "You will not see wind, neither will you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your animals.


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 This is but a light thing in the sight of Yahweh. He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.


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 You shall strike every fortified city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all springs of water, and spoil every good piece of land with stones'.


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 It happened in the morning, about the time of making the offering, that behold, water came by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water. 


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 Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all who were able to put on armour, young and older, and stood on the border.


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 They rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water over against them as red as blood.


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 They said, This is blood. The kings are surely destroyed, and they have struck each other. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!


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 When they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and struck the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they went forward into the land smiting the Moabites.


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 They beat down the cities; and on every good piece of land they cast every man his stone, and filled it. They stopped all the springs of water, and felled all the good trees, until in Kir Hareseth only they left its stones; however the men armed with slings surrounded it, and struck it.


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 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too severe for him, he took with him seven hundred men who drew sword, to break through to the king of Edom; but they could not.


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 Then he took his eldest son who would have reigned in his place, and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. There was great wrath against Israel, who departed from him, and returned to their own land.CHAPTER


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 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.


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 Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? Tell me: what do you have in the house? She said, Your handmaid has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.


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 Then he said, Go, borrow containers, empty ones, from of all your neighbours. Don't borrow just a few.


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 You shall go in, and shut the door on yourself and on your sons, and pour out into all those containers; and you shall set aside that which is full.


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 So she went from him, and shut the door on herself and on her sons; they brought the containers to her, and she poured out.


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 It happened, when the containers were full, that she said to her son, Bring me another container. He said to her, There isn't another container. The oil stopped flowing.


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 Then she came and told the man of God. He said, Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons shall live on the rest. 


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 It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread.


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 She said to her husband, See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God that passes by us continually.


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 Please let us make a little room on the wall. Let us set for him there a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp stand. It shall be, when he comes to us, that he shall turn in there.


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 He said to him, Say now to her, "Behold, you have cared for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army?' She answered, I dwell among my own people.


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 He said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, Most certainly she has no son, and her husband is old.


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 He said, At this season, when the time comes around, you will embrace a son. She said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.


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 The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came around, as Elisha had said to her.


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 When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died.


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 She called to her husband and said, Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.


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 He said, Why would you want go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath. She said, It's alright.


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 Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward! Don't slow down for me, unless I ask you to.


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 So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. It happened, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, there is the Shunammite.


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 Please run now to meet her, and ask her, "Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?' She answered, It is well.


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 When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, Leave her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hidden it from me, and has not told me.


text:
 Then he said to Gehazi, Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don't greet him; and if anyone greets you, don't answer him again. Then lay my staff on the face of the child.


text:
 The mother of the child said, As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. He arose, and followed her.


text:
 Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child has not awakened.


text:
 He went up, and cast himself on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. He lay upon him; and the flesh of the child grew warm.


text:
 Then he returned, and walked in the house once back and forth; and went up, and cast himself on him. Then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.


text:
 He called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite! So he called her. When she had come in to him, he said, Take up your son.


text:
 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out. Elisha's Miracles 


text:
 Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a famine in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him. He said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.


text:
 One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered of it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and shred them into the pot of stew; for they didn't recognize them.


text:
 So they poured out for the men to eat. It happened, as they were eating of the stew, that they cried out, and said, Man of God, there is death in the pot! They could not eat of it.


text:
 But he said, Bring meal, then. He cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. There was now no harm in the pot.


text:
 A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, Give to the people, that they may eat.


text:
 His servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus says Yahweh, "They will eat, and will have some left over'.


text:
 So he set it before them, and they ate, and left some of it, according to the word of Yahweh. CHAPTER


text:
 Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper.


text:
 The Syrians had gone out in companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman's wife.


text:
 She said to her mistress, I wish that my lord would visit the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.


text:
 The king of Syria said, Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing.


text:
 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.


text:
 When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? Surely he is seeking a quarrel against me.


text:
 It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king saying, Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.


text:
 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.


text:
 Elisha sent a messenger to him saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.


text:
 But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, I thought, "He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy'.


text:
 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.


text:
 His servants came near and spoke to him and said, My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, "Wash, and be clean?'


text:
 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.


text:
 He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and stood before him; and he said, See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.


text:
 But he said, As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. He urged him to take it; but he refused.


text:
 Naaman said, If not, then please let two mules' burden of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Yahweh.


text:
 In this thing may Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.


text:
 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said, My master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.


text:
 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?


text:
 He said, All is well. My master has sent me, saying, "Behold, even now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing'.


text:
 Naaman said, Please take two talents. He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they carried them before him.


text:
 When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and stored them in the house. Then he let the men go, and they departed.


text:
 But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, Where did you come from, Gehazi? He said, Your servant went nowhere.


text:
 He said to him, Didn't my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, to receive garments and olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?


text:
 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your seed forever. He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.CHAPTER


text:
 The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, See now, the place where we dwell before you is too small for us.


text:
 Please let us go to the Jordan, and every man take a beam from there, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. He answered, Go!


text:
 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water. Then he cried and said, Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.


text:
 The man of God asked, Where did it fall? He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float.


text:
 Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, My camp will be in such and such a place.


text:
 The man of God sent to the king of Israel saying, Beware that you not pass such a place; for the Syrians are coming that way.


text:
 The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once nor twice.


text:
 The heart of the king of Syria was very troubled about this. He called his servants, and said to them, Won't you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?


text:
 One of his servants said, No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.


text:
 He said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him. It was told him saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.


text:
 Therefore he sent horses, chariots and a great army there. They came by night, and surrounded the city.


text:
 When the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do?


text:
 Elisha prayed and said, Yahweh, please open his eyes, that he may see. Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.


text:
 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Please strike this people with blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.


text:
 Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek. He led them to Samaria.


text:
 It happened, when they had come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Yahweh, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. Yahweh opened their eyes, and they perceived that they were in the midst of Samaria.


text:
 The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?


text:
 He answered, You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.


text:
 He prepared a great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel. 


text:
 It happened after this, that Ben Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.


text:
 There was a great famine in Samaria. Behold they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.


text:
 As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him saying, Help, my lord, O king!


text:
 He said, If Yahweh doesn't help you, how could I help you? From the threshing floor, or from the winepress?


text:
 The king said to her, What ails you? She answered, This woman said to me, "Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow'.


text:
 So we boiled my son, and ate him. I said to her on the next day, "Give your son, that we may eat him;' and she has hidden her son.


text:
 It happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes (now he was passing by on the wall); and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his flesh.


text:
 Then he said, God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stay on him this day.


text:
 But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? When the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold it shut against him. Isn't the sound of his master's feet behind him?


text:
 While he was still talking with them, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, This evil is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?CHAPTER


text:
 Elisha said, Hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says Yahweh, "Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria'.


text:
 Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, Behold, if Yahweh made windows in heaven, could this thing be? He said, You shall see it with your eyes, but shall not eat of it.


text:
 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said one to another, Why do we sit here until we die?


text:
 If we say, "We will enter into the city', then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die.


text:
 They rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians. When they had come to the outermost part of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no man there.


text:
 For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great army. They said one to another, Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come on us.


text:
 Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their donkeys, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.


text:
 When these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drank, and carried from there silver, and gold, and clothing, and went and hid it. Then they came back and entered into another tent, and carried from there also, and went and hid it.


text:
 Then they said one to another, We aren't doing the right thing. This day is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household.


text:
 So they came and called to the porter of the city and said, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were.


text:
 The king arose in the night and said to his servants, I"ll tell you what the Syrians are doing to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field saying, "When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city'.


text:
 One of his servants answered, Please let some men take five of the horses that remain in the city. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it. They would perish anyway, like all the many Israelites who have already died. Let us send and see.


text:
 They took therefore two chariots with horses; and the king sent after the army of the Syrians saying, Go and see.


text:
 They went after them to the Jordan; and behold, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. The messengers returned and told the king.


text:
 The people went out, and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Yahweh.


text:
 The king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate; and the people trod on him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said when the king came down to him.


text:
 (It happened, as the man of God had spoken to the king saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;


text:
 and that captain answered the man of God and said, Now, behold, if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, you shall see it with your eyes, but shall not eat of it.


text:
 Now Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise and go, you and your household, and stay for a while wherever you can; for Yahweh has called for a famine. It shall also come on the land seven years.


text:
 The woman arose, and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household, and lived in the land of the Philistines seven years.


text:
 It happened after the seven years, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines. Then she went forth to plead to the king for her house and for her land.


text:
 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God saying, Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.


text:
 It happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored to life him who was dead, that the woman whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.


text:
 When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now. 


text:
 Elisha came to Damascus; and Ben Hadad the king of Syria was sick. It was told him saying, The man of God has come here.


text:
 The king said to Hazael, Take a present in your hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of Yahweh by him, saying, "Will I recover from this sickness?'


text:
 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him and said, Your son Ben Hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, "Will I recover from this sickness?'


text:
 Elisha said to him, Go, tell him, "You shall surely recover;' however Yahweh has shown me that he shall surely die.


text:
 Hazael said, Why do you weep, my lord? He answered, Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel. You will set their strongholds on fire, kill their young men with the sword, dash in pieces their little ones and rip up their women with child.


text:
 Hazael said, But what is your servant, is he a dog, that he should do this awful thing? Elisha answered, Yahweh has shown me that you will be king over Syria.


text:
 Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, What did Elisha say to you? He answered, He told me that you would surely recover.


text:
 It happened on the next day, that he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place. 


text:
 In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being king of Judah then, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.


text:
 He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife. He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh.


text:
 However, Yahweh would not destroy Judah, for David His servant's sake, as He promised him to give to him a lamp for his children always.


text:
 Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him. He rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.


text:
 The rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.


text:
 In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.


text:
 Twenty-two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri king of Israel.


text:
 He walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as did the house of Ahab; for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.


text:
 He went with Joram the son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.


text:
 King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.CHAPTER


text:
 Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, Put your belt on your waist, take this vial of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead.


text:
 When you come there, find Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brothers, and carry him to an inner room.


text:
 Then take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, "Thus says Yahweh, I have anointed you king over Israel'. Then open the door, flee, and don't wait.


text:
 When he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. Then he said, I have a message for you, captain. Jehu said, To which of us all here? He said, To you, O captain.


text:
 He arose, and went into the house. Then he poured the oil on his head and said to him, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "I have anointed you king over the people of Yahweh, even over Israel.


text:
 You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Yahweh, at the hand of Jezebel.


text:
 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish. I will cut off from Ahab every male, both him who is shut up and him who is left at large in Israel.


text:
 I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.


text:
 The dogs will eat Jezebel on the plot of ground of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her'. He opened the door, and fled.


text:
 Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord; and one said to him, Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you? He said to them, You know the man and what his talk was.


text:
 They said, That is a lie. Tell us now. He said, He told me, "Thus says Yahweh, I have anointed you king over Israel'.


text:
 Then they hurried, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs and blew the trumpet, saying, Jehu is king. Jehu Kills Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel 


text:
 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram was keeping Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria;


text:
 but king Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria). Jehu said, If this is your thinking, then let no one escape and go out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel.


text:
 So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram.


text:
 Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. Joram said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, "Is it peace?'


text:
 So there went one on horseback to meet him and said, Thus says the king, "Is it peace?' Jehu said, What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me! The watchman said, The messenger came to them, but he isn't coming back.


text:
 Then he sent out a second on horseback, who came to them, and said, Thus says the king, "Is it peace?' Jehu answered, What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me!


text:
 The watchman said, He came to them, and isn't coming back. The driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives angrily.


text:
 Joram said, Get ready! They got his chariot ready. Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out to meet Jehu, and found him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.


text:
 It happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? He answered, What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft abound?


text:
 Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and struck Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.


text:
 Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, Pick him up, and throw him in the plot of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember how, when you and I rode together after Ahab his father, Yahweh laid this burden on him:


text:
 "Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons', says Yahweh; "and I will repay you in this plot of ground', says Yahweh. Now therefore take and cast him onto the plot of ground, according to the word of Yahweh.


text:
 But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. Jehu followed after him, and said, Strike him also in the chariot! They struck him at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo, and died there.


text:
 His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.


text:
 When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window.


text:
 He lifted up his face to the window and said, Who is on my side? Who? Two or three eunuchs looked out at him.


text:
 He said, Throw her down! So they threw her down; and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses. Then he trampled her under foot.


text:
 When he had come in, he ate and drank; and he said, See now to this cursed woman, and bury her; for she is a king's daughter.


text:
 They went to bury her; but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.


text:
 Therefore they came back, and told him. He said, This is the word of Yahweh which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite saying, "The dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel on the plot of Jezreel,


text:
 and the body of Jezebel shall be as dung on the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel'.CHAPTER


text:
 Jehu Kills Ahab's Family Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, even the elders, and to those who brought up the sons of Ahab, saying,


text:
 Now as soon as this letter comes to you, since your master's sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fortified city also, and armour:


text:
 Select the best and fittest of your master's sons, set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house.


text:
 But they were exceedingly afraid and said, Behold, the two kings didn't stand before him! How then shall we stand?


text:
 He who was over the household, and he who was over the city, the elders also, and those who raised the children, sent to Jehu saying, We are your servants, and will do all that you ask us. We will not make any man king. You do that which is good in your eyes.


text:
 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them saying, If you are on my side, and if you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city who brought them up.


text:
 It happened, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons and killed them, all seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to him to Jezreel.


text:
 A messenger came and told him, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. He said, Lay them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning.


text:
 It happened in the morning, that he went out and stood and said to all the people, You are righteous. Behold, I conspired against my master, and killed him; but who struck all these?


text:
 Know now that nothing shall fall to the earth of the word of Yahweh, which Yahweh spoke concerning the house of Ahab. For Yahweh has done that which He spoke by His servant Elijah.


text:
 So Jehu struck all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, with all his great men, his familiar friends, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.


text:
 He arose and departed, and went to Samaria. As he was at the shearing house of the shepherds on the way,


text:
 Jehu met with the brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah and said, Who are you? They answered, We are the brothers of Ahaziah. We are going down to greet the children of the king and the children of the queen.


text:
 He said, Take them alive! They took them alive, and killed them at the pit of the shearing house, even forty-two men. He didn't leave any of them.


text:
 When he had departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. He greeted him and said to him, Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart? Jehonadab answered, It is. If it is, give me your hand. He gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.


text:
 When he came to Samaria, he struck all who remained to Ahab in Samaria, until he had destroyed him, according to the word of Yahweh, which He spoke to Elijah. 


text:
 Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu will serve him much.


text:
 Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all of his worshippers, and all of his priests. Let none be absent; for I have a great sacrifice to Baal. Whoever is absent, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtlety, intending that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.


text:
 Jehu sent through all Israel; and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that didn't come. They came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other.


text:
 He said to him who was over the vestry, Bring out robes for all the worshippers of Baal! He brought robes out to them.


text:
 Jehu went with Jehonadab the son of Rechab into the house of Baal. Then he said to the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there are here with you none of the servants of Yahweh, but the worshippers of Baal only.


text:
 They went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him eighty men outside and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, he who lets him go, his life shall be for the life of him.


text:
 It happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and kill them! Let none escape. They struck them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went into the inner room of the house of Baal.


text:
 They broke down the pillar of Baal, and broke down the house of Baal and made it a latrine, to this day.


text:
 However Jehu didn't depart from following the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin: the golden calves that were in Bethel, and in Dan.


text:
 Yahweh said to Jehu, Because you have done well in executing that which is right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.


text:
 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He didn't depart from the sins of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin.


text:
 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


text:
 Jehu slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria. Jehoahaz his son reigned in his place.


text:
 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.


text:
 But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom. They hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain;


text:
 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the house of Yahweh. He made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of Yahweh, and showed them the king's son.


text:
 He commanded them saying, This is the thing that you shall do: a third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king's house;


text:
 a third part shall be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard. So you shall keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.


text:
 The two companies of you, even all who go out on the Sabbath, shall keep the watch of the house of Yahweh around the king.


text:
 You shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. Be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.


text:
 The captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.


text:
 The priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the house of Yahweh.


text:
 The guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king.


text:
 Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony. They made him king and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, Long live the king!


text:
 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the house of Yahweh.


text:
 She looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, and the captains and the trumpets near the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, Treason! Treason!


text:
 Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, Bring her out between the ranks. Kill him who follows her with the sword. For the priest said, Don't let her be slain in the house of Yahweh.


text:
 So they made way for her; and she went by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house. She was slain there.


text:
 Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and the people, that they should be Yahweh's people; also between the king and the people.


text:
 All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over the house of Yahweh.


text:
 He took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of Yahweh, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. He sat on the throne of the kings.


text:
 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. Athaliah they had slain with the sword at the king's house.


text:
 In the seventh year of Jehu began Jehoash to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.


text:
 Jehoash did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.


text:
 However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.


text:
 Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the holy things that is brought into the house of Yahweh, in current money, the money of the persons at which each man is rated, and all the money that it comes into any man's heart to bring into the house of Yahweh,


text:
 let the priests take it to them, every man from his acquaintance; and they shall repair the breaches of the house, wherever any breach shall be found.


text:
 But, in the twenty third year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.


text:
 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and for the other priests, and said to them, Why don't you repair the breaches of the house? Now therefore take no more money from your treasurers, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.


text:
 The priests agreed that they should take no more money from the people, neither repair the breaches of the house themselves.


text:
 Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of Yahweh. The priests who kept the threshold put therein all the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh.


text:
 It was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags and counted the money that was found in the house of Yahweh.


text:
 They gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of Yahweh. They paid it out to the carpenters and the builders, who worked on the house of Yahweh,


text:
 and to the masons and the stone cutters, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the breaches of the house of Yahweh, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.


text:
 But there were not made for the house of Yahweh cups of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh;


text:
 Moreover they didn't demand an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to give to those who did the work; for they dealt faithfully.


text:
 The money for the trespass offerings, and the money for the sin offerings, were not brought into the house of Yahweh: it was the priests'. 


text:
 Then Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.


text:
 Jehoash king of Judah took all the holy things that Jehoshaphat, Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own holy things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and of the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria; and he went away from Jerusalem.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 His servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and struck Joash at the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla.


text:
 For Jozacar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, struck him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.CHAPTER


text:
 Jehoahaz's Reign In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria for seventeen years.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, in which he made Israel to sin. He didn't depart from it.


text:
 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben Hadad the son of Hazael, continually.


text:
 Jehoahaz begged Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, how that the king of Syria oppressed them.


text:
 Yahweh gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel lived in their tents as before.


text:
 Nevertheless they didn't depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel to sin, but walked therein. There remained the Asherah also in Samaria.


text:
 For the king of Syria didn't leave to Jehoahaz of the people any more than fifty horsemen, ten chariots and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria destroyed them, and made them like the dust in threshing.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


text:
 Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his place. Jehoash's Reign 


text:
 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria for sixteen years.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he didn't depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; but he walked therein.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


text:
 Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.


text:
 Now Elisha contracted a sickness of which he would die. Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!


text:
 He said to the king of Israel, Put your hand on the bow; and he put his hand on it. Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands.


text:
 He said, Open the window eastward; and he opened them. Then Elisha said, Shoot! And he shot. He said, Yahweh's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for you shall strike the Syrians in Aphek, until you have consumed them.


text:
 He said, Take the arrows; and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, Strike the ground; and he struck three times, and stopped.


text:
 The man of God was angry with him and said, You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria until you had consumed it, whereas now you shall strike Syria just three times. 


text:
 Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.


text:
 It happened, as they were burying a man, that behold, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the tomb of Elisha. As soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.


text:
 But Yahweh was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and had respect to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither did He cast them out from His presence at that time.


text:
 Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben Hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Joash struck him three times, and recovered the cities of Israel.CHAPTER


text:
 In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign.


text:
 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.


text:
 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, yet not like David his father: he did according to all that Joash his father had done.


text:
 However the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.


text:
 As soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, he killed his servants who had slain the king his father.


text:
 But the children of the murderers he didn't put to death; as written in the book of the law of Moses, that Yahweh commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.


text:
 He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel to this day.


text:
 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.


text:
 Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon saying, "Give your daughter to my son as wife. Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle.


text:
 You have indeed struck Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Enjoy the glory of it, and stay at home; for why should you meddle to your harm, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?'


text:
 But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.


text:
 Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.


text:
 He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of Yahweh and in the treasures of the king's house, with hostages also, and returned to Samaria.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


text:
 Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his place.


text:
 Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 They made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and killed him there.


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


text:
 He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. Jeroboam's Reign 


text:
 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria for forty-one years.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: he didn't depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


text:
 He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Yahweh, the God of Israel, which He spoke by His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was of Gath Hepher.


text:
 For Yahweh saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter; for there was none shut up nor left at large, neither was there any helper for Israel.


text:
 Yahweh didn't say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under the sky; but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered for Israel Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


text:
 Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zechariah his son reigned in his place.


text:
 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.


text:
 Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.


text:
 However the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.


text:
 Yahweh struck the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house. Jotham the king's son was over the household, judging the people of the land.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. Jotham his son reigned in his place.


text:
 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as his fathers had done: he didn't depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


text:
 Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and struck him before the people, and killed him, and reigned in his place.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


text:
 This was the word of Yahweh which He spoke to Jehu, saying, Your sons to the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. So it came to pass. 


text:
 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah; and he reigned for a month in Samaria.


text:
 Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and struck Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and killed him, and reigned in his place.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


text:
 Then Menahem struck Tiphsah, and all who were therein, and its borders, from Tirzah, because they didn't open to him. Therefore he struck it; and all the women therein who were with child he ripped up.


text:
 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel for ten years in Samaria.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He didn't depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


text:
 There came against the land Pul the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that he might help him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.


text:
 Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn't stay there in the land.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


text:
 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria for two years.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He didn't depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.


text:
 Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him and struck him in Samaria, in the castle of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh; and with him were fifty men of the Gileadites. He killed him, and reigned in his place.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


text:
 In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria for twenty years.


text:
 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.


text:
 Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and struck him, and killed him, and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. Jotham's Reign 


text:
 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.


text:
 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok.


text:
 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.


text:
 However the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 In those days Yahweh began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.


text:
 Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father; and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.CHAPTER


text:
 Ahaz's Reign In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.


text:
 Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn't do that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, like David his father.


text:
 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel.


text:
 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.


text:
 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this day.


text:
 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria saying, I am your servant and your son. Come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.


text:
 Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.


text:
 The king of Assyria listened to him. The king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.


text:
 King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and its pattern, according to all its workmanship.


text:
 Urijah the priest built an altar: according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so Urijah the priest made it for the coming of king Ahaz from Damascus.


text:
 When the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar, and the king drew near to the altar, and offered on it.


text:
 He burnt his burnt offering and his meal offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar.


text:
 The bronze altar, which was before Yahweh, he brought from the forefront of the house, from between his altar and the house of Yahweh, and put it on the north side of his altar.


text:
 King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest saying, On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meal offering, and the king's burnt offering, and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meal offering and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.


text:
 King Ahaz cut off the panels of the bases, and removed the basins from off them, and took down the sea from off the bronze oxen that were under it, and put it on a pavement of stone.


text:
 The covered way for the Sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry outside the house of Yahweh, he changed because of the king of Assyria.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.CHAPTER


text:
 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel for nine years.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him.


text:
 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and brought him tribute.


text:
 The king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.


text:
 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.


text:
 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.


text:
 It was so, because the children of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had feared other gods,


text:
 and walked in the statutes of the kings of Israel which they had made, and of the nations, whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel.


text:
 The children of Israel did secretly things that were not right against Yahweh their God. They built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city;


text:
 There they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom Yahweh carried away before them; and they worked wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger;


text:
 Yet Yahweh testified to Israel and to Judah, by every prophet and every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.


text:
 Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but stiffened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn't believe in Yahweh their God.


text:
 They rejected His statutes and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom Yahweh had commanded them that they should not do like them.


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 They forsook all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshipped all the army of the sky, and served Baal.


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 They caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke Him to anger.


text:
 Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of His sight. There was none left but the tribe of Judah only.


text:
 Also Judah didn't keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.


text:
 Yahweh rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until He had cast them out of His sight.


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 For He tore Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Jeroboam drove Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin.


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 The children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they didn't depart from them;


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 until Yahweh removed Israel out of His sight, as He spoke by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.


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 The king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria, and lived in the cities of it.


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 So it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they didn't fear Yahweh; therefore Yahweh sent lions among them, which killed some of them.


text:
 Therefore they spoke to the king of Assyria saying, The nations which you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria, don't know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they kill them, because they don't know the law of the god of the land.


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 Then the king of Assyria commanded saying, Carry there one of the priests whom you brought from there; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the law of the god of the land.


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 So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear Yahweh.


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 However every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities in which they lived.


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 The men of Babylon made Succoth Benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,


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 the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.


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 So they feared Yahweh, and made to them from among themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.


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 They feared Yahweh, and served their own gods, after the ways of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. 


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 To this day they do what they did before: they don't fear Yahweh, neither do they follow their statutes, or their ordinances, or the law or the commandment which Yahweh commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel.


text:
 Yahweh had made a covenant with them and commanded them saying, You shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them;


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 but you shall fear Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, and you shall bow yourselves to Him, and you shall sacrifice to Him.


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 The statutes and the ordinances, the law and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall observe to do for evermore. You shall not fear other gods.


text:
 So these nations feared Yahweh, and served their engraved images. Their children likewise, and their children's children, as their fathers did, so they do to this day.CHAPTER


text:
 Now it happened in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.


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 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.


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 He removed the high places, and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for in those days the children of Israel burned incense to it; and he called it Nehushtan.


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 He trusted in Yahweh the God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him.


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 For he joined with Yahweh; he didn't depart from following Him, but kept His commandments which Yahweh commanded Moses.


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 Yahweh was with him; wherever he went forth he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria, and didn't serve him.


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 He struck the Philistines to Gaza and its borders, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.


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 It happened in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.


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 At the end of three years they took it: in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.


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 The king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria, and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes,


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 because they didn't obey the voice of Yahweh their God, but transgressed His covenant, even all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded, and would not hear it, nor do it. 


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 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them.


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 Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish saying, I have offended; return from me. That which you put on me, I will bear. The king of Assyria appointed to Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.


text:
 Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of Yahweh, and in the treasures of the king's house.


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 At that time, Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of Yahweh's temple, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.


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 The king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army to Jerusalem. They went up and came to Jerusalem. When they had come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.


text:
 When they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. Rabshakeh's Speech 


text:
 Rabshakeh said to them, Say now to Hezekiah, "Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this in which you trust?


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 You say (but they are but vain words), "There is counsel and strength for war'. Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?


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 Now, behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in Egypt. If a man leans on it, it will go into his hand, and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust on him.


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 But if you tell me, "We trust in Yahweh our God'; isn't that He whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, "You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?'


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 Now therefore, please give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.


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 How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?


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 Have I now come up without Yahweh against this place to destroy it? Yahweh said to me, "Go up against this land, and destroy it'.


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 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, Shebnah and Joah said to Rabshakeh, Please speak to your servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it. Don't speak with us in the Jews' language, in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.


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 But Rabshakeh said to them, Has my master sent me to your master, and to you, to speak these words? Hasn't he sent me to the men who sit on the wall, to eat their own dung, and to drink their own water with you?


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 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spoke, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:


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 Thus says the king, "Don't let Hezekiah deceive you; for he will not be able to deliver you out of his hand.


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 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh saying, Yahweh will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.


text:
 Don't listen to Hezekiah'. For thus says the king of Assyria, "Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and every one of you will eat of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and everyone will drink the waters of his own cistern;


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 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and of honey, that you may live, and not die. Don't listen to Hezekiah when he persuades you saying, Yahweh will deliver us.


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 Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?


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 Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that Yahweh should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?'


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 But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, Don't answer him.


text:
 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, came with Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.CHAPTER


text:
 It happened, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Yahweh.


text:
 He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.


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 They said to him, Thus says Hezekiah, "This day is a day of trouble, of rebuke, and of rejection; for the children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them.


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 It may be Yahweh your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left'. So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.


text:
 Isaiah said to them, Thus you shall tell your master, "Thus says Yahweh, Don't be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me.


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 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear news, and will return to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land'.


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 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he had departed from Lachish.


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 When he heard it said of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he has come out to fight against you, he sent messengers again to Hezekiah saying,


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 Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah saying, Don't let your God in whom you trust deceive you saying, Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.


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 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly. Will you be delivered?


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 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph and the children of Eden that were in Telassar?


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 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena and Ivvah? Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Response 


text:
 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to the house of Yahweh, and spread it before Yahweh.


text:
 Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh and said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, Who sits above the cherubim, You are the God, even You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.


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 Incline Your ear, Yahweh, and hear. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see. Hear the words of Sennacherib, with which he has sent to defy the living God.


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 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they have destroyed them.


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 Now therefore, Yahweh our God, save us, I beg You, out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You, Yahweh, are God alone.


text:
 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah saying, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "Whereas you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.


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 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.


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 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.


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 By your messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said, "With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down its tall cedars, and its choice fir trees; and I will enter into His deepest dwelling place, the forest of His fruitful field.


text:
 I have dug and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet will I dry up all the rivers of Egypt'.


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 Haven't you heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? Now have I brought it to pass, that it should be yours to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps.


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 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were like the grass of the field, and like the green herb, like the grass on the housetops, and like grain blasted before it has grown up.


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 Because of your raging against Me, and because your arrogance has come up into My ears, therefore will I put my hook in your nose and My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.


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 This shall be the sign to you: You shall eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs of the same; and in the third year sow, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat its fruit.


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 The remnant that has escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.


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 For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go out, and out of Mount Zion those who shall escape. The zeal of Yahweh will perform this'.


text:
 Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the king of Assyria, "He shall not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it.


text:
 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come to this city', says Yahweh.


text:
 It happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out and struck one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. When men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.


text:
 It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esar Haddon his son reigned in his place.CHAPTER


text:
 Hezekiah's Illness In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, Thus says Yahweh, "Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live'.


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 Remember now, Yahweh, I beg You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Your sight. Hezekiah wept bitterly.


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 It happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Yahweh came to him saying,


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 Turn back and tell Hezekiah the prince of My people, "Thus says Yahweh the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you shall go up to the house of Yahweh.


text:
 I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My own sake, and for My servant David's sake'.


text:
 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, What shall be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of Yahweh the third day?


text:
 Isaiah said, This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do the thing that He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?


text:
 Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. Nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.


text:
 Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh; and He brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz. Hezekiah's Failure 


text:
 At that time Berodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.


text:
 Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, the house of his armour and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn't show them.


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 Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah and said to him, What did these men say? From where did they come to you? Hezekiah said, They have come from a far country, even from Babylon.


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 He said, What have they seen in your house? Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.


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 "Behold, the days come, that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store to this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left', says Yahweh.


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 "Of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you shall father, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon'.


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 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, The word of Yahweh which you have spoken is good. He said moreover, Isn't it so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might, and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 Manasseh's Reign Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah.


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 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshiped all the host of the sky, and served them.


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 He made his son to pass through the fire, and practised sorcery, used enchantments and dealt with those who had familiar spirits and with wizards. He worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke Him to anger.


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 He set the engraved image of Asherah that he had made, in the house of which Yahweh said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put My name forever;


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 neither will I cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them.


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 But they didn't listen: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations did whom Yahweh destroyed before the children of Israel.


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 Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did who were before him, and has made Judah also to sin with his idols;


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 therefore thus says Yahweh the God of Israel, "Behold, I bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears shall tingle.


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 I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab; and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.


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 I will cast off the remainder of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies. They will become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;


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 because they have done that which is evil in My sight, and have provoked Me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt even to this day'.


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 Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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 Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza; and Amon his son reigned in his place. Amon's Reign 


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 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.


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 He walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:


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 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


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 Josiah's Reign Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.


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 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, and walked in all the way of David his father, and didn't turn aside to the right hand or to the left.


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 It happened in the eighteenth year of king Josiah that the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Yahweh, saying,


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 Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the money which is brought into the house of Yahweh, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people.


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 Let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of Yahweh; and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Yahweh, to repair the breaches of the house,


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 to the carpenters, to the builders and to the masons, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the house.


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 However there was no accounting made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand; for they dealt faithfully. 


text:
 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh. Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.


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 Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again and said, Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of Yahweh.


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 Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me. Shaphan read it before the king.


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 The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant saying,


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 Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the wrath of Yahweh that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.


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 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her.


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 Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.


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 Because they have forsaken Me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.


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 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, thus you shall tell him, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: Concerning the words which you have heard,


text:
 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard you, says Yahweh.


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 Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, neither shall your eyes see all the evil which I will bring on this place'. They brought back this message to the king.CHAPTER


text:
 The king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great. He read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Yahweh.


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 The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh and to keep His commandments, His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people stood to the covenant.


text:
 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of Yahweh's temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of the sky; and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.


text:
 He put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, the moon, to the planets and to all the host of the sky.


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 He brought out the Asherah from the house of Yahweh, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people.


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 He broke down the houses of the sodomites that were in the house of Yahweh, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.


text:
 He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.


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 Nevertheless the priests of the high places didn't come up to the altar of Yahweh in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.


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 He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.


text:
 He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of Yahweh, by the room of Nathan Melech the officer, who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.


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 The king broke down the altars that were on the roof of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of Yahweh, and beat them down from there, and cast their dust into the brook Kidron.


text:
 The king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon.


text:
 He broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, and filled their places with the bones of men.


text:
 Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and beat it to dust, and burned the Asherah.


text:
 As Josiah turned himself, he spied the tombs that were there in the mountain; and he sent, and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of Yahweh which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things.


text:
 Then he said, What monument is that which I see? The men of the city told him, It is the tomb of the man of God, who came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel.


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 He said, Let him be! Let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.


text:
 All the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke Yahweh to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.


text:
 He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars, and burned men's bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem. Josiah's Passover 


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 The king commanded all the people saying, Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.


text:
 Surely there was not kept such a Passover from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;


text:
 Moreover Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, the teraphim, the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of Yahweh.


text:
 Like him was there no king before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.


text:
 Notwithstanding, Yahweh didn't turn from the fierceness of His great wrath with which His anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocation with which Manasseh had provoked Him.


text:
 Yahweh said, I will remove Judah also out of My sight as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, "My name shall be there'.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 In his days Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went against him; and Pharaoh Necoh killed him at Megiddo when he had seen him.


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 His servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's place. 


text:
 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.


text:
 Pharaoh Necoh put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.


text:
 Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim; but he took Jehoahaz away; and he came to Egypt, and died there.


text:
 Jehoiakim gave silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of each one according to his taxation, to give it to Pharaoh Necoh.


text:
 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.


text:
 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that his fathers had done.CHAPTER


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 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years, then rebelled against him.


text:
 Yahweh sent against him bands of the Chaldeans, the Syrians, Moabites and of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of Yahweh, which He spoke by His servants the prophets.


text:
 Surely at the commandment of Yahweh came this on Judah, to remove them out of His sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did,


text:
 and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which Yahweh would not pardon.


text:
 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?


text:
 The king of Egypt didn't come again out of his land any more; for the king of Babylon had taken, from the brook of Egypt to the river Euphrates, all that pertained to the king of Egypt.


text:
 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign; and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.


text:
 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.


text:
 and Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his servants, his princes and his officers; and the king of Babylon took him prisoner in the eighth year of his reign.


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 He carried out from there all the treasures of the house of Yahweh and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold, which Solomon king of Israel had made in Yahweh's temple, as Yahweh had said.


text:
 He carried away all Jerusalem, all the princes and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, except the poorest sort of the people of the land.


text:
 He carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon; and the king's mother, the king's wives, his officers and the chief men of the land, he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.


text:
 All the men of might, even seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths one thousand, all of them strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.


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 The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's father's brother, king is his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.


text:
 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.


text:
 For through the anger of Yahweh, it happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He had cast them out from His presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.CHAPTER


text:
 It happened in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it around it.


text:
 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.


text:
 Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city around it); and the king went by the way of the Arabah.


text:
 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.


text:
 Then they took the king, and carried him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment on him.


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 They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon.


text:
 Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, to Jerusalem.


text:
 He burnt the house of Yahweh and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, even every great house, burnt he with fire.


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 All the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem.


text:
 Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive the residue of the people who were left in the city, and those who fell away, who fell to the king of Babylon, and the remainder of the multitude of the people.


text:
 But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields.


text:
 The Chaldeans broke up the pillars of brass that were in the house of Yahweh and the bases and the bronze sea that were in the house of Yahweh, and carried the brass pieces to Babylon.


text:
 They took away the pots, the shovels, the snuffers, the spoons, and all the vessels of brass with which they ministered.


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 The two pillars, the one sea and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of Yahweh, the brass of all these things was without weight.


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 The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and a capital of brass was on it; and the height of the capital was three cubits, with network and pomegranates on the capital around it, all of brass, similarly the second pillar with its network.


text:
 The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold;


text:
 and out of the city he took an officer who was set over the men of war; and five men of those who saw the king's face, who were found in the city; and the scribe, the captain of the army, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land, who were found in the city.


text:
 The king of Babylon struck them, and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away captive out of his land.


text:
 As for the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor. God's Grace 


text:
 Now when all the captains of the bands of soldiers, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.


text:
 Gedaliah swore to them and to their men and said to them, Don't be afraid because of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.


text:
 But it happened in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal seed, came with ten men and struck Gedaliah so that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizpah.


text:
 All the people, both small and great, and the captains of the forces, arose and came to Egypt; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.


text:
 It happened in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison.


text:
 He spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,


text:
 and changed his prison garments. Jehoiachin ate bread before him continually all the days of his life.


text:
 For his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him of the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life.


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 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those that have obtained the same precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God, and the Saviour Jesus Christ.


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 Seeing that His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the precise and correct knowledge of Him that called us by His own glory and virtue.


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 Whereby He has granted to us His precious and exceedingly great promises, that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust.


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 Yes and for this very cause you on your part should show all diligence; to your faith add virtue, and to virtue, knowledge.


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 And to your knowledge self-control, and to your self-control patience, and to your patience, reverence toward God.


text:
 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be neither idle nor unfruitful in the precise and correct knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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 For he that lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.


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 Wherefore brothers, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you shall never stumble.


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 For thus shall be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 


text:
 Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth which is with you.


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 And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.


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 Knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ indicated to me.


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 Yes, I will give diligence that at every time you may be able after my death to call these things to remembrance.


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 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


text:
 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, delivered to him by such a voice from the Majestic Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.


text:
 And we have the word of prophecy made yet more sure; to which you do well that you take heed, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the day-star arises in your hearts.


text:
 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.


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 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.


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 And many shall follow their destructive ways, by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be blasphemed.


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 And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. Their sentence now from of old does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber. 


text:
 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved until judgment;


text:
 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;


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 and turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemning them to destruction, having made them an example to those that should live ungodly lives;


text:
 (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, tormented his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds):


text:
 therefore the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment to the day of judgment. 


text:
 Chief among these are those that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.


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 Whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not dare bring before the Lord an injurious accusation against them.


text:
 But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, speak reproachfully in matters of which they are ignorant; they shall in their destroying surely be destroyed,


text:
 suffering wrong as the wages of wrong-doing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you.


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 Having eyes full of adultery, they cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness, children of cursing.


text:
 Forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing.


text:
 But he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spoke with a man's voice and hindered the madness of the prophet.


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 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved.


text:
 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error;


text:
 promising them liberty, while they are in fact slaves to corruption. For of whom a person is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.


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 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.


text:
 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.


text:
 It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.


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 This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance:


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 that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles.


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 Knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,


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 and saying: Where is the promise of his coming? For from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 


text:
 For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;


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 But the heavens that now are and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.


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 But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.


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 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should came to repentance.


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 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief. Then the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.


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 Seeing that these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be- in all holy living and reverence toward God.


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 Looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.


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 But, according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.


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 Wherefore, beloved, seeing you look for these things, give diligence that you may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.


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 And consider, that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. Even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;


text:
 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things. In his letters there are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the other scriptures.


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 Therefore beloved, you, knowing these things beforehand, beware; lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, you lose your own stability.


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 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.


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 Suffering Has an End- At the Return of Christ Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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 Brothers, we are obligated to thank God always for you, as is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,


text:
 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.


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 These are proof that God's judgment is righteous, and you are enduring them to the end you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.


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 and to give relief to those who are afflicted (and to us too), when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,


text:
 rendering vengeance to them that do not acknowledge God and to them that do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.


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 They shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,


text:
 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that have believed in that day (because our testimony to you was believed).


text:
 To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling and fulfil every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power.


text:
 To the end that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 


text:
 Now brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, we urge you


text:
 not to be quickly shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter appearing to be from us, as though the day of Christ had come.


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 Let no one beguile you in any way. For first of all must come the falling away and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of destruction,


text:
 he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.


text:
 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so, until he is out of the way.


text:
 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the powerful glory of his coming.


text:
 But the coming of the lawless one will be according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders,


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 and with all unrighteous deceit of them that perish. Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved,


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 that they all might be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 


text:
 But, brothers, we are obligated to give thanks to God always for you, beloved of the Lord, for God chose you from the beginning to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;


text:
 unto which He called you through our preaching of the gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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 So then, brothers, stand fast, and hold to the teachings which you were taught, whether by word, or by our epistle.


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 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,


text:
 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, even as also it is with you.


text:
 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do, and will do, the things which we command;


text:
 and so may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ. Discipline Those Who Just Want Material Benefit 


text:
 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the tradition which they received from us.


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 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us. For we ourselves did not behave disorderly among you,


text:
 neither did we eat bread for nothing at anyone's hand; but we ate our bread as the result of our own labour and toil, working night and day, that we might not financially burden any of you.


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 Not because we do not have the right to do so, but to make ourselves an example to you- that you should imitate us.


text:
 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: If any will not work, neither let him eat of your food.


text:
 Now those that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread.


text:
 And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, note that man, that you have no association with him, so that he may be ashamed.


text:
 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.


text:
 Paul's Relationship with Timothy Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,


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 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of you in my prayers, night and day


text:
 I am often reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded dwells in you also. 


text:
 Because of this I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.


text:
 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but suffer hardship for the gospel according to the power of God.


text:
 Who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal;


text:
 but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel;


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 For which cause I suffer also these things. Yet I am not ashamed. For I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard what I have committed to him against that day.


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 Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.


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 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain.


text:
 (the Lord grant to him that he find the mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he gave service to me at Ephesus, you know very well.


text:
 And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, you are to commit the same to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.


text:
 No soldier in service entangles himself in the affairs of this life, so that he may please whoever enrolled him as a soldier.


text:
 And if also a man competes in the games, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.


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 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to the gospel I preached.


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 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, so that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.


text:
 Of these things put them in remembrance, instructing them in the sight of the Lord, that they do not fight about words, to no profit, to the catastrophic destruction of those that hear them.


text:
 Exert yourself, to prove you are pleasing to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling correctly the word of truth.


text:
 men who concerning the truth have erred, in saying that the resurrection is past already; and they ruin the faith of some.


text:
 However the firm foundation of God stands sure, having this seal: The Lord knows those that are his. And: Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.


text:
 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonour.


text:
 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, fulfilling the use intended by the master, prepared to do every good work.


text:
 Enthuse about righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


text:
 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel but be gentle towards all, eager to teach, patient of ills and wrongs,


text:
 in meekness correcting those that contradict themselves, so that God may give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,


text:
 and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.


text:
 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, argumentative, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,


text:
 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good,


text:
 Holding a form of reverence towards God, but having denied the power of it. From such people- turn away.


text:
 For of these are they that creep into houses and take captive weak minded women laden with sins, led away by various lusts,


text:
 Just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.


text:
 But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be made evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. Paul's Encouragement to Timothy 


text:
 persecutions, sufferings. Think of what things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.


text:
 But you, grow in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.


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 And that from a child you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus.


text:
 Every scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;


text:
 I charge you in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,


text:
 to preach the word. Preach it urgently, whether the occasion seems appropriate or not. Reprove, rebuke, exhort, as you patiently teach.


text:
 For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own lusts;


text:
 But you, be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. 


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 From this time forward there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me alone, but also to all those that have loved his appearing.


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 For Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.


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 When you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.


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 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed; and so all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.


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 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will save me to his heavenly kingdom; to him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.


text:
 Try by all means to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia, and all the brothers.


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 David Told about Saul's Death It happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag;


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 it happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes torn and dust upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and showed respect.


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 David said to him, Where do you come from? He said to him, I have escaped out of the camp of Israel.


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 David said to him, How did it go? Please tell me. He answered, The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.


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 The young man who told him said, As I happened by chance on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning on his spear; and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.


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 He said to me, "Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me'.


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 So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.


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 They mourned, wept and fasted until evening, for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.


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 David said to the young man who told him, Where are you from? He answered, I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.


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 David called one of the young men and said, Go near, and fall on him. He struck him, so that he died.


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 David said to him, Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you saying, "I have slain Yahweh's anointed'. David's Lament 


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 (and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):


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 Don't tell it in Gath. Don't publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.


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 You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty was shamefully cast away, The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil.


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 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan's bow didn't turn back. Saul's sword didn't return empty.


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 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. In their death they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions.


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 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.


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 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.


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 It happened after this, that David inquired of Yahweh saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? Yahweh said to him, Go up. David said, Where shall I go up? He said, To Hebron.


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 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.


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 David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron.


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 The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David saying, The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.


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 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them, Blessed are you by Yahweh, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him.


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 Now may Yahweh show grace and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.


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 Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. 


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 Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;


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 and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin and over all Israel.


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 Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.


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 Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.


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 Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.


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 Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.


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 They each caught his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: therefore that place was called Helkath Hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.


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 The battle was very severe that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. 


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 The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai and Asahel: and Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle.


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 Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn't turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.


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 Abner said to him, Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.


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 Abner said again to Asahel, Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Joab your brother?


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 However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. It happened, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.


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 But Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.


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 The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill.


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 Then Abner called to Joab and said, Shall the sword devour forever? Don't you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?


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 Joab said, As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, rather than each following after his brother.


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 So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.


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 Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.


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 Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.


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 But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and sixty men died.


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 They took up Asahel, and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.


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 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.


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 his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;


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 It happened that while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made himself strong on behalf of the house of Saul.


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 Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?


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 Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman!


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 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.


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 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf saying, Whose is the land? Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel around to you.


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 He said, Good; I will make a treaty with you; but one thing I require of you. That is, you shall not see my face, unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.


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 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I pledged to be married to me for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.


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 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, Go! Return! And he returned.


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 Abner had communication with the elders of Israel saying, In times past, you wished for David to be king over you.


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 Now then do it; for Yahweh has spoken of David saying, "By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies'.


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 Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin.


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 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.


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 Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.


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 Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from an engagement, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.


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 When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace.


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 Then Joab came to the king and said, What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone?


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 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.


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 When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn't know it.


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 When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.


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 Afterwards, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.


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 Let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has an issue, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.


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 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.


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 David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. King David followed the bier.


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 They buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.


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 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell. All the people wept again over him.


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 All the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day. David swore saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun goes down.


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 All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; as whatever the king did pleased all the people.


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 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.


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 The king said to his servants, Don't you know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?


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 I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.


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 When Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.


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 Saul's son had two men who were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin (for Beeroth also is reckoned to Benjamin:


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 Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the news came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.


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 The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, as he took his rest at noon.


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 They came there into the middle of the house, as if they would have fetched wheat; and they struck him in the body: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.


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 Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him, and killed him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.


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 They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! Yahweh has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.


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 David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,


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 when someone told me, "Behold, Saul is dead', thinking to have brought good news, I took hold of him, and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.


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 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?


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 David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.


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 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.


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 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh said to you, "You shall be shepherd of My people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel'.


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 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel.


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 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.


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 The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David saying, Unless you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here.


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 David said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul. Therefore they say, The blind and the lame can't come into the house.


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 David lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. David built around from Millo and inward.


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 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, carpenters and masons; and they built David a house.


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 David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake.


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 David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and there were more sons and daughters born to David.


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 When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold.


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 David inquired of Yahweh saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand? Yahweh said to David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand. 


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 David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.


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 When David inquired of Yahweh, He said, You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them opposite the mulberry trees.


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 It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.


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 David did so, as Yahweh commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gezer.


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 David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name, even the name of Yahweh of Armies who sits above the cherubim.


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 They set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.


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 They brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was in the hill, with the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.


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 David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.


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 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for the ark of God and took hold of it; for the cattle stumbled.


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 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.


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 David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, to this day.


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 So David would not move the ark of Yahweh to be with him in the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.


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 The ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months: and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom, and all his house.


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 It was told king David saying, Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of God. David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom into the city of David with joy.


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 It was so, that when those who bore the ark of Yahweh had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.


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 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.


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 It was so, as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window and saw king David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart.


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 They brought in the ark of Yahweh, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh.


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 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Armies.


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 He distributed to all the people, even throughout the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to each one a portion of bread, dates and raisins. So all the people departed each one to his house.


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 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!


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 David said to Michal, It was in the eyes of Yahweh, who chose me before your father and before all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Therefore will I celebrate in the eyes of Yahweh.


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 I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own eyes. But of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, they shall honour me.


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 God's Promise to David It happened, when the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,


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 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.


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 For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.


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 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of My people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?''


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 Now therefore you shall tell My servant David this, "Thus says Yahweh of Armies, I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over My people, over Israel.


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 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.


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 I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,


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 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house.


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 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.


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 I will be his father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;


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 but My loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.


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 Your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever'.


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 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. David's Prayer to God 


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 Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh; and he said, Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?


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 This was yet a small thing in Your eyes, Lord Yahweh; but You have spoken also of Your servant's house for a great while to come; this is not the way of men, Lord Yahweh!


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 For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have worked all this greatness, to make Your servant know it.


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 Therefore You are great, Yahweh God. For there is none like You, neither is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.


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 What one nation in the earth is like Your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to Himself for a people, and to make Himself a name, and to do great things for You, and awesome things for Your land, before Your people, whom You redeemed to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?


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 You established for Yourself Your people Israel to be a people to You for ever; and You, Yahweh, became their God.


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 Now, Yahweh God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it for ever, and do as You have spoken.


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 Let Your name be magnified for ever, saying, "Yahweh of Armies is God over Israel; and the house of Your servant David shall be established before You'.


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 For You, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to Your servant saying, "I will build you a house'. Therefore Your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to You.


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 Now, O Lord Yahweh, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.


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 Now therefore let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue for ever before You; for You, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it. Let the house of Your servant be blessed for ever with Your blessing.


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 After this it happened that David struck the Philistines and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.


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 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.


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 David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.


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 David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.


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 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty two thousand men.


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 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass.


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 King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;


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 of Syria, Moab, the children of Ammon, the Philistines and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.


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 David made himself a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.


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 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.


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 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;


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 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.


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 Jonathan's Son David said, Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?


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 There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, Are you Ziba? He said, Your servant is he.


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 The king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet.


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 The king said to him, Where is he? Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.


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 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, Mephibosheth. He answered, Behold, your servant!


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 David said to him, Don't be afraid; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You shall eat bread at my table continually.


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 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master's son.


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 You shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants; and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master's son may have bread to eat: but Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread always at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.


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 Then Ziba said to the king, According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your shall servant do. So Mephibosheth ate at the king's table, like one of the king's sons.


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 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All that lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.


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 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem; for he ate continually at the king's table. He was lame in both his feet.


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 The Ammonites Spurn David's Friendship It happened after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.


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 David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me. So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.


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 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Do you think that David honours your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn't David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?


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 So Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.


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 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.


text:
 When the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob with twelve thousand men.


text:
 The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.


text:
 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon.


text:
 He said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.


text:
 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and Yahweh do that which seems good to Him.


text:
 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.


text:
 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.


text:
 Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.


text:
 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.


text:
 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there.


text:
 When all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.


text:
 It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.


text:
 It happened at evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look on.


text:
 David sent and inquired after the woman. One said, Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?


text:
 David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned to her house.


text:
 When Uriah had come to him, David asked of him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered.


text:
 David said to Uriah, Go down to your house, and wash your feet. Uriah departed out of the king's house, and a gift from the king was sent after him.


text:
 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and didn't go down to his house.


text:
 When they had told David, saying, Uriah didn't go down to his house, David said to Uriah, Haven't you come from a journey? Why didn't you go down to your house?


text:
 Uriah said to David, The ark, Israel, and Judah, are staying in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing! 


text:
 David said to Uriah, Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart. So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day, and the next day.


text:
 When David had called him, he ate and drink before him; and he made him drunk. At evening, he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but didn't go down to his house.


text:
 He wrote in the letter saying, Send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck, and die.


text:
 It happened, when Joab kept watch on the city, that he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men were.


text:
 The men of the city went out, and fought with Joab. Some of the people fell, even of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.


text:
 and he commanded the messenger saying, When you have finished telling all the things concerning the war to the king,


text:
 it shall be that, if the king's wrath arise, and he asks you, "Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn't you know that they would shoot from the wall?


text:
 who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn't a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' then you shall say, "Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also'.


text:
 The messenger said to David, The men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them even to the entrance of the gate.


text:
 The shooters shot at your servants from off the wall; and some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.


text:
 Then David said to the messenger, Thus you shall tell Joab, "Don't let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it'. Encourage him.


text:
 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband.


text:
 When the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Yahweh.


text:
 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.


text:
 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter.


text:
 A traveller came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him.


text:
 David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this is worthy to die!


text:
 Nathan said to David, You are the man. This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: "I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.


text:
 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things.


text:
 Why have you despised the word of Yahweh, to do that which is evil in His sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.


text:
 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife'.


text:
 This is what Yahweh says: "Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbour, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.


text:
 David said to Nathan, I have sinned against Yahweh. Nathan said to David, Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die.


text:
 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh's enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.


text:
 Nathan departed to his house. Yahweh struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it was very sick.


text:
 David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.


text:
 The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.


text:
 It happened on the seventh day, that the child died. The servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he didn't listen to our voice. How will he then harm himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?


text:
 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, Is the child dead? They said, He is dead.


text:
 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into the house of Yahweh, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate.


text:
 Then his servants said to him, What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child was dead, you rose up and ate bread.


text:
 He said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, "Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?'.


text:
 But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me. 


text:
 David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. She bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Yahweh loved him;


text:
 Joab sent messengers to David and said, I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters.


text:
 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.


text:
 He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David's head. He brought out the spoil of the city, exceeding much.


text:
 He brought out the people who were therein, and put them under saws, and under iron picks, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln: and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.


text:
 It happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.


text:
 Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.


text:
 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.


text:
 He said to him, Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won't you tell me? Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.


text:
 Jonadab said to him, Lie down on your bed, and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, "Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand'.


text:
 So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, Please let my sister Tamar come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.


text:
 Then David sent home to Tamar saying, Go now to your brother Amnon's house, and prepare food for him.


text:
 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.


text:
 She took the pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. Amnon said, Have all men leave me. Every man went out from him.


text:
 Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the food into the inner room, that I may eat from your hand. Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the inner room to Amnon her brother.


text:
 When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, Come, lie with me, my sister!


text:
 She answered him, No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don't you do this folly.


text:
 I, to where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.


text:
 However he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her.


text:
 Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, Arise, be gone!


text:
 She said to him, Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me! But he would not listen to her.


text:
 Then he called his servant who ministered to him and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.


text:
 She had a garment of various colours on her; for with such robes were the king's daughters who were virgins dressed. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.


text:
 Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colours that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went.


text:
 Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don't take this thing to heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.


text:
 Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 


text:
 It happened after two full years, that Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.


text:
 Absalom came to the king and said, See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.


text:
 The king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you. He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.


text:
 Then Absalom said, If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us. The king said to him, Why should he go with you?


text:
 Absalom commanded his servants saying, Mark now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, "Strike Amnon', then kill him. Don't be afraid. Haven't I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!


text:
 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man got up on his mule, and fled.


text:
 It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left! 


text:
 Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.


text:
 Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered, Don't let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.


text:
 Now therefore don't let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.


text:
 But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming by the way of the hillside behind him.


text:
 It happened, as soon as he had finished speaking, that behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly.


text:
 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.


text:
 King David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.


text:
 Joab sent to Tekoa and fetched there a wise woman and said to her, Please act like a mourner, and please put on mourning clothing and don't anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.


text:
 When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect and said, Help, O king!


text:
 Your handmaid had two sons, and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and mudered him.


text:
 Behold, the whole family has risen against your handmaid and they say, "Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he murdered, and so destroy the heir also'. Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth.


text:
 The woman of Tekoa said to the king, My lord O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.


text:
 Then she said, Please let the king remember Yahweh your God so that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son. He said, As Yahweh lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the earth.


text:
 The woman said, Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one.


text:
 For we must die, and are as water split on the ground, which can't be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.


text:
 Now therefore seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid said, "I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant'.


text:
 For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.


text:
 Then your handmaid said, "Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May Yahweh your God be with you'.


text:
 Then the king answered the woman, Please don't hide anything from me that I ask you. The woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.


text:
 The king said, Is the hand of Joab with you in all this? The woman answered, As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken; for your servant Joab, he urged me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid;


text:
 to change the face of the matter has your servant Joab done this thing. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are on the earth.


text:
 The king said to Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing. Go therefore, bring the young man Absalom back.


text:
 Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, Today your servant knows that I have found grace in your sight, my lord o king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.


text:
 The king said, Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn't see the king's face.


text:
 Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.


text:
 When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year's end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight.


text:
 To Absalom there were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a beautiful appearance.


text:
 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come.


text:
 Therefore he said to his servants, Behold, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire. Absalom's servants set the field on fire.


text:
 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house and said to him, Why have your servants set my field on fire?


text:
 Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to you saying, "Come here, that I may send you to the king to say, Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me'.


text:
 So Joab came to the king and told him; and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.


text:
 It happened after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.


text:
 Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. It was so, that whenever any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgement, then Absalom called to him and said, What city are you from? He said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.


text:
 Absalom said to him, Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputised by the king to hear you.


text:
 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that each man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!


text:
 It was so, that when any man came near to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took hold of him and kissed him.


text:
 Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.


text:
 It happened at the end of forty years that Absalom said to the king, Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron.


text:
 For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria saying, "If Yahweh shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve Yahweh'.


text:
 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel saying, As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, "Absalom is king in Hebron!'.


text:
 Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited and went in their innocence; and they didn't know anything.


text:
 Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.


text:
 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom. Make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring evil down upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.


text:
 The king's servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses. 


text:
 The king went forth, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.


text:
 All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.


text:
 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner, and also an exile. Return to your own place.


text:
 Whereas you came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.


text:
 Ittai answered the king and said, As Yahweh lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will your servant be.


text:
 David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him.


text:
 All the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over towards the way of the wilderness.


text:
 Behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people finished passing out of the city.


text:
 The king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city. If I find grace in the eyes of Yahweh, He will bring me again, and show me both it, and His dwelling place;


text:
 but if He say thus, "I have no delight in you;' behold, here am I. Let Him do to me as seems good to Him. 


text:
 The king said also to Zadok the priest, Aren't you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.


text:
 David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people who were with him covered each man his head; so they went up, weeping as they went up.


text:
 Someone told David saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. David said, Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.


text:
 It happened that when David had come to the top, where God was worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn, and earth on his head.


text:
 but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, "I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father's servant in time past, so will I now be your servant; then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel'.


text:
 Don't you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Therefore it shall be, that whatever thing you shall hear out of the king's house, you shall tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.


text:
 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send to me everything that you shall hear.


text:
 When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits and a skin of wine.


text:
 The king said to Ziba, What do you mean by these? Ziba said, The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.


text:
 The king said, Where is your master's son? Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem; for he said, "Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father'.


text:
 Then the king said to Ziba, Behold, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is yours. Ziba said, I do obeisance. Let me find grace in your sight, my lord, O king. 


text:
 When king David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera. He came out and cursed continually as he came.


text:
 He cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David; and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.


text:
 Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned! Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son! Behold, you are caught by your own sinfulness, because you are a man of blood!


text:
 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head.


text:
 The king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, "Curse David', who then shall say, "Why have you done so?'.


text:
 David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for Yahweh has invited him.


text:
 It may be that Yahweh will look on the wrong done to me, and that Yahweh will repay me good for the cursing of me today.


text:
 So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him, and cursed as he went, threw stones at him, and threw dust.


text:
 It happened, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, had come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, Long live the king! Long live the king!


text:
 Hushai said to Absalom, No; but whoever Yahweh and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him I will stay.


text:
 Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn't I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence.


text:
 Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your father's concubines, that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.


text:
 So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.


text:
 The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.


text:
 Absalom Accepts Hushai's Counsel Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.


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 I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him shall flee. I will strike the king only;


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 and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned; and so all the people shall be in peace.


text:
 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him saying, Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.


text:
 Hushai said moreover, You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are bitter in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.


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 Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place. It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, "There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!'


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 Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.


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 But I advise that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.


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 So shall we come on him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him we will not leave so much as one.


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 Moreover, if he be gone into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there isn't one small stone found there.


text:
 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.


text:
 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Ahithophel counselled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counselled this way.


text:
 Now therefore send quickly and tell David saying, "Don't lodge this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him'. 


text:
 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David. For they didn't want to be seen to come into the city.


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 But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. Then they both went away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there.


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 The woman took and spread the covering over the well's mouth, and spread out bruised grain on it; and nothing was known.


text:
 Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? The woman said to them, They have gone over the brook of water. When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.


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 It happened, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said to David, Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counselled against you.


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 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Jordan. By the morning light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Jordan.


text:
 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and went home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.


text:
 Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.


text:
 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.


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 It happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,


text:
 brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, roasted grain,


text:
 honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David, and for the people who were with him, to eat: for they said, The people are hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.


text:
 David's Plea for Absalom David numbered the people who were with him, and set over them captains over thousands and captains over hundreds.


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 David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Joab, a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.


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 But the people said, You shall not go forth; for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it's better that you are ready to help us from out of the city.


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 The king said to them, I will do what seems best to you. The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.


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 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom.


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 The people of Israel were struck there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.


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 For the battle was there spread over the surface of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.


text:
 Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, so that he was taken up between the sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on.


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 Joab said to the man who told him, Behold, you saw it, and why didn't you strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver, and a belt.


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 The man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn't put forth my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai saying, "Beware that none touch the young man Absalom'.


text:
 Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me. 


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 Then Joab said, I'm not going to wait like this with you. He took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.


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 Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people.


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 They took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled everyone to his tent.


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 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar, which is in the king's vale; for he said, I have no son to keep my name in memory. He called the pillar after his own name; and it is called Absalom's monument, to this day.


text:
 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, Let me now run and bear the king news, how that Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.


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 Joab said to him, You shall not be the bearer of news this day, but you shall bear news another day. But today you shall bear no news, because the king's son is dead.


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 Then Joab said to the Cushite, Go, tell the king what you have seen! The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran.


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 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said yet again to Joab, But come what may, please let me also run after the Cushite. Joab said, Why do you want to run, my son, since that you will have no reward for the news?


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 But come what may, he said, I will run. He said to him, Run! Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite. 


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 Now David was sitting between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.


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 The watchman cried, and told the king. The king said, If he is alone, there is news in his mouth. He came closer and closer.


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 The watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the porter, and said, Behold, a man running alone! The king said, He also brings news.


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 The watchman said, I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. The king said, He is a good man, and comes with good news.


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 Ahimaaz called and said to the king, All is well. He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth and said, Blessed is Yahweh your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king!


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 The king said, Is it well with the young man Absalom? Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I don't know what it was.


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 Behold, the Cushite came. The Cushite said, News for my lord the king; for Yahweh has avenged you this day of all those who rose up against you.


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 The king said to the Cushite, Is it well with the young man Absalom? The Cushite answered, May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you to do you harm, be as that young man is.


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 The king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate, and wept. As he went, he said, My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!


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 The victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people; for the people heard it said that day, The king grieves for his son.


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 The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.


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 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!


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 Joab came into the house to the king and said, You have shamed this day the faces of all your servants, who this day have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;


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 in that you love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. For you have declared this day, that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it would have pleased you well.


text:
 Now therefore arise, go out, and speak to the heart of your servants; for I swear by Yahweh, if you don't go out, not a man will stay with you this night. That would be worse for you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.


text:
 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. They told all the people saying, Behold, the king is sitting in the gate. All the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.


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 All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.


text:
 Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don't you speak a word of bringing the king back?


text:
 King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests saying, Speak to the elders of Judah saying, "Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? Since the speech of all Israel has come to the king, to return him to his house.


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 You are my brothers, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?'


text:
 Say to Amasa, "Aren't you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren't captain of the army before me continually in place of Joab'.


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 He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as one man; so that they sent to the king, saying, Return, you and all your servants. 


text:
 So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.


text:
 Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.


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 There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went through the Jordan in the presence of the king.


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 A ferry boat went to bring over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, when he had come over the Jordan.


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 He said to the king, Don't let my lord impute iniquity to me, nor remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.


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 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come this day the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.


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 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, Shall Shimei not be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?


text:
 David said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be adversaries to me? Shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? For don't I know that I am this day king over Israel?


text:
 Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.


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 It happened, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?


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 He answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, I will saddle me a donkey that I may ride thereon, and go with the king; because your servant is lame.


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 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God. Do therefore what is good in your eyes.


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 For all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should cry any more to the king?


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 The king said to him, Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land.


text:
 Mephibosheth said to the king, Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.


text:
 Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan.


text:
 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.


text:
 Barzillai said to the king, How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?


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 I am this day eighty years old. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be yet a burden to my lord the king?


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 Your servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?


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 Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.


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 The king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. Whatever you require of me, that I will do for you.


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 All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.


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 So the king went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him. All the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel.


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 Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household, over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?


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 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's cost? Or has he given us any gift?


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 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.


text:
 Sheba's Rebellion There happened to be there a base fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew the trumpet and said, We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!


text:
 So all the men of Israel changed from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.


text:
 David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody, and provided them with sustenance, but didn't go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.


text:
 Then the king said to Amasa, Call me the men of Judah together within three days, and be here present.


text:
 So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together; but he stayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him.


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 David said to Abishai, Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord's servants, and pursue after him, otherwise he will get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight. 


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 There went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.


text:
 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was clothed in his battledress that he had put on, and on it was a sash with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.


text:
 Joab said to Amasa, Is it well with you, my brother? Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.


text:
 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn't strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.


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 There stood by him one of Joab's young men and said, He who favours Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab!


text:
 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that everybody who came by him stood still.


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 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.


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 He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.


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 They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered at the wall, in order to throw it down.


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 Then a wise woman cried out of the city, Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, "Come near here, that I may speak with you'.


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 He came near to her; and the woman said, Are you Joab? He answered, I am. Then she said to him, Hear the words of your handmaid. He answered, I do hear.


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 Then she spoke saying, They used to say in old times, "They shall surely ask counsel at Abel'; and so they resolved things.


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 I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?


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 The matter is not so. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. The woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.


text:
 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each man to his tent. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.


text:
 Now Joab was over all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites;


text:
 and Adoram was over the men subject to forced labour; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;


text:
 David Atones for Saul's Bloodshed There was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Yahweh. Yahweh said, There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.


text:
 The king called the Gibeonites and said to them (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn to them: and Saul sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah);


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 and David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of Yahweh?


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 The Gibeonites said to him, It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel. He said, Whatever you say, that will I do for you.


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 They said to the king, The man who consumed us, and who devised against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the borders of Israel,


text:
 let seven men of his sons be delivered to us, and we will hang them up to Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Yahweh. The king said, I will give them.


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 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.


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 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.


text:
 He delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the mountain before Yahweh, and all seven of them fell together. They were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, at the beginning of barley harvest.


text:
 Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water was poured on them from the sky. She allowed neither the birds of the sky to rest on them by day, nor the animals of the field by night.


text:
 David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, in the day that the Philistines killed Saul in Gilboa;


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 and he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son: and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged.


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 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. After that God responded to the prayer for the land.


text:
 The Philistines had war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines. David grew faint;


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 and Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being armed with a new sword, was about to have slain David.


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 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him saying, You shall go no more out with us to battle, that you don't quench the lamp of Israel.


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 It came to pass after this, that there was again war with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the sons of the giant.


text:
 There was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite's brother, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.


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 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, twenty four in number; and he also was born to the giant.


text:
 These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.


text:
 David's Song of Praise David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:


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 God, my rock, in Him I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My saviour, You save me from violence.


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 In my distress I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of His temple. My cry came into His ears.


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 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry.


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 Then the channels of the sea were exposed, the foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of Yahweh, by the blast of the breath of His nostrils.


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 Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.


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 Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His eyesight.


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 With the merciful You will show Yourself to have bowed the neck; with the perfect man You will show Yourself perfect.


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 With the purified You will show Yourself pure, with the crooked You will show Yourself tortuous. God's Way Is Perfect 


text:
 As for God, His way is perfect. The word of Yahweh is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.


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 I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can't arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.


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 For You have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.


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 Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.


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 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have preserved me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.


text:
 who delivers from my enemies. Yes, You lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.


text:
 He gives great deliverance to His king, and shows grace to His anointed, to David and to his seed, for evermore.


text:
 David's Last Words Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:


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 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, "One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,


text:
 shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, like the clear shining after rain'.


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 Most certainly my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is all my salvation, and all my desire, although He doesn't make it grow.


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 But all of the ungodly shall be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can't be taken with the hand;


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 but the man who touches them must be filled with iron and the staff of a spear. They shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place. David's Mighty Men 


text:
 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite, who slew eight hundred at one time.


text:
 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel had fled away.


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 He arose, and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.


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 After him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. The Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.


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 But he stood in the midst of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh worked a great victory.


text:
 Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.


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 David longed and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!


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 The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh.


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 He said, Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn't it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives? Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.


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 Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.


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 Wasn't he the most honourable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain: however, he didn't attain to the three.


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 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.


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 He killed an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.


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 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he didn't attain to the three. David set him over his guard.


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 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,


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 Again the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and He moved David against them saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.


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 The king said to Joab the captain of the army, who was with him, Now go back and forth through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the sum of the people.


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 Joab said to the king, Now may Yahweh your God add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?


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 Notwithstanding, the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the army. Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.


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 They passed over the Jordan, and encamped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and to Jazer:


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 then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; and they came to Dan Jaan, and around to Sidon,


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 and came to the stronghold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites; and they went out to the south of Judah, at Beersheba.


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 So when they had gone back and forth through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.


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 Joab delivered the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. David Begs God's Mercy 


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 David's heart struck him after that he had numbered the people. David said to Yahweh, I have sinned greatly in that which I have done. But now, Yahweh, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly.


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 When David rose up in the morning, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,


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 Go and speak to David, "Thus says Yahweh, I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you'.


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 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said to him, Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days of plague in your land? Now answer, and consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.


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 David said to Gad, I am in distress; let us fall now into the hand of Yahweh; for His mercies are great. Let me not fall into the hand of man.


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 So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel from the morning even to the appointed time; and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.


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 When the angel stretched out his hand towards Jerusalem to destroy it, Yahweh relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the people, It is enough. Now stay your hand. The angel of Yahweh was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.


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 David had spoken to Yahweh when he saw the angel who struck the people, and had said, Behold, I have sinned, and I have done perversely; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand be against me, and against my father's house.


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 Gad came that day to David and said to him, Go up, build an altar to Yahweh on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.


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 Araunah looked out, and saw the king and his servants coming on towards him. Then Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.


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 Araunah said, Why has my lord the king come to his servant? David said, To buy your threshing floor, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people.


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 Araunah said to David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Behold, the cattle for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments and the yokes of the oxen for the wood:


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 all this, my king, does Araunah give to the king. Araunah said to the king, May Yahweh your God accept you.


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 The king said to Araunah, No; but I will most certainly buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to Yahweh my God which cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.


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 David built an altar to Yahweh there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So Yahweh heard the prayer for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.


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 For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified to the truth which is in you, even as you walk in truth.


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 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you do toward those that are brothers and especially to strangers,


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 who testify of your love before the church. You will do well to set them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God;


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 I wrote somewhat to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the pre-eminence among them, does not welcome us.


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 Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, prating against us with wicked words, and not content therewith, neither does he welcome the brothers; and those that would, he forbids and throws them out of the church.


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 Beloved, do not imitate such evil, but imitate that which is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God.


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 Demetrius has the witness of all and of the truth itself. Yes, we also testify, and you know that our witness is true.


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 But I hope shortly to see you, and we shall speak face to face. (1:15) Peace be to you. The friends salute you. Salute the friends by name.


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 until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandments through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.


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 To whom, after his suffering, he also showed by many convincing proofs that he was alive, being seen by them for forty days, and speaking about the kingdom of God.


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 And, being assembled together with them, he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, you heard from me:


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 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him: Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?


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 And he said to them: It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father has set within his own authority.


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 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth. 


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 And when he had said these things, as they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.


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 And while they were looking earnestly into heaven as he went, two men stood by them in white clothing,


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 who also said: You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall return in like manner as you saw him going into heaven.


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 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near to Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.


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 And when they arrived, they went into the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.


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 These all with one accord continued earnestly in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 


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 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons) and said:


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 Brothers, it was necessary that the Scripture should be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those that took Jesus.


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 Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.


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 And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem, so much so that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.


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 For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let his habitation be made desolate and let no one dwell therein, and his office let another take.


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 Therefore, of the men that have been with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,


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 beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.


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 And they prayed, and said: Lord, you who knows the hearts of all men, show us which of these two is the one whom you have chosen


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 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.


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 And they cast lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 


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 The Holy Spirit is Given And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.


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 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.


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 And there appeared to them tongues like fire, separating and resting upon each one of them personally.


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 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them to speak.


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 And at this sound the crowds came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.


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 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,


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 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,


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 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: You men of Judea and all that dwell in Jerusalem, let this be understood by you, and listen to my words.


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 And it shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.


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 Yes, and in those days will I pour out My Spirit on My servants and on My handmaids, and they shall prophesy.


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 And I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapour of smoke.


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 The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, that great and notable day.


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 You men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God, by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know.


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 Him, being delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you, by the hand of men outside the Law, did crucify and slay;


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 whom God raised up, having loosened the pangs of death; because it was not possible that he should be held by it.


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 For David said concerning him: I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.


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 because You will not leave my soul in the grave, neither will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.


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 Brothers, I may say to you freely about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.


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 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body he would set one upon his throne;


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 he foreseeing this, spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left in the grave, nor did his flesh see corruption.


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 Therefore, being exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.


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 For David did not ascend into Heaven, but he himself said: The Lord said to my Lord, sit on My right hand,


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 Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain, that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. 


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 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart; and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: Brothers, what shall we do?


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 And Peter said to them: Every one of you should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to the remission of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


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 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to him.


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 And with many other words he testified and encouraged them, saying: Save yourselves from this crooked generation.


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 They that received his word were baptized, and there were added in that day about three thousand people.


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 And they continued earnestly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship in the breaking of bread and the prayers.


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 And they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had need.


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 And day by day, continuing earnestly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,


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 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to them daily those who were being saved. 


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 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate, to ask alms of those entering the temple.


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 But Peter said: Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!


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 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength.


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 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.


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 And they recognised him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.


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 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's, astounded.


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 And when Peter saw it, he addressed the people: You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Or why fasten you your eyes on us, as though by our own power or reverence towards God we had made him walk?


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 The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and rejected before the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.


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 And by faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him, has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 


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 But the things which God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He thus fulfilled.


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 Therefore, repent and be converted, so that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;


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 whom the heaven must receive until the time of the restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, that have been since the world began.


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 Moses indeed said: A prophet like me shall the Lord God raise up for you from among your brothers; you shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.


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 And it shall be, that every soul that shall not listen to that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.


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 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel, and those that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.


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 You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham: And in your descendant shall all the families of the earth be blessed.


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 To you first, God, having raised up His servant, sent him to bless you, in turning every one of you away from your sins. 


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 And as they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came upon them,


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 being greatly annoyed because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.


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 But many of those that heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.


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 And it came to pass that the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;


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 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander and as many as were of the family of the high priest.


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 And when they had set them in their midst, they enquired: By what power, or in what name, have you done this?


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 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,


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 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand here before you healed.


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 And in no other is there salvation; for neither is there any other name that is given among men under heaven, wherein we must be saved.


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 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they realised that they had been with Jesus.


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 What shall we do to these men? For indeed a notable miracle has been done through them. It is obvious to all that dwell in Jerusalem and we cannot deny it!


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 But that it spread no further among the people, let us warn them, that from this time forward they are not to speak to anyone in this name.


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 But Peter and John answered and said to them: Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;


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 And they, when they had threatened them further, let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people. For all men glorified God for what was done.


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 And being let go, they came to their friends, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.


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 And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: O Lord, you that made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that are in them,


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 who by the Holy Spirit, and by the mouth of our father David your servant, did say: Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples imagine vain things?


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 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.


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 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,


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 And now Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak Your word with all boldness,


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 while You stretch out Your hand to heal, that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.


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 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit; and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 


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 And the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one of them said that anything of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.


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 And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.


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 For neither were there among them any that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,


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 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each, according to anyone's need.


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 And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (we say Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,


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 and with his wife's knowledge kept back part of the proceeds, and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.


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 And Peter said: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?


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 While it remained, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? How is it you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.


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 And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came upon all that heard it.


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 And it was about the space of three hours after when his wife, not knowing what had happed, came in.


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 And Peter said to her: Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. And she said: Yes, for so much.


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 But Peter said to her: How is it you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door; and they shall carry you out.


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 And she fell down immediately at his feet and breathed her last; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her next to her husband.


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 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders done among the people; and they were all gathering together in Solomon's porch. 


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 So much so, that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might fall on some of them.


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 And there also gathered crowds from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those that were vexed with unclean spirits; and every one of them was healed.


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 But the high priest rose up and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and they were filled with jealousy,


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 And when they heard this, in the morning they entered into the temple and taught. But the high priest came and they that were with him, and called the council together and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prisonto have them brought.


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 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, saying:


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 We found the prison shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors, but when we had them opened, we found no one within.


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 Now when the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the upshot of all this would be.


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 And there came someone that told them: Behold, the men whom you put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.


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 Then went the captain with the officers and brought them, but without violence. For they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.


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 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying:


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 We strictly ordered you not to teach in this name, and yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.


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 Him did God exalt with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins.


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 And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, which God has given to those that obey Him. Gamaliel's Advice 


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 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honour by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.


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 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.


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 After this man, there rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the census, and drew away some of the people after him. He also perished and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.


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 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will fail.


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 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might be found to be fighting against God.


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 They took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.


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 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name.


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 And every day, in the temple and at home, they did not cease to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ. 


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 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring amongst the Greek speaking Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.


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 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples to them, and said: It is not fitting that we should forsake the teaching of the word of God and instead handle finances.


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 Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.


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 And the decision pleased the whole crowd; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch.


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 And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 


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 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.


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 Then they secretly induced men to say: We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.


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 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and came upon him and seized him, and brought him into the council,


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 and set up false witnesses, who said: This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.


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 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place and shall change the customs which Moses delivered to us.


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 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel. 


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 And he said: Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,


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 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran, and from there, when his father was dead, God sent him into this land, wherein you now dwell.


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 And He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not enough to set his foot on it, and He promised that He would give it to him in possession and to his seed after him, when he had no child.


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 And God spoke in this way, that his seed should live in a strange land, and that they would bring them into bondage and treat them badly for four hundred years.


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 And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God, and after that shall they come out and serve Me in this place.


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 And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begat Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.


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 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt, and all his house.


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 Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction; and our fathers found no sustenance.


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 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's race became manifest to Pharaoh.


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 And Joseph sent and called to himself Jacob his father and all his extended family, seventy five people.


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 And they were carried back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.


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 But as the time of the fulfilment of the promise which God made to Abraham drew near, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,


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 The same dealt craftily with our race and ill-treated our fathers, casting out their babies so that they might not live.


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 At this time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father's house.


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 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and works.


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 But when he was nearly forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers the children of Israel.


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 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, striking the Egyptian.


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 And he supposed that his brothers understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they did not understand.


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 And the following day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting and tried to reconcile them, saying: Gentlemen, you are brothers! Why do you injure each other?


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 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying: Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?


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 And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.


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 And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, there came the voice of the Lord:


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 I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob. And Moses trembled and dared not look.


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 And the Lord said to him: Take off the shoes from your feet; for the place upon which you stand is holy ground.


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 I have surely seen the affliction of My people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them; and now, come, I will send you into Egypt.


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 This Moses whom they refused, saying: Who made you a ruler and a judge? Him God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer, by the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.


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 This man led them out, having done wonders and signs in Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.


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 This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel: A prophet like me shall God raise up to you from among your brothers.


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 This is he that was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him in Mount Sinai and with our fathers, who received living words to give to us.


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 Our fathers would not be obedient to him, but thrust him from them and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,


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 saying to Aaron: Make us gods that shall go before us. As for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.


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 And they made a calf in those days and brought a sacrifice to the idol and rejoiced in the works of their hands.


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 But God turned and gave them up to serve the host of heaven. As it is written in the book of the prophets: Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?


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 You took up the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of the god Remphan, figures which you made to worship; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.


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 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He who spoke to Moses appointed, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen.


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 Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought into the land with Joshua when they received possession of the nations that God thrust out before the presence of our fathers, to the days of David;


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 The Heaven is My throne and the earth a footstool for My feet; what manner of house will you build Me? says the Lord; or what is the place of My rest?


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 You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.


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 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers.


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 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up earnestly into Heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said:


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 And they threw him out of the city, and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.


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 And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice: Lord! Do not charge them with this sin. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 


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 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem, and except the apostles, they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.


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 But Saul treated the church shamefully, entering into every house, dragging out men and women and putting them into prison.


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 And the crowds, when they heard and saw the signs which he did, gave heed with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip.


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 For from many of those that had unclean spirits, the unclean spirits came out, crying with a loud voice; and many that were paralyzed or lame were healed.


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 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who previously used sorcery in that city and amazed the people of Samaria, boasting that he himself was somebody great.


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 To him they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man has that power of God which is called Great.


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 But when they believed Philip as he was preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.


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 And Simon also himself believed, and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and seeing signs and great miracles done, he was amazed.


