# verses

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These were David's sons who were born to him in Hebron: Amnon was the firstborn, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; Daniel was [born] second, by Abigail of Carmel;


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Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur, was third; Adonijah son of Haggith was fourth;


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Six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he ruled seven years and six months, and he ruled in Jerusalem 33 years.


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These [sons] were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were [born to him] by Bath-shua daughter of Ammiel.


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Pedaiah's sons: Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel's sons: Meshullam and Hananiah, with their sister Shelomith;


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Hananiah's descendants: Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah.


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Reaiah son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites.


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Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, Ephrathah's firstborn and the father of Bethlehem:


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Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, "I gave birth to him in pain."


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Jabez called out to the God of Israel: "If only You would bless me, extend my border, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not cause any pain." And God granted his request.


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Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These were the men of Recah.


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Meonothai fathered Ophrah, and Seraiah fathered Joab, the ancestor of [those in] the Valley of Craftsmen, for they were craftsmen.


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Ezrah's sons: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered's wife Bithiah gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.


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These were the sons of Pharaoh's daughter Bithiah; Mered had married her. His Judean wife gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.


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The sons of Hodiah's wife, the sister of Naham: the father of Keilah the Garmite and [the father of] Eshtemoa the Maacathite.


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The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, the families of the guild of linen workers at Beth-ashbea,


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Jokim, the men of Cozeba; and Joash and Saraph, who married Moabites and returned to Lehem. These [names] are from ancient records.


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They were the potters and residents of Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the service of the king.


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Shimei had 16 sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, so their whole family did not become as numerous as the Judeans.


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Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until David became king.


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and all their surrounding villages as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record for themselves.


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They went to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley to seek pasture for their flocks.


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They found rich, good pasture, and the land was broad, peaceful, and quiet, for some Hamites had lived there previously.


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These who were recorded by name came in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, attacked the Hamites' tents and the Meunim who were found there, and set them apart for destruction, as they are today. Then they settled in their place because there was pasture for their flocks.


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Now 500 men from these sons of Simeon went with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, as their leaders to Mount Seir.


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[These were] the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father's bed. He is not listed in the genealogy according to birthright.


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Although Judah became strong among his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright was given to Joseph.


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and his son Beerah. Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites, and Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria took him into exile.


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His relatives by their families as they are recorded in their genealogy: Jeiel the chief, Zechariah,


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and Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel. They settled in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal-meon.


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They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their herds had increased in the land of Gilead.


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During Saul's reign they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated by their power. And they lived in their tents throughout the region east of Gilead.


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Their relatives according to their ancestral houses: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber-- seven.


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These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz.


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All of them were registered in the genealogies during the reigns of Judah's King Jotham and Israel's King Jeroboam.


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The sons of Reuben and Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors who could serve in the army-- men who carried shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for war.


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They received help against these enemies, and the Hagrites and all their allies were handed over to them, because they cried out to God in battle. He granted their request because they trusted in Him.


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They captured the Hagrites' livestock-- 50,000 of their camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys-- as well as 100,000 people.


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Many of the Hagrites were killed because it was God's battle. And they lived there in the Hagrites' place until the exile.


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The sons of half the tribe of Manasseh settled in the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon (that is, Senir or Mount Hermon). They were numerous.


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These were the heads of their ancestral houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were brave warriors, famous men, and heads of their patriarchal families.


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But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They prostituted themselves with the gods of the nations God had destroyed before them.


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So the God of Israel put it into the mind of Pul (that is, Tiglath-pileser) king of Assyria to take the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and Gozan's river, [where they are] until today.


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Jehozadak went into exile when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.


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These are the men David put in charge of the music in the LORD's temple after the ark came to rest there.


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They ministered with song in front of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the LORD's temple in Jerusalem, and they performed their task according to the regulations [given] to them.


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These are the men who served with their sons. From the Kohathites: Heman the singer, son of Joel, son of Samuel,


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But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the most holy place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offerings and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.


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These were the places assigned to Aaron's sons from the Kohathite family for their settlements in their territory, because the [first] lot was for them.


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Aaron's sons were given: Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah and its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa and its pasturelands,


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From the tribe of Benjamin [they were given] Geba and its pasturelands, Alemeth and its pasturelands, and Anathoth and its pasturelands. They had 13 towns in all among their families.


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The Gershomites [were assigned] 13 towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan according to their families.


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The Merarites [were assigned] by lot 12 towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun according to their families.


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They assigned by lot the towns named above from the tribes of the Judahites, Simeonites, and Benjaminites.


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Some of the families of the Kohathites were given towns from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory:


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Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer and its pasturelands,


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From half the tribe of Manasseh, Aner and its pasturelands, and Bileam and its pasturelands [were given] to the rest of the families of the Kohathites.


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The Gershomites [received]: Golan in Bashan and its pasturelands, and Ashtaroth and its pasturelands from the families of half the tribe of Manasseh.


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From the tribe of Issachar [they received] Kedesh and its pasturelands, Daberath and its pasturelands,


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From the tribe of Naphtali [they received] Kedesh in Galilee and its pasturelands, Hammon and its pasturelands, and Kiriathaim and its pasturelands.


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The rest of the Merarites [received]: From the tribe of Zebulun, [they received] Rimmono and its pasturelands and Tabor and its pasturelands.


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From the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan at Jericho, to the east of the Jordan, [they received] Bezer in the desert and its pasturelands, Jahzah and its pasturelands,


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From the tribe of Gad [they received] Ramoth in Gilead and its pasturelands, Mahanaim and its pasturelands,


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Tola's sons: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, the heads of their ancestral houses. During David's reign, 22,600 descendants of Tola were recorded as warriors in their genealogies.


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Uzzi's son: Izrahiah. Izrahiah's sons: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah. All five of them were chiefs.


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Along with them, they had 36,000 troops for battle according to the genealogical records of their ancestral houses, for they had many wives and children.


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Their tribesmen who were warriors belonging to all the families of Issachar totalled 87,000 in their genealogies.


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Bela's sons: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri-- five. They were warriors and heads of their ancestral houses; 22,034 were listed in their genealogies.


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Becher's sons: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth; all these were Becher's sons.


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Jediael's son: Bilhan. Bilhan's sons: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.


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All these sons of Jediael listed by heads of families were warriors; there were 17,200 who could serve in the army.


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Machir took wives from Huppim and Shuppim. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, but he had only daughters.


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Machir's wife Maacah gave birth to a son, and she named [him] Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem.


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his son Zabad, his son Shuthelah, Ezer, and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in the land killed Ezer and Elead because they went down to raid their cattle.


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He slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because there had been misfortune in his home.


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Their holdings and settlements were Bethel and its villages; Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its villages as far as Ayyah and its villages,


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and along the borders of the sons of Manasseh, Beth-shean and its villages, Taanach and its villages, Megiddo and its villages, and Dor and its villages. The sons of Joseph son of Israel lived in these towns.


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All these were Asher's sons. They were the heads of their ancestral houses, chosen men, warriors, and chiefs among the leaders. The number of men listed in their genealogies for military service was 26,000.


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These were Ehud's sons, who were the heads of the families living in Geba and who were deported to Manahath:


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Beriah and Shema, who were the heads of families of Aijalon's residents and who drove out the residents of Gath,


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and Mikloth who fathered Shimeah. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem, with their [other] relatives.


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Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.


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Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were Azel's sons.


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Ulam's sons were warriors and archers. They had many sons and grandsons-- 150 of them. All these were among Benjamin's sons.


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All Israel was registered in the genealogies that are written about in the Book of the Kings of Israel. But Judah was exiled to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.


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The first to live in their towns on their own property again were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.


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Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, son of Michri; Meshullam son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah;


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and 956 of their relatives according to their genealogical records. All these men were heads of their ancestral houses.


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Azariah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief official of God's temple;


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Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah; Maasai son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer;


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and 1,760 of their relatives, the heads of households. They were capable men employed in the ministry of God's temple.


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Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, son of Elkanah who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.


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he was previously stationed at the King's Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites.


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Shallum son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah and his relatives from his household, the Korahites, were assigned to guard the thresholds of the tent. Their ancestors had been assigned to the LORD's camp as guardians of the entrance.


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The total number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted positions.


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but the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and the treasuries of God's temple.


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They spent the night in the vicinity of God's temple, because they had guard duty and were in charge of opening it every morning.


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Some of them were in charge of the utensils used in worship. They would count them when they brought them in and when they took them out.


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Others were put in charge of the furnishings and all the utensils of the sanctuary, as well as the fine flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices.


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A Levite called Mattithiah, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with baking the bread.


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Some of the Kohathites' relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the bread [of the Presence] every Sabbath.


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The singers, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the [temple] chambers and were exempt from other tasks because they were on duty day and night.


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These were the heads of Levite families, chiefs according to their genealogies, and lived in Jerusalem.


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Mikloth fathered Shimeam. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem with their [other] relatives.


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Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were Azel's sons.


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The Philistines fought against Israel, and Israel's men fled from them and were killed on Mount Gilboa.


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The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed Saul's sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.


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Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!" But his armor-bearer wouldn't do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it.


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When all the men of Israel in the valley saw that the army had run away and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. So the Philistines came and settled in them.


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


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They stripped Saul, cut off his head, took his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the good news to their idols and their people.


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all their brave men set out and retrieved the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.


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Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD because he did not keep the LORD's word. He even consulted a medium for guidance,


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but he did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.


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Even when Saul was king, you led us out [to battle] and brought us back. The LORD your God also said to you, 'You will shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over My people Israel.'"


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So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the LORD's presence, and they anointed David king over Israel, in keeping with the LORD's word through Samuel.


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David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); the Jebusites who inhabited the land were there.


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The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You will never get in here." Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David).


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David said, "Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will become commander-in-chief." Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became the chief.


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He built up the city all the way around, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding parts, and Joab restored the rest of the city.


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The following were the chiefs of David's warriors who, together with all Israel, strongly supported him in his reign to make him king according to the LORD's word about Israel.


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This is the list of David's warriors: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the Thirty; he wielded his spear against 300 and killed them at one time.


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He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines had gathered there for battle. A plot of ground full of barley was there, where the troops had fled from the Philistines.


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But Eleazar and David took their stand in the middle of the plot and defended it. They killed the Philistines, and the LORD gave them a great victory.


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Three of the 30 chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while the Philistine army was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.


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David was extremely thirsty and said, "If only someone would bring me water from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem!"


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So the Three broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the LORD.


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David said, "I would never do such a thing in the presence of God! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?" For they brought it at the risk of their lives. So he would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.


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Abishai, Joab's brother, was the leader of the Three. He raised his spear against 300 [men] and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three.


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He was the most honored of the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.


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Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two [sons of] Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.


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He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver's beam, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and then killed him with his own spear.


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The following were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still banned from the presence of Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who helped him in battle.


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They were archers who, using either their right or left hand, could [throw] stones [with a sling] or [shoot] arrows with a bow. They were Saul's relatives from Benjamin:


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Their chief was Ahiezer son of Shemaah the Gibeathite. Then there was his brother Joash; Jeziel and Pelet sons of Azmaveth; Beracah, Jehu the Anathothite;


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Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a warrior among the Thirty and [a leader] over the Thirty;Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite;


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Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were fighting men, trained for battle, expert with shield and spear. Their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.


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These Gadites were army commanders; the least of them was a match for a hundred, and the greatest of them for a thousand.


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These are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and put to flight all [those in] the valleys to the east and to the west.


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David went out to meet them and said to them, "If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my enemies even though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors look on it and judge."


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Then the Spirit took control of Amasai, chief of the Thirty, [and he said]: [We are] yours, David, [we are] with you, son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to him who helps you, for your God helps you. So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.


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Some Manassites defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. However, they did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers, following consultation, sent David away. They said, "It will be our heads if he defects to his master Saul."


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When David went to Ziklag, some men from Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh.


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They helped David against the marauders, for they were all brave warriors and commanders in the army.


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At that time, men came day after day to help David until there was a great army, like an army of God.


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The numbers of the armed troops who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul's kingdom over to him, according to the LORD's word, were as follows:


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From the Benjaminites, the relatives of Saul: 3,000 (up to that time the majority of the Benjaminites maintained their allegiance to the house of Saul).


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From the Issacharites, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their relatives under their command.


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From Zebulun: 50,000 who could serve in the army, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, with singleness of purpose to help David.


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From across the Jordan-- from the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh: 120,000 men equipped with all the military weapons of war.


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All these warriors, lined up in battle formation, came to Hebron with wholehearted determination to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of Israel was also of one mind to make David king.


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They were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had provided for them.


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In addition, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen-- abundant provisions of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine and oil, oxen, and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.


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Then he said to the whole assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if this is from the LORD our God, let us spread out and send the message to the rest of our relatives in all the districts of Israel, including the priests and Levites in their cities with pasturelands, that they should gather together with us.


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So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.


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David and all Israel went to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim), which belongs to Judah, to take from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD who dwells [between] the cherubim.


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David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before God with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.


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When they came to Chidon's threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to hold the ark, because the oxen had stumbled.


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Then the LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So he died there in the presence of God.


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David was angry because of the LORD's outburst against Uzzah, so he named that place Outburst Against Uzzah, as it is [still named] today.


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So David did not move the ark of God home to the city of David; instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.


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The ark of God remained with Obed-edom's family in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his family and all that he had.


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King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him.


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Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been exalted for the sake of His people Israel.


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When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of David; when David heard of this, he went out to face them.


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so David inquired of God, "Should I go to war against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?" The LORD replied, "Go, and I will hand them over to you."


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So the Israelites went up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated the Philistines there. Then David said, "Like a bursting flood, God has used me to burst out against my enemies." Therefore, they named that place the Lord Bursts Out.


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So David again inquired of God, and God answered him, "Do not pursue them directly. Circle down away from them and attack them opposite the balsam trees.


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When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then march out to battle, for God will have marched out ahead of you to attack the camp of the Philistines."


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So David did exactly as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.


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Then David's fame spread throughout the lands, and the LORD caused all the nations to be terrified of him.


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David built houses for himself in the city of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.


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Then David said, "No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever."


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David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.


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


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He said to them, "You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD God of Israel to [the place] I have prepared for it.


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For the LORD our God burst out [in anger] against us because you Levites were not [with] us the first time, for we didn't inquire of Him about the proper procedures."


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So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.


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Then the Levites carried the ark of God the way Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD: on their shoulders with the poles.


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Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments-- harps, lyres, and cymbals.


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So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah.


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With them were their relatives second in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.


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Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to Alamoth;


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and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to the Sheminith.


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The priests, Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be gatekeepers for the ark.


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David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of the thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom.


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And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.


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Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the music leader of the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.


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So all Israel was bringing the ark of the covenant of the LORD up with shouts, the sound of the ram's horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and the playing of harps and lyres.


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As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the city of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.


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They brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in God's presence.


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


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Then he distributed to each and every Israelite, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.


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David appointed some of the Levites to be ministers before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate the LORD God of Israel, and to give thanks and praise to Him.


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Asaph was the chief and Zechariah was second to him. Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel played the harps and lyres, while Asaph [sounded] the cymbals


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and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel [blew] the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.


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On that day David decreed for the first time that thanks be given to the LORD by Asaph and his relatives:


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Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of [His] holiness;


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Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD is King!"


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Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth.


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And say: "Save us, God of our salvation; gather us and rescue us from the nations so that we may give thanks to Your holy name and rejoice in Your praise.


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May the LORD, the God of Israel, be praised from everlasting to everlasting." Then all the people said, " Amen" and "Praise the LORD."


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So David left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the LORD's covenant to minister regularly before the ark according to the daily requirements.


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[He also left] Obed-edom and his 68 relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun and Hosah were to be gatekeepers.


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[David left] Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon


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to offer burnt offerings regularly, morning and evening, to the LORD on the altar of burnt offerings and to do everything that was written in the law of the LORD, which He had commanded Israel to keep.


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With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD-- for His faithful love endures forever.


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Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals to play and musical instruments of God. Jeduthun's sons were at the gate.


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When David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look! I am living in a cedar house while the ark of the LORD's covenant is under tent curtains."


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Go to David My servant and say, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build Me a house to dwell in.


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From the time I brought Israel out of [Egypt] until today I have not lived in a house; instead, I have moved from tent to tent and from tabernacle [to tabernacle].


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In all My travels throughout Israel, have I ever spoken a word to even one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, asking: Why haven't you built Me a house of cedar?'


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Now this is what you will say to My servant David: 'This is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture and from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.


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I will establish a place for My people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they formerly have


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ever since the day I ordered judges to be over My people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. "'Furthermore, I declare to you that the LORD Himself will build a house for you.


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When your time comes to be with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who is one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.


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I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me. I will not take away My faithful love from him as I took it from the one who was before you.


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I will appoint him over My house and My kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.'"


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Then King David went in, sat in the LORD's presence, and said, "Who am I, LORD God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?


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This was a little thing to You, God, for You have spoken about Your servant's house in the distant future. You regard me as a man of distinction, LORD God.


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LORD, You have done all this greatness, making known all these great [promises] because of Your servant and according to Your will.


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And who is like Your people Israel? God, You came to one nation on earth to redeem a people for Yourself, to make a name for Yourself through great and awesome deeds by driving out nations before Your people You redeemed from Egypt.


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Now, LORD, let the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house be confirmed forever, and do as You have promised.


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Let your name be confirmed and magnified forever in the saying, 'The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, is God over Israel.' May the house of Your servant David be established before You.


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Since You, my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house, Your servant has found [courage] to pray in Your presence.


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So now, You have been pleased to bless Your servant's house that it may continue before You forever. For You, LORD, have blessed it, and it is blessed forever."


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After this, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from Philistine control.


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David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath when he went to establish his control at the Euphrates River.


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David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him and hamstrung all the horses, and he kept 100 chariots.


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From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer's cities, David also took huge quantities of bronze, from which Solomon made the bronze reservoir, the pillars, and the bronze articles.


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he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Tou and Hadadezer had fought many wars. [Hadoram brought] all kinds of items of gold, silver, and bronze.


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King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all the nations-- from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and the Amalekites.


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He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. The LORD made David victorious wherever he went.


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Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were the chief officials at the king's side.


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Then David said, "I'll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. However, when David's emissaries arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,


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the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, "Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he's showing respect for your father? Instead, hasn't David sent his emissaries in order to scout out, overthrow, and spy on the land?"


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So Hanun took David's emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.


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Someone came and reported to David about his men, so he sent [someone] to meet them, since the men were deeply humiliated. The king said, "Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back; then return."


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When the Ammonites realized they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 38 tons of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.


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


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The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city while the kings who had come were in the field by themselves.


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He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, and they lined up in battle formation to engage the Ammonites.


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If the Arameans are too strong for me," Joab said, "then you'll be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll help you.


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When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Joab's brother Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab went to Jerusalem.


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When the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring out the Arameans who were across the Euphrates with Shophach, commander of Hadadezer's army, leading them.


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When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. He came up to them and lined up in battle formation against them. When David lined up to engage the Arameans in battle, they fought against him.


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But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 7,000 of their charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach, commander of the army.


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When Hadadezer's subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans were never willing to help the Ammonites again.


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In the spring when kings march out [to war], Joab led the army and destroyed the Ammonites' land. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it.


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Then David took the crown from the head of their king, and it was [placed] on David's head. He discovered the crown weighed 75 pounds of gold, and there was a precious stone in it. In addition, David took away a large quantity of plunder from the city.


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He brought out the people who were in it and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.


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After this, a war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued.


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Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam.


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There was still another battle at Gath where there was a man of extraordinary stature with six fingers [on each hand] and six toes [on each foot]-- 24 in all. He, too, was descended from the giant.


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So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, "Go and count Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan and bring [a report] to me so I can know their number."


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Joab replied, "May the LORD multiply the number of His people a hundred times over! My lord the king, aren't they all my lord's servants? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?"


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Yet the king's order prevailed over Joab. So Joab left and traveled throughout Israel and then returned to Jerusalem.


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Joab gave David the total of the registration of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 swordsmen and in Judah itself 470,000 swordsmen.


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But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count because the king's command was detestable to him.


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David said to God, "I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now, because I've been very foolish, please take away your servant's guilt."


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Go and say to David, 'This is what the LORD says: I am offering you three [choices]. Choose one of them for yourself, and I will do it to you.'"


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either three years of famine, three months of devastation by your foes with the sword of your enemy overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the LORD-- a plague on the land, the angel of the LORD bringing destruction to the whole territory of Israel.' Now decide what answer I should take back to the One who sent me."


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David answered Gad, "I have great anxiety. Please, let me fall into the LORD's hands because His mercies are very great, but don't let me fall into human hands."


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Then God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but when the angel was about to destroy the city, the LORD looked, relented concerning the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying [the people], "Enough, withdraw your hand now!" The angel of the LORD was then standing at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


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When David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell down with their faces [to the ground].


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David said to God, "Wasn't I the one who gave the order to count the people? I am the one who has sinned and acted very wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? My LORD God, please let Your hand be against me and against my father's family, but don't let the plague be against Your people."


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So the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.


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Ornan was threshing wheat when he turned and saw the angel. His four sons, who were with him, hid themselves.


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David came to Ornan, and when Ornan looked and saw David, he left the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground.


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Then David said to Ornan, "Give me this threshing-floor plot so that I may build an altar to the LORD on it. Give it to me for the full price, so the plague on the people may be halted."


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Ornan said to David, "Take it! My lord the king may do whatever he wants. See, I give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering-- I give it all."


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King David answered Ornan, "No, I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you or offer burnt offerings that cost [me] nothing."


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He built an altar to the LORD there and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the LORD, and He answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.


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


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At that time the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the desert, and the altar of burnt offering were at the high place in Gibeon,


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but David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was terrified of the sword of the LORD's angel.


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Then David said, "This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel."


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So David gave orders to gather the foreigners that were in the land of Israel, and he appointed stonemasons to cut finished stones for building God's house.


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David supplied a great deal of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, together with an immeasurable quantity of bronze,


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and innumerable cedar logs, because the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought a large quantity of cedar logs to David.


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David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly great and famous and glorious in all the lands. Therefore, I must make provision for it." So David made lavish preparations for it before his death.


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My son," David said to Solomon, "It was in my heart to build a house for the name of the LORD my God,


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but the word of the LORD came to me: 'You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for My name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before Me.


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But a son will be born to you; he will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies, for his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign.


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He is the one who will build a house for My name. He will be My son, and I will be his father. I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'


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Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said about you.


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Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in charge of Israel so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.


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Then you will succeed if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or discouraged.


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Notice I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the LORD-- 3,775 tons of gold, 37,750 tons of silver, and bronze and iron that can't be weighed because there is so much of it. I have also provided timber and stone, but you will need to add more to them.


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You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and people skilled in every kind of work


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in gold, silver, bronze, and iron-- beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you."


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The LORD your God is with you, isn't He? And hasn't He given you rest on every side? For He has handed the land's inhabitants over to me, and the land has been subdued before the LORD and His people.


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Now determine in your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Get started building the LORD God's sanctuary so that you may bring the ark of the LORD's covenant and the holy articles of God to the temple that is to be built for the name of the LORD."


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Of these," [David said], "24,000 are to be in charge of the work on the LORD's temple, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,


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4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments that I have made for worship."


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Jahath was the first and Zizah was the second; however, Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they became an ancestral house [and received] a single assignment.


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Amram's sons: Aaron and Moses. Aaron, along with his descendants, was set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense in the presence of the LORD, to minister to Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.


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Eliezer's sons were Rehabiah, first; Eliezer did not have any other sons, but Rehabiah's sons were very numerous.


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These were the sons of Levi by their ancestral houses-- the heads of families, according to their registration by name in the headcount-- 20 years old or more, who worked in the service of the LORD's temple.


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For David said, "The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He has come to stay in Jerusalem forever.


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but their duty will be to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the LORD's temple, being responsible for the courts and the chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of God's temple--


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as well as the rows [of the bread of the Presence], the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of volume and length.


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They are also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the LORD, and likewise in the evening.


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Whenever burnt offerings are offered to the LORD on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed festivals, they are to do so regularly in the LORD's presence according to the number prescribed for them.


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They are to carry out their responsibilities to the tent of meeting, to the holy place, and to their relatives, the sons of Aaron, in the service of the LORD's temple."


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


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But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and they had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.


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Together with Zadok from the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech from the sons of Ithamar, David divided them according to the assigned duties of their service.


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Since more leaders were found among Eleazar's descendants than Ithamar's, they were divided [accordingly]: 16 heads of ancestral houses were from Eleazar's descendants, and eight [heads] of ancestral houses were from Ithamar's.


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They were divided impartially by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar's and Ithamar's descendants.


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The secretary, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the officers, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites. One ancestral house was taken for Eleazar, and then one for Ithamar.


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These had their assigned duties for service when they entered the LORD's temple, according to their regulations, which they received from their ancestor Aaron, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.


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Mushi's sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. Those were the sons of the Levites according to their ancestral houses.


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They also cast lots the same way as their relatives, the sons of Aaron did in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites-- the family heads and their younger brothers alike.


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David and the officers of the army also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men who performed their service:


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From Asaph's sons: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, sons of Asaph, under Asaph's authority, who prophesied under the authority of the king.


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From Jeduthun: Jeduthun's sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah-- six-- under the authority of their father Jeduthun, prophesying to the accompaniment of lyres, giving thanks and praise to the LORD.


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From Heman: Heman's sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.


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All these sons of Heman, the king's seer, were [given] by the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.


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All these men were under their own fathers' authority for the music in the LORD's temple, with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of God's temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king's authority.


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Together with their relatives who were all trained and skillful in music for the LORD, they numbered 288.


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They cast lots impartially for their duties, the young and old alike, the teacher along with the pupil.


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The first lot for Asaph fell to Joseph, [his sons, and his brothers-- 12] [to] Gedaliah the second: him, his brothers, and his sons-- 12


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[The following were] the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.


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Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,


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Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,


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Also, to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their ancestral houses because they were strong, capable men.


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Shemaiah's sons: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers Elihu and Semachiah were also capable men.


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All of these were among the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers; they were capable men with strength for the work-- 62 from Obed-edom.


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Hosah, from the Merarites, also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first),


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Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and brothers of Hosah were 13 in all.


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These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their leading men, had duties for ministering in the LORD's temple, just as their brothers did.


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The lot for the east [gate] fell to Shelemiah. They also cast lots for his son Zechariah, an insightful counselor, and his lot came out for the north [gate].


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for Shuppim and Hosah it was the west [gate] and the gate of Shallecheth on the ascending highway. There were guards stationed at every watch.


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There were six Levites each day on the east, four each day on the north, four each day on the south, and two pair at the storehouses.


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From the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of God's temple and the treasuries for what had been dedicated.


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From the sons of Ladan, who were the sons of the Gershonites through Ladan and were the heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.


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The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel, were in charge of the treasuries of the LORD's temple.


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His relative through Eliezer: his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomith.


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This Shelomith and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries for what had been dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of the thousands and of the hundreds, and by the army commanders.


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All that Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah had dedicated, along with everything else that had been dedicated, were in the care of Shelomith and his brothers.


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From the Izrahites: Chenaniah and his sons had the outside duties as officers and judges over Israel.


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From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had assigned duties in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king.


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From the Hebronites: Jerijah was the head of the Hebronites, according to the genealogical records of his ancestors. In the fortieth year of David's reign a search was made, and strong, capable men were found among them at Jazer in Gilead.


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There were among Jerijah's relatives, 2,700 capable men who were heads of families. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh as overseers in every matter relating to God and the king.


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This is the list of the Israelites, the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter to do with the divisions that were on rotated military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 in each division:


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Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, for the first month; 24,000 were in his division.


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Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader; 24,000 were in his division.


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The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest; 24,000 were in his division.


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This Benaiah was a mighty man among the Thirty and over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.


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The fourth [commander], for the fourth month, was Joab's brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah [was commander] after him; 24,000 were in his division.


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The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; 24,000 were in his division.


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The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite from the sons of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division.


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The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division.


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The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite; 24,000 were in his division.


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The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division.


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The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite from the sons of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division.


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The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel's family; 24,000 were in his division.


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[The following were] in charge of the tribes of Israel: For the Reubenites, Eliezer son of Zichri was the chief official; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah son of Maacah;


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


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David didn't count the men aged 20 or under, for the LORD had said He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven.


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Joab son of Zeruiah began to count them, but he didn't complete it. There was wrath against Israel because of this [census], and the number was not entered in the Historical Record of King David.


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Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king's storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.


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Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars.


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Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah. Joash was in charge of the stores of olive oil.


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Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds that grazed in Sharon, while Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.


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Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.


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Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were officials in charge of King David's property.


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David's uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of understanding and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons.


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After Ahithophel came Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king's army.


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David assembled in Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king's service, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials, the fighting men, and all the brave warriors.


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Then King David rose to his feet and said, "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the LORD's covenant and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build,


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but God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.'


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Yet the LORD God of Israel chose me out of all my father's household to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah, my father's household, and from my father's sons, He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.


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And out of all my sons-- for the LORD has given me many sons-- He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the LORD's kingdom over Israel.


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He said to me, 'Your son Solomon is the one who is to build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father.


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I will establish his kingdom forever if he perseveres in keeping My commandments and My ordinances as [he is] today.'


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So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek after all the commandments of the LORD your God so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever.


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As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.


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Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule [of the temple] and its buildings, treasuries, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the place of atonement.


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The plans contained everything he had in mind for the courts of the LORD's house, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of God's house, and the treasuries for what is dedicated.


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[Also included were plans] for the divisions of the priests and the Levites; all the work of service in the LORD's house; all the articles of service of the LORD's house;


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the weight of gold for all the articles for every kind of service; the weight of all the silver articles for every kind of service;


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the weight of the gold lampstands and their gold lamps, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps; the weight of each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the service of each lampstand;


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the weight of gold for each table for the rows [of the bread of the Presence] and the silver for the silver tables;


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the pure gold for the forks, sprinkling basins, and pitchers; the weight of each gold dish; the weight of each silver bowl;


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the weight of refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread out [their wings] and cover the ark of the LORD's covenant.


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[David concluded,] "By the LORD's hand on me, He enabled me to understand everything in writing, all the details of the plan."


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Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He won't leave you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the LORD's house is finished.


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Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God's house. Every willing man of any skill will be at your disposal for the work, and the leaders and all the people are at your every command."


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Then King David said to all the assembly, "My son Solomon-- God has chosen him alone-- is young and inexperienced. The task is great, for the temple will not be for man, but for the LORD God.


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So to the best of my ability I've made provision for the house of my God: gold for the gold [articles], silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx, [stones for] mounting, antimony, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and a great quantity of marble.


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Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the house of my God over and above all that I've provided for the holy house:


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100 tons of gold (gold of Ophir) and 250 tons of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings,


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the gold for the gold [work] and the silver for the silver, for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who will volunteer to consecrate himself to the LORD today?"


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Then the leaders of the households, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly.


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For the service of God's house they gave 185 tons of gold and 10,000 gold drachmas, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 4,000 tons of iron.


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Whoever had [precious] stones gave them to the treasury of the LORD's house under the care of Jehiel the Gershonite.


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Then the people rejoiced because of their leaders' willingness to give, for they had given to the LORD with a whole heart. King David also rejoiced greatly.


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Then David praised the LORD in the sight of all the assembly. David said, "May You be praised, LORD God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity.


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Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.


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Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. In Your hand are power and might, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.


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But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your own hand.


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For we are foreigners and sojourners in Your presence as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.


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LORD our God, all this wealth that we've provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand; everything belongs to You.


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I know, my God, that You test the heart and that You are pleased with uprightness. I have willingly given all these things with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.


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LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of Your people, and confirm their hearts toward You.


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Give my son Solomon a whole heart to keep and to carry out all Your commandments, Your decrees, and Your statutes, and to build the temple for which I have made provision."


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Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So the whole assembly praised the LORD God of their ancestors. They bowed down and paid homage to the LORD and the king.


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The following day they offered sacrifices to the LORD and burnt offerings to the LORD: 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, and 1,000 lambs, along with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.


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They ate and drank with great joy in the LORD's presence that day. Then, for a second time, they made David's son Solomon king; they anointed him as the LORD's ruler, and Zadok as the priest.


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Solomon sat on the LORD's throne as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.


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All the leaders and the mighty men, and all of King David's sons as well, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.


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The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been [bestowed] on any king over Israel before him.


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The length of his reign over Israel was 40 years; he reigned in Hebron for seven years and in Jerusalem for 33.


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He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon became king in his place.


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As for the events of King David's [reign], from beginning to end, note that they are written about in the Events of Samuel the Seer, the Events of Nathan the Prophet, and the Events of Gad the Seer,


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along with all his reign, his might, and the incidents that affected him and Israel and all the kingdoms of the [surrounding] lands.


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Solomon son of David strengthened his hold on his kingdom. The LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.


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Then Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel-- the heads of the families.


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Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place that was in Gibeon because God's tent of meeting, which the LORD's servant Moses had made in the wilderness, was there.


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Now, David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had set up for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem,


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but he put the bronze altar, which Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, in front of the LORD's tabernacle. Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him [there].


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Solomon offered sacrifices there in the LORD's presence on the bronze altar at the tent of meeting; he offered 1,000 burnt offerings on it.


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And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great faithful love to my father David, and You have made me king in his place.


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LORD God, let Your promise to my father David now come true. For You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.


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Now, grant me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people, for who can judge this great people of Yours?"


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God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not requested riches, wealth, or glory, or for the life of those who hate you, and you have not even requested long life, but you have requested for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king,


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wisdom and knowledge are given to you. I will also give you riches, wealth, and glory, such that it was not like this for the kings who were before you, nor will it be like this for those after you."


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So Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place that was in Gibeon in front of the tent of meeting, and he reigned over Israel.


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Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.


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The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar as abundant as sycamore in the Judean foothills.


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Solomon's horses came from Egypt and Kue. The king's traders would get them from Kue at the going price.


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A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 15 pounds [of silver] and a horse for about four pounds. In the same way, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram through their agents.


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so he assigned 70,000 men as porters, 80,000 men as stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 as supervisors over them.


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Then Solomon sent [word] to King Hiram of Tyre: [Do for me] what you did for my father David. You sent him cedars to build him a house to live in.


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Now I myself am building a temple for the name of the LORD my God in order to dedicate it to Him for burning sweet incense before Him, for [displaying] the rows [of the bread of the Presence] continuously, and for [sacrificing] burnt offerings for the evening and the morning, the Sabbaths and the New Moons, and the appointed festivals of the LORD our God. This is [ordained] for Israel forever.


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But who is able to build a temple for Him, since even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Him? Who am I then that I should build a house for Him except as a place to burn incense before Him?


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Therefore, send me a craftsman who is skilled in engraving to work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. [He will work] with the craftsmen who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, appointed by my father David.


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Also, send me cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut the trees of Lebanon. Note that my servants will be with your servants


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I will give your servants, the woodcutters who cut the trees, 100,000 bushels of wheat flour, 100,000 bushels of barley, 110,000 gallons of wine, and 110,000 gallons of oil.


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Then King Hiram of Tyre wrote a letter and sent [it] to Solomon: Because the LORD loves His people, He set you over them as king.


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Hiram also said: May the LORD God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth, be praised! He gave King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.


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He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan. His father is a man of Tyre. He knows how to work with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, with purple, blue, crimson yarn, and fine linen. He knows how to do all kinds of engraving and to execute any design that may be given him. I have sent him to be with your craftsmen and the craftsmen of my lord, your father David.


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We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and bring them to you as rafts by sea to Joppa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem.


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Solomon took a census of all the foreign men in the land of Israel, after the census that his father David had conducted, and the total was 153,600.


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Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors to make the people work.


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


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These are Solomon's foundations for building God's temple: the length was 90 feet, and the width 30 feet.


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The portico, which was across the front extending across the width of the temple, was 30 feet wide; its height was 30 feet; he overlaid its inner surface with pure gold.


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The larger room he paneled with cypress wood, overlaid with fine gold, and decorated with palm trees and chains.


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He overlaid the temple-- the beams, the thresholds, its walls and doors-- with gold, and he carved cherubim on the walls.


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Then he made the most holy place; its length corresponded to the width of the temple, 30 feet, and its width was 30 feet. He overlaid it with 45,000 pounds of fine gold.


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The overall length of the wings of the cherubim was 30 feet: the wing of one was seven and a half feet, touching the wall of the room; its other wing was seven and a half feet, touching the wing of the other cherub.


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The wing of the other cherub was seven and a half feet, touching the wall of the room; its other wing was seven and a half feet, reaching the wing of the other cherub.


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In front of the temple he made two pillars, [each] 27 feethigh. The capital on top of each was seven and half feet high.


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He had made chainwork in the inner sanctuary and also put it on top of the pillars. He made 100 pomegranates and fastened them into the chainwork.


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Then he set up the pillars in front of the sanctuary, one on the right and one on the left. He named the one on the right Jachin and the one on the left Boaz.


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Then he made the cast [metal] reservoir, 15 feet from brim to brim, perfectly round. It was seven and a half feet high, and 45 feet in circumference.


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The likeness of oxen was below it, completely encircling it, 10 every half yard, completely surrounding the reservoir. The oxen were cast in two rows when the reservoir was cast.


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The reservoir was three inches thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup or a lily blossom. It could hold 11,000 gallons.


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He made 10 basins for washing and he put five on the right and five on the left. The parts of the burnt offering were rinsed in them, but the reservoir was used by the priests for washing.


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He made the 10 gold lampstands according to their specifications and put them in the sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left.


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He made 10 tables and placed them in the sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left. He also made 100 gold bowls.


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He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court, and doors for the court. He overlaid the doors with bronze.


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Then Huram made the pots, the shovels, and the bowls. So Huram finished doing the work that he was doing for King Solomon in God's temple:


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two pillars; the bowls and the capitals on top of the two pillars; the two gratings for covering both bowls of the capitals that were on top of the pillars;


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the 400 pomegranates for the two gratings (two rows of pomegranates for each grating covering both capitals' bowls on top of the pillars).


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the pots, the shovels, the forks, and all their utensils-- Huram-abi made them for King Solomon for the LORD's temple. [All these were made] of polished bronze.


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Solomon made all these utensils in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined.


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Solomon also made all the equipment in God's temple: the gold altar; the tables on which [to put] the bread of the Presence;


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the lampstands and their lamps of pure gold to burn in front of the inner sanctuary according to specifications;


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the wick trimmers, sprinkling basins, ladles, and firepans-- of purest gold; and the entryway to the temple, its inner doors to the most holy place, and the doors of the temple sanctuary-- of gold.


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So all the work Solomon did for the LORD's temple was completed. Then Solomon brought the consecrated things of his father David-- the silver, the gold, and all the utensils-- and put them in the treasuries of God's temple.


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At that time Solomon assembled at Jerusalem the elders of Israel-- all the tribal heads, the ancestral chiefs of the Israelites-- in order to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD up from the city of David, that is, Zion.


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So all the men of Israel were assembled in the king's presence at the festival; this was in the seventh month.


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They brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and the holy utensils that were in the tent. The priests and the Levites brought them up.


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King Solomon and the entire congregation of Israel who had gathered around him were in front of the ark sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted or numbered because there were so many.


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The priests brought the ark of the LORD's covenant to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the most holy place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.


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And the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark so that the cherubim formed a cover above the ark and its poles.


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The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they were not seen from outside; they are there to this very day.


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Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had put [in it] at Horeb,where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of Egypt.


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When the priests came out of the holy place-- for all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves regardless of their tour of duty--


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the Levitical singers of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, and of their sons and their relatives, dressed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, were standing east of the altar, and with them were 120 priests blowing trumpets.


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The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They raised [their] voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: For He is good; His faithful love endures forever; the temple, the LORD's temple, was filled with a cloud.


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And because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering, for the glory of the LORD filled God's temple.


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Since the day I brought My people Israel out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city to build a temple in among any of the tribes of Israel, so that My name would be there, and I have not chosen a man to be ruler over My people Israel.


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But I have chosen Jerusalem so that My name will be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel."


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Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.


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However, the LORD said to my father David, "Since it was your desire to build a temple for My name, you have done well to have this desire.


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Yet, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own offspring, will build the temple for My name."


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So the LORD has fulfilled what He promised. I have taken the place of my father David and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.


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Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.


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For Solomon had made a bronze platform seven and a half feet long, seven and a half feet wide, and four and a half feet high and put it in the court. He stood on it, knelt down in front of the entire congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven.


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He said: LORD God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven or on earth, keeping His gracious covenant with Your servants who walk before You with their whole heart.


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You have kept what You promised to Your servant, my father David. You spoke directly [to him], and You fulfilled [Your promise] by Your power, as it is today.


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Therefore, LORD God of Israel, keep what You promised to Your servant, my father David: You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons guard their way to walk in My Law as you have walked before Me.


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But will God indeed live on earth with man? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.


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Listen to Your servant's prayer and his petition, LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant prays before You,


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so that Your eyes watch over this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name; and so that You may hear the prayer Your servant prays toward this place.


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Hear the petitions of Your servant and Your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May You hear in Your dwelling place in heaven. May You hear and forgive.


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If a man sins against his neighbor and is forced to take an oath and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,


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If Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, and they return [to You] and praise Your name, and they pray and plead for mercy before You in this temple,


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may You hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave them and their ancestors.


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When the skies are shut and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and praise Your name, and they turn from their sins because You are afflicting them,


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When there is famine on the earth, when there is pestilence, when there is blight, mildew, locust, or grasshopper, when their enemies besiege them in the region of their fortified cities, [when there is] any plague or illness,


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whatever prayer or petition anyone from your people Israel might have-- each man knowing his own affliction and suffering, and spreading out his hands toward this temple--


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may You hear in heaven, Your dwelling place, and may You forgive and repay the man according to all his ways, since You know his heart, for You alone know the human heart,


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so that they may fear You and walk in Your ways all the days they live on the land You gave our ancestors.


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Even for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your great name and Your mighty hand and outstretched arm: when he comes and prays toward this temple,


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may You hear in heaven in Your dwelling place, and do all the foreigner asks You for. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name, to fear You as Your people Israel do and know that this temple I have built is called by Your name.


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When Your people go out to fight against their enemies, wherever You send them, and they pray to You in the direction of this city You have chosen and the temple that I have built for Your name,


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When they sin against You-- for there is no one who does not sin-- and You are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, and their captors deport them to a distant or nearby country,


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and when they come to their senses in the land where they were deported and repent and petition You in their captors' land, saying: "We have sinned and done wrong; we have been wicked,


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and when they return to You with their whole mind and heart in the land of their captivity where they were taken captive, and when they pray in the direction of their land that You gave their ancestors, and the city You have chosen, and toward the temple I have built for Your name,


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may You hear in heaven, in Your dwelling place, their prayer and petitions and uphold their cause. May You forgive Your people who sinned against You.


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Now therefore: Arise, LORD God, [come] to Your resting place, You and the ark [that shows] Your strength. May Your priests, LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and may Your godly people rejoice in goodness.


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When Solomon finished praying, fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.


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The priests were not able to enter the LORD's temple because the glory of the LORD filled the temple of the LORD.


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All the Israelites were watching when the fire descended and the glory of the LORD came on the temple. They bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement. They worshiped and praised the LORD: For He is good, for His faithful love endures forever.


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King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. In this manner the king and all the people dedicated God's temple.


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The priests were standing at their stations, as were the Levites with the musical instruments of the LORD, which King David had made to praise the LORD-- "for His faithful love endures forever"-- when David offered praise with them. Across from them, the priests were blowing trumpets, and all the people were standing.


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Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard that was in front of the LORD's temple because that was where he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings since the bronze altar that Solomon had made could not accommodate the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the fat [of the fellowship offerings].


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So Solomon and all Israel with him-- a very great assembly, from the entrance to Hamath to the Brook of Egypt-- observed the festival at that time for seven days.


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On the eighth day they held a sacred assembly, for the dedication of the altar lasted seven days and the festival seven days.


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On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, rejoicing and with happy hearts for the goodness the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.


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So Solomon finished the LORD's temple and the royal palace. Everything that had entered Solomon's heart to do for the LORD's temple and for his own palace succeeded.


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Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a temple of sacrifice.


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If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people,


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


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And I have now chosen and consecrated this temple so that My name may be there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there at all times.


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As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, doing everything I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances,


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I will establish your royal throne, as I promised your father David: You will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.


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However, if you turn away and abandon My statutes and My commands that I have set before you and if you go and serve other gods and worship them,


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then I will uproot Israel from the soil that I gave them, and this temple that I have sanctified for My name I will banish from My presence; I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples.


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As for this temple, which was exalted, every passerby will be appalled and will say: Why did the LORD do this to this land and this temple?


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Then they will say: Because they abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They clung to other gods and worshiped and served them. Because of this, He brought all this ruin on them.


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Baalath, all the storage cities that belonged to Solomon, all the chariot cities, the cavalry cities, and everything Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, or anywhere else in the land of his dominion.


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As for all the peoples who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who were not from Israel--


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their descendants who remained in the land after them, those whom the Israelites had not completely destroyed-- Solomon imposed forced labor on them; [it is this way] today.


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But Solomon did not consign the Israelites to be slaves for his work; they were soldiers, commanders of his captains, and commanders of his chariots and his cavalry.


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Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh from the city of David to the house he had built for her, for he said, "My wife must not live in the house of David king of Israel because the places to which the ark of the LORD has come are holy."


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At that time Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the LORD's altar he had made in front of the vestibule


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following the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths.


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According to the ordinances of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, of the Levites over their responsibilities to offer praise and to minister before the priests following the daily requirement, and of the gatekeepers by their divisions with respect to each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.


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They did not turn aside from the king's command regarding the priests and the Levites concerning any matter or concerning the treasuries.


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All of Solomon's work was carried out from the day the foundation [was laid] for the LORD's temple until it was finished. So the LORD's temple was completed.


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So through his servants, Hiram sent him ships with crews of experienced seamen. They went with Solomon's servants to Ophir, took from there 17 tons of gold, and delivered it to King Solomon.


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The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, so she came to test Solomon with difficult questions at Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke with him about everything that was on her mind.


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the food at his table, his servants' residence, his attendants' service and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and the burnt offerings he offered at the LORD's temple, it took her breath away.


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But I didn't believe their reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, I was not even told half of your great wisdom! You far exceed the report I heard.


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May the LORD your God be praised! He delighted in you and put you on his throne as king for the LORD your God. Because Your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, He has set you over them as king to carry out justice and righteousness."


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Then she gave the king four and a half tons of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There never were such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.


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In addition, Hiram's servants and Solomon's servants who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones.


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The king made the algum wood into walkways for the LORD's temple and for the king's palace and into harps and lyres for the singers. Never before had anything like them been seen in the land of Judah.


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King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba her every desire, whatever she asked-- far more than she had brought the king. Then she, along with her servants, returned to her own country.


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besides what was brought by the merchants and traders. All the Arabian kings and governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.


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King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold; 15 pounds of hammered gold went into each shield.


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He made 300 small shields of hammered gold; about eight pounds of gold went into each shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.


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The throne had six steps; there was a footstool covered in gold for the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.


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for the king's ships kept going to Tarshish with Hiram's servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.


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All the kings of the world wanted an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.


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Each of them would bring his own gift-- items of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, and horses and mules-- as an annual tribute.


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Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. He stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.


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He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines and as far as the border of Egypt.


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The remaining events of Solomon's [reign], from beginning to end, are written about in the Events of Nathan the Prophet, the Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and the Visions of Iddo the Seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat.


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When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard [about it]-- for he was in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon's presence-- Jeroboam returned from Egypt.


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Your father made our yoke harsh. Therefore, lighten your father's harsh service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you."


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Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon when he was alive, asking, "How do you advise me to respond to this people?"


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They replied, "If you will be kind to these people and please them by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever."


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But he rejected the advice of the elders who had advised him and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him, the ones serving him.


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He asked them, "What message do you advise we send back to this people who said to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?"


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Then the young men who had grown up with him told him, "This is what you should say to the people who said to you, 'Your father made our yoke heavy, but you, make it lighter on us!' This is what you should say to them: 'My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.


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Now therefore, my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I, with barbed whips.'"


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So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, just as the king had ordered, saying, "Return to me on the third day."


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and spoke to them according to the young men's advice, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I, with barbed whips."


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The king did not listen to the people because the turn of events came from God, in order that the LORD might carry out His word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.


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When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people answered the king: What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Israel, each man to your tent; David, look after your own house now! So all Israel went to their tents.


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Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. However, King Rehoboam managed to get up into the chariot to flee to Jerusalem.


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When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the house of Judah and Benjamin-- 180,000 choice warriors-- to fight against Israel to restore the reign to Rehoboam.


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Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people:


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'This is what the LORD says: You are not to march up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this incident has come from Me.'" So they listened to what the LORD said and turned back from going against Jeroboam.


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He also put large shields and spears in each and every city to make them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his.


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for the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons refused to let them serve as priests of the LORD.


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Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places, the goat-demons, and the [gold] calves he had made.


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Those from every tribe of Israel who had determined in their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD God of their ancestors.


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


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Rehoboam married Mahalath, daughter of David's son Jerimoth and of Abihail daughter of Jesse's son Eliab.


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Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines. He acquired 18 wives and 60 concubines and was the father of 28 sons and 60 daughters.


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Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah as chief, leader among his brothers, intending to make him king.


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Rehoboam also showed discernment by dispersing some of his sons to all the regions of Judah and Benjamin and to all the fortified cities. He gave them plenty of provisions and sought many wives for them.


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When Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he abandoned the law of the LORD-- he and all Israel with him.


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Because they were unfaithful to the LORD, in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt went to war against Jerusalem


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with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 cavalrymen, and countless people who came with him from Egypt-- Libyans, Sukkiim, and Ethiopians.


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Then Shemaiah the prophet went to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who were gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak. He said to them: "This is what the LORD says: 'You have abandoned Me; therefore, I have abandoned you into the hand of Shishak.'"


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When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the LORD's message came to Shemaiah: "They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them but will grant them a little deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.


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However, they will become his servants so that they may recognize [the difference between] serving Me and serving the kingdoms of the land."


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So King Shishak of Egypt went to war against Jerusalem. He seized the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the treasuries of the royal palace. He took everything. He took the gold shields that Solomon had made.


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King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them into the care of the captains of the royal escorts who guarded the entrance to the king's palace.


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Whenever the king entered the LORD's temple, the royal escorts would carry the shields and take them back to the royal escorts' armory.


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When Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger turned away from him, and He did not destroy [him] completely. Besides that, conditions were good in Judah.


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King Rehoboam established his royal power in Jerusalem. Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king; he reigned 17 years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel to put His name. Rehoboam's mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.


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The events of Rehoboam's [reign], from beginning to end, are written about in the Events of Shemaiah the Prophet and of Iddo the Seer concerning genealogies. There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their reigns.


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Rehoboam rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Abijah became king in his place.


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he reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; [she was] from Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.


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Abijah set his army of warriors in order with 400,000 choice men. Jeroboam arranged his mighty army of 800,000 choice men in battle formation against him.


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


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Don't you know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?


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


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Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young, inexperienced, and unable to assert himself against them.


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And now you are saying you can assert yourselves against the LORD's kingdom in the hand of [one of] David's sons. You are a vast multitude and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods.


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Didn't you banish the priests of the LORD, the descendants of Aaron and the Levites, and make your own priests like the peoples of [other] lands do? Whoever comes to ordain himself with a young bull and seven rams may become a priest of what are not gods.


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But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not abandoned Him; the priests ministering to the LORD are descendants of Aaron, and the Levites [serve] at their tasks.


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They offer a burnt offering and fragrant incense to the LORD every morning and every evening, and [they set] the rows of the bread [of the Presence] on the ceremonially clean table. They light the lamps of the gold lampstand every evening. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have abandoned Him.


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Look, God and His priests are with us at our head. The trumpets are ready to sound the charge against you. Israelites, don't fight against the LORD God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed."


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Now Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to advance from behind them. So they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.


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Judah turned and discovered that the battle was in front of them and behind them, so they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets,


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and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. When the men of Judah raised the battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.


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Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 choice men of Israel were killed.


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The Israelites were subdued at that time. The Judahites succeeded because they depended on the LORD, the God of their ancestors.


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Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured [some] cities from him: Bethel and its villages, Jeshanah and its villages, and Ephron and its villages.


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Jeroboam no longer retained his power during Abijah's reign; ultimately, the LORD struck him and he died.


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The rest of the events of Abijah's [reign], along with his ways and his sayings, are written about in the Writing of the Prophet Iddo.


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Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place. During his reign the land experienced peace for 10 years.


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He removed the pagan altars and the high places. He shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah poles.


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He told [the people of] Judah to seek the LORD God of their ancestors and to carry out the instruction and the command.


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He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom experienced peace under him.


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Because the land experienced peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. No one made war with him in those days because the LORD gave him rest.


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So he said to [the people of] Judah, "Let's build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the LORD our God. We sought Him and He gave us rest on every side." So they built and succeeded.


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Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin bearing regular shields and drawing the bow. All these were brave warriors.


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Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of one million men and 300 chariots. They came as far as Mareshah.


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So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.


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Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: "LORD, there is no one besides You to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, LORD our God, for we depend on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder You."


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Then Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell until they had no survivors, for they were crushed before the LORD and before His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great supply of loot.


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Then they attacked all the cities around Gerar because the terror of the LORD was on them. They also plundered all the cities, since there was a great deal of plunder in them.


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They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and captured many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.


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So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.


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


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In those times there was no peace for those who went about their daily activities because the residents of the lands had many conflicts.


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When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of [Azariah son of] Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He renovated the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the LORD's [temple].


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Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, as well as those from [the tribes of] Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for they had defected to him from Israel in great numbers when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.


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At that time they sacrificed to the LORD 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep from all the plunder they had brought.


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Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their ancestors with all their mind and all their heart.


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All Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their mind. They had sought Him with all their heart, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.


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King Asa also removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen mother because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa chopped down her obscene image, then crushed it and burned it in the Kidron Valley.


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The high places were not taken away from Israel; nevertheless, Asa was wholehearted his entire life.


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He brought his father's consecrated gifts and his own consecrated gifts into God's temple: silver, gold, and utensils.


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In the thirty-sixth year of Asa, Israel's King Baasha went to war against Judah. He built Ramah in order to deny anyone's access-- going or coming-- to Judah's King Asa.


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So Asa brought out the silver and gold from the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace and sent it to Aram's King Ben-hadad, who lived in Damascus, saying,


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There's a treaty between me and you, between my father and your father. Look, I have sent you silver and gold. Go break your treaty with Israel's King Baasha so that he will withdraw from me."


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Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies to the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.


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Then King Asa brought all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had built it with. Then he built Geba and Mizpah with them.


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At that time, Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, "Because you depended on the king of Aram and have not depended on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.


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Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with very many chariots and horsemen? When you depended on the LORD, He handed them over to you.


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For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His. You have been foolish in this matter, for from now on, you will have wars."


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Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison because of his anger over this. And Asa mistreated some of the people at that time.


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Note that the events of Asa's [reign], from beginning to end, are written about in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


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In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a disease in his feet, and his disease became increasingly severe. Yet even in his disease he didn't seek the LORD but the physicians.


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He was buried in his own tomb that he had hewn out for himself in the city of David. They laid him out in a coffin that was full of spices and various mixtures of prepared ointments; then they made a great fire in his honor.


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He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.


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Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals


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but sought the God of his father and walked by His commands, not according to the practices of Israel.


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So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. Then all Judah brought him tribute, and he had riches and honor in abundance.


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His mind rejoiced in the LORD's ways, and he again removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.


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In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials-- Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah-- to teach in the cities of Judah.


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The Levites with them were Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah; the priests, Elishama and Jehoram, were with these Levites.


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They taught throughout Judah, [having] the book of the LORD's instruction with them. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.


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The terror of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so they didn't fight against Jehoshaphat.


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Some of the Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.


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and carried out great works in the towns of Judah. He had fighting men, brave warriors, in Jerusalem.


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These are their numbers according to their ancestral families. For Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander and 300,000 brave warriors with him;


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These were the ones who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.


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Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he made an alliance with Ahab through marriage.


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Then after some years, he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab sacrificed many sheep and cattle for him and for the people who were with him. Then he persuaded him to march up to Ramoth-gilead,


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for Israel's King Ahab asked Judah's King Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?" He replied to him, "I am as you are, my people as your people; [we will be] with you in the battle."


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So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, 400 men, and asked them, "Should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?" They replied, "March up, and God will hand it over to the king."


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The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man who can ask the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king shouldn't say that," Jehoshaphat replied.


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Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, clothed in royal attire, were each sitting on his own throne. They were sitting on the threshing floor at the entrance to Samaria's gate, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.


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And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, "March up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for the LORD will hand it over to the king."


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So he went to the king, and the king asked him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war, or should I refrain?" Micaiah said, "March up and succeed, for they will be handed over to you."


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So Micaiah said: I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, 'They have no master; let each return home in peace.'


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Then Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly host was standing at His right hand and at His left hand.


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And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' So one was saying this and another was saying that.


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Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will entice him.' "The LORD asked him, 'How?'


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So he said, 'I will go and become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' "Then He said, 'You will entice him and also prevail. Go and do that.'


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Now, you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit into the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you."


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But the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal attire." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.


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Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel."


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When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they shouted, "He must be the king of Israel!" So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.


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But a man drew his bow without taking special aim and struck the king of Israel through the joints of his armor. So he said to the charioteer, "Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!"


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The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then he died at sunset.


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Then Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Do you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the LORD's wrath is on you.


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However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God."


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Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD God of their ancestors.


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Then he said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the matter of judgment.


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And now, may the terror of the LORD be on you. Watch what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or taking bribes with the LORD our God."


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Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and priests and some of the heads of the Israelite families for [rendering] the LORD's judgments and for [settling] disputes of the residents of Jerusalem.


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He commanded them, saying, "In the fear of the LORD, with integrity, and with a whole heart, you are to do the following:


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for every dispute that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities-- whether it regards differences of bloodguilt, law, commandment, statutes, or judgments-- you are to warn them, so they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.


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Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers in your presence. Be strong; may the LORD be with those who do what is good."


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After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came [to fight] against Jehoshaphat.


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People came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast multitude from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come [to fight] against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, En-gedi).


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Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the LORD's temple before the new courtyard.


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He said: LORD God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.


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Are You not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?


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If disaster comes on us-- sword or judgment, pestilence or famine-- we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your name is in this temple. We will cry out to You because of our distress, and You will hear and deliver."


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Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and [the inhabitants of] Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.


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Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of Your possession that You gave us as an inheritance.


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Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast multitude that comes [to fight] against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.


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In the midst of the congregation, the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph's descendants),


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and he said, "Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.


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Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.


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You do not have to fight this [battle]. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. [He is] with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.'"


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Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.


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Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel shouting in a loud voice.


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In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed."


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Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the LORD and some to praise the splendor of [His] holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the LORD, for His faithful love endures forever.


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The moment they began [their] shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and [the inhabitants of] Mount Seir who came [to fight] against Judah, and they were defeated.


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The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.


text:
When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and there were corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.


text:
Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to gather the plunder. They found among them an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.


text:
They assembled in the Valley of Beracah on the fourth day, for there they praised the LORD. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.


text:
Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD enabled them to rejoice over their enemies.


text:
The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.


text:
Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became king; he reigned 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.


text:
He walked in the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it but did what was right in the LORD's sight.


text:
However, the high places were not taken away; the people had not yet determined in their hearts [to worship] the God of their ancestors.


text:
The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat's [reign] from beginning to end are written about in the Events of Jehu son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of Israel's Kings.


text:
After this, Judah's King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Israel's King Ahaziah, who was guilty of wrongdoing.


text:
Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.


text:
Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you formed an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD has broken up what you have made." So the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.


text:
Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.


text:
He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.


text:
Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, along with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.


text:
When Jehoram had established himself over his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel.


text:
He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab's daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in the LORD's sight,


text:
but because of the covenant the LORD had made with David, He was unwilling to destroy the house of David since the LORD had promised to give a lamp to David and to his sons forever.


text:
So Jehoram crossed [into Edom] with his commanders and all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders.


text:
So Edom is still in rebellion against Judah's domination today. Libnah also rebelled at that time against his domination because he had abandoned the LORD God of his ancestors.


text:
Jehoram also built high places in the hills of Judah, and he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and he led Judah astray.


text:
Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, saying: This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: "Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of Asa king of Judah


text:
but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves like the house of Ahab prostituted itself, and also have killed your brothers, your father's family, who were better than you,


text:
the LORD is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction.


text:
You yourself [will be struck] with many illnesses, including a disease of the intestines, until your intestines come out day after day because of the disease."


text:
The LORD put it into the mind of the Philistines and the Arabs who live near the Cushites to attack Jehoram.


text:
So they went to war against Judah and invaded it. They carried off all the possessions found in the king's palace and also his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son.


text:
This continued day after day until two full years passed. Then his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died from severe illnesses. But his people did not hold a fire in his honor like the fire in honor of his fathers.


text:
Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one's regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.


text:
Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, because the troops that had come with the Arabs to the camp had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah.


text:
Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king; he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Omri.


text:
So he did what was evil in the LORD's sight like the house of Ahab, for they were his advisers after the death of his father, to his destruction.


text:
He also followed their advice and went with Joram son of Israel's King Ahab to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, in Ramoth-gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram,


text:
so he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they inflicted on him in Ramoth-gilead when he fought against Aram's King Hazael. Then Judah's King Ahaziah son of Jehoram went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab since Joram was ill.


text:
With his going to Joram, Ahaziah's downfall was from God, for when Ahaziah went, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.


text:
So it happened when Jehu executed judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the rulers of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers who were serving Ahaziah, and he killed them.


text:
Then Jehu looked for Ahaziah, and Jehu's soldiers captured him (he was hiding in Samaria). Then they brought him to Jehu, and they killed him. They buried him, for they said, "He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat who sought the LORD with all his heart." So the house of Ahaziah had no one to exercise power over the kingdom.


text:
When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah.


text:
Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, rescued Joash son of Ahaziah from the king's sons who were being killed and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Now Jehoshabeath was the daughter of King Jehoram and the wife of Jehoiada the priest. Since she was Ahaziah's sister, she hid Joash from Athaliah so that she did not kill him.


text:
Then, in the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned his courage and took the commanders of hundreds into a covenant with him: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.


text:
They made a circuit throughout Judah. They gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah and the heads of the families of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.


text:
Then the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in God's temple. Jehoiada said to them, "Here is the king's son! He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning David's sons.


text:
This is what you are to do: one third of you, priests and Levites who are coming on duty on the Sabbath, are to be gatekeepers.


text:
A third are to be at the king's palace, and a third are to be at the Foundation Gate, and all the troops will be in the courtyards of the LORD's temple.


text:
No one is to enter the LORD's temple but the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are holy, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.


text:
You must completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who enters the temple is to be put to death. You must be with the king in all his daily tasks."


text:
So the commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest commanded. They each brought their men-- those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty on the Sabbath-- for Jehoiada the priest did not release the divisions.


text:
Jehoiada the priest gave to the commanders of hundreds King David's spears, shields, and quivers that were in God's temple.


text:
Then he stationed all the troops with their weapons in hand surrounding the king-- from the right side of the temple to the left side, by the altar and by the temple.


text:
They brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, gave him the testimony, and made him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and cried, "Long live the king!"


text:
When Athaliah heard the noise from the troops, the guards, and those praising the king, she went to the troops in the LORD's temple.


text:
As she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance. The commanders and the trumpeters were by the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets while the singers with musical instruments were leading the praise. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, "Treason, treason!"


text:
Then Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of hundreds, those in charge of the army, saying, "Take her out between the ranks, and put anyone who follows her to death by the sword," for the priest had said, "Don't put her to death in the LORD's temple."


text:
So they arrested her, and she went by the entrance of the Horses' Gate to the king's palace, where they put her to death.


text:
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, the king, and the people that they would be the LORD's people.


text:
So all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They broke its altars and images into pieces and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, at the altars.


text:
Then Jehoiada put the oversight of the LORD's temple into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the LORD's temple, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and song ordained by David.


text:
He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the LORD's temple so that nothing unclean could enter for any reason.


text:
Then he took [with him] the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land and brought the king down from the LORD's temple. They entered the king's palace through the upper [gate] and seated the king on the throne of the kingdom.


text:
All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death by the sword.


text:
Joash was seven years old when he became king; he reigned 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah; [she was] from Beer-sheba.


text:
So he gathered the priests and Levites and said, "Go out to the cities of Judah and collect money from all Israel to repair the temple of your God as needed year by year, and do it quickly." However, the Levites did not hurry.


text:
So the king called Jehoiada the high [priest] and said, "Why haven't you required the Levites to bring from Judah and Jerusalem the tax [imposed by] the LORD's servant Moses and the assembly of Israel for the tent of the testimony?


text:
For the sons of that wicked Athaliah broke into the LORD's temple and even used the sacred things of the LORD's temple for the Baals."


text:
Then a proclamation was issued in Judah and Jerusalem that the tax God's servant Moses [imposed] on Israel in the wilderness be brought to the LORD.


text:
All the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought [the tax], and put it in the chest until it was full.


text:
Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites to the king's overseers, and when they saw that there was a large amount of money, the king's secretary and the high priest's deputy came and emptied the chest, picked it up, and returned it to its place. They did this daily and gathered the money in abundance.


text:
Then the king and Jehoiada gave it to those in charge of the labor on the LORD's temple, who were hiring masons and carpenters to renovate the LORD's temple, also blacksmiths and coppersmiths to repair the LORD's temple.


text:
The workmen did their work, and through them the repairs progressed. They restored God's temple to its specifications and reinforced it.


text:
When they finished, they presented the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, who made articles for the LORD's temple with it-- articles for ministry and for making burnt offerings, and ladles and articles of gold and silver. They regularly offered burnt offerings in the LORD's temple throughout Jehoiada's life.


text:
He was buried in the city of David with the kings because he had done [what was] good in Israel with respect to God and His temple.


text:
However, after Jehoiada died, the rulers of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them,


text:
and they abandoned the temple of the LORD God of their ancestors and served the Asherah poles and the idols. So there was wrath against Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.


text:
Nevertheless, He sent them prophets to bring them back to the LORD; they admonished them, but they would not listen.


text:
The Spirit of God took control of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood above the people and said to them, "This is what God says: 'Why are you transgressing the LORD's commands and you do not prosper? Because you have abandoned the LORD, He has abandoned you.'"


text:
But they conspired against him and stoned him at the king's command in the courtyard of the LORD's temple.


text:
King Joash didn't remember the kindness that Zechariah's father Jehoiada had extended to him, but killed his son. While he was dying, he said, "May the LORD see and demand an account."


text:
At the turn of the year, an Aramean army went to war against Joash. They entered Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the leaders of the people among them and sent all the plunder to the king of Damascus.


text:
Although the Aramean army came with only a few men, the LORD handed over a vast army to them because the people of Judah had abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors. So they executed judgment on Joash.


text:
When the Arameans saw that Joash had many wounds, they left him. His servants conspired against him, and killed him on his bed, because he had shed the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest. So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.


text:
Those who conspired against him were Zabad, son of the Ammonite woman Shimeath, and Jehozabad, son of the Moabite woman Shimrith.


text:
Concerning his sons, the many oracles about him, and the restoration of the LORD's temple, they are recorded in the Writing of the Book of the Kings. His son Amaziah became king in his place.


text:
Amaziah became king [when he was] 25 years old; he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan; [she was] from Jerusalem.


text:
As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, he executed his servants who had murdered his father the king.


text:
However, he did not put their children to death, because-- as it is written in the Law, in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded-- "Fathers must not die because of children, and children must not die because of fathers, but each one will die for his own sin."


text:
Then Amaziah gathered Judah and assembled them according to patriarchal family, according to commanders of thousands, and according to commanders of hundreds. He numbered those 20 years old or more for all Judah and Benjamin. He found there to be 300,000 choice men who could serve in the army, bearing spear and shield.


text:
However, a man of God came to him and said, "King, do not let Israel's army go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel-- all the Ephraimites.


text:
But if you go [with them], do it! Be strong for battle! [But] God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to make one stumble.


text:
Then Amaziah said to the man of God, "What should I do about the 7,500 pounds of silver I gave to Israel's division?" The man of God replied, "The LORD is able to give you much more than this."


text:
So Amaziah released the division that came to him from Ephraim to go home. But they got very angry with Judah and returned home in a fierce rage.


text:
Amaziah strengthened his position and led his people to the Valley of Salt. He struck down 10,000 Seirites,


text:
and the Judahites captured 10,000 alive. They took them to the top of a cliff where they threw them off, and all of them were dashed to pieces.


text:
As for the men of the division that Amaziah sent back so they would not go with him into battle, they raided the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth-horon, struck down 3,000 of their people, and took a great deal of plunder.


text:
After Amaziah came from the attack on the Edomites, he brought the gods of the Seirites and set them up as his gods. He worshiped before them and burned incense to them.


text:
So the LORD's anger was against Amaziah, and He sent a prophet to him, who said, "Why have you sought a people's gods that could not deliver their own people from your hand?"


text:
While he was still speaking to him, the king asked, "Have we made you the king's counselor? Stop, why should you lose your life?" So the prophet stopped, but he said, "I know that God intends to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my advice."


text:
King Amaziah of Judah took counsel and sent [word] to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet face to face."


text:
King Jehoash of Israel sent [word] to King Amaziah of Judah, saying, "The thistle that was in Lebanon sent [a message] to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son as a wife.' Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle.


text:
You have said, 'Look, I have defeated Edom,' and you have become overconfident that you will get glory. Now stay at home. Why stir up such trouble so that you fall and Judah with you?"


text:
But Amaziah would not listen, for this [turn of events] was from God in order to hand them over to [their enemies] because they went after the gods of Edom.


text:
So King Jehoash of Israel advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah faced off at Beth-shemesh in Judah.


text:
King Jehoash of Israel captured Judah's King Amaziah son of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh. Then Jehoash took him to Jerusalem and broke down 200 yards of Jerusalem's wall from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate.


text:
He took all the gold, silver, all the utensils that were found with Obed-edom in God's temple, the treasures of the king's palace, and the hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.


text:
The rest of the events of Amaziah's [reign], from beginning to end, are written about in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
From the time Amaziah turned from following the LORD, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. However, [men] were sent after him to Lachish, and they put him to death there.


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


text:
Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king; he reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah; [she was] from Jerusalem.


text:
He sought God throughout the lifetime of Zechariah, the teacher of the fear of God. During the time that he sought the LORD, God gave him success.


text:
Uzziah went out to wage war against the Philistines, and he tore down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod. Then he built cities in [the vicinity of] Ashdod and among the Philistines.


text:
The Ammonites gave Uzziah tribute money, and his fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for [God] made [him] very powerful.


text:
Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the corner buttress, and he fortified them.


text:
Since he had many cattle both in the lowlands and the plain, he built towers in the desert and dug many wells. And since he was a lover of the soil, he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands.


text:
Uzziah had an army equipped for combat that went out to war by division according to the their assignments, as recorded by Jeiel the court secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the authority of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders.


text:
Under their authority was an army of 307,500 equipped for combat, a powerful force to help the king against the enemy.


text:
He made skillfully designed devices in Jerusalem to shoot arrows and [catapult] large stones for use on the towers and on the corners. So his fame spread even to distant places, for he was marvelously helped until he became strong.


text:
But when he became strong, he grew arrogant and it led to his own destruction. He acted unfaithfully against the LORD his God by going into the LORD's sanctuary to burn incense on the incense altar.


text:
They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, "Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD-- only the consecrated priests, the descendants of Aaron, have the right to offer incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully! You will not receive honor from the LORD God."


text:
Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But when he became enraged with the priests, in the presence of the priests in the LORD's temple beside the altar of incense, a skin disease broke out on his forehead.


text:
Then Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw that he was diseased on his forehead. They rushed him out of there. He himself also hurried to get out because the LORD had afflicted him.


text:
So King Uzziah was diseased to the time of his death. He lived in quarantinewith a serious skin disease and was excluded from access to the LORD's temple, while his son Jotham was over the king's household governing the people of the land.


text:
Now the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz wrote about the rest of the events of Uzziah's [reign], from beginning to end.


text:
Uzziah rested with his fathers, and he was buried with his fathers in the burial ground of the kings' cemetery, for they said, "He has a skin disease." His son Jotham became king in his place.


text:
Jotham was 25 years old when he became king; he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.


text:
He did what was right in the LORD's sight as his father Uzziah had done, except that he didn't enter the LORD's sanctuary. However, the people still behaved corruptly.


text:
He waged war against the king of the Ammonites. He overpowered the Ammonites, and that year they gave him 7,500 pounds of silver, 50,000 bushels of wheat, and 50,000 bushels of barley. They paid him the same in the second and third years.


text:
As for the rest of the events of Jotham's [reign], along with all his wars and his ways, note that they are written about in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.


text:
Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Ahaz became king in his place.


text:
Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king; he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the LORD's sight like his forefather David,


text:
He burned incense in the Valley of Hinnom and burned his children in the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites.


text:
So the LORD his God handed Ahaz over to the king of Aram. He attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also handed over to the king of Israel, who struck him with great force:


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


text:
An Ephraimite warrior named Zichri killed the king's son Maaseiah, Azrikam governor of the palace, and Elkanah who was second to the king.


text:
Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their brothers-- women, sons, and daughters. They also took a great deal of plunder from them and brought it to Samaria.


text:
A prophet of the LORD named Oded was there. He went out to meet the army that came to Samaria and said to them, "Look, the LORD God of your ancestors handed them over to you because of His wrath against Judah, but you slaughtered them in a rage that has reached heaven.


text:
Now you plan to reduce the people of Judah and Jerusalem, male and female, to slavery. Are you not also guilty before the LORD your God?


text:
Listen to me and return the captives you took from your brothers, for the LORD's fierce wrath is on you."


text:
So some men who were leaders of the Ephraimites-- Azariah son of Johanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai-- stood in opposition to those coming from the war.


text:
They said to them, "You must not bring the captives here, for you plan to bring guilt on us from the LORD to add to our sins and our guilt. For we have much guilt, and fierce wrath is on Israel."


text:
Then the men who were designated by name took charge of the captives and provided clothes for their naked ones from the plunder. They clothed them, gave them sandals, food and drink, dressed their wounds, and provided donkeys for all the feeble. The Israelites brought them to Jericho, the City of Palms, among their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.


text:
The Philistines also raided the cities of the Judean foothills and the Negev of Judah and captured Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco and its villages, Timnah and its villages, Gimzo and its villages, and they lived there.


text:
For the LORD humbled Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah, who threw off restraint in Judah and was unfaithful to the LORD.


text:
Then Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came against Ahaz; he oppressed him and did not give him support.


text:
Although Ahaz plundered the LORD's temple and the palace of the king and of the rulers and gave the plunder to the king of Assyria, it did not help him.


text:
He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him; he said, "Since the gods of the kings of Aram are helping them, I will sacrifice to them so that they will help me." But they were the downfall of him and of all Israel.


text:
Then Ahaz gathered up the utensils of God's temple, cut them into pieces, shut the doors of the LORD's temple, and made himself altars on every street corner in Jerusalem.


text:
He made high places in every city of Judah to offer incense to other gods, and he provoked the God of his ancestors.


text:
As for the rest of his deeds and all his ways, from beginning to end, they are written about in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in the city, in Jerusalem, and his son Hezekiah became king in his place.


text:
Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king; he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah.


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


text:
He said to them, "Hear me, Levites. Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the LORD God of your ancestors. Remove everything detestable from the holy place.


text:
For our fathers were unfaithful and did what is evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They abandoned Him, turned their faces away from the LORD's tabernacle, and turned their backs on Him.


text:
They also closed the doors of the vestibule, extinguished the lamps, did not burn incense, and did not offer burnt offerings in the holy place of the God of Israel.


text:
Therefore, the wrath of the LORD was on Judah and Jerusalem, and He made them an object of terror, horror, and hissing, as you see with your own eyes.


text:
Our fathers fell by the sword, and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity because of this.


text:
It is in my heart now to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel so that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.


text:
My sons, don't be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in His presence, to serve Him, and to be His ministers and burners of incense."


text:
Then the Levites stood up: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;


text:
They gathered their brothers together, consecrated themselves, and went according to the king's command by the words of the LORD to cleanse the LORD's temple.


text:
The priests went to the entrance of the LORD's temple to cleanse it. They took all the detestable things they found in the LORD's sanctuary to the courtyard of the LORD's temple. Then the Levites received them and took them outside to the Kidron Valley.


text:
They began the consecration on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the LORD's [temple]. They consecrated the LORD's temple for eight days, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.


text:
Then they went inside to King Hezekiah and said, "We have cleansed the whole temple of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the table for the rows [of the bread of the Presence] and all its utensils.


text:
All the utensils that King Ahaz rejected during his reign when he became unfaithful we have set up and consecrated. They are in front of the altar of the LORD."


text:
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. Then he told the descendants of Aaron, the priests, to offer them on the altar of the LORD.


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


text:
Then they brought the sin offering goats right into the presence of the king and the congregation, who laid their hands on them.


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The priests slaughtered the goats and put their blood on the altar for a sin offering, to make atonement for all Israel, for the king said that the burnt offering and sin offering were for all Israel.


text:
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the LORD's temple with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet. For the command was from the LORD through His prophets.


text:
Then Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. When the burnt offerings began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel.


text:
The whole assembly was worshiping, singing the song, and blowing the trumpets-- all of this [continued] until the burnt offering was completed.


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When the burnt offerings were completed, the king and all those present with him bowed down and worshiped.


text:
Then King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to sing praise to the LORD in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with rejoicing and bowed down and worshiped.


text:
Hezekiah concluded, "Now you are consecrated to the LORD. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the LORD's temple." So the congregation brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all those with willing hearts brought burnt offerings.


text:
The number of burnt offerings the congregation brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.


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However, since there were not enough priests, they weren't able to skin all the burnt offerings, so their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests were.


text:
Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the fellowship offerings and with the drink offerings for the burnt offering. So the service of the LORD's temple was established.


text:
Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over how God had prepared the people, for it had come about suddenly.


text:
Then Hezekiah sent [word] throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh to come to the LORD's temple in Jerusalem to observe the Passover of the LORD God of Israel.


text:
For the king and his officials and the entire congregation in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover of the LORD in the second month


text:
because they were not able to observe it at the appropriate time, since not enough of the priests had consecrated themselves and the people hadn't been gathered together in Jerusalem.


text:
so they affirmed the proposal and spread the message throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, to come to observe the Passover of the LORD God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they hadn't observed it often, as prescribed.


text:
So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king's command, saying, "Israelites, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that He may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped from the grasp of the kings of Assyria.


text:
Don't be like your fathers and your brothers who were unfaithful to the LORD God of their ancestors so that He made them an object of horror as you yourselves see.


text:
Don't become obstinate now like your fathers did. Give your allegiance to the LORD, and come to His sanctuary that He has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God so that He may turn His fierce wrath away from you,


text:
for when you return to the LORD, your brothers and your sons [will receive] mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn [His] face away from you if you return to Him."


text:
The couriers traveled from city to city in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but the inhabitants laughed at them and mocked them.


text:
Also, the hand of God was in Judah to give them one heart to carry out the command of the king and his officials by the word of the LORD.


text:
A very large assembly of people was gathered in Jerusalem to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month.


text:
They proceeded to take away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and they took away the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley.


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


text:
They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the law of Moses the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood [received] from the hand of the Levites,


text:
for there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, and so the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover [lambs] for every unclean person to consecrate [the lambs] to the LORD.


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For a large number of the people-- many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun-- were unclean, yet they had eaten the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah had interceded for them, saying, "May the good LORD provide atonement on behalf of


text:
whoever sets his whole heart on seeking God, the LORD God of his ancestors, even though not according to the purification [rules] of the sanctuary."


text:
The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day after day with loud instruments.


text:
Then Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD. They ate the appointed feast for seven days, sacrificing fellowship offerings and giving thanks to the LORD God of their ancestors.


text:
for Hezekiah king of Judah contributed 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for the congregation. Also, the officials contributed 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep for the congregation, and many priests consecrated themselves.


text:
Then the whole assembly of Judah with the priests and Levites, the whole assembly that came from Israel, the foreigners who came from the land of Israel, and those who were living in Judah, rejoiced.


text:
Such rejoicing had not been seen in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel.


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Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.


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When all this was completed, all Israel who had attended went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, to the last one.Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own possession.


text:
Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites for the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD, each division corresponding to his service among the priests and Levites.


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The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings of the Sabbaths, of the New Moons, and of the appointed feasts, as written in the law of the LORD.


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He told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote their energy to the law of the LORD.


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When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought an abundant tenth of everything.


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As for the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah, they also [brought] a tenth of the cattle and sheep, and a tenth of the dedicated things that were consecrated to the LORD their God. They gathered [them] into large piles.


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When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the piles, they praised the LORD and His people Israel.


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Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, "Since they began bringing the offering to the LORD's temple, we eat and are satisfied and there is plenty left over because the LORD has blessed His people; this abundance is what is left over."


text:
The offering, the tenth, and the dedicated things were brought faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second.


text:
Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were deputies under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the ruler of God's temple.


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Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was over the freewill offerings to God to distribute the contribution to the LORD and the consecrated things.


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Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah in the cities of the priests were to faithfully distribute [it] under his authority to their brothers by divisions, whether large or small.


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In addition, [they distributed it] to males registered by genealogy three years old and above; to all who would enter the LORD's temple for their daily duty, for their service in their responsibilities according to their divisions.


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[They distributed also] to those recorded by genealogy of the priests by their ancestral families and the Levites 20 years old and above, by their responsibilities in their divisions;


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to those registered by genealogy-- with all their infants, wives, sons, and daughters-- of the whole assembly (for they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy);


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and to the descendants of Aaron, the priests, in the common fields of their cities, in each and every city. [There were] men who were registered by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite recorded by genealogy.


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Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God.


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He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.


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After these faithful deeds, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities and intended to break into them.


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so he consulted with his officials and his warriors about stopping up the waters of the springs that were outside the city, and they helped him.


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Many people gathered and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land; they said, "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?"


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Then Hezekiah strengthened his position by rebuilding the entire broken-down wall and heightening the towers and the other outside wall. He repaired the supporting terraces of the city of David, and made an abundance of weapons and shields.


text:
He set military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying,


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Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria or before all the multitude with him, for there are more with us than with him.


text:
He has only human strength,but we have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." So the people relied on the words of King Hezekiah of Judah.


text:
After this, while Sennacherib king of Assyria with all his armed forces besieged Lachish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem against King Hezekiah of Judah and against all those of Judah who were in Jerusalem, saying,


text:
This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: 'What are you trusting in, you who remain under the siege of Jerusalem?


text:
Isn't Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, "The LORD our God will deliver us from the power of the king of Assyria"?


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Didn't Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem: "You must worship before one altar, and you must burn incense on it"?


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'Don't you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have any of the national gods of the lands been able to deliver their land from my power?


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Who among all the gods of these nations that my fathers utterly destroyed was able to deliver his people from my power, that your God should be able to do the same for you?


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So now, don't let Hezekiah deceive you, and don't let him mislead you like this. Don't believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my power or the power of my fathers. How much less will your gods deliver you from my power!'"


text:
He also wrote letters to mock the LORD God of Israel, saying against Him: Just like the national gods of the lands that did not deliver their people from my power, so Hezekiah's God will not deliver His people from my power.


text:
Then they called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall to frighten and discourage them in order that he might capture the city.


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They spoke against the God of Jerusalem like they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the land, which were made by human hands.


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and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every brave warrior, leader, and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned with shame to his land. He went to the temple of his god, and there some of his own children cut him down with the sword.


text:
So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the power of King Sennacherib of Assyria and from the power of all others. He gave them rest on every side.


text:
Many were bringing an offering to the LORD to Jerusalem and valuable gifts to King Hezekiah of Judah, and he was exalted in the eyes of all the nations after that.


text:
In those days Hezekiah became sick to the point of death, so he prayed to the LORD, and He spoke to him and gave him a miraculous sign.


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However, because his heart was proud, Hezekiah didn't respond according to the benefit that had come to him. So there was wrath upon him, upon Judah, and upon Jerusalem.


text:
Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart-- he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem-- so the LORD's wrath didn't come on them during Hezekiah's lifetime.


text:
Hezekiah had abundant riches and glory, and he made himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and every desirable item.


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He made warehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil, and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and pens for flocks.


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He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him abundant possessions.


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This same Hezekiah blocked the outlet of the water of the Upper Gihon and channeled it smoothly downward and westward to the city of David. Hezekiah succeeded in everything he did.


text:
When the ambassadors of Babylon's rulers were sent to him to inquire about the miraculous sign that happened in the land, God left him to test him and discover what was in his heart.


text:
As for the rest of the events of Hezekiah's [reign] and his deeds of faithful love, note that they are written about in the Visions of the Prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, and in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.


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Hezekiah rested with his fathers and was buried on the ascent to the tombs of David's descendants. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem paid him honor at his death. His son Manasseh became king in his place.


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He did what was evil in the LORD's sight, imitating the detestable practices of the nations that the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites.


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He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down and reestablished the altars for the Baals. He made Asherah poles, and he worshiped the whole heavenly host and served them.


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He built altars in the LORD's temple, where the LORD had said: "Jerusalem is where My name will remain forever."


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He passed his sons through the fire in the Valley of Hinnom. He practiced witchcraft, divination, and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did a great deal of evil in the LORD's sight, provoking Him.


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Manasseh set up a carved image of the idol he had made, in God's temple, about which God had said to David and his son Solomon: "I will establish My name forever in this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.


text:
I will never again remove the feet of the Israelites from upon the land where I stationed your ancestors, if only they will be careful to do all that I have commanded them through Moses-- all the law, statutes, and judgments."


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So Manasseh caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to stray so that they did worse evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.


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So He brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria. They captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze [shackles], and took him to Babylon.


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When he was in distress, he sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors.


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He prayed to Him, so He heard his petition and granted his request, and brought him back to Jerusalem, to his kingdom. So Manasseh came to know that the LORD is God.


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After this, he built the outer wall of the city of David from west of Gihon in the valley to the entrance of the Fish Gate; he brought it around the Ophel, and he heightened it considerably. He also placed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah.


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He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the LORD's temple, along with all the altars that he had built on the mountain of the LORD's temple and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside the city.


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He built the altar of the LORD and offered fellowship and thank offerings on it. Then he told Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.


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The rest of the events of Manasseh's [reign], along with his prayer to his God and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, are [written about] in the Events of Israel's Kings.


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His prayer and how God granted his request, and all his sin and unfaithfulness and the sites where he built high places and set up Asherah poles and carved images before he humbled himself, they are written about in the Records of Hozai.


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Manasseh rested with his fathers, and he was buried in his own house. His son Amon became king in his place.


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He did what was evil in the LORD's sight just as his father Manasseh had done. Amon sacrificed to all the carved images that his father Manasseh had made, and he served them.


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But he did not humble himself before the LORD like his father Manasseh humbled himself; instead, Amon increased [his] guilt.


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Then the common people executed all those who conspired against King Amon and made his son Josiah king in his place.


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He did what was right in the LORD's sight and walked in the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn aside to the right or the left.


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In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images.


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Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and the incense altars that were above them he chopped down. The Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images he shattered, crushed to dust, and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.


text:
[He did the same] in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, and as far as Naphtali [and] on their surrounding mountain shrines.


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He tore down the altars, and he smashed the Asherah poles and the carved images to powder. He chopped down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel and returned to Jerusalem.


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In the eighteenth year of his reign, in order to cleanse the land and the temple, Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, along with Maaseiah the governor of the city and the recorder Joah son of Joahaz, to repair the temple of the LORD his God.


text:
So they went to Hilkiah the high priest, and gave him the money brought into God's temple. The Levites and the doorkeepers had collected [money] from Manasseh, Ephraim, and from the entire remnant of Israel, and from all Judah, Benjamin, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


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They put it into the hands of those doing the work-- those who oversaw the LORD's temple. They [in turn] gave it to the workmen who were working in the LORD's temple, to repair and restore the temple;


text:
they gave it to the carpenters and builders and [also used it] to buy quarried stone and timbers-- for joining and to make beams-- for the buildings that Judah's Kings had destroyed.


text:
The men were doing the work with integrity. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah the Levites from the Merarites, and Zechariah and Meshullam from the Kohathites as supervisors. The Levites were all skilled on musical instruments.


text:
[They were] also over the porters and were supervising all those doing the work task by task. Some of the Levites were secretaries, officers, and gatekeepers.


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When they brought out the money that had been deposited in the LORD's temple, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the LORD [written] by the hand of Moses.


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Consequently, Hilkiah told Shaphan the court secretary, "I have found the book of the law in the LORD's temple," and he gave the book to Shaphan.


text:
Shaphan took the book to the king, and also reported, "Your servants are doing all that was placed in their hands.


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They have emptied out the money that was found in the LORD's temple and have put it into the hand of the overseers and the hand of those doing the work."


text:
Then Shaphan the court secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest gave me a book," and Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.


text:
Then he commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the court secretary, and the king's servant Asaiah,


text:
Go. Inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book that was found. For great is the LORD's wrath that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD in order to do everything written in this book."


text:
So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went to the prophetess Huldah, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the Second District. They spoke with her about this.


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'This is what the LORD says: I am about to bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, [fulfilling] all the curses written in the book that they read in the presence of the king of Judah,


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because they have abandoned Me and burned incense to other gods in order to provoke Me with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out on this place, and it will not be quenched.'


text:
Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD: 'This is what the LORD God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard,


text:
because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I Myself have heard'-- this is the LORD speaking.


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'I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place and on its inhabitants.'" Then they reported to the king.


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Then the king went up to the LORD's temple with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites-- all the people from great to small. He read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the LORD's temple.


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Next the king stood at his post and made a covenant in the LORD's presence to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, His decrees, and His statutes with all his heart and with all his soul in order to carry out the words of the covenant written in this book.


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Then he had all those present in Jerusalem and Benjamin enter [the covenant]. So all the inhabitants of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.


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So Josiah removed everything that was detestable from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required all who were present in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD God of their ancestors.


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Josiah observed the LORD's Passover and slaughtered the Passover [lambs] on the fourteenth day of the first month.


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He appointed the priests to their responsibilities and encouraged them to serve in the LORD's temple.


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He said to the Levites who taught all Israel the holy things of the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. Since you do not have to carry it on your shoulders, now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.


text:
Organize your ancestral houses by your divisions according to the written instruction of David king of Israel and that of his son Solomon.


text:
Serve in the holy place by the divisions of the ancestral houses for your brothers, the lay people, and the distribution of the tribal household of the Levites.


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Slaughter the Passover [lambs], consecrate yourselves, and make preparations for your brothers to carry out the word of the LORD through Moses."


text:
Then Josiah donated 30,000 sheep, lambs, and kid goats, plus 3,000 bulls from his own possessions, for the Passover sacrifices for all the lay people who were present.


text:
His officials also donated willingly for the people, the priests, and the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, leaders of God's temple, gave 2,600 Passover sacrifices and 300 bulls for the priests.


text:
Conaniah and his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, officers of the Levites, donated 5,000 Passover sacrifices for the Levites, plus 500 bulls.


text:
So the service was established; the priests stood at their posts and the Levites in their divisions according to the king's command.


text:
Then they slaughtered the Passover [lambs], and while the Levites were skinning the [animals], the priests sprinkled the blood they had been given.


text:
They removed the burnt offerings so that they might be given to the divisions of the ancestral houses of the lay people to offer to the LORD, according to what is written in the book of Moses; [they did] the same with the bulls.


text:
They roasted the Passover [lambs] with fire according to regulation. They boiled the holy [sacrifices] in pots, in kettles, and in bowls; and they quickly brought [them] to the lay people.


text:
Afterwards, they made preparations for themselves and for the priests, since the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were busy offering up burnt offerings and fat until night. So the Levites made preparations for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron.


text:
The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer. Also, the gatekeepers were at each gate. Because their Levite brothers had made preparations for them, none of them left their tasks.


text:
So all the service of the LORD was established that day for observing the Passover and for offering burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD, according to the command of King Josiah.


text:
The Israelites who were present [in Judah] also observed the Passover at that time and the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days.


text:
No Passover had been observed like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present [in Judah], and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


text:
After all this that Josiah had prepared for the temple, Neco king of Egypt marched up to fight at Carchemish by the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to confront him.


text:
But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, "What is [the issue] between you and me, king of Judah? I have not come against you today but to the dynasty I am fighting. God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God who is with me; don't make Him destroy you!"


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But Josiah did not turn away from him; instead, in order to fight with him he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco's words from the mouth of God, but went to the Valley of Megiddo to fight.


text:
The archers shot King Josiah, and he said to his servants, "Take me away, for I am severely wounded!"


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So his servants took him out of the war chariot, carried him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem. Then he died, and they buried him in the tomb of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.


text:
Jeremiah chanted a dirge over Josiah, and all the singing men and singing women still speak of Josiah in their dirges to this very day. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Dirges.


text:
The rest of the events of Josiah's [reign], along with his deeds of faithful love according to what is written in the law of the LORD,


text:
and his words, from beginning to end, are written about in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.


text:
Then the common people took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father.


text:
The king of Egypt deposed him in Jerusalem and fined the land 7,500 pounds of silver and 75 pounds of gold.


text:
Then [Neco] king of Egypt made Jehoahaz's brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took his brother Jehoahaz and brought him to Egypt.


text:
Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he became king; he reigned 11 years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.


text:
Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked him and bound him in bronze [shackles] to take him to Babylon.


text:
Also Nebuchadnezzar took some of the utensils of the LORD's temple to Babylon and put them in his temple in Babylon.


text:
The rest of the deeds of Jehoiakim, the detestable things he did, and what was found against him, are written about in the Book of Israel's Kings. His brother Jehoiachin became king in his place.


text:
Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he became king; he reigned three months and 10 days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the LORD's sight.


text:
In the spring Nebuchadnezzar sent [for him] and brought him to Babylon along with the valuable utensils of the LORD's temple. Then he made Jehoiachin's brother Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet at the LORD's command.


text:
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance by God. He became obstinate and hardened his heart against returning to the LORD God of Israel.


text:
All the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, imitating all the detestable practices of the nations, and they defiled the LORD's temple that He had consecrated in Jerusalem.


text:
But the LORD God of their ancestors sent word against them by the hand of his messengers, sending them time and time again, for He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.


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But they kept ridiculing God's messengers, despising His words, and scoffing at His prophets, until the LORD's wrath was so stirred up against His people that there was no remedy.


text:
So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their choice young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary. He had no pity on young man and virgin or elderly and aged; He handed them all over to him.


text:
He took everything to Babylon-- all the articles of God's temple, large and small, the treasures of the LORD's temple, and the treasures of the king and his officials.


text:
Then the Chaldeans burned God's temple. They tore down Jerusalem's wall, burned down all its palaces, and destroyed all its valuable utensils.


text:
Those who escaped from the sword he deported to Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the rise of the Persian kingdom.


text:
This fulfilled the word of the LORD through Jeremiah and the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation until 70 years were fulfilled.


text:
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The LORD put it into the mind of King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and also [to put it] in writing:


text:
This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a temple at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you of His people may go up, and may the LORD his God be with him.


text:
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The LORD put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and [to put it] in writing:


text:
This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah.


text:
Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.


text:
Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem."


text:
So the family leaders of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites-- everyone God had motivated-- prepared to go up and rebuild the LORD's house in Jerusalem.


text:
All their neighbors supported them with silver articles, gold, goods, livestock, and valuables, in addition to all that was given as a freewill offering.


text:
King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the LORD's house that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and had placed in the house of his gods.


text:
King Cyrus of Persia had them brought out under the supervision of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.


text:
The gold and silver articles totaled 5,400. Sheshbazzar brought all of them when the exiles went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.


text:
These now are the people of the province who came from those captive exiles King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had deported to Babylon. Each of them returned to his hometown Jerusalem and Judah.


text:
They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the Israelite men [included]:


text:
The gatekeepers' descendants [included]: Shallum's descendants, Ater's descendants, Talmon's descendants, Akkub's descendants, Hatita's descendants, Shobai's descendants, in all 139


text:
The descendants of Solomon's servants [included]: Sotai's descendants, Hassophereth's descendants, Peruda's descendants,


text:
Shephatiah's descendants, Hattil's descendants, Pochereth-hazzebaim's descendants, and Ami's descendants.


text:
The following are those who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer but were unable to prove that their families and ancestry were Israelite:


text:
and from the descendants of the priests: the descendants of Habaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, the descendants of Barzillai-- who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name.


text:
These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood.


text:
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.


text:
After they arrived at the LORD's house in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders gave freewill offerings for the house of God in order to have it rebuilt on its [original] site.


text:
Based on what they could give, they gave 61,000 gold coins, 6,250 pounds of silver, and 100 priestly garments to the treasury for the project.


text:
The priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, and some of the people settled in their towns, and [the rest of] Israel [settled] in their towns.


text:
By the seventh month, the Israelites had settled in their towns, and the people gathered together in Jerusalem.


text:
Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his brothers began to build the altar of Israel's God in order to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.


text:
They set up the altar on its foundation and offered burnt offerings for the morning and evening on it to the LORD even though they feared the surrounding peoples.


text:
They celebrated the Festival of Booths as prescribed, and [offered] burnt offerings each day, based on the number specified by ordinance for each festival day.


text:
After that, [they offered] the regular burnt offering and the offerings for the beginning of each monthand for all the LORD's appointed holy occasions, as well as the freewill offerings brought to the LORD.


text:
On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, even though the foundation of the LORD's temple had not [yet] been laid.


text:
They gave money to the stonecutters and artisans, and [gave] food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so they could bring cedar wood from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, according to the authorization [given] them by King Cyrus of Persia.


text:
In the second month of the second year after they arrived at God's house in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers, including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began [to build]. They appointed the Levites who were 20 years old or more to supervise the work on the LORD's house.


text:
Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah and of Henadad, with their sons and brothers, the Levites, joined together to supervise those working on the house of God.


text:
When the builders had laid the foundation of the LORD's temple, the priests, dressed in their robes and holding trumpets, and the Levites descended from Asaph, holding cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as King David of Israel had instructed.


text:
They sang with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: "For He is good; His faithful love to Israel endures forever." Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD because the foundation of the LORD's house had been laid.


text:
But many of the older priests, Levites, and family leaders, who had seen the first temple, wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this house, but many [others] shouted joyfully.


text:
The people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shouting from that of the weeping, because the people were shouting so loudly. And the sound was heard far away.


text:
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel,


text:
they approached Zerubbabel and the leaders of the families and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time King Esar-haddon of Assyria brought us here."


text:
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel's families answered them, "You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build [it] for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us."


text:
Then the people who were already in the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build.


text:
They also bribed officials [to act] against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.


text:
At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, the people who were already in the land wrote an accusation against the residents of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
During the time of [King] Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.


text:
Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows:


text:
[From] Rehum the chief deputy, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues-- the judges and magistrates from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa (that is, the people of Elam),


text:
and the rest of the peoples whom the great and illustrious Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and the region west of the Euphrates River.


text:
This is the text of the letter they sent to him: To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men from the region west of the Euphrates River:


text:
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations.


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Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, they will not pay tribute, duty, or land tax, and the royal revenue will suffer.


text:
Since we have taken an oath of loyalty to the king, and it is not right for us to witness his dishonor, we have sent to inform the king


text:
that a search should be made in your fathers' record books. In these record books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces. There have been revolts in it since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.


text:
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.


text:
The king sent a reply to his chief deputy Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates River: Greetings.


text:
I issued a decree and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and there have been rebellions and revolts in it.


text:
Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.


text:
Therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a [further] decree has been pronounced by me.


text:
See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests will suffer.


text:
As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes' letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them.


text:
Now the construction of God's house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.


text:
But when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them,


text:
Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak began to rebuild God's house in Jerusalem. The prophets of God were with them, helping them.


text:
At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues came to the Jews and asked, "Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure?"


text:
But God was watching over the Jewish elders. These men wouldn't stop them until a report was sent to Darius, so that they could receive written instructions about this [matter].


text:
This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius.


text:
Let it be known to the king that we went to the house of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being built with cut stones, and its beams are being set in the walls. This work is being done diligently and succeeding through the people's efforts.


text:
So we questioned the elders and asked, "Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure?"


text:
We also asked them for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.


text:
This is the reply they gave us: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.


text:
But since our fathers angered the God of heaven, He handed them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.


text:
However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, he issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.


text:
He also took from the temple in Babylon the gold and silver articles of God's house that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and carried [them] to the temple in Babylon. He released them from the temple in Babylon to a man named Sheshbazzar, the governor by the appointment of King Cyrus.


text:
He told him, 'Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its [original] site.'


text:
Then this same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of God's house in Jerusalem. It has been under construction from that time until now, yet it has not been completed.


text:
So if it pleases the king, let a search of the royal archives in Babylon be conducted [to see] if it is true that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Let the king's decision regarding [this matter] be sent to us.


text:
But it was in the fortress of Ecbatana in the province of Media that a scroll was found with this record written on it:


text:
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its [original] foundations be retained. Its height is to be 90 feet and its width 90 feet,


text:
The gold and silver articles of God's house that Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon must also be returned. They are to be brought to the temple in Jerusalem, where they belong, and put into the house of God.


text:
Therefore, you must stay away from that place, Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and your colleagues, the officials in the region.


text:
Leave the construction of this house of God alone. Let the governor and elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its [original] site.


text:
I hereby issue a decree concerning what you must do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men out of the royal revenues from the taxes of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that the [work] will not stop.


text:
Whatever is needed-- young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, or wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem-- let it be given to them every day without fail,


text:
so that they can offer sacrifices of pleasing aroma to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.


text:
I also issue a decree concerning any man who interferes with this directive: Let a beam be torn from his house and raised up; he will be impaled on it, and his house will be made into a garbage dump because of this [offense].


text:
May the God who caused His name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who dares to harm or interfere with this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out diligently.


text:
Then Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates River, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues diligently carried out what King Darius had decreed.


text:
So the Jewish elders continued successfully with the building under the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and King Artaxerxes of Persia.


text:
This house was completed on the third day of the month of Adar in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.


text:
Then the Israelites, including the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.


text:
For the dedication of God's house they offered 100 bulls, 200 rams, and 400 lambs, as well as 12 male goats as a sin offering for all Israel-- one for each Israelite tribe.


text:
They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the book of Moses.


text:
All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles.


text:
The Israelites who had returned from exile ate [it], together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.


text:
They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful, having changed the Assyrian king's attitude toward them, so that he supported them in the work on the house of the God of Israel.


text:
After these events, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra-- Seraiah's son, Azariah's son, Hilkiah's son,


text:
-- came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was on him.


text:
Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants accompanied [him] to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.


text:
He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month. The gracious hand of his God was on him,


text:
because Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey [it], and teach [its] statutes and ordinances in Israel.


text:
This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in matters of the LORD's commandments and statutes for Israel:


text:
Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of heaven: Greetings [to you].


text:
I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.


text:
You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God, which is in your possession.


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[You are] also to bring the silver and gold the king and his counselors have willingly given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,


text:
and all the silver and gold you receive throughout the province of Babylon, together with the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem.


text:
Then, you are to buy with this money as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, along with their grain and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.


text:
You may do whatever seems best to you and your brothers with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your God.


text:
You must deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles given to you for the service of the house of your God.


text:
You may use the royal treasury to pay for anything else you have to supply [to meet] the needs of the house of your God.


text:
I, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers in the region west of the Euphrates River: Whatever Ezra the priest and expert in the law of the God of heaven asks of you must be provided promptly,


text:
up to 7,500 pounds of silver, 500 bushels of wheat, 550 gallons of wine, 550 gallons of oil, and salt without limit.


text:
Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven must be done diligently for the house of the God of heaven, so that wrath will not fall on the realm of the king and his sons.


text:
Be advised that tribute, duty, and land tax must not be imposed on any priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or [other] servants of this house of God.


text:
And you, Ezra, according to God's wisdom that you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in the region west of the Euphrates who know the laws of your God and to teach anyone who does not know [them].


text:
Anyone who does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a fair judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.


text:
Praise the LORD God of our fathers, who has put it into the king's mind to glorify the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,


text:
and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the LORD my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.


text:
These are the family leaders and the genealogical records of those who returned with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:


text:
Gershom, from Phinehas's descendants; Daniel, from Ithamar's descendants; Hattush, from David's descendants,


text:
who was of Shecaniah's descendants; Zechariah, from Parosh's descendants, and 150 men with him who were registered by genealogy;


text:
these are the last ones, from Adonikam's descendants, and their names are: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, and 60 men with them;


text:
I gathered them at the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I searched among the people and priests, but found no Levites there.


text:
Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, as well as the teachers Joiarib and Elnathan.


text:
I sent them to Iddo, the leader at Casiphia, with a message for him and his brothers, the temple servants at Casiphia, that they should bring us ministers for the house of our God.


text:
Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah-- a man of insight from the descendants of Mahli, a descendant of Levi son of Israel-- along with his sons and brothers, 18 men,


text:
plus Hashabiah, along with Jeshaiah, from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and their sons, 20 men.


text:
There were also 220 of the temple servants, who had been appointed by David and the leaders for the work of the Levites. All were identified by name.


text:
I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions.


text:
[I did this] because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, "The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him."


text:
I weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles-- the contribution for the house of our God that the king, his counselors, his leaders, and all the Israelites who were present had offered.


text:
I weighed out to them 24 tons of silver, silver articles weighing 7,500 pounds, 7,500 pounds of gold,


text:
20 gold bowls worth 1,000 gold coins, and two articles of fine gleaming bronze, as valuable as gold.


text:
Then I said to them, "You are holy to the LORD, and the articles are holy. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the LORD God of your fathers.


text:
Guard [them] carefully until you weigh [them] out in the chambers of the LORD's house before the leading priests, Levites, and heads of the Israelite families in Jerusalem."


text:
So the priests and Levites took charge of the silver, the gold, and the articles that had been weighed out, to bring [them] to the house of our God in Jerusalem.


text:
We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth [day] of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God, and He protected us from the power of the enemy and from ambush along the way.


text:
On the fourth day the silver, the gold, and the articles were weighed out in the house of our God into the care of Meremoth the priest, son of Uriah. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him. The Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui were also with them.


text:
The exiles who had returned from the captivity offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: 12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, and 77 lambs, along with 12 male goats as a sin offering. All this was a burnt offering for the LORD.


text:
They also delivered the king's edicts to the royal satraps and governors of the region west of the Euphrates, so that they would support the people and the house of God.


text:
After these things had been done, the leaders approached me and said: "The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.


text:
Indeed, they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy people has become mixed with the surrounding peoples. The leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!"


text:
When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.


text:
Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me, because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat devastated until the evening offering.


text:
At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.


text:
And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than [our] heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens.


text:
Our guilt has been terrible from the days of our fathers until the present. Because of our iniquities we have been handed over, along with our kings and priests, to the surrounding kings, and to the sword, captivity, plundering, and open shame, as it is today.


text:
But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our slavery, God has given us new life and light to our eyes.


text:
Though we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings, giving us new life, so that we can rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
You gave through Your servants the prophets, saying: "The land you are entering to possess is an impure land. The surrounding peoples have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices.


text:
So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you will be strong, eat the good things of the land, and leave [it] as an inheritance to your sons forever."


text:
After all that has happened to us because of our evil deeds and terrible guilt-- though You, our God, have punished [us] less than our sins [deserve] and have allowed us to survive--


text:
should we break Your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who commit these detestable practices? Wouldn't You become [so] angry with us that You would destroy us, leaving no survivors?


text:
LORD God of Israel, You are righteous, for we survive as a remnant today. Here we are before You with our guilt, though no one can stand in Your presence because of this.


text:
While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, an extremely large assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly.


text:
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, responded to Ezra: "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples, but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this.


text:
Let us therefore make a covenant before our God to send away all the [foreign] wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the law.


text:
Then Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said; so they took the oath.


text:
Ezra then went from the house of God, walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, where he spent the night. He did not eat food or drink water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.


text:
They circulated a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather at Jerusalem.


text:
Whoever did not come within three days would forfeit all his possessions, according to the decision of the leaders and elders, and would be excluded from the assembly of the exiles.


text:
So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. On the twentieth [day] of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain.


text:
Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, "You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to Israel's guilt.


text:
Therefore, make a confession to the LORD God of your fathers and do His will. Separate yourselves from the surrounding peoples and [your] foreign wives."


text:
But there are many people, and it is the rainy season. We don't have the stamina to stay out in the open. This isn't something that can be done in a day or two, for we have rebelled terribly in this matter.


text:
Let our leaders represent the entire assembly. Then let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of each town, in order to avert the fierce anger of our God concerning this matter."


text:
Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.


text:
The exiles did what had been proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family leaders, all [identified] by name, to represent their ancestral houses. They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter,


text:
and by the first day of the first month they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women.


text:
[The following] were found to have married foreign women from the descendants of the priests: from the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.


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They pledged to send their wives away, and being guilty, [they offered] a ram from the flock for their guilt;


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The Israelites: Parosh's descendants: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah;


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Pahath-moab's descendants: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh;


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The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa,


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Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had returned from exile.


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They said to me, "The survivors in the province, who returned from the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem's wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down."


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When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.


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I said, LORD God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands,


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let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to hear Your servant's prayer that I now pray to You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against You. Both I and my father's house have sinned.


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We have acted corruptly toward You and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses.


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Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: "[If] you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.


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But if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were banished to the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have My name dwell."


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Please, Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to that of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, and have compassion on him in the presence of this man. [At the time,] I was the king's cupbearer.


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During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,


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so the king said to me, "Why are you sad, when you aren't sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart." I was overwhelmed with fear


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and replied to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"


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and answered the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it."


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The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you return?" So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me.


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I also said to the king: "If it pleases the king, let me have letters [written] to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me [safe] passage until I reach Judah.


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And [let me have] a letter [written] to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple's fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live." The king granted my [requests], for I was graciously strengthened by my God.


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I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king's letters. The king had also sent officers of the infantry and cavalry with me.


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When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.


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I got up at night and [took] a few men with me. I didn't tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took was the one I was riding.


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I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Serpent's Well and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.


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I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but farther down it became too narrow for my animal to go through.


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So I went up at night by way of the valley and inspected the wall. Then heading back, I entered through the Valley Gate and returned.


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The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, or the rest of those who would be doing the work.


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So I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down. Come, let's rebuild Jerusalem's wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace."


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I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, "Let's start rebuilding," and they were encouraged to [do] this good work.


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When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard [about this], they mocked and despised us, and said, "What is this you're doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"


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I gave them this reply, "The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem."


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Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. [After building the wall] to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.


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The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.


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Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Beside them Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs.


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Beside them the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help their supervisors.


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Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.


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Next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River.


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After him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, the goldsmith, made repairs, and next to him Hananiah son of the perfumer made repairs. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.


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After them Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house. Next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made repairs.


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Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab made repairs to another section, as well as to the Tower of the Ovens.


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Beside him Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler over half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs-- he and his daughters.


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Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars, and repaired 500 yards of the wall to the Dung Gate.


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Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler over the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.


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Shallun son of Col-hozeh, ruler over the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and roofed it. Then he installed its doors, bolts, and bars. He also made repairs to the wall of the Pool of Shelah near the king's garden, as far as the stairs that descend from the city of David.


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After him Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler over half the district of Beth-zur, made repairs up to [a point] opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Warriors.


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Next to him the Levites made repairs [under] Rehum son of Bani. Beside him Hashabiah, ruler over half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.


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After him their fellow [Levites] made repairs [under] Binnui son of Henadad, ruler over half the district of Keilah.


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Next to him Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler over Mizpah, made repairs to another section opposite the ascent to the armory at the Angle.


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After him Baruch son of Zabbai diligently repaired another section, from the Angle to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.


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Beside him Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs to another section, from the door of Eliashib's house to the end of his house.


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After them Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. Beside them Azariah son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.


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After him Binnui son of Henadad made repairs to another section, from the house of Azariah to the Angle and the corner.


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Palal son of Uzai [made repairs] opposite the Angle and tower that juts out from the upper palace of the king, by the courtyard of the guard. Beside him Pedaiah son of Parosh,


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and the temple servants living on Ophel [made repairs] opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.


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Next to him the Tekoites made repairs to another section from [a point] opposite the great tower that juts out, as far as the wall of Ophel.


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After them Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. And beside him Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, guard of the East Gate, made repairs.


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Next to him Hananiah son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph made repairs to another section. After them Meshullam son of Berechiah made repairs opposite his room.


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Next to him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs to the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upper room of the corner.


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before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria, and said, "What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore [it] by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?"


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Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, "Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!"


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Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.


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Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders.


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So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half its [height], for the people had the will to keep working.


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When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious.


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In Judah, it was said: The strength of the laborer fails, since there is so much rubble. We will never be able to rebuild the wall.


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And our enemies said, "They won't know or see anything until we're among them and can kill them and stop the work."


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When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, "Everywhere you turn, [they] attack us."


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So I stationed [people] behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.


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After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes."


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When our enemies realized that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall.


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From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah,


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who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.


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Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me.


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Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall.


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So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out.


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At that time, I also said to the people, "Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day."


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And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.


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Some were saying, "We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live."


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Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine."


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Still others were saying, "We have borrowed money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards.


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We and our children are [just] like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others."


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After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, "Each of you is charging his countrymen interest." So I called a large assembly against them


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and said, "We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back." They remained silent and could not say a word.


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Then I said, "What you are doing isn't right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God [and not invite] the reproach of our foreign enemies?


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Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest.


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Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and olive oil that you have been assessing them."


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They responded: "We will return [these things] and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say." So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this.


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I also shook the folds of my robe and said, "May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn't keep this promise. May he be shaken out and have nothing!" The whole assembly said, " Amen," and they praised the LORD. Then the people did as they had promised.


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Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah-- from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, 12 years-- I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor.


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The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn't do this, because of the fear of God.


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Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn't buy any land.


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Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was [provided] every 10 days. But I didn't demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.


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When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it-- though at that time I had not installed the doors in the gates--


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Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: "Come, let's meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley." But they were planning to harm me.


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So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?"


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In it was written: It is reported among the nations-- and Geshem agrees-- that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king


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and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: "There is a king in Judah." These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let's confer together.


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Then I replied to him, "There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind."


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For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, "They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished." But now, [my God,] strengthen me.


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I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted [to his house]. He said: Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you tonight!


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I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.


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He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me.


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My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me.


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When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.


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During those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's [letters] came to them.


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For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.


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These nobles kept mentioning Tobiah's good deeds to me, and they reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.


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When the wall had been rebuilt and I had the doors installed, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed.


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Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah, commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.


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I said to them, "Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot, and let the doors be shut and securely fastened while the guards are on duty. Station the citizens of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their homes."


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Then my God put it into my mind to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be registered by genealogy. I found the genealogical record of those who came back first, and I found [the following] written in it:


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These are the people of the province who went up from among the captive exiles deported by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Each of them returned to his own town in Jerusalem and Judah.


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They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of the Israelite men [included]:


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The gatekeepers [included]: Shallum's descendants, Ater's descendants, Talmon's descendants, Akkub's descendants, Hatita's descendants, Shobai's descendants 138


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The descendants of Solomon's servants [included]: Sotai's descendants, Sophereth's descendants, Perida's descendants,


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Shephatiah's descendants, Hattil's descendants, Pochereth-hazzebaim's descendants, Amon's descendants.


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The following are those who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but were unable to prove that their families and ancestry were Israelite:


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and from the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai-- who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name.


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Some of the family leaders gave to the project. The governor gave 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments to the treasury.


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Some of the family leaders gave 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas to the treasury for the project.


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So the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple singers, some of the people, temple servants, and all Israel settled in their towns.


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When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that the LORD had given Israel.


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On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding.


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While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law.


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Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.


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Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up.


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Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, " Amen, Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.


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Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places.


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They read the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.


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Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.


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Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because your strength [comes from] rejoicing in the LORD."


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Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them.


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On the second day, the family leaders of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law.


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They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should dwell in booths during the festival of the seventh month.


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So they proclaimed and spread this news throughout all their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and [other] leafy trees to make booths, just as it is written."


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The people went out, brought back [branches], and made booths for themselves on each of their rooftops, and courtyards, the court of the house of God, the square by the Water Gate, and the square by the Gate of Ephraim.


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The whole community that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. They had not celebrated like this from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. And there was tremendous joy.


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Ezra read out of the book of the law of God every day, from the first day to the last. The Israelites celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day there was an assembly, according to the ordinance.


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On the twenty-fourth day of this month the Israelites assembled; they were fasting, [wearing] sackcloth, [and had put] dust on their heads.


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Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the guilt of their fathers.


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While they stood in their places, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day and [spent] another fourth of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.


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Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the raised platform [built] for the Levites and cried out loudly to the LORD their God.


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Then the Levites-- Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah-- said: Stand up. Bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Praise Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.


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You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the heavenly host worships You.


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You are the LORD God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, and changed his name to Abraham.


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You found his heart faithful in Your sight, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites-- to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, for You are righteous.


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You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew how arrogantly they treated our ancestors. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.


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You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into churning waters.


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You led them with a pillar of cloud by day, and with a pillar of fire by night, to illuminate the way they should go.


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You came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them impartial ordinances, reliable instructions, and good decrees and commandments.


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You revealed Your holy Sabbath to them, and gave them commandments, statutes, and a law through Your servant Moses.


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You provided bread from heaven for their hunger; You brought them water from the rock for their thirst. You told them to go in and possess the land You had sworn to give them.


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They refused to listen and did not remember Your wonders You performed among them. They became stiff-necked and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in faithful love, and You did not abandon them.


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Even after they had cast an image of a calf for themselves and said, "This is your God who brought you out of Egypt," and they had committed terrible blasphemies,


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You did not abandon them in the wilderness because of Your great compassion. During the day the pillar of cloud never turned away from them, guiding them on their journey. And during the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.


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You sent Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst.


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You provided for them in the wilderness 40 years and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.


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You gave them kingdoms and peoples and assigned them to be a boundary. They took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of the land of Og king of Bashan.


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You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You told their ancestors to go in and take possession [of it].


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So their descendants went in and possessed the land: You subdued the Canaanites who inhabited the land before them and handed their kings and the surrounding peoples over to them, to do as they pleased with them.


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They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took possession of well-supplied houses, rock-hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. They ate, were filled, became prosperous, and delighted in Your great goodness.


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But they were disobedient and rebelled against You. They flung Your law behind their backs and killed Your prophets who warned them to turn them back to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.


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So You handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. In their time of distress, they cried out to You, and You heard from heaven. In Your abundant compassion You gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the power of their enemies.


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But as soon as they had relief, they again did what was evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the power of their enemies, who dominated them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven and rescued them many times in Your compassion.


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You warned them to turn back to Your law, but they acted arrogantly and would not obey Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a person will live if he does them. They stubbornly resisted, stiffened their necks, and would not obey.


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You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit warned them through Your prophets, but they would not listen. Therefore, You handed them over to the surrounding peoples.


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However, in Your abundant compassion, You did not destroy them or abandon them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God.


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So now, our God-- the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant-- do not view lightly all the hardships that have afflicted us, our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors and all Your people, from the days of the Assyrian kings until today.


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You are righteous concerning all that has come on us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly.


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Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors did not obey Your law or listen to Your commandments and warnings You gave them.


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When they were in their kingdom, with Your abundant goodness You gave them, and in the spacious and fertile land You set before them, they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.


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Here we are today, slaves in the land You gave our ancestors so that they could enjoy its fruit and its goodness. Here we are-- slaves in it!


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Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us, because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.


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In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document [containing the names of] our leaders, Levites, and priests.


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Those whose seals were [on the document] were: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,


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The rest of the people-- the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants, along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding peoples to [obey] the law of God--


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join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the law of God given through God's servant Moses and to carefully obey all the commands, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.


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We will not give our daughters in marriage to the surrounding peoples and will not take their daughters as wives for our sons.


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When the surrounding peoples bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or a holy day. We will also leave [the land] uncultivated in the seventh year and will cancel every debt.


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We will impose [the following] commandments on ourselves: To give an eighth of an ounce of silver yearly for the service of the house of our God:


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the bread displayed before the LORD,the daily grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbath and New Moon offerings, the appointed festivals, the holy things, the sin offerings to atone for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.


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We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our ancestral houses at the appointed times each year. They are to bring [the wood] to our God's house to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law.


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[We will] bring the firstfruits of our land and of every fruit tree to the LORD's house year by year.


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[We will also bring] the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as prescribed by the law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who serve in our God's house.


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We will bring [a loaf] from our first batch of dough to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God. We will also bring the firstfruits of our [grain] offerings, of every fruit tree, and of the new wine and oil. A tenth of our land's [produce] from our lands belongs to the Levites, for the Levites are to collect the one-tenth offering in all our agricultural towns.


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A priest of Aaronic descent must accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites must take a tenth of this offering to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God.


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For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the priests, gatekeepers, and singers serve. We will not neglect the house of our God.


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Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine-tenths remained in their towns.


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These are the heads of the province who stayed in Jerusalem (but in the villages of Judah each lived on his own property in their towns-- the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants--


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while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem): Judah's descendants: Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of Perez's descendants;


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and Maaseiah son of Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, a descendant of the Shilonite.


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These were Benjamin's descendants: Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah,


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Joel son of Zichri was the officer over them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in command over the city.


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Seraiah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief official of God's house,


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and their relatives who did the work at the temple: 822. Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah


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and his relatives, the leaders of families: 242. Amashsai son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer,


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and Shabbethai and Jozabad, from the leaders of the Levites, who supervised the work outside the house of God;


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Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, the leader who began the thanksgiving in prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his relatives; and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.


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The rest of Israel, the priests, and the Levites were in all the villages of Judah, each on his own inherited property.


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The leader of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the descendants of Asaph, who were singers for the service of God's house.


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For there was a command of the king regarding them, and an ordinance regulating the singers' daily tasks.


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Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was the king's agent in every matter concerning the people.


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As for the farming settlements with their fields: Some of Judah's descendants lived in Kiriath-arba and its villages, Dibon and its villages, and Jekabzeel and its villages,


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Zanoah and Adullam with their villages; in Lachish with its fields and Azekah and its villages. So they settled from Beer-sheba to the Valley of Hinnom.


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These are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


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Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their relatives in the days of Jeshua.


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The Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah-- he and his relatives were in charge of the praise songs.


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In the days of Joiakim, the leaders of the priestly families were: Meraiah of Seraiah, Hananiah of Jeremiah,


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In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, the leaders of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded while Darius the Persian ruled.


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Levi's descendants, the leaders of families, were recorded in the Book of the Historical Records during the days of Johanan son of Eliashib.


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The leaders of the Levites-- Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, along with their relatives opposite them-- gave praise and thanks, division by division, as David the man of God had prescribed.


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[This included] Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, and Obadiah. Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.


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These [served] in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.


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At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sent for the Levites wherever they lived and brought them to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.


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from Beth-gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for they had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem.


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After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.


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Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on top of the wall, and I appointed two large processions that gave thanks. One went to the right on the wall, toward the Dung Gate.


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Some of the priests' sons had trumpets: Zechariah son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph,


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and his relatives: Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David, the man of God. Ezra the scribe went in front of them.


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At the Fountain Gate they climbed the steps of the city of David on the ascent of the wall [and went] above the house of David to the Water Gate on the east.


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The second thanksgiving procession went to the left, and I followed it with half the people along the top of the wall, past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall,


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above the Gate of Ephraim, and by the Old Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate. They stopped at the Gate of the Guard.


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The two thanksgiving processions stood in the house of God. So [did] I and half of the officials accompanying me, as well as


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the priests: Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;


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and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. Then the singers sang, with Jezrahiah as the leader.


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On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy. The women and children also celebrated, and Jerusalem's rejoicing was heard far away.


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On that same day men were placed in charge of the rooms [that housed] the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and tenths. The legally required portions for the priests and Levites were gathered from the village fields, because Judah was grateful to the priests and Levites who were serving.


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They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, along with the singers and gatekeepers, as David and his son Solomon had prescribed.


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For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were leaders of the singers and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.


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So in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside daily portions for the Levites, and the Levites set aside daily portions for the descendants of Aaron.


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At that time the book of Moses was read publicly to the people. The command was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,


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because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.


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Now before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was a relative of Tobiah


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and had prepared a large room for him where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, and the tenths of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests.


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While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to King Artaxerxes of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his [reign]. It was only later that I asked the king for a leave of absence


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so I could return to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done on behalf of Tobiah by providing him a room in the courts of God's house.


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I ordered that the rooms be purified, and I had the articles of the house of God restored there, along with the grain offering and frankincense.


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I also found out that because the portions for the Levites had not been given, each of the Levites and the singers performing the service had gone back to his own field.


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Therefore, I rebuked the officials, saying, "Why has the house of God been neglected?" I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts.


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I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for the distribution to their colleagues.


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Remember me for this, my God, and don't erase the good deeds I have done for the house of my God and for its services.


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At that time I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath. They were also bringing in stores of grain and loading [them] on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned [them] against selling food on that day.


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The Tyrians living there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem.


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I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them: "What is this evil you are doing-- profaning the Sabbath day?


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Didn't your ancestors do the same, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling [His] anger against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!"


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When shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem just before the Sabbath, I gave orders that the gates be closed and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my men at the gates, so that no goods could enter during the Sabbath day.


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but I warned them, "Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I'll use force against you." After that they did not come again on the Sabbath.


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Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, my God, and look on me with compassion in keeping with Your abundant, faithful love.


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Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of one of the other peoples but could not speak Hebrew.


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I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to take an oath before God and said: "You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or yourselves!


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Didn't King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations. He was loved by his God and God made him king over all Israel, yet foreign women drew him into sin.


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Why then should we hear about you doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?"


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Even one of the sons of Jehoiada, son of Eliashib the high priest, had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me.


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Remember them, my God, for defiling the priesthood as well as the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.


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So I purified them from everything foreign and assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.


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I also arranged for the donation of wood at the appointed times and for the firstfruits. Remember me, my God, with favor.


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He held a feast in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials from the provinces.


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He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days.


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At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were present in the fortress of Susa.


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White and violet linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble columns. Gold and silver couches [were arranged] on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.


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Beverages were served in an array of gold goblets, each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king's bounty


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and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted.


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On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who personally served him,


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to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. [He wanted] to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful.


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But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.


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The king consulted the wise men who understood the times,for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice.


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The most trusted ones were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom.


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[The king asked,] "According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus' command that was delivered by the eunuchs?"


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Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, "Queen Vashti has defied not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus' provinces.


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For the queen's action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, 'King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.'


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[Before] this day [is over], the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen's act will say [the same thing] to all the king's officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.


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If it meets the king's approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus' presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she.


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The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom, so all women will honor their husbands, from the least to the greatest."


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He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language, that every man should be master of his own house and speak in the language of his own people.


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Some time later, when King Ahasuerus' rage had cooled down, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what was decided against her.


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The king's personal attendants suggested, "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king.


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Let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom, so that they may assemble all the beautiful young virgins to the harem at the fortress of Susa. [Put them] under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women, and give them the required beauty treatments.


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Then the young woman who pleases the king will reign in place of Vashti." This suggestion pleased the king, and he did accordingly.


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A Jewish man was in the fortress of Susa named Mordecai son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite.


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He had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the other captives when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took King Jeconiah of Judah into exile.


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Mordecai was the legal guardian of his cousin Hadassah (that is, Esther), because she didn't have a father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was extremely good-looking. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.


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When the king's command and edict became public knowledge, many young women gathered at the fortress of Susa under Hegai's care. Esther was also taken to the palace and placed under the care of Hegai, who was in charge of the women.


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The young woman pleased him and gained his favor so that he accelerated the process of the beauty treatments and the special diet that she received. He assigned seven hand-picked female servants to her from the palace and transferred her and her servants to the harem's best quarters.


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Esther did not reveal her ethnic background or her birthplace, because Mordecai had ordered her not to.


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Every day Mordecai took a walk in front of the harem's courtyard to learn how Esther was doing and to see what was happening to her.


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During the year before each young woman's turn to go to King Ahasuerus, the harem regulation required her to receive beauty treatments with oil of myrrh for six months and then with perfumes and cosmetics for [another] six months.


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When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the palace.


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She would go in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the supervision of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch in charge of the concubines. She never went to the king again, unless he desired her and summoned her by name.


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Esther was the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai who had adopted [her] as his own daughter. When her turn came to go to the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai, the king's trusted official in charge of the harem, suggested. Esther won approval in the sight of everyone who saw her.


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Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in the royal palace in the tenth month, the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.


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The king loved Esther more than all the other women. She won more favor and approval from him than did any of the other virgins. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.


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The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff. It was Esther's banquet. He freed his provinces from tax payments and gave gifts worthy of the king's bounty.


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When the young women were assembled together for a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate.


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Esther still had not revealed her birthplace or her ethnic background, as Mordecai had directed. She obeyed Mordecai's orders, as she always had while he raised her.


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During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the [king's] entrance, became infuriated and tried to assassinate King Ahasuerus.


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When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai's behalf.


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When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows. This event was recorded in the court records of daily events in the king's presence.


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After all this took place, King Ahasuerus honored Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite. He promoted him in rank and gave him a higher position than all the other officials.


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The entire royal staff at the King's Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.


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The members of the royal staff at the King's Gate asked Mordecai, "Why are you disobeying the king's command?"


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When they had warned him day after day and he still would not listen to them, they told Haman to see if Mordecai's actions would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.


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And when he learned of Mordecai's ethnic identity, Haman decided not to do away with Mordecai alone. He set out to destroy all of Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout Ahasuerus' kingdom.


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In the first month, the month of Nisan, in King Ahasuerus' twelfth year, Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman for each day in each month, and it fell on the twelfth month, the month Adar.


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Then Haman informed King Ahasuerus, "There is one ethnic group, scattered throughout the peoples in every province of your kingdom, yet living in isolation. Their laws are different from everyone else's, so that they defy the king's laws. It is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.


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If the king approves, let an order be drawn up authorizing their destruction, and I will pay 375 tons of silver to the accountants for deposit in the royal treasury."


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The king removed his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jewish people.


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The royal scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded. [It was intended for] the royal satraps, the governors of each of the provinces, and the officials of each ethnic group and written for each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the royal signet ring.


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Letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces [telling the officials] to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people-- young and old, women and children-- and plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.


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A copy of the text, issued as law throughout every province, was distributed to all the peoples so that they might get ready for that day.


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The couriers left, spurred on by royal command, and the law was issued in the fortress of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, while the city of Susa was in confusion.


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When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly.


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He only went as far as the King's Gate, since [the law] prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King's Gate.


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There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king's command and edict came. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.


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Esther's female servants and her eunuchs came and reported the news to her, and the queen was overcome with fear. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so he could take off his sackcloth, but he did not accept [them].


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Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to her, and dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what he was doing and why.


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Mordecai told him everything that had happened as well as the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews.


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Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and instruct her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead with him personally for her people.


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All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned-- [the] death [penalty]. Only if the king extends the golden scepter will that person live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last 30 days."


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Mordecai told [the messenger] to reply to Esther, "Don't think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king's palace.


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If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this."


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Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, night and day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish."


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On the third day, Esther dressed up in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing its entrance.


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As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his approval. The king extended the golden scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.


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What is it, Queen Esther?" the king asked her. "Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be given to you."


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If it pleases the king," Esther replied, "may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them."


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The king commanded, "Hurry, and get Haman so we can do as Esther has requested." So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.


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While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, "Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done."


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If the king approves of me and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked."


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That day Haman left full of joy and in good spirits.But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King's Gate, and Mordecai didn't rise or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.


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Yet Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh to join him.


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Then Haman described for them his glorious wealth and his many sons. He told them all how the king had promoted him in rank and given him a high position over the other officials and the royal staff.


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What's more," Haman added, "Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she had prepared. I am invited again tomorrow to join her with the king.


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Still, none of this satisfies me since I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King's Gate all the time."


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His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, "Have them build a gallows 75 feet high. Ask the king in the morning to hang Mordecai on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself." The advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows constructed.


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That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king.


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They found the written report of how Mordecai had informed on Bigthana and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the [king's] entrance, when they planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus.


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The king inquired, "What honor and special recognition have been given to Mordecai for this [act]?" The king's personal attendants replied, "Nothing has been done for him."


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The king asked, "Who's in the court?" Now Haman was just entering the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him.


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The king's attendants answered him, "See, Haman is standing in the court." "Have him enter," the king ordered.


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Haman entered, and the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king wants to honor?" Haman thought to himself, "Who is it the king would want to honor more than me?"


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Have them bring a royal garment that the king himself has worn and a horse the king himself has ridden, which has a royal diadem on its head.


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Put the garment and the horse under the charge of one of the king's most noble officials. Have them clothe the man the king wants to honor, parade him on the horse through the city square, and proclaim before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.'"


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The king told Haman, "Hurry, and do just as you proposed. Take a garment and a horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the King's Gate. Do not leave out anything you have suggested."


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So Haman took the garment and the horse. He clothed Mordecai and paraded him through the city square, crying out before him, "This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor."


text:
Then Mordecai returned to the King's Gate, but Haman, overwhelmed, hurried off for home with his head covered.


text:
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is Jewish, you won't overcome him, because your downfall is certain."


text:
While they were still speaking with him, the eunuchs of the king arrived and rushed Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.


text:
Once again, on the second day while drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek, even to half the kingdom, will be done."


text:
Queen Esther answered, "If I have obtained your approval, my king, and if the king is pleased, spare my life-- [this is] my request; and [spare] my people-- [this is] my desire.


text:
For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and extermination. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn't be worth burdening the king."


text:
King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, "Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?"


text:
Esther answered, "The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman." Haman stood terrified before the king and queen.


text:
Angered by this, the king arose from where they were drinking wine and [went to] the palace garden. Haman remained to beg Queen Esther for his life because he realized the king was planning something terrible for him.


text:
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the house of wine drinking, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Would he actually violate the queen while I am in the palace?" As soon as the statement left the king's mouth, Haman's face was covered.


text:
Harbona, one of the royal eunuchs, said: "There is a gallows 75 feet tall at Haman's house that he made for Mordecai, who [gave] the report that saved the king." The king commanded, "Hang him on it."


text:
That same day King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai entered the king's presence because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai.


text:
The king removed his signet ring he had recovered from Haman and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther put him in charge of Haman's estate.


text:
Then Esther addressed the king again. She fell at his feet, wept, and begged him to revoke the evil of Haman the Agagite, and his plot he had devised against the Jews.


text:
She said, "If it pleases the king, and I have found approval before him, if the matter seems right to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, let [a royal edict] be written. Let it revoke the documents the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews who [reside] in all the king's provinces.


text:
For how could I bear to see the evil that would come on my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my relatives?"


text:
King Ahasuerus said to Esther the Queen and to Mordecai the Jew, "Look, I have given Haman's estate to Esther, and he was hanged on the gallows because he attacked the Jews.


text:
You may write in the king's name whatever pleases you concerning the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. A document written in the king's name and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked."


text:
On the twenty-third day of the third month (that is, the month Sivan), the royal scribes were summoned. Everything was written exactly as Mordecai ordered for the Jews, to the satraps, the governors, and the officials of the 127 provinces from India to Cush. [The edict was written] for each province in its own script, for each ethnic group in its own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.


text:
Mordecai wrote in King Ahasuerus' name and sealed [the edicts] with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses bred from the royal racing mares.


text:
The king's edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war.


text:
[This would take place] on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar.


text:
A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province. It was to be published for every ethnic group so the Jews could be ready to avenge themselves against their enemies on that day.


text:
On their royal horses, the couriers rode out in haste, at the king's urgent command. The law was also issued in the fortress of Susa.


text:
Mordecai went out from the king's presence clothed in royal purple and white, with a great golden crown and a purple robe of fine linen. The city of Susa shouted and rejoiced,


text:
In every province and every city, wherever the king's command and his law reached, rejoicing and jubilation took place among the Jews. There was a celebration and a holiday.And, many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews because fear of the Jews had overcome them.


text:
The king's command and law went into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. On the day when the Jews' enemies had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them.


text:
In each of King Ahasuerus' provinces the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who intended to harm them. Not a single person could withstand them; terror of them fell on every nationality.


text:
All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the royal civil administrators aided the Jews because they were afraid of Mordecai.


text:
For Mordecai [exercised] great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.


text:
The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them. They did what they pleased to those who hated them.


text:
They killed these 10 sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. However, they did not seize any plunder.


text:
The king said to Queen Esther, "In the fortress of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men, including Haman's 10 sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek will also be done."


text:
Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, may the Jews who are in Susa also have tomorrow to carry out today's law, and may [the bodies of] Haman's 10 sons be hung on the gallows."


text:
The king gave the orders for this to be done, so a law was announced in Susa, and they hung [the bodies of] Haman's 10 sons.


text:
The Jews in Susa assembled again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed 300 men in Susa, but they did not seize any plunder.


text:
The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces assembled, defended themselves, and got rid of their enemies. They killed 75,000 of those who hated them, but they did not seize any plunder.


text:
[They fought] on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar and rested on the fourteenth, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.


text:
But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. They rested on the fifteenth day of the month, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.


text:
This explains why the rural Jews who live in villages observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as [a time of] rejoicing and feasting. It is a holiday when they send gifts to one another.


text:
Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all of King Ahasuerus' provinces, both near and far.


text:
because during those days the Jews got rid of their enemies. That was the month when their sorrow was turned into rejoicing and their mourning into a holiday. They were to be days of feasting, rejoicing, and of sending gifts to one another and the poor.


text:
For Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them. He cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them.


text:
But when the matter was brought before the king, he commanded by letter that the evil plan Haman had devised against the Jews return on his own head and that he should be hanged with his sons on the gallows.


text:
For this reason these days are called Purim, from the word Pur. Because of all the instructions in this letter as well as what they had witnessed and what had happened to them,


text:
the Jews bound themselves, their descendants, and all who joined with them [to a commitment] that they would not fail to celebrate these two days each and every year according to the written instructions and according to the time appointed.


text:
These days are remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not lose their significance in Jewish life and their memory will not fade from their descendants.


text:
Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote this second letter with full authority to confirm the letter about Purim.


text:
He sent letters with messages of peace and faithfulness to all the Jews who were in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus,


text:
in order to confirm these days of Purim at their proper time just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established them and just as they had committed themselves and their descendants to the practices of fasting and lamentation.


text:
All of his powerful and magnificent accomplishments and the detailed account of Mordecai's great rank to which the king had promoted him, have they not been written in the court record of daily events of the kings of Media and Persia?


text:
Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, famous among the Jews, and highly popular with many of his relatives. He continued to seek good for his people and to speak for the welfare of all his kindred.


text:
There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.


text:
His estate included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.


text:
His sons used to have banquets, each at his house in turn. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.


text:
Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send [for his children] and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought: Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job's regular practice.


text:
The LORD asked Satan, "Where have you come from?" "From roaming through the earth," Satan answered Him, "and walking around on it."


text:
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil."


text:
Haven't You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread out in the land.


text:
But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face."


text:
Very well," the LORD told Satan, "everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job [himself]." So Satan went out from the Lord's presence.


text:
One day when Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,


text:
the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!"


text:
He was still speaking when another [messenger] came and reported: "A lightning storm struck from heaven. It burned up the sheep and the servants, and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!"


text:
That messenger was still speaking when [yet] another came and reported: "The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!"


text:
He was still speaking when another [messenger] came and reported: "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house.


text:
Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!"


text:
saying: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of the LORD.


text:
One day the sons of God came again to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before the LORD.


text:
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him, to destroy him without just cause."


text:
Skin for skin!" Satan answered the LORD. "A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life.


text:
But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face."


text:
So Satan left the LORD's presence and infected Job with incurable boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head.


text:
You speak as a foolish woman speaks," he told her. "Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?" Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.


text:
Now when Job's three friends-- Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite-- heard about all this adversity that had happened to him, each of them came from his home. They met together to go and offer sympathy and comfort to him.


text:
When they looked from a distance, they could [barely] recognize him. They wept aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust into the air and on his head.


text:
Then they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw that his suffering was very intense.


text:
May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it. May an eclipse of the sun terrify it.


text:
If only darkness had taken that night away! May it not appear among the days of the year or be listed in the calendar.


text:
May its morning stars grow dark. May it wait for daylight but have none; may it not see the breaking of dawn.


text:
But now that this has happened to you, you have become exhausted. It strikes you, and you are dismayed.


text:
[A figure] stood there, but I could not recognize its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes. I heard a quiet voice:


text:
how much more those who dwell in clay houses, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth!


text:
His children are far from safety. They are crushed at the [city] gate, with no one to defend [them].


text:
The hungry consume his harvest, even taking it out of the thorns. The thirsty pant for his children's wealth.


text:
He traps the wise in their craftiness so that the plans of the deceptive are quickly brought to an end.


text:
For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.


text:
You will also know that your offspring will be many and your descendants like the grass of the earth.


text:
Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me.


text:
It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.


text:
What strength do I have that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?


text:
A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.


text:
They are ashamed because they had been confident [of finding water]. When they arrive there, they are frustrated.


text:
When I lie down I think: When will I get up? But the evening drags on endlessly, and I toss and turn until dawn.


text:
The eye of anyone who looks on me will no longer see me. Your eyes will look for me, but I will be gone.


text:
Therefore I will not restrain my mouth. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.


text:
[If] I have sinned, what have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I have become a burden to You?


text:
Why not forgive my sin and pardon my transgression? For soon I will lie down in the grave. You will eagerly seek me, but I will be gone.


text:
if you are pure and upright, then He will move even now on your behalf and restore the home where your righteousness dwells.


text:
If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?


text:
Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.


text:
If I am wicked, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head. I am filled with shame and aware of my affliction.


text:
You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me, wave after wave.


text:
[It is] a land of blackness like the deepest darkness, gloomy and chaotic, where even the light is like the darkness.


text:
Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you?


text:
He would show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your sin.


text:
[They are] higher than the heavens-- what can you do? [They are] deeper than Sheol-- what can you know?


text:
But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their [only] hope will be to die.


text:
But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who doesn't know the things you are talking about?


text:
I am a laughingstock to my friends, by calling on God, who answers me. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.


text:
The one who is at ease holds calamity in contempt [and thinks] it is prepared for those whose feet are slipping.


text:
But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; [ask] the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.


text:
When He withholds the waters, everything dries up, and when He releases them, they destroy the land.


text:
You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths, setting a limit for the soles of my feet.


text:
Since man's days are determined and the number of his months depends on You, and [since] You have set limits he cannot pass,


text:
so man lies down never to rise again. They will not wake up until the heavens are no more; they will not stir from their sleep.


text:
If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger passes, that You would appoint a time for me and then remember me.


text:
When a man dies, will he come back to life? [If so,] I would wait all the days of my struggle until my relief comes.


text:
as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil from the land, so You destroy a man's hope.


text:
He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not spread over the land.


text:
He will not escape from the darkness; flames will wither his shoots, and he will depart by the breath of God's mouth.


text:
Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray, for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless.


text:
For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes.


text:
If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you, [but I wouldn't].


text:
You have shriveled me up-- it has become a witness; My frailty rises up against me and testifies to my face.


text:
His anger tears [at me], and He harasses me. He gnashes His teeth at me. My enemy pierces me with His eyes.


text:
They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt; they join themselves together against me.


text:
I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized [me] by the scruff of the neck and smashed me to pieces. He set me up as His target;


text:
Yet the righteous person will hold to his way, and the one whose hands are clean will grow stronger.


text:
You who tear yourself in anger-- should the earth be abandoned on your account, or a rock be removed from its place?


text:
be afraid of the sword, because wrath [brings] punishment by the sword, so that you may know there is a judgment.


text:
He will fly away like a dream and never be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.


text:
He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming [it]; he doesn't enjoy the profits from his trading.


text:
When he fills his stomach, God will send His burning anger against him, raining [it] down on him while he is eating.


text:
Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned [by human hands] will consume him; it will feed on what is left in his tent.


text:
Their children are established while they are still alive, and their descendants, before their eyes.


text:
How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come on them? Does He apportion destruction in His anger?


text:
God reserves a person's punishment for his children. Let God repay the person himself, so that he may know [it].


text:
The dirt on his grave is sweet to him. Everyone follows behind him, and those who go before him are without number.


text:
For you took collateral from your brothers without cause, stripping off their clothes and leaving them naked.


text:
I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.


text:
He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind.


text:
Like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go out to their task of foraging for food; the wilderness provides nourishment for their children.


text:
The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized as collateral.


text:
From the city, men groan; the mortally wounded cry for help, yet God pays no attention to this crime.


text:
The wicked are those who rebel against the light. They do not recognize its ways or stay on its paths.


text:
For the morning is like death's shadow to them. Surely they are familiar with the terrors of death's shadow!


text:
They float on the surface of the water. Their section of the land is cursed, so that they never go to [their] vineyards.


text:
The womb forgets them; worms feed on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree.


text:
They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else. They wither like heads of grain.


text:
These are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the word we hear of Him! Who can understand His mighty thunder?


text:
I will cling to my righteousness and never let it go. My conscience will not accuse [me] as long as I live!


text:
Even if his children increase, they are destined for the sword; his descendants will never have enough food.


text:
He cuts a shaft far from human habitation, [in places] unknown to those who walk above ground. Suspended far away from people, the miners swing back and forth.


text:
He said to mankind, "Look! The fear of the Lord-- that is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding."


text:
For I rescued the poor man who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.


text:
I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.


text:
I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn.


text:
But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs.


text:
Because God has loosened my bowstring and oppressed me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.


text:
Terrors are turned loose against me; they chase my dignity away like the wind, and my prosperity has passed by like a cloud.


text:
Yet no one would stretch out [his] hand against a ruined man when he cries out to him for help because of his distress.


text:
If my step has turned from the way, my heart has followed my eyes, or impurity has stained my hands,


text:
what could I do when God stands up [to judge]? How should I answer Him when He calls [me] to account?


text:
Did not the One who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same God form us both in the womb?


text:
Haven't the members of my household said, "Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job's table?"


text:
because I greatly feared the crowds, and the contempt of the clans terrified me, so I grew silent and would not go outside?


text:
If only I had someone to hear my [case]! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose [His] indictment.


text:
then let thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded.


text:
Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified himself rather than God.


text:
He was also angry at Job's three friends because they had failed to refute [him], and yet had condemned him.


text:
So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied: I am young in years, while you are old; therefore I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.


text:
Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand [there] and no longer answer?


text:
If there is an angel on his side, one mediator out of a thousand, to tell a person what is right for him


text:
then his flesh will be healthier than in his youth, and he will return to the days of his youthful vigor.


text:
He will pray to God, and God will delight in him. That man will behold His face with a shout of joy, and God will restore his righteousness to him.


text:
He will look at men and say, "I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.


text:
Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. It is impossible for God [to do] wrong, and [for] the Almighty [to act] unjustly.


text:
God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands.


text:
They die suddenly in the middle of the night; people shudder, then pass away. Even the mighty are removed without effort.


text:
But when God is silent, who can declare [Him] guilty? When He hides [His] face, who can see Him? Yet He [watches] over both individuals and nations,


text:
Should God repay [you] on your terms when you have rejected [His]? You must choose, not I! So declare what you know.


text:
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he [scornfully] claps in our presence, while multiplying his words against God.


text:
who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?"


text:
how much less when you complain that you do not see Him, [that your] case is before Him and you are waiting for Him.


text:
Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you, for there is still more to be said on God's behalf.


text:
He does not remove His gaze from the righteous, but He seats them forever with enthroned kings, and they are exalted.


text:
Indeed, He lured you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and unconfined place. Your table was spread with choice food.


text:
Then there comes a roaring sound; God thunders with His majestic voice. He does not restrain the lightning when His [rumbling] voice is heard.


text:
For He says to the snow, "Fall to the earth," and the torrential rains, His mighty torrential rains,


text:
They swirl about, turning round and round at His direction, accomplishing everything He commands them over the surface of the inhabited world.


text:
Now men cannot [even] look at the sun when it is in the skies, after a wind has swept through and cleared them away.


text:
The Almighty-- we cannot reach Him-- He is exalted in power! In His justice and righteousness, He will not oppress.


text:
What road leads to [the place] where light is dispersed? [Where is the source of] the east wind that spreads across the earth?


text:
She treats her young harshly, as if [they] were not her own, with no fear that her labor may have been in vain.


text:
When the trumpet blasts, he snorts defiantly. He smells the battle from a distance; he hears the officers' shouts and the battle cry.


text:
Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct [Him]? Let him who argues with God give an answer.


text:
Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains confident, even if the Jordan surges up to his mouth.


text:
[You asked,] "Who is this who conceals [My] counsel with ignorance?" Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.


text:
After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has.


text:
Now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you. I will surely accept his [prayer] and not deal with you as your folly deserves. For you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has."


text:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job's [prayer].


text:
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his [previous] possessions.


text:
All his brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances came to his house and dined with him in his house. They offered him sympathy and comfort concerning all the adversity the LORD had brought on him. Each one gave him a qesitah, and a gold earring.


text:
So the LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the earlier. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.


text:
No women as beautiful as Job's daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance with their brothers.


text:
How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers!


text:
He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.


text:
Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.


text:
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the LORD and His Anointed One:


text:
Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry, and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All those who take refuge in Him are happy.


text:
[A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom.] LORD, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me.


text:
Rise up, LORD! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked.


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[For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic psalm.] Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.


text:
How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? [How long] will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah


text:
[For the choir director: with the flutes. A Davidic psalm.] Listen to my words, LORD; consider my sighing.


text:
But I enter Your house by the abundance of Your faithful love; I bow down toward Your holy temple in reverential awe of You.


text:
For there is nothing reliable in what they say; destruction is within them; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues.


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Punish them, God; let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them out because of their many crimes, for they rebel against You.


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But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever. May You shelter them, and may those who love Your name boast about You.


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[For the choir director: with stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Davidic psalm.] LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger; do not discipline me in Your wrath.


text:
All my enemies will be ashamed and shake with terror; they will turn back and suddenly be disgraced.


text:
[A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite.] LORD my God, I seek refuge in You; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,


text:
may an enemy pursue and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah


text:
Rise up, LORD, in Your anger; lift Yourself up against the fury of my adversaries; awake for me; You have ordained a judgment.


text:
Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. The One who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God.


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[For the choir director: on the Gittith. A Davidic psalm.] LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with Your majesty.


text:
Because of Your adversaries, You have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants, to silence the enemy and the avenger.


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When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place,


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[For the choir director: according to Muth-labben. A Davidic psalm.] I will thank the LORD with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works.


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You have rebuked the nations: You have destroyed the wicked; You have erased their name forever and ever.


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The enemy has come to eternal ruin; You have uprooted the cities, and the very memory of them has perished.


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For the One who seeks an accounting for bloodshed remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.


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Be gracious to me, LORD; consider my affliction at the hands of those who hate me. Lift me up from the gates of death,


text:
so that I may declare all Your praises. I will rejoice in Your salvation within the gates of Daughter Zion.


text:
The nations have fallen into the pit they made; their foot is caught in the net they have concealed.


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The LORD has revealed Himself; He has executed justice, striking down the wicked by the work of their hands. Higgaion. Selah


text:
In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.


text:
For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the LORD.


text:
In all his scheming, the wicked arrogantly thinks: "There is no accountability, [since] God does not exist."


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His ways are always secure; Your lofty judgments are beyond his sight; he scoffs at all his adversaries.


text:
He waits in ambush near the villages; he kills the innocent in secret places; his eyes are on the lookout for the helpless.


text:
He lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize the afflicted. He seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.


text:
But You Yourself have seen trouble and grief, observing it in order to take the matter into Your hands. The helpless entrusts himself to You; You are a helper of the fatherless.


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Break the arm of the wicked and evil person; call his wickedness into account until nothing remains of it.


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LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully,


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doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed, so that men of the earth may terrify [them] no more.


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[For the choir director. Davidic.] I have taken refuge in the LORD. How can you say to me, "Escape to the mountain like a bird!


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For look, the wicked string the bow; they put the arrow on the bowstring to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.


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The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; He examines everyone.


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[For the choir director: according to Sheminith. A Davidic psalm.] Help, LORD, for no faithful one remains; the loyal have disappeared from the human race.


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Because of the oppression of the afflicted and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up," says the LORD. "I will put in a safe place the one who longs for it."


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The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] LORD, how long will You continually forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me?


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How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me?


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Consider me and answer, LORD, my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death,


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[For the choir director. Davidic.] The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist." They are corrupt; their actions are revolting. There is no one who does good.


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The LORD looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God.


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Will evildoers never understand? They consume my people as they consume bread; they do not call on the LORD.


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Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come from Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.


text:
who despises the one rejected by the LORD, but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his word whatever the cost,


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who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent-- the one who does these things will never be moved.


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The sorrows of those who take another [god] for themselves multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips.


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You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.


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[A Davidic prayer.] LORD, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer-- from lips free of deceit.


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You have tested my heart; You have visited by night; You have tried me and found nothing [evil]; I have determined that my mouth will not sin.


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Display the wonders of Your faithful love, Savior of all who seek refuge from those who rebel against Your right hand.


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With Your hand, LORD, [save me] from men, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what You have in store, their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children.


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[For the choir director. Of the servant of the LORD, David, who spoke the words of this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:] I love You, LORD, my strength.


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The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.


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I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.


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Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the mountains trembled; they shook because He burned with anger.


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The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.


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So the LORD repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.


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You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your humility exalts me.


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They cry for help, but there is no one to save [them]-- [they cry] to the LORD, but He does not answer them.


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You have freed me from the feuds among the people; You have appointed me the head of nations; a people I had not known serve me.


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He gives great victories to His king; He shows loyalty to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.


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Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.


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It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.


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The instruction of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.


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The precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the commandment of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up.


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The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous.


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They are more desirable than gold-- than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey-- than honey dripping from the comb.


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Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent, and cleansed from blatant rebellion.


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May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] May the LORD answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob's God protect you.


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Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the LORD fulfill all your requests.


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Now I know that the LORD gives victory to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with mighty victories from His right hand.


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Some take pride in a chariot, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the LORD our God.


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] LORD, the king finds joy in Your strength. How greatly he rejoices in Your victory!


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You will make them [burn] like a fiery furnace when you appear; the LORD will engulf them in His wrath, and fire will devour them.


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[For the choir director: according to "The Deer of the Dawn." A Davidic psalm.] My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? [Why are You] so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?


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He relies on the LORD; let Him rescue him; let the LORD deliver him, since He takes pleasure in him."


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I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed; my heart is like wax, melting within me.


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My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death.


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For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.


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You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him! All you descendants of Israel, revere Him!


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For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He did not hide His face from him, but listened when he cried to Him for help.


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I will give praise in the great congregation because of You; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You.


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The humble will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him. May your hearts live forever!


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All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before You,


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All who prosper on earth will eat and bow down; all those who go down to the dust will kneel before Him-- even the one who cannot preserve his life.


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Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear [no] danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-- they comfort me.


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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.


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Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live.


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[A Davidic psalm.] The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD;


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The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not set his mind on what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully.


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Not one person who waits for You will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced.


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Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.


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Do not remember the sins of my youth or my acts of rebellion; in keeping with Your faithful love, remember me because of Your goodness, LORD.


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[Davidic.] Vindicate me, LORD, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the LORD without wavering.


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[Davidic.] The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom should I be afraid?


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Though an army deploy against me, my heart is not afraid; though war break out against me, still I am confident.


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I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD and seeking [Him] in His temple.


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For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock.


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Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the LORD.


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Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger. You have been my help; do not leave me or abandon me, God of my salvation.


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Do not give me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing violence.


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[Davidic.] LORD, I call to You; my rock, do not be deaf to me. If You remain silent to me, I will be like those going down to the Pit.


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Listen to the sound of my pleading when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.


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Do not drag me away with the wicked, with the evildoers, who speak in friendly ways with their neighbors, while malice is in their hearts.


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Repay them according to what they have done-- according to the evil of their deeds. Repay them according to the work of their hands; give them back what they deserve.


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Because they do not consider what the LORD has done or the work of His hands, He will tear them down and not rebuild them.


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The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song.


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The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the woodlands bare. In His temple all cry, "Glory!"


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[A psalm; a dedication song for the house. Davidic.] I will exalt You, LORD, because You have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me.


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For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.


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LORD, when You showed Your favor, You made me stand like a strong mountain; when You hid Your face, I was terrified.


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What gain is there in my death, in my descending to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your truth?


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] LORD, I seek refuge in You; let me never be disgraced. Save me by Your righteousness.


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Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mountain fortress to save me.


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I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful love because You have seen my affliction. You have known the troubles of my life


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Be gracious to me, LORD, because I am in distress; my eyes are worn out from angry sorrow-- my whole being as well.


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Indeed, my life is consumed with grief, and my years with groaning; my strength has failed because of my sinfulness, and my bones waste away.


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I am ridiculed by all my adversaries and even by my neighbors. I am an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street run from me.


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I have heard the gossip of many; terror is on every side. When they conspired against me, they plotted to take my life.


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The course of my life is in Your power; deliver me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors.


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LORD, do not let me be disgraced when I call on You. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them be silent in Sheol.


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How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You, and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You.


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You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues.


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May the LORD be praised, for He has wonderfully shown His faithful love to me in a city under siege.


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In my alarm I had said, "I am cut off from Your sight." But You heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to You for help.


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Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You took away the guilt of my sin. Selah


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Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.


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You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah


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Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle, or else it will not come near you.


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Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the LORD will have faithful love surrounding him.


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Let the whole earth tremble before the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.


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[Concerning David, when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech, who drove him out, and he departed.] I will praise the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.


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The face of the LORD is set against those who do what is evil, to erase all memory of them from the earth.


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Let those who seek to kill me be disgraced and humiliated; let those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed.


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Let ruin come on him unexpectedly, and let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it-- to his ruin.


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My very bones will say, "LORD, who is like You, rescuing the poor from one too strong for him, the poor or the needy from one who robs him?"


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Yet when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer was genuine.


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I went about [grieving] as if for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning a mother.


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But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me. Assailants I did not know tore at me and did not stop.


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Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my very life from the young lions.


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Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; do not let those who hate me without cause look at me maliciously.


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For they do not speak in friendly ways, but contrive deceitful schemes against those who live peacefully in the land.


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Vindicate me, LORD, my God, in keeping with Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.


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Do not let them say in their hearts, "Aha! Just what we wanted." Do not let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"


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Let those who rejoice at my misfortune be disgraced and humiliated; let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and reproach.


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Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, "The LORD be exalted, who wants His servant's well-being."


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[For the choir director. [A psalm] of David, the LORD's servant.] An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no dread of God before his eyes,


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Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. He sets himself on a path that is not good and does not reject evil.


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Your righteousness is like the highest mountain; Your judgments, like the deepest sea. LORD, You preserve man and beast.


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Spread Your faithful love over those who know You, and Your righteousness over the upright in heart.


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Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.


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The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the bow to bring down the afflicted and needy and to slaughter those whose way is upright.


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But the wicked will perish; the LORD's enemies, like the glory of the pastures, will fade away-- they will fade away like smoke.


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I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging bread.


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For the LORD loves justice and will not abandon His faithful ones. They are kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked will be destroyed.


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Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land. You will watch when the wicked are destroyed.


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The LORD helps and delivers them; He will deliver them from the wicked and will save them because they take refuge in Him.


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[A Davidic psalm for remembrance.] LORD, do not punish me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.


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There is no soundness in my body because of Your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.


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Those who seek my life set traps, and those who want to harm me threaten to destroy me; they plot treachery all day long.


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[For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Davidic psalm.] I said, "I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my presence."


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You, indeed, have made my days short in length, and my life span as nothing in Your sight. Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor. Selah


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Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.


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You discipline a man with punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is precious to him; every man is a mere vapor. Selah


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Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears. For I am a foreigner residing with You, a sojourner like all my fathers.


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] I waited patiently for the LORD, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.


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He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.


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He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.


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How happy is the man who has put his trust in the LORD and has not turned to the proud or to those who run after lies!


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LORD my God, You have done many things-- Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You. If I were to report and speak [of them], they are more than can be told.


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You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; You open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.


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I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do not keep my mouth closed-- as You know, LORD.


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I did not hide Your righteousness in my heart; I spoke about Your faithfulness and salvation; I did not conceal Your constant love and truth from the great assembly.


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For troubles without number have surrounded me; my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my courage leaves me.


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Let those who seek to take my life be disgraced and confounded. Let those who wish me harm be driven back and humiliated.


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Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, The LORD is great!"


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I am afflicted and needy; the Lord thinks of me. You are my help and my deliverer; my God, do not delay.


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] Happy is one who cares for the poor; the LORD will save him in a day of adversity.


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The LORD will keep him and preserve him; he will be blessed in the land. You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies.


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When one [of them] comes to visit, he speaks deceitfully; he stores up evil in his heart; he goes out and talks.


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[ For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.] As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God.


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I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts.


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Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.


text:
I am deeply depressed; therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.


text:
Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your billows have swept over me.


text:
The LORD will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night-- a prayer to the God of my life.


text:
I will say to God, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy's oppression?"


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My adversaries taunt me, as if crushing my bones, while all day long they say to me, "Where is your God?"


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Vindicate me, God, and defend my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from the deceitful and unjust man.


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For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy's oppression?


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Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place.


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Then I will come to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the lyre, God, my God.


text:
[For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.] God, we have heard with our ears-- our forefathers have told us-- the work You accomplished in their days, in days long ago:


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For they did not take the land by their sword-- their arm did not bring them victory-- but by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You were pleased with them.


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You make us an object of reproach to our neighbors, a source of mockery and ridicule to those around us.


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[For the choir director: according to "The Lilies." A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song.] My heart is moved by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.


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You are the most handsome of men; grace flows from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever.


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in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring deeds.


text:
You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you, more than your companions, with the oil of joy.


text:
Kings' daughters are among your honored women; the queen, adorned with gold from Ophir, stands at your right hand.


text:
In colorful garments she is led to the king; after her, the virgins, her companions, are brought to you.


text:
I will cause your name to be remembered for all generations; therefore the peoples will praise you forever and ever.


text:
[For the choir director. A song of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.] God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.


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Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas,


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He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; He burns up the chariots.


text:
[ For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah.] Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry.


text:
The nobles of the peoples have assembled [with] the people of the God of Abraham. For the leaders of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.


text:
[A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah.] The LORD is great and is highly praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain,


text:
rising splendidly, is the joy of the whole earth. Mount Zion on the slopes of the north is the city of the great King.


text:
Just as we heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of Hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish it forever. Selah


text:
Your name, God, like Your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is filled with justice.


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[For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah.] Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who inhabit the world,


text:
For one can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless also pass away. Then they leave their wealth to others.


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Their graves are their eternal homes, their homes from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves.


text:
This is the way of those who are arrogant, and of their followers, who approve of their words. Selah


text:
Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode.


text:
Though he praises himself during his lifetime-- and people praise you when you do well for yourself--


text:
Our God is coming; He will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes Him, and a storm rages around Him.


text:
I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or for your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me.


text:
But God says to the wicked: "What right do you have to recite My statutes and to take My covenant on your lips?


text:
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But I will rebuke you and lay out the case before you.


text:
Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and whoever orders his conduct, I will show him the salvation of God."


text:
[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.] Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.


text:
Against You-- You alone-- I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge.


text:
Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.


text:
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.


text:
Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.


text:
[For the choir director. A Davidic Maskil. When Doeg the Edomite went and reported to Saul, telling him, "David went to Ahimelech's house."] Why brag about evil, you hero! God's faithful love is constant.


text:
This is why God will bring you down forever. He will take you, ripping you out of your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah


text:
Here is the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, taking refuge in his destructive behavior."


text:
But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in God's faithful love forever and ever.


text:
I will praise You forever for what You have done. In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.


text:
[For the choir director: on Mahalath. A Davidic Maskil.] The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist." They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.


text:
Everyone has turned aside; they have all become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.


text:
Will evildoers never understand? They consume My people as they consume bread; they do not call on God.


text:
Then they will be filled with terror-- terror like no other-- because God will scatter the bones of those who besiege you. You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.


text:
Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.


text:
[For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic Maskil. When the Ziphites went and said to Saul, "Is David not hiding among us?"] God, save me by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!


text:
[For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic Maskil.] God, listen to my prayer and do not ignore my plea for help.


text:
because of the enemy's voice, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me and harass me in anger.


text:
Now, it is not an enemy who insults me-- otherwise I could bear it; it is not a foe who rises up against me-- otherwise I could hide from him.


text:
Let death take them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, because evil is in their homes and within them.


text:
God, the One enthroned from long ago, will hear, and will humiliate them Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.


text:
His buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.


text:
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.


text:
You, God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and treachery will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.


text:
[For the choir director: according to "A Silent Dove Far Away." A Davidic Miktam. When the Philistines seized him in Gath.] Be gracious to me, God, for man tramples me; he fights and oppresses me all day long.


text:
You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records?


text:
For You delivered me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.


text:
[For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Davidic Miktam. When he fled before Saul into the cave.] Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You. I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings until danger passes.


text:
He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah God sends His faithful love and truth.


text:
I am in the midst of lions; I lie down with those who devour men. Their teeth are spears and arrows; their tongues are sharp swords.


text:
They prepared a net for my steps; I was downcast. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah


text:
[For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Davidic Miktam.] Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones? Do you judge people fairly?


text:
Like a slug that moves along in slime, like a woman's miscarried [child], they will not see the sun.


text:
Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns-- whether green or burning-- He will sweep them away.


text:
The righteous will rejoice when he sees the retribution; he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.


text:
Then people will say, "Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth!"


text:
[For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Davidic Miktam. When Saul sent [agents] to watch the house and kill him.] Deliver me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.


text:
LORD, look! They set an ambush for me. Powerful men attack me, but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine.


text:
You, LORD God of Hosts, God of Israel, rise up to punish all the nations; do not show grace to any wicked traitors. Selah


text:
Look, they spew from their mouths-- sharp words from their lips. "For who," [they say,] "will hear?"


text:
Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget. By Your power, make them homeless wanderers and bring them down, Lord, our shield.


text:
The sin of their mouths is the word of their lips, so let them be caught in their pride. They utter curses and lies.


text:
Consume [them] in rage; consume [them] until they are gone. Then they will know to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah


text:
But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.


text:
[For the choir director: according to "The Lily of Testimony." A Davidic Miktam for teaching. When he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck Edom in the Valley of Salt, [killing] 12,000.] God, You have rejected us; You have broken out against us; You have been angry. Restore us!


text:
God has spoken in His sanctuary: "I will triumph! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth.


text:
[For the choir director: on stringed instruments. Davidic.] God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer.


text:
I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me,


text:
[For the choir director: according to Jeduthun. A Davidic psalm.] I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.


text:
How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering stone fence?


text:
They only plan to bring him down from his high position. They take pleasure in lying; they bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly. Selah


text:
Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion. On a balance scale, they go up; together they [weigh] less than a vapor.


text:
Place no trust in oppression, or false hope in robbery. If wealth increases, pay no attention to it.


text:
[A Davidic psalm. When he was in the Wilderness of Judah.] God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.


text:
But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will boast, for the mouths of liars will be shut.


text:
[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] God, hear my voice when I complain. Protect my life from the terror of the enemy.


text:
They encourage each other in an evil plan; they talk about hiding traps and say, "Who will see them?"


text:
They devise crimes [and say,] "We have perfected a secret plan." The inner man and the heart are mysterious.


text:
They will be made to stumble; their own tongues work against them. All who see them will shake their heads.


text:
[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. A song.] Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion; vows to You will be fulfilled.


text:
How happy is the one You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.


text:
You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas;


text:
You visit the earth and water it abundantly, enriching it greatly. God's stream is filled with water, for You prepare the earth in this way, providing [people] with grain.


text:
The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys covered with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.


text:
Say to God, "How awe-inspiring are Your works! Your enemies will cringe before You because of Your great strength.


text:
He rules forever by His might; He keeps His eye on the nations. The rebellious should not exalt themselves. Selah


text:
You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us out to abundance.


text:
I will offer You fattened sheep as burnt offerings, with the fragrant smoke of rams; I will sacrifice oxen with goats. Selah


text:
[For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.] May God be gracious to us and bless us; look on us with favor Selah


text:
Let the nations rejoice and shout for joy, for You judge the peoples with fairness and lead the nations on earth. Selah


text:
[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. A song.] God arises. His enemies scatter, and those who hate Him flee from His presence.


text:
As smoke is blown away, so You blow [them] away. As wax melts before the fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God.


text:
Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds-- His name is Yahweh-- and rejoice before Him.


text:
God provides homes for those who are deserted. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a scorched land.


text:
the earth trembled, and the skies poured down [rain] before God, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.


text:
While you lie among the sheepfolds, the wings of a dove are covered with silver, and its feathers with glistening gold.


text:
Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks, at the mountain God desired for His dwelling? The LORD will live [there] forever!


text:
God's chariots are tens of thousands, thousands and thousands; the Lord is among them in the sanctuary as He was at Sinai.


text:
You ascended to the heights, taking away captives; You received gifts from people, even from the rebellious, so that the LORD God might live [there].


text:
The Lord said, "I will bring [them] back from Bashan; I will bring [them] back from the depths of the sea


text:
There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them, the rulers of Judah in their assembly, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali.


text:
Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war.


text:
God, You are awe-inspiring in Your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. May God be praised!


text:
[For the choir director: according to "The Lilies." Davidic.] Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck.


text:
I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no footing; I have come into deep waters, and a flood sweeps over me.


text:
Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me, are powerful. Though I did not steal, I must repay.


text:
Do not let those who put their hope in You be disgraced because of me, Lord God of Hosts; do not let those who seek You be humiliated because of me, God of Israel.


text:
because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.


text:
But as for me, LORD, my prayer to You is for a time of favor. In Your abundant, faithful love, God, answer me with Your sure salvation.


text:
Rescue me from the miry mud; don't let me sink. Let me be rescued from those who hate me, and from the deep waters.


text:
Don't let the floodwaters sweep over me or the deep swallow me up; don't let the Pit close its mouth over me.


text:
Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I waited for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters, but found no one.


text:
Let those who seek my life be disgraced and confounded; let those who wish me harm be driven back and humiliated.


text:
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, "God is great!"


text:
Be a rock of refuge for me, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and fortress.


text:
May my adversaries be disgraced and confounded; may those who seek my harm be covered with disgrace and humiliation.


text:
My mouth will tell about Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot sum them up.


text:
Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to [another] generation, Your strength to all who are to come.


text:
You caused me to experience many troubles and misfortunes, but You will revive me again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the earth.


text:
Therefore, with a lute I will praise You for Your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to You with a harp, Holy One of Israel.


text:
Therefore, my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who seek my harm will be disgraced and confounded.


text:
May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.


text:
May he live long! May gold from Sheba be given to him. May prayer be offered for him continually, and may he be blessed all day long.


text:
May there be plenty of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops of the mountains. May its crops be like Lebanon. May people flourish in the cities like the grass of the field.


text:
May his name endure forever; as long as the sun shines, may his fame increase. May all nations be blessed by him and call him blessed.


text:
But as for me, God's presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do.


text:
[A Maskil of Asaph.] Why have You rejected [us] forever, God? Why does Your anger burn against the sheep of Your pasture?


text:
Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe for Your own possession. [Remember] Mount Zion where You dwell.


text:
Your adversaries roared in the meeting place where You met with us. They set up their emblems as signs.


text:
They said in their hearts, "Let us oppress them relentlessly." They burned down every place throughout the land where God met with us.


text:
We don't see any signs for us. There is no longer a prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.


text:
[For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song.] We give thanks to You, God; we give thanks to You, for Your name is near. People tell about Your wonderful works.


text:
For there is a cup in the LORD's hand, full of wine blended with spices, and He pours from it. All the wicked of the earth will drink, draining it to the dregs.


text:
[For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.] God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.


text:
The brave-hearted have been plundered; they have slipped into their [final] sleep. None of the warriors was able to lift a hand.


text:
Make and keep your vows to the LORD your God; let all who are around Him bring tribute to the awe-inspiring One.


text:
[For the choir director: according to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.] I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and He will hear me.


text:
In my day of trouble I sought the Lord. My hands were lifted up all night long; I refused to be comforted.


text:
The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; lightning lit up the world. The earth shook and quaked.


text:
Your way went through the sea, and Your path through the great waters, but Your footprints were unseen.


text:
We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the LORD, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed.


text:
He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children


text:
so that a future generation-- children yet to be born-- might know. They were to rise and tell their children


text:
so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments.


text:
Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.


text:
Look! He struck the rock and water gushed out; torrents overflowed. But can He also provide bread or furnish meat for His people?"


text:
Therefore, the LORD heard and became furious; then fire broke out against Jacob, and anger flared up against Israel


text:
God's anger flared up against them, and He killed some of their best men. He struck down Israel's choice young men.


text:
Yet He was compassionate; He atoned for [their] guilt and did not destroy [them]. He often turned His anger aside and did not unleash all His wrath.


text:
He sent His burning anger against them: fury, indignation, and calamity-- a band of deadly messengers.


text:
He cleared a path for His anger. He did not spare them from death, but delivered their lives to the plague.


text:
He drove out nations before them. He apportioned their inheritance by lot and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.


text:
He brought him from tending ewes to be shepherd over His people Jacob-- over Israel, His inheritance.


text:
[A psalm of Asaph.] God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance, desecrated Your holy temple, and turned Jerusalem into ruins.


text:
They gave the corpses of Your servants to the birds of the sky for food, the flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth.


text:
We have become an object of reproach to our neighbors, a source of mockery and ridicule to those around us.


text:
Pour out Your wrath on the nations that don't acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that don't call on Your name,


text:
God of our salvation, help us-- for the glory of Your name. Deliver us and atone for our sins, because of Your name.


text:
Why should the nations ask, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, let vengeance for the shed blood of Your servants be known among the nations.


text:
Let the groans of the prisoners reach You; according to Your great power, preserve those condemned to die.


text:
Then we, Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will thank You forever; we will declare Your praise to generation after generation.


text:
[For the choir director: according to "The Lilies." A testimony of Asaph. A psalm.] Listen, Shepherd of Israel, who guides Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned [on] the cherubim, rise up


text:
Let Your hand be with the man at Your right hand, with the son of man You have made strong for Yourself.


text:
[For the choir director: on the Gittith. Of Asaph.] Sing for joy to God our strength; shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.


text:
He set it up as an ordinance for Joseph when He went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard an unfamiliar language:


text:
You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah


text:
I am Yahweh your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.


text:
Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.


text:
They do not know or understand; they wander in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.


text:
They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation so that Israel's name will no longer be remembered."


text:
[For the choir director: on the Gittith. A psalm of the sons of Korah.] How lovely is Your dwelling place, LORD of Hosts.


text:
Even a sparrow finds a home, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young-- near Your altars, LORD of Hosts, my King and my God.


text:
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings.


text:
Better a day in Your courts than a thousand [anywhere else]. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of the wicked.


text:
For the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.


text:
[For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah.] LORD, You showed favor to Your land; You restored Jacob's prosperity.


text:
I will listen to what God will say; surely the LORD will declare peace to His people, His godly ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways.


text:
Teach me Your way, LORD, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.


text:
God, arrogant people have attacked me; a gang of ruthless men seeks my life. They have no regard for You.


text:
But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in faithful love and truth.


text:
Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your female servant.


text:
Show me a sign of Your goodness; my enemies will see and be put to shame because You, LORD, have helped and comforted me.


text:
I will mention those who know Me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush-- each one was born there."


text:
And it will be said of Zion, "This one and that one were born in her." The Most High Himself will establish her.


text:
[A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.] LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out before You day and night.


text:
abandoned among the dead. I am like the slain lying in the grave, whom You no longer remember, and who are cut off from Your care.


text:
You have distanced my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them. I am shut in and cannot go out.


text:
My eyes are worn out from crying. LORD, I cry out to You all day long; I spread out my hands to You.


text:
[A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.] I will sing about the LORD's faithful love forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations.


text:
For I will declare, "Faithful love is built up forever; You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens."


text:
[The LORD said,] "I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David My servant:


text:
God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, more awe-inspiring than all who surround Him.


text:
You once spoke in a vision to Your loyal ones and said: "I have granted help to a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.


text:
Remember, Lord, the ridicule against Your servants-- in my heart I carry [abuse] from all the peoples--


text:
Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, You are God.


text:
For in Your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that passes by, like a few hours of the night.


text:
Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.


text:
Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.


text:
Make us rejoice for as many days as You have humbled us, for as many years as we have seen adversity.


text:
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands-- establish the work of our hands!


text:
He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.


text:
Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you.


text:
Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will exalt him because he knows My name.


text:
When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.


text:
[A psalm. A song for the Sabbath day.] It is good to praise the LORD, to sing praise to Your name, Most High,


text:
For You have made me rejoice, LORD, by what You have done; I will shout for joy because of the works of Your hands.


text:
The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; The LORD is robed, enveloped in strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.


text:
The floods have lifted up, LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves.


text:
Greater than the roar of many waters-- the mighty breakers of the sea-- the LORD on high is majestic.


text:
LORD, Your testimonies are completely reliable; holiness is the beauty of Your house for all the days to come.


text:
He will pay them back for their sins and destroy them for their evil. The LORD our God will destroy them.


text:
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice:


text:
For 40 years I was disgusted with that generation; I said, 'They are a people whose hearts go astray; they do not know My ways.'


text:
Say among the nations: "The LORD reigns. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. He judges the peoples fairly."


text:
before the LORD, for He is coming-- for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His faithfulness.


text:
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD-- at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.


text:
All who serve carved images, those who boast in idols, will be put to shame. All the gods must worship Him.


text:
You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of His godly ones; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked.


text:
[A psalm.] Sing a new song to the LORD, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have won Him victory.


text:
He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen our God's victory.


text:
With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn shout triumphantly in the presence of the LORD, our King.


text:
before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly.


text:
The mighty King loves justice. You have established fairness; You have administered justice and righteousness in Jacob.


text:
Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel also was among those calling on His name. They called to the Lord, and He answered them.


text:
Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we are His-- His people, the sheep of His pasture.


text:
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.


text:
I will pay attention to the way of integrity. When will You come to me? I will live with integrity of heart in my house.


text:
I will not set anything godless before my eyes. I hate the doing of transgression; it will not cling to me.


text:
I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor; I cannot tolerate anyone with haughty eyes or an arrogant heart.


text:
My eyes [favor] the faithful of the land so that they may sit down with me. The one who follows the way of integrity may serve me.


text:
No one who acts deceitfully will live in my palace; no one who tells lies will remain in my presence.


text:
Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, eliminating all evildoers from the LORD's city.


text:
[A prayer of an afflicted person who is weak and pours out his lament before the Lord.] LORD, hear my prayer; let my cry for help come before You.


text:
Do not hide Your face from me in my day of trouble. Listen closely to me; answer me quickly when I call.


text:
You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her-- the appointed time has come.


text:
I say: "My God, do not take me in the middle of my life! Your years continue through all generations.


text:
They will perish, but You will endure; all of them will wear out like clothing. You will change them like a garment, and they will pass away.


text:
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him.


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But from eternity to eternity the LORD's faithful love is toward those who fear Him, and His righteousness toward the grandchildren


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My soul, praise the LORD! LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with majesty and splendor.


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laying the beams of His palace on the waters [above], making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind,


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He causes grass to grow for the livestock and [provides] crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth,


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wine that makes man's heart glad-- making his face shine with oil-- and bread that sustains man's heart.


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How countless are Your works, LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.


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Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number-- living things both large and small.


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When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things.


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When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.


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so that I may enjoy the prosperity of Your chosen ones, rejoice in the joy of Your nation, and boast about Your heritage.


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Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp [the significance of] Your wonderful works or remember Your many acts of faithful love; instead, they rebelled by the sea-- the Red Sea.


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So He said He would have destroyed them-- if Moses His chosen one had not stood before Him in the breach to turn His wrath away from destroying [them].


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They shed innocent blood-- the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; so the land became polluted with blood.


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He rescued them many times, but they continued to rebel deliberately and were beaten down by their sin.


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Save us, LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, so that we may give thanks to Your holy name and rejoice in Your praise.


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May the LORD, the God of Israel, be praised from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Hallelujah!


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[A song. A Davidic psalm.] My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being.


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Let his forefathers' guilt be remembered before the LORD, and do not let his mother's sin be blotted out.


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Let their sins always remain before the LORD, and let Him cut off [all] memory of them from the earth.


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For he did not think to show kindness, but pursued the wretched poor and the brokenhearted in order to put them to death.


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But You, God my Lord, deal [kindly] with me because of Your name; deliver me because of the goodness of Your faithful love.


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I have become an object of ridicule to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads [in scorn].


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Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.


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[A Davidic psalm.] The LORD declared to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool."


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Your people will volunteer on Your day of battle. In holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, the dew of Your youth belongs to You.


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Hallelujah! I will praise the LORD with all my heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.


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He has sent redemption to His people. He has ordained His covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring.


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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.


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He distributes freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted in honor.


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The wicked man will see [it] and be angry; he will gnash his teeth in despair. The desire of the wicked will come to nothing.


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Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth.


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They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats.


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The LORD remembers us and will bless [us]. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron;


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The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow.


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LORD, I am indeed Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your female servant. You have loosened my bonds.


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They surrounded me like bees; they were extinguished like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I destroyed them.


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There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand strikes with power!


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The LORD is God and has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.


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In keeping with Your faithful love, hear my voice. LORD, give me life, in keeping with Your justice.


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[A Davidic song of ascents.] I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."


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where the tribes, the tribes of the LORD, go up to give thanks to the name of the LORD. (This is an ordinance for Israel.)


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Like a servant's eyes on His master's hand, like a servant girl's eyes on her mistress's hand, so our eyes are on the LORD our God until He shows us favor.


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[A song of ascents.] Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.


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The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice.


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But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways, the LORD will banish them with the evildoers. Peace be with Israel.


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Our mouths were filled with laughter then, and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."


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Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.


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[A Solomonic song of ascents.] Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the LORD watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.


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In vain you get up early and stay up late, eating food earned by hard work; certainly He gives sleep to the one He loves.


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Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with [their] enemies at the city gate.


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You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you.


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Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your sons, like young olive trees around your table.


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May the LORD bless you from Zion, so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life,


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Then none who pass by will say, "May the LORD's blessing be on you." We bless you in the name of the LORD.


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Israel, put your hope in the LORD. For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with Him is redemption in abundance.


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[A Davidic song of ascents.] LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me.


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Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child.


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The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not abandon: "I will set one of your descendants on your throne.


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If your sons keep My covenant and My decrees that I will teach them, their sons will also sit on your throne, forever."


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It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron's beard, on his robes.


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It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has appointed the blessing-- life forevermore.


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[A song of ascents.] Now praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who stand in the LORD's house at night!


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He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses.


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for our captors there asked us for songs, and our tormentors, for rejoicing: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion."


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May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!


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Remember, LORD, [what] the Edomites said that day at Jerusalem: "Destroy it! Destroy it down to its foundations!"


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Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who pays you back what you have done to us.


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[Davidic.] I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings.


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I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and faithfulness. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.


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If I walk in the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me.


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The LORD will fulfill [His purpose] for me. LORD, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.


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even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You.


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I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know [this] very well.


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My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.


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Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all [my] days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.


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[For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.] Rescue me, LORD, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men


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Protect me, LORD, from the clutches of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble.


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The proud hide a trap with ropes for me; they spread a net along the path and set snares for me. Selah


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LORD, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let them achieve their goals. [Otherwise,] they will become proud. Selah


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Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or wickedly perform reckless acts with men who commit sin. Do not let me feast on their delicacies.


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Let the righteous one strike me-- it is [an act of] faithful love; let him rebuke me-- it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked.


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When their rulers will be thrown off the sides of a cliff, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasing.


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As when one plows and breaks up the soil, [turning up rocks], so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.


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[A Davidic Maskil. When he was in the cave. A prayer.] I cry aloud to the LORD; I plead aloud to the LORD for mercy.


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Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me.


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Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me.


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Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.


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Free me from prison so that I can praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because You deal generously with me.


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[A Davidic psalm.] LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness listen to my plea, and in Your righteousness answer me.


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For the enemy has pursued me, crushing me to the ground, making me live in darkness like those long dead.


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Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Don't hide Your face from me, or I will be like those going down to the Pit.


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Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go, because I long for You.


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and in Your faithful love destroy my enemies. Wipe out all those who attack me, for I am Your servant.


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[Davidic.] May the LORD my rock be praised, who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare.


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He is my faithful love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in Him; He subdues my people under me.


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Set me free and rescue me from the grasp of foreigners whose mouths speak lies, whose right hands are deceptive.


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Then our sons will be like plants nurtured in their youth, our daughters, like corner pillars that are carved in the palace style.


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Our storehouses will be full, supplying all kinds of produce; our flocks will increase by thousands and tens of thousands in our open fields.


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Our cattle will be well fed. There will be no breach [in the walls], no going [into captivity], and no cry of lament in our public squares.


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Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; Your rule is for all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words and gracious in all His actions.


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My mouth will declare the LORD's praise; let every living thing praise His holy name forever and ever.


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The LORD opens [the eyes of] the blind. The LORD raises up those who are oppressed. The LORD loves the righteous.


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The LORD protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.


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Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth.


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He has raised up a horn for His people, praise from all His godly ones, from the Israelites, the people close to Him. Hallelujah!


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If they say-- "Come with us! Let's set an ambush and kill someone. Let's attack some innocent person just for fun!


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Such are the paths of all who pursue gain dishonestly; it takes the lives of those who profit from it.


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How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance? [How long] will [you] mockers enjoy mocking and [you] fools hate knowledge?


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when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you.


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For the waywardness of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.


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Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.


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Don't say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow"-- when it is there with you.


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For they can't sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.


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Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor's power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.


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When you walk here and there, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you.


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So it is with the one who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.


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until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare-- he doesn't know it will cost him his life.


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I was there when He established the heavens, when He laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,


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when He set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate His command, when He laid out the foundations of the earth.


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Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.


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The one who corrects a mocker will bring dishonor on himself; the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.


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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.


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If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear [the consequences]."


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But he doesn't know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.


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Solomon's proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.


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Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.


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The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.


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Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so the slacker is to the one who sends him [on an errand].


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The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked, [only] what is perverse.


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The righteousness of the blameless clears his path, but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.


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The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.


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If someone puts up security for a stranger, he will suffer for it, but the one who hates such agreements is protected.


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Those with twisted minds are detestable to the LORD, but those with blameless conduct are His delight.


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The one who searches for what is good finds favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.


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The one who brings ruin on his household will inherit the wind, and a fool will be a slave to someone whose heart is wise.


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A righteous man cares about his animal's health, but [even] the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.


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A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man's hands will reward him.


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A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor, but the ways of wicked men lead them astray.


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From the words of his mouth, a man will enjoy good things, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.


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The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.


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Poverty and disgrace [come to] those who ignore instruction, but the one who accepts rebuke will be honored.


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A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.


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The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.


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Where there are no oxen, the feeding-trough is empty, but an abundant harvest [comes] through the strength of an ox.


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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.


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The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.


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Anyone who ignores instruction despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.


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Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD.


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Acquire wisdom-- how much better it is than gold! And acquire understanding-- it is preferable to silver.


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The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.


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The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.


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The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding.


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An offended brother is [harder to reach] than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.


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From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.


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All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends keep their distance from him! He may pursue [them with] words, [but] they are not [there].


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Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson; rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.


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Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.


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When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.


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The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.


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The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!


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There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked; the one who guards himself stays far from them.


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Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth; the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.


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in order to teach you true and reliable words, so that you may give a dependable report to those who sent you?


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Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men.


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As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.


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for as he thinks within himself, so he is. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.


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The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.


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Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?


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They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn't know it! When will I wake up? I'll look for another [drink]."


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If you say, "But we didn't know about this," won't He who weighs hearts consider it? Won't He who protects your life know? Won't He repay a person according to his work?


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realize that wisdom is the same for you. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.


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Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"-- people will curse him, and tribes will denounce him;


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for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.


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Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterwards if your opponent humiliates you?


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To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life of his masters.


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Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day, or like [pouring] vinegar on soda.


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Don't abandon your friend or your father's friend, and don't go to your brother's house in your time of calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.


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If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him.


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Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, you will not separate his foolishness from him.


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there will be enough goat's milk for your food-- food for your household and nourishment for your servants.


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When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.


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Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor.


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The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.


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When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves.


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The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.


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A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates unjust gain prolongs his life.


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The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall.


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The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.


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The one who robs his father or mother and says, "That's no sin," is a companion to a man who destroys.


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The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.


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A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.


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By justice a king brings stability to a land, but a man [who demands] "contributions" demolishes it.


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The righteous person knows the rights of the poor, but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.


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An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.


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Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son-- if you know?


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Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need.


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Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, "Who is the LORD?" or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God.


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There is a generation whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, devouring the oppressed from the land and the needy from among mankind.


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The leech has two daughters: Give, Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough!":


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Sheol; a barren womb; earth, which is never satisfied with water; and fire, which never says, "Enough!"


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As for the eye that ridicules a father and despises obedience to a mother, may ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures eat it.


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the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a young woman.


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If you have been foolish by exalting yourself, or if you've been scheming, put your hand over your mouth.


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For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife.


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She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her servants.


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Gusting to the south, turning to the north, turning, turning, goes the wind, and the wind returns in its cycles.


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All the streams flow to the sea, yet the sea is never full. The streams are flowing to the place, and they flow there again.


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All things are wearisome; man is unable to speak. The eye is not satisfied by seeing or the ear filled with hearing.


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What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.


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There is no memory of those who came before; and of those who will come after there will also be no memory among those who follow [them].


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I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied.


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I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.


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I said to myself, "Look, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me, and my mind has thoroughly grasped wisdom and knowledge."


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I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.


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I said to myself, "Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure and enjoy what is good." But it turned out to be futile.


