# verses

text:
In every town in Judah, Ahaz made ·places [high places; ] for burning sacrifices to other gods. So he ·made [provoked] the Lord, the God of his ·ancestors [fathers], ·very angry [to anger].


text:
The ·other things Ahaz did as king [rest of the events/acts/history of Ahaz’s reign], from ·beginning to end [first to last], are written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
Ahaz ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem], but not in the ·graves [tombs] of the kings of Israel. Ahaz’s son Hezekiah became king in his place.


text:
Hezekiah Purifies the Temple Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah.


text:
Hezekiah did what ·the Lord said was right [was pleasing/proper in the eyes/sight of the Lord], just as his ·ancestor [father] David had done.


text:
Hezekiah opened the doors of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and ·repaired [restored] them in the first month of the first year he was king.


text:
Hezekiah brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the ·courtyard [square] on the east side of the ·Temple [house].


text:
Hezekiah said, “Listen to me, Levites. ·Make yourselves ready for the Lord’s service [Consecrate/Purify/Sanctify yourselves], and ·make holy [consecrate/purify/sanctify] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers]. Remove from the ·Temple [house] everything that makes it ·impure [defiled; ritually unclean].


text:
Our ·ancestors [fathers] were unfaithful to God and did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes]. They ·left [abandoned; forsook] the Lord and ·stopped worshiping at [turned their faces away from] the ·Temple [house] where he lives. They ·rejected [turned their backs on] him.


text:
They shut the doors of the ·porch [portico; vestibule; entry room] of the ·Temple [house], and ·they let the fire go out in [put/snuffed out] the lamps. They stopped burning incense and offering burnt offerings in the ·holy place to [sanctuary of] the God of Israel.


text:
So the Lord became very angry with the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and he ·punished them. Other people are frightened and shocked by what he did to them. So they ·insult the people of Judah. You know these things are true […made them an object of dread/terror, horror, and ridicule/hissing, as you can see with your own eyes].


text:
That is why our ·ancestors [fathers] ·were killed in battle [have fallen by the sword] and our sons, daughters, and wives ·were [are] taken captive.


text:
Now I, Hezekiah, ·have decided [intend] to make an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with the Lord, the God of Israel, so ·he will not be angry with us anymore [his burning anger will turn away from us].


text:
My sons, don’t ·waste any more time [be negligent now]. The Lord chose you to stand ·before him [in his presence], to ·serve [minister to] him, to be his ·servants [ministers], and to burn incense to him.”


text:
·These are [Then] the Levites ·who started to work [rose]. From the Kohathite ·family [clan] there were Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah. From the Merarite ·family [clan] there were Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel. From the Gershonite ·family [clan] there were Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah.


text:
From Elizaphan’s ·family [clan] there were Shimri and Jeiel. From Asaph’s ·family [clan] there were Zechariah and Mattaniah.


text:
From Heman’s ·family [clan] there were Jehiel and Shimei. From Jeduthun’s ·family [clan] there were Shemaiah and Uzziel [].


text:
These Levites gathered their brothers together and ·made themselves holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves]. Then they went into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord to purify it. They obeyed the king’s command that had come from the Lord.


text:
When the priests went into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord to ·purify [cleanse] it, they took out all the ·unclean [defiled; ritually] things they found in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and put them in the ·Temple [house] courtyard. Then the Levites took these things out to the Kidron Valley.


text:
Beginning on the first day of the first month, they ·made holy [consecrated; purified; sanctified] the ·Temple [house]. On the eighth day of the month, they came to the ·porch [portico; vestibule; entry room] of the ·Temple [house], and for eight more days they ·made holy [consecrated; purified; sanctified] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. So they finished on the sixteenth day of the first month.


text:
Then they went to King Hezekiah and said, “We have ·purified [cleansed] the entire ·Temple [house] of the Lord, the altar for burnt offerings and its ·utensils [equipment], and the table for the ·holy bread [showbread] and all its ·utensils [equipment].


text:
When Ahaz was king, he was unfaithful to God and ·removed some things [discarded some utensils/equipment]. But we have ·put them back [prepared] and ·made them holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified them] for the Lord. They are now in front of the Lord’s altar.”


text:
Early the next morning King Hezekiah ·gathered [assembled] the ·leaders [officials] of the city and went up to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
They brought seven ·bulls [oxen], seven ·male sheep [rams], seven lambs, and seven male goats. These animals were an ·offering to remove the sin of the people and [sin offering for] the kingdom ·of [or and for] Judah and ·to make [for] the ·Temple [sanctuary]. King Hezekiah commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to ·offer [sacrifice] these animals on the Lord’s altar.


text:
So the priests ·killed [slaughtered] the ·bulls [oxen] and sprinkled their blood on the altar. They ·killed [slaughtered] the ·sheep [rams] and sprinkled their blood on the altar. Then they ·killed [slaughtered] the lambs and sprinkled their blood on the altar.


text:
Then the priests brought the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the people there. After the king and the people ·put [laid] their hands on the goats,


text:
the priests ·killed [slaughtered] them. They ·made an offering [sprinkled/presented their blood] on the altar to ·remove the sins of the Israelites [atone for all Israel]. The king had said that the burnt offering [] and ·sin [or purification] offering [] should be made for all Israel.


text:
King Hezekiah ·put [stationed; positioned] the Levites in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, as David, Gad, and Nathan had commanded. (Gad was the king’s ·seer [prophet], and Nathan was a prophet.) This command came from the Lord through his prophets.


text:
Then Hezekiah gave the order to ·sacrifice [offer] the burnt offering [] on the altar. When the burnt offering [] began, the singing to the Lord also began. The trumpets were blown, and the musical instruments of David king of Israel were played.


text:
·All the people [The entire assembly] worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters ·blew their trumpets [sounded] until the burnt offering [] was finished.


text:
King Hezekiah and his ·officers [officials] ordered the Levites to ·praise [sing praises to] the Lord, using the words David and Asaph the ·seer [prophet] had used. So they praised God with ·joy [gladness] and bowed down and worshiped.


text:
Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you people of Judah have ·given [consecrated; dedicated] yourselves to the Lord, come near to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. Bring sacrifices and ·offerings, to show thanks to him [or thank offerings].” So the people brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and anyone who was willing also brought burnt offerings [].


text:
For burnt offerings [] they brought a total of seventy ·bulls [oxen], one hundred ·male sheep [rams], and two hundred lambs; all these animals were sacrificed as burnt offerings to the Lord.


text:
The ·holy [consecrated] offerings totaled six hundred ·bulls [oxen] and three thousand sheep and goats.


text:
There were not enough priests to skin all the animals for the burnt offerings. So their ·relatives [brothers] the Levites helped them until the work was finished and other priests could be ·made holy [consecrated; purified; sanctified]. The Levites had been more careful to ·make themselves holy [consecrate/purify/sanctify themselves] than the priests.


text:
There were many burnt offerings [] along with the fat of ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [] and drink offerings. So the service in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord ·began again [was established/restored].


text:
And Hezekiah and the people ·were very happy [rejoiced] that God had made it happen so quickly for his people.


text:
The Passover Celebration King Hezekiah sent messages to all the people of Israel and Judah, and he wrote letters to the people of Ephraim and Manasseh. Hezekiah invited all these people to come to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord in Jerusalem to ·celebrate [keep; observe] the Passover for the Lord, the God of Israel [].


text:
King Hezekiah, his ·officers [officials], and all the ·people [community; assembly] in Jerusalem ·agreed [decided] to ·celebrate [keep; observe] the Passover in the second month.


text:
They could not ·celebrate [keep; observe] it at the ·normal [prescribed] time, because not enough priests had ·made themselves ready to serve the Lord [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves], and the people had not yet ·gathered [assembled] in Jerusalem.


text:
So they ·made an announcement [sent a proclamation/edict] everywhere in Israel, from Beersheba [in the south] to Dan [in the north; that is, all the people in Israel], telling the people to come to Jerusalem to ·celebrate [keep; observe] the Passover for the Lord, the God of Israel. The people had not ·celebrated [kept; observed] the Passover as the law commanded ·for a long time [or in great numbers].


text:
At the king’s command, ·the messengers [couriers; runners] took letters from him and his ·officers [officials] all through Israel and Judah. This is what the letters said: People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Then God will return to the ·few [remnant] of you who have ·escaped [been spared] from the kings of Assyria.


text:
Don’t be like your ·ancestors [fathers] or your ·relatives [brothers]. They ·turned against [were unfaithful to] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], so he ·caused other people to be disgusted with them. You know this is true […made them an object of horror/derision, as you see].


text:
Don’t be ·stubborn [stiff-necked] as your ·ancestors [fathers] were, but ·obey the Lord willingly [submit/yield to the Lord]. Come to the ·Temple [sanctuary], which he has ·made holy [consecrated; set apart] forever. Serve the Lord your God so ·he will not be angry with [his fierce anger will turn away from] you.


text:
Come back to the Lord. Then the people who captured your ·relatives [brothers] and ·children [sons] will be ·kind [merciful; compassionate] to them and will let them return to this land. The Lord your God is ·kind [gracious] and ·merciful [compassionate]. He will not turn ·away [his face] from you if you return to him.


text:
The ·messengers [couriers; runners] went to every town in Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the way to Zebulun, but the people ·laughed at [scorned] them and ·made fun of [mocked; ridiculed] them.


text:
But some men from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun ·were sorry for what they had done [humbled themselves] and went to Jerusalem.


text:
And ·God united all the people of [God’s hand was on] Judah ·in obeying [giving them one heart to do the commands of] King Hezekiah and his ·officers [officials], because their command ·had come from [was the word of] the Lord.


text:
In the second month a very large crowd came together in Jerusalem to ·celebrate [keep; observe] the ·Feast [Festival] of Unleavened Bread.


text:
The people removed the altars and incense altars [to pagan gods] in Jerusalem and threw them into the Kidron Valley.


text:
They ·killed [slaughtered] the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed [because others are doing what they should be doing], so they ·made themselves holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves] and brought burnt offerings into the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
They took their ·regular places [stations; posts] in the ·Temple [house] as the ·Teachings [law] of Moses, the man of God, ·commanded [prescribed]. The Levites gave the blood [from the sacrifices] to the priests, who sprinkled it [on the altar].


text:
Since many people in the crowd had not ·made themselves holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves], the Levites ·killed [slaughtered] the Passover lambs for everyone who was ·not clean [defiled; ritually unclean]. The Levites ·made each lamb holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified them] for the Lord.


text:
Although many people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not ·purified [consecrated; sanctified; cleansed] themselves, they ate the Passover even though it was ·against the law [without what is written]. So Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “Lord, you are good. You are the Lord, the God of our ·ancestors [fathers]. Please ·forgive [pardon] all those who ·try to obey you [set their heart on seeking God] even if they did not ·make themselves clean [purify themselves] as the rules of the ·Temple [sanctuary] command.”


text:
The Israelites in Jerusalem ·celebrated [kept; observed] the ·Feast [Festival] of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy. The Levites and priests praised the Lord every day with loud ·music [instruments].


text:
Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who showed ·they understood well how to do [or good skill in] their service for the Lord. The people ate the feast for seven days, ·offered [sacrificed] ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [], and ·praised [gave thanks to] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
Then all the people agreed to stay seven more days, so they celebrated with joy for seven more days.


text:
Hezekiah king of Judah gave one thousand ·bulls [oxen] and seven thousand sheep to the ·people [assembly]. The ·officers [officials] gave one thousand ·bulls [oxen] and ten thousand sheep to the ·people [assembly]. Many priests ·made themselves holy [consecrated/purified/sanctified themselves].


text:
All the ·people [assembly] of Judah, the priests, the Levites, those who came from Israel, the ·foreigners [sojourners; wanderers; resident aliens] from Israel, and the ·foreigners [sojourners; wanderers; resident aliens] living in Judah ·were very happy [rejoiced].


text:
There was much joy in Jerusalem, because there had not been a celebration like this since the time of Solomon son of David and king of Israel.


text:
The priests and Levites stood up and blessed the people, and God heard them ·because their prayer reached [from] heaven, his holy home.


text:
The Collection for the Priests When the Passover celebration was finished, all the Israelites in Jerusalem went out to the towns of Judah. There they smashed the ·stone [sacred] pillars [used in pagan worship]. They cut down the Asherah ·idols [poles; ] and destroyed the altars and ·places for worshiping gods [high places; ] in all of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. After they had destroyed all of them, the Israelites returned to their own towns and ·homes [properties].


text:
King Hezekiah ·appointed [organized; assigned] ·groups [divisions] of priests and Levites for their special duties. They were to ·offer [sacrifice] burnt offerings [] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [], to ·worship [serve], and to give thanks and praise at the gates of the Lord’s ·house [camp].


text:
Hezekiah gave some of his own animals for the burnt offerings [], which were given every morning and evening, on Sabbath days, during New Moons, and at other feasts ·commanded [prescribed] in the Lord’s ·Teachings [instructions; laws].


text:
Hezekiah commanded the people living in Jerusalem to give the priests and Levites the portion ·that belonged to [prescribed for] them. Then the priests and Levites could ·give all their time [devote themselves] to the Lord’s ·Teachings [instructions; laws].


text:
As soon as the king’s command went out to the Israelites, they gave ·freely of the [generously/abundantly from the] first ·portion [fruits; harvest] of their grain, new wine, oil, honey, and ·everything they grew [all the produce] in their fields. They brought a large amount, ·one-tenth [a tithe] of everything.


text:
The people of Israel and Judah who lived in Judah also brought ·one-tenth [a tithe] of their cattle and sheep and ·one-tenth [a tithe] of the ·holy things [sacred/consecrated/dedicated things] that were given to the Lord their God, and they put all of them in ·piles [heaps].


text:
The people began the ·piles [heaps] in the third month [late spring] and finished in the seventh month [early autumn].


text:
When Hezekiah and his ·officers [officials] came and saw the ·piles [heaps], they ·praised [blessed; thanked] the Lord and his people Israel.


text:
Azariah, the leading priest from Zadok’s ·family [clan; house], answered Hezekiah, “Since the people began to bring their ·offerings [contributions; gifts] to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, we have had plenty to eat and plenty left over, because the Lord has blessed his people. So we have all this left over.”


text:
Then Hezekiah commanded the priests to prepare the storerooms in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. So this was done.


text:
Then the priests brought in the ·offerings [contributions] and the ·things given to the Lord [consecrated/purified/sanctified things] and ·one-tenth of everything the people had given [the tithes]. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of these things, and his brother Shimei was ·second to him [his assistant].


text:
Conaniah and his brother Shimei were over these supervisors: Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath, and Benaiah. King Hezekiah and Azariah the officer in charge of the ·Temple [house] of God had ·chosen [appointed] them.


text:
Kore son of Imnah the Levite was in charge of the ·special gifts the people wanted to give [voluntary/free will offerings] to God. He was responsible for ·giving out [distributing] the contributions made to the Lord and the ·holy [consecrated; dedicated] gifts. Kore was the guard at the East Gate.


text:
Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah helped Kore in the towns where the priests lived. They gave from what was collected to ·the other groups of priests [their brothers by divisions], both ·old [great] and ·young [small].


text:
They also gave to the males three years old and older who had their names in the ·Levite family [genealogical] ·histories [records]. ·They were to enter […all who entered] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord for their daily ·service [duties], ·each group having its own responsibilities [according to their divisions].


text:
The priests were given their part of the collection, by ·families [ancestral houses], as listed in the ·family [genealogical] ·histories [records]. The Levites twenty years old and older were given their part of the collection, based on their ·responsibilities [duties] and their ·groups [divisions].


text:
The Levites’ babies, wives, sons, and daughters also got part of the collection. This was done for all the Levites who were ·listed [enrolled] in the ·family histories [genealogical records], because they ·always kept themselves ready to serve the Lord [faithfully consecrated/purified themselves].


text:
Some of Aaron’s descendants, the priests, lived on the farmlands near the towns or in the towns. Men were ·chosen [appointed; designated] by name to ·give [distribute] part of the collection to these priests. All the males and those ·named [listed] in the ·family histories [genealogical records] of the Levites received part of the collection.


text:
This is what King Hezekiah did ·in [throughout] Judah. He did what was good and right and ·obedient [faithful; true; pleasing] before the Lord his God.


text:
Hezekiah tried to ·obey [seek] God in his service of the ·Temple [house] of God, and in following his ·teachings [instructions; laws] and commands. He ·gave himself fully to his work for God [did so wholeheartedly] and therefore ·had success [prospered].


text:
Assyria Attacks Judah After Hezekiah ·did all these things to serve the Lord [accomplished these faithful acts], Sennacherib king of Assyria ·came and attacked [invaded] Judah. He and his army ·surrounded and attacked [besieged] the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities, ·hoping [intending] to take them for himself.


text:
So Hezekiah and his ·officers [officials] and army ·commanders [officers] decided to ·cut off [stop the flow of] the water from the springs outside the city. So they helped Hezekiah.


text:
Many people ·came [gathered] and ·cut off [stopped up] all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. They said, “Why should the king of Assyria come and find ·plenty of [abundant] water?”


text:
Then Hezekiah ·made Jerusalem stronger. He […took courage/or worked hard/strengthened himself and] rebuilt all the broken parts of the wall and ·put [erected; raised] towers on it. He also built another wall outside the first one and strengthened the ·area that was filled in on the east side [Millo; possibly fortified terraces] of the City of David [Jerusalem]. He also made many weapons and shields.


text:
Hezekiah ·put [appointed] army ·commanders [officers] over the ·people [or army] and met with them ·at the open place near [in the square at] the city gate. Hezekiah encouraged them, saying,


text:
“Be strong and ·brave [courageous]. Don’t be afraid or ·worried [panic] because of the king of Assyria or ·his large army [all his horde]. There is a greater ·power [one] with us than with him.


text:
He only has ·men [human strength; an arm of flesh], but we have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” The people were encouraged by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.


text:
After this King Sennacherib of Assyria and all his army ·surrounded and attacked [besieged] Lachish. Then he sent his ·officers [officials; servants] to Jerusalem with this message for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah in Jerusalem:


text:
Sennacherib king of Assyria says this: “·You have nothing to trust in [On what are you trusting…?] to help you. ·It is no use for you to [Why do you…?] stay in Jerusalem under ·attack [siege].


text:
Hezekiah says to you, ‘The Lord our God will ·save [rescue; deliver] us from the hand of the king of Assyria,’ but he is ·fooling [misleading; deceiving] you, condemning you to death from hunger and thirst.


text:
·Hezekiah [Did not Hezekiah…?] himself removed your Lord’s ·places of worship [high places; ] and altars. He told you people of Judah and Jerusalem that you must worship and burn incense on only one altar [in the Temple at Jerusalem].


text:
“·You know [Do you not realize…?] what my ·ancestors [fathers] and I have done to all the people ·in other nations [of the lands]. ·The gods of those nations could not [Were the gods of those lands able to…?] ·save [rescue] their people from my ·power [hand].


text:
My ·ancestors [fathers] destroyed those nations. ·None [Which…?] of their gods could save them from ·me [my hand]. ·So your god cannot [Why suppose your god/God can…?] ·save [rescue; deliver] you from my ·power [hand].


text:
Do not let Hezekiah ·fool [deceive] you or ·trick [mislead] you, and do not believe him. No god of any nation or kingdom has been able to ·save [rescue; deliver] his people from me or my ·ancestors [fathers]. ·Your god is even less [How much less will your god/God be…?] able to ·save [rescue; deliver] you from me.”


text:
Sennacherib’s ·officers [officials] ·said worse things against [further insulted/mocked] the Lord God and his servant Hezekiah.


text:
King Sennacherib also wrote letters ·insulting [mocking] the Lord, the God of Israel. They spoke against him, saying, “The gods of the other nations could not ·save [rescue; deliver] their people from me. In the same way Hezekiah’s ·god [God] won’t be able to ·save [rescue; deliver] his people from me.”


text:
Then the king’s ·officers [officials] shouted in ·Hebrew [the language of Judah], calling out to the people of Jerusalem who were on the city wall. The ·officers [officials] wanted to ·scare [frighten and terrify] the people so they could capture Jerusalem.


text:
They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as though he were like the gods the people of the ·world [earth] worshiped, which are made by human hands.


text:
God Rescues Judah King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz ·prayed [cried out to] to heaven about this.


text:
Then the Lord sent an angel who ·killed [destroyed; annihilated] all the soldiers, ·leaders [commanders], and officers in the ·camp [army] of the king of Assyria. So the king went back to his own country in ·disgrace [shame; humiliation]. When he went into the ·temple [house] of his god, some of his own ·sons [children] killed him with a sword.


text:
So the Lord ·saved [rescued; delivered] Hezekiah and the people in Jerusalem from [the hand of] Sennacherib king of Assyria and from all other people. He ·took care of [guided; or gave rest to] them on every side.


text:
Many people brought ·gifts [offerings] for the Lord to Jerusalem, and they also brought ·valuable gifts [precious things] to King Hezekiah of Judah. From then on all the nations ·respected [looked up to; exalted] Hezekiah.


text:
Hezekiah Dies At that time Hezekiah became so sick he almost died. When he prayed to the Lord, the Lord spoke to him and gave him a ·sign [miraculous sign; God gave him a sign that he would live for another fifteen years; ].


text:
But Hezekiah ·did not thank God for his kindness [did not respond to/was not grateful for the kindness shown him], because he was so proud. So ·the Lord was angry with [wrath came upon] him and the people of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
·But later [Then] Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem ·were sorry and stopped being proud [humbled themselves], so ·the Lord did not punish [the wrath of the Lord did not come on] them while Hezekiah was alive.


text:
Hezekiah had ·many riches [great wealth] and much honor. He made treasuries for his silver, gold, ·gems [precious stones], spices, shields, and other valuable things.


text:
He built ·storage buildings [storehouses] for grain, new wine, and olive oil and stalls for all the cattle and pens for the sheep.


text:
He also built many towns. He had ·many [vast] flocks and herds, because God had given Hezekiah much wealth.


text:
It was Hezekiah who ·cut off [blocked; stopped; dammed] the upper pool of the Gihon spring and ·made those waters flow [channeled/directed the water] straight down to the west side of the City of David [Jerusalem]. And Hezekiah ·was successful [prospered] in everything he did.


text:
But one time the ·leaders [officials] of Babylon sent messengers to Hezekiah, asking him about a ·strange [miraculous] sign that had happened in the land [; ]. When they came, God left Hezekiah ·alone [to himself] to test him so he could know everything that was in Hezekiah’s heart.


text:
Hezekiah Dies Hezekiah’s ·love for God [acts of devotion] and the ·other things [rest of the events/acts] he did as king are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. This is in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Judah and Israel.


text:
Hezekiah ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried on a hill, where the ·graves [tombs] of David’s ·ancestors [descendants] are. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem honored Hezekiah when he died, and his son Manasseh became king in his place.


text:
Manasseh King of Judah Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] for fifty-five years in Jerusalem.


text:
He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes]. He did the ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things the nations had done—the nations that the Lord had ·forced [driven] out of the land ahead of the Israelites.


text:
Manasseh’s father, Hezekiah, had torn down ·places where gods were worshiped [the high places; ], but Manasseh rebuilt them. He also built altars for the Baal gods, and he made Asherah ·idols [poles; ] and worshiped all the ·stars of the sky [powers/hosts of heaven] and ·served [worshiped] them.


text:
The Lord had said about the ·Temple [house], “·I will be worshiped [My name will be] in Jerusalem forever,” but Manasseh built altars in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
He built altars to worship the ·stars [powers/hosts of heaven] in the two courtyards of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
He ·made his children pass through [sacrificed his children in the] fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. He practiced magic and witchcraft and ·told the future by explaining signs and dreams [divination; augery]. He ·got advice from [dealt with] mediums and ·fortune-tellers [spiritualists; spiritists; ]. He did ·many things the Lord said were wrong [much evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes], which made the Lord angry.


text:
Manasseh carved an idol and put it in the ·Temple [house] of God. God had said to David and his son Solomon about the ·Temple [house], “I will ·be worshiped [put my name] forever in this ·Temple [house] and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel.


text:
I will never again make the ·Israelites [feet of Israel] ·leave [wander from; into exile] the land I ·gave to [appointed for] their ·ancestors [fathers]. But they must ·obey [be careful to do] everything I have commanded them in all the ·teachings [instructions; laws], ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and ·commands [judgments] I gave them through Moses.”


text:
But Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem ·to do wrong [astray]. They did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed ahead of the Israelites.


text:
So the Lord brought the king of Assyria’s army commanders to attack Judah. They captured Manasseh, put hooks in him [in his nose], ·placed bronze chains on his hands [bound him with bronze chains], and took him to Babylon.


text:
·As Manasseh suffered [When he was in distress], he ·begged [entreated; sought] the Lord his God for help and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
When Manasseh prayed, the Lord heard ·him [his plea] and ·had pity on him [was moved]. So the Lord ·let him return [brought him back] to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is the true God.


text:
After that happened, Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David [Jerusalem] and made it higher. It was in the valley on the west side of the Gihon spring and went to the entrance of the Fish Gate and around the hill of Ophel. Then he ·put [stationed] ·commanders [officers] in all the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities in Judah.


text:
Manasseh removed the ·idols of other nations [foreign gods], including the idol in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. He removed all the altars he had built on the hill of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and in Jerusalem and threw them out of the city.


text:
Then he ·set up [restored] the Lord’s altar and ·sacrificed [offered] on it ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [] and ·offerings to show thanks to God [thank/thanksgiving offerings]. Manasseh commanded all the people of Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.


text:
The people continued to offer sacrifices at the ·places of worship [high places], but their sacrifices were only to the Lord their God.


text:
The ·other things Manasseh did as king [rest of the events/acts/history of Manasseh], his prayer to his God, and what the ·seers [prophets] said to him in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel—all are recorded in the ·book [scroll] of the ·history [annals; records] of the kings of Israel.


text:
Manasseh’s prayer and ·God’s pity for him [how God responded to his plea/entreaty], his sins, his unfaithfulness, the ·places [sites on which] he built ·for worshiping gods [high places; ] and the Asherah ·idols [poles; ] before he humbled himself—all are written in the ·book [scroll] of the ·seers [prophets].


text:
Manasseh ·died [lay down/slept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in his ·palace [house]. Then Manasseh’s son Amon became king in his place.


text:
Amon King of Judah Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] for two years in Jerusalem.


text:
He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes], as his father Manasseh had done. Amon ·worshiped [served] and ·offered [sacrificed] sacrifices to all the carved ·idols [images] Manasseh had made.


text:
Amon did not humble himself before the Lord as his father Manasseh had done. Instead, Amon ·sinned even more [multiplied guilt].


text:
King Amon’s ·officers [officials; servants] ·made plans [conspired; plotted] against him and killed him in his ·palace [house].


text:
Then the people of the land ·killed [executed] all those who had ·made plans [conspired; plotted] to kill King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.


text:
Josiah King of Judah Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he ·ruled [reigned] thirty-one years in Jerusalem.


text:
He did what ·the Lord said was right [was pleasing/proper in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. He lived as his ·ancestor [father] David had lived, and he did not ·stop doing what was right [turn aside/deviate to the right or the left].


text:
In his eighth year as king while he was still young, Josiah began to ·obey [seek] the God of his ·ancestor [father] David. In his twelfth year as king, Josiah began to ·remove [purge; rid] from Judah and Jerusalem the ·places for worshiping gods [high places; ], the Asherah ·idols [poles; ], and the ·wooden [carved] and ·metal [cast; molten] ·idols [images].


text:
The people tore down the altars for the Baal gods ·as Josiah directed [or in his presence]. Then Josiah cut down the incense altars that were above them. He broke up the Asherah ·idols [poles; ] and the wooden and ·metal [cast; molten] idols and ·beat [ground; crushed] them into powder. Then he sprinkled the powder on the ·graves [tombs] of the people who had ·offered [sacrificed] sacrifices to these gods.


text:
He burned the bones of their priests on their own altars. So Josiah ·removed idol worship from [purged; purified] Judah and Jerusalem,


text:
and from the towns in the areas of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon all the way to Naphtali, and in the ·ruins [or regions] near these towns.


text:
Josiah broke down the altars and Asherah ·idols [poles; ] and ·beat [ground; crushed] the ·idols [carved images] into powder. He ·cut down [chopped up; smashed] all the incense altars in all of Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem.


text:
In Josiah’s eighteenth year ·as king [of reigning], ·he made [he continued to make; or after he had made…] ·Judah [the land] and the ·Temple [house] pure. He sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the city ·leader [official; governor], and Joah son of Joahaz the ·recorder [royal historian] to ·repair [restore] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, the God of Josiah.


text:
These men went to Hilkiah the high priest and ·gave him [delivered] the money the Levite gatekeepers had gathered from the people of Manasseh, Ephraim, and all the ·Israelites who were left alive [remnant of Israel], and also from all the people of Judah, Benjamin, and Jerusalem. This is the money they had brought into the ·Temple [house] of God.


text:
Then the Levites gave it to the ·supervisors [overseers; foremen] of the work on the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and they paid the workers who ·rebuilt [restored] and repaired the ·Temple [house].


text:
They gave money to carpenters and builders to buy ·cut [quarried; finished] stone and ·wood [timber]. The ·wood [timber] was used ·to rebuild [for rafters/joists/braces for] the buildings and to make beams for them, because the kings of Judah had let the buildings fall into ruin.


text:
The men did their work ·well [faithfully]. Their ·supervisors [overseers; foremen] were Jahath and Obadiah, who were Levites from the ·family [clan] of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, who were from the ·family [clan] of Kohath. ·These [or Other] Levites were all skilled musicians.


text:
They were also ·in charge [supervisors; overseers; foremen] of the ·workers who carried loads [burden bearers; laborers] and all the other workers. Some Levites worked as ·secretaries [scribes], ·officers [officials], and gatekeepers.


text:
The Book of the Teachings Is Found The Levites brought out the money that was in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord. As they were doing this, Hilkiah the priest found the ·Book [scroll] of the Lord’s ·Teachings [instructions; laws] that had been given through Moses.


text:
Hilkiah said to Shaphan the royal ·secretary [scribe] , “I’ve found the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [instructions; laws] in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord!” Then he gave it to Shaphan.


text:
Shaphan took the ·book [scroll] to the king and reported to Josiah, “Your ·officers [officials] are doing everything you ·told [assigned; entrusted] them to do.


text:
They have paid out the ·money [silver] that was in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and have ·given [delivered; entrusted] it to the ·supervisors [overseers] and the workers.”


text:
Then Shaphan the royal ·secretary [scribe] told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a ·book [scroll].” And Shaphan read from the ·book [scroll] to the king.


text:
When the king heard the words of the ·Teachings [instructions; laws], he tore his clothes [a sign of mourning or distress].


text:
He gave orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the royal ·secretary [scribe], and Asaiah, the king’s servant. These were the orders:


text:
“Go and ·ask [inquire of] the Lord about the words in the ·book [scroll] that was found. Ask for me and for the ·people who are left alive in [remnant of] Israel and Judah. The Lord is ·very angry with [pouring out/igniting his wrath on] us, because our ·ancestors [fathers] did not ·obey [seek] the Lord’s word; they did not ·do [act in accordance with] everything this ·book [scroll] says to do.”


text:
So Hilkiah and those the king sent with him went to talk to Huldah the prophetess. She was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, ·who took care of the king’s clothes [keeper of the wardrobe]. Huldah lived in Jerusalem, in the ·new area of the city [second quarter].


text:
‘This is what the Lord says: I will bring ·trouble to [disaster/evil on] this place and ·to [on] the people living here. I will bring all the curses that are written in the ·book [scroll] that was read to the king of Judah [].


text:
The people of Judah have ·left [abandoned; forsaken] me and have burned incense to other gods. They have ·made me angry [provoked/aroused me to anger] by all the evil things [idols] they have made. So ·I will punish them in my anger [my wrath will be poured out on this place], which will not be ·put out [quenched; extinguished].’


text:
Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to ·ask [inquire of] the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the ·words [message] you heard:


text:
When you heard my words against this place and its people, ·you became sorry for what you had done [your heart was tender/responsive/sensitive] and you humbled yourself before me. You tore your clothes [a sign of mourning or distress], and you cried in my presence. This is why I have heard you, says the Lord.


text:
So I will ·let you die and be buried [gather you to your ancestors/fathers and to your grave/tomb] in peace. You won’t see all the ·trouble [disaster; evil] I will bring to this place and the people living here.’” So they took her ·message [response; answer] back to the king.


text:
He went up to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, and all the people from Judah and from Jerusalem went with him. The priests, the Levites, and all the people—·from the most important to the least important [both great and small; or from the oldest to the youngest]—went with him. He read to them all the words in the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Agreement [covenant; treaty] that was found in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
The king stood by his pillar [a place of authority] and made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] ·in the presence of [before] the Lord to follow the Lord and ·obey [keep] his commands, rules, and laws with ·his whole being [all his heart] and to obey the words of the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] written in this ·book [scroll].


text:
Then Josiah ·made [required] all the people in Jerusalem and Benjamin ·promise to accept [stand with him regarding] the ·agreement [covenant; treaty]. So the people of Jerusalem ·obeyed [acted in accordance with] the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] of God, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
And Josiah threw out the [detestable; abominable] idols from all the land that belonged to the Israelites. He ·led [forced; caused] everyone in Israel to serve the Lord their God. While Josiah lived, the people ·obeyed [did not turn from] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
Josiah Celebrates the Passover King Josiah ·celebrated [kept; observed] the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. The Passover lamb was ·killed [slaughtered] on the fourteenth day of the first month.


text:
Josiah ·chose [appointed; assigned] the priests to ·do their duties [fulfill their offices], and he encouraged them as they served in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
The Levites taught the Israelites and were ·made holy [set apart] for service to the Lord. Josiah said to them, “Put the Holy Ark in the ·Temple [house] that David’s son Solomon, the king of Israel, built. Do not carry it from place to place on your shoulders anymore. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.


text:
Prepare yourselves by your family ·groups [divisions] for service, and do the jobs that King David and his son Solomon ·gave [wrote down for] you to do.


text:
“Stand in the ·holy place [sanctuary] with a ·group [division] of the Levites for each family group of the people.


text:
·Kill [Slaughter] the Passover lambs, and ·make yourselves holy [consecrate/purify/sanctify yourselves] to the Lord. Prepare for your relatives, the people of Israel, to do as the Lord through Moses commanded.”


text:
Josiah ·gave [provided] the Israelites thirty thousand sheep and goats to ·kill [slaughter] for the Passover sacrifices, and he gave them three thousand cattle. They were all his own ·animals [property].


text:
Josiah’s ·officers [officials] also gave willingly to the people, the priests, and the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the ·officers [officials] in charge of the ·Temple [house], gave the priests twenty-six hundred lambs and goats and three hundred cattle for Passover ·sacrifices [offerings].


text:
Conaniah, his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad gave the Levites five thousand sheep and goats and five hundred cattle for Passover sacrifices. These men were ·leaders [officials] of the Levites.


text:
When everything was ready for the Passover service, the priests and Levites in their divisions went to their ·places [stations], as the king had commanded.


text:
The Passover lambs were ·killed [slaughtered]. Then the Levites skinned the animals and gave the blood to the priests, who ·sprinkled [splashed] it on the altar.


text:
Then they ·gave [divided; set aside] the animals for the burnt offerings to the different family ·groups [divisions] so the burnt offerings [] could be ·offered [sacrificed] to the Lord as was written in the ·book [scroll] of Moses. They also did this with the cattle.


text:
The Levites roasted the Passover sacrifices over the fire as ·they were commanded [prescribed], and they boiled the ·holy [consecrated] offerings in pots, kettles, and pans. Then they quickly ·gave [served] the meat to the people.


text:
After this was finished, the Levites prepared meat for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. The priests worked until night, offering the burnt offerings [] and burning the fat of the sacrifices.


text:
The Levite singers ·from Asaph’s family [descended from Asaph] stood in ·the places chosen for them by [their stations as prescribed by] King David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun [], the king’s ·seer [prophet]. The gatekeepers at each gate did not have to leave their ·places [posts], because their fellow Levites had prepared ·everything for them for the Passover [for them].


text:
So everything was ·done [completed] that day for the ·worship [service] of the Lord, as King Josiah commanded. The Passover was ·celebrated [kept; observed], and the burnt offerings were ·offered [sacrificed] on the Lord’s altar.


text:
The Israelites who were there ·celebrated [kept; observed] the Passover and the ·Feast [Festival] of Unleavened Bread for seven days.


text:
The Passover had not been ·celebrated [observed; kept] like this in Israel since the prophet Samuel was alive [over four hundred years earlier]. None of the kings of Israel had ever ·celebrated [kept; observed] a Passover like the one ·celebrated [kept; observed] by King Josiah, the priests, the Levites, the people of Judah and Israel who were there, and the people of Jerusalem.


text:
The Death of Josiah After Josiah ·did all this for [restored; set in order] the ·Temple [house], Neco king of Egypt led an army to ·attack [fight/do battle at] Carchemish, a town on the Euphrates River. And Josiah marched out to fight against Neco.


text:
But Neco sent messengers to Josiah, saying, “King Josiah, ·there should not be war between us [what have we to do with each other? what to me and to you]. I did not come to fight you, but ·my enemies [the kingdom/house with which I am at war]. God told me to hurry, and he is on my side. So ·don’t fight [stop opposing] God, ·or he will [so he will not] destroy you.”


text:
But Josiah did not ·go [turn his face] away. He ·wore different clothes [disguised himself] ·so no one would know who he was [in order to fight him]. Refusing to listen to ·what Neco said at God’s command [the words Neco received from God’s mouth], Josiah went to fight on the plain of Megiddo.


text:
In the battle King Josiah was shot by archers. He told his servants, “Take me away because I am badly wounded.”


text:
So they took him out of his chariot and put him in another chariot and carried him to Jerusalem. There he died and was buried in the ·graves [tombs] where his ·ancestors [fathers] were buried. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem ·were very sad because he was dead [mourned for him].


text:
Jeremiah ·wrote some sad songs about [composed a lament for] Josiah. Even to this day all the men and women singers ·remember and honor [lament; mourn] Josiah with these songs. It became a ·custom [tradition] in Israel to sing these songs that are written in ·the collection of sad songs [The Book of Laments].


text:
The ·other things Josiah did as king [rest of the acts/events/history of Josiah] and his acts of devotion in obedience to what was was written in the Lord’s ·Teachings [instructions; laws],


text:
from ·beginning to end [first to last], ·are [are they not…?] written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel and Judah.


text:
Jehoahaz King of Judah The people of ·Judah [the land] ·chose [took] Josiah’s son Jehoahaz and made him king in Jerusalem in his father’s place.


text:
Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for three months.


text:
Then King Neco of Egypt ·removed Jehoahaz from being king [dethroned/deposed him] in Jerusalem. Neco made the people of Judah pay a ·tax [or fine] of ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [one hundred talents] of silver and ·about seventy-five pounds [one talent] of gold.


text:
The king of Egypt made Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim the king of Judah and Jerusalem and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took his brother Jehoahaz to Egypt [as a prisoner].


text:
Jehoiakim King of Judah Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for eleven years. He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes].


text:
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked ·Judah [him], ·captured Jehoiakim [bound him], put bronze chains on him, and ·took him [carried him away] to Babylon.


text:
Nebuchadnezzar removed some of the ·things [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, took them to Babylon, and put them in his own ·palace [or temple; house].


text:
The ·other things Jehoiakim did as king [rest of the events/acts/history of Jehoiakim], the ·hateful [detestable; abominable] things he did, and everything ·he was guilty of doing [found against him], ·are [are they not…?] written in the ·book [scroll] of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin became king in his place.


text:
Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin was ·eight [or eighteen; ] years old when he became king of Judah, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for three months and ten days. He did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes].


text:
·In the spring [At the turn of the year] King Nebuchadnezzar sent for Jehoiachin and brought him and some valuable ·treasures [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [house] of the Lord to Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoiachin’s ·uncle [relative; brother] Zedekiah the king of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
Zedekiah King of Judah Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king of Judah, and he ·was king [reigned] in Jerusalem for eleven years.


text:
Zedekiah did ·what the Lord said was wrong [evil in the Lord’s sight/eyes]. The prophet Jeremiah spoke ·messages from [from the mouth of] the Lord, but Zedekiah did not ·obey [humble himself].


text:
Zedekiah turned against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had forced him to ·swear [vow; take an oath] in God’s name to be loyal to him. But Zedekiah ·became stubborn [stiffened his neck] and ·refused to obey [hardened his heart against seeking] the Lord, the God of Israel.


text:
Also, all the ·leaders [officials] of the priests and the people of Judah became more ·wicked [unfaithful], following the ·evil example [detestable/abominable practices] of the other nations. The Lord had ·made holy [consecrated; sanctified] the ·Temple [house] in Jerusalem, but the leaders ·made it unholy [defiled/polluted it].


text:
The Fall of Jerusalem The Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], sent ·prophets [messengers] again and again to warn his people, because he had ·pity [compassion] on them and on his ·Temple [dwelling place].


text:
But they ·made fun of [mocked] God’s ·prophets [messengers] and hated God’s ·messages [words]. They ·refused to listen to the [ridiculed/scoffed at his] prophets until, finally, the Lord became so angry with his people that ·he could not be stopped [there was no remedy/healer].


text:
So God brought the king of ·Babylon [the Chaldeans] to attack them. The king ·killed [slaughtered; killed with the sword] the young men even when they were in the ·Temple [house of their sanctuary]. He had no ·mercy [pity; compassion] on the young men or women, the old men or those who were ·sick [infirm]. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar.


text:
Nebuchadnezzar carried away to Babylon all the ·things [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [house] of God, both large and small, and all the treasures from the ·Temple [house] of the Lord and from the king and his ·officers [officials].


text:
Nebuchadnezzar and his army ·set fire to [burned down] God’s ·Temple [house] and broke down Jerusalem’s wall and burned all the ·palaces [or fortifications; houses]. They destroyed every valuable thing in Jerusalem.


text:
Nebuchadnezzar took ·captive [into exile] to Babylon the people who ·were left alive [escaped the sword], and he forced them to be ·slaves [servants] for him and his descendants. They remained there as ·slaves [servants] until the Persian kingdom ·defeated Babylon [came/rose to power].


text:
And so ·what the Lord had told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah happened [the word of the Lord through the mouth of Jeremiah was fulfilled; he prophesied the fall of Jerusalem]: The country ·was an empty wasteland [lay desolate/fallow] for seventy years ·to make up for the years of Sabbath rest [] that the people had not kept [or enjoying its sabbath rest; a bitter observation that the land experienced an ironic “rest” while the Israelites were in exile; , ].


text:
The Return from Exile In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia [539–38 bc], the Lord ·had Cyrus [stirred the heart/spirit of Cyrus to] send an ·announcement to [decree/proclamation throughout] his whole kingdom. This happened ·so the Lord’s message spoken by Jeremiah would come true [to fulfill the word of the Lord in the mouth of Jeremiah]. He wrote:


text:
·This is what Cyrus king of Persia says [Thus says Cyrus king of Persia]: The Lord, the God of ·heaven [the heavens], has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a ·Temple [house] for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Now may the Lord your God ·be with [accompany; fill] all of you who are his people. You are free to go [back to Jerusalem at the end of the exile; ].


text:
Cyrus Helps the Captives Return In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia [539 bc], the Lord ·caused [stirred up the spirit of] Cyrus to send an announcement to his whole kingdom and to put it in writing. This happened so the Lord’s ·message [prophecy; word] ·spoken by [by the mouth of] Jeremiah would ·come true [be fulfilled]. He wrote:


text:
This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me, and he has ·appointed [instructed; charged] me to build a ·Temple [house] for him at Jerusalem in Judah.


text:
May God be with all ·of [among] you who are his people. You ·are free to [may] go to Jerusalem in Judah and ·build [or rebuild] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, the God of Israel, [he is the God] who is in Jerusalem.


text:
Those who ·stay behind [survive], ·wherever they live [in those places; referring to the Jews remaining in exile, to the Jewish remnant who remained in Israel during the exile, or to their non-Jewish neighbors], ·should [must] ·support [help; assist; provide for] those who want to go. Give them silver and gold, ·supplies [goods] and ·cattle [livestock], and ·special gifts [voluntary/freewill offerings] for the ·Temple [house] of God in Jerusalem.


text:
Then the ·family [clan] leaders of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites ·got ready [arose] to go to Jerusalem—everyone ·God had caused to want [whose spirit/heart/mind God had stirred] to go to Jerusalem to ·build [or rebuild] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
All their neighbors ·helped them [encouraged/assisted/aided them; strengthened their hands], giving them things made of silver and gold, along with ·supplies [goods], ·cattle [livestock], valuable gifts, and ·special gifts [voluntary/freewill offerings].


text:
Also, King Cyrus brought out the ·bowls and pans [articles] that belonged in the ·Temple [house] of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had ·taken [carried away] from Jerusalem and put in the ·temple [house] of his own ·god [gods; ; ].


text:
Cyrus king of Persia had Mithredath the treasurer bring them and count them out ·for [to] Sheshbazzar, the ·prince [leader of the exiles] of Judah.


text:
He listed thirty gold dishes, one thousand silver dishes, twenty-nine ·pans [or knives; or utensils],


text:
There was a total of fifty-four hundred ·pieces [articles; vessels] of gold and silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these things along when the ·captives [exiles] went from Babylon to Jerusalem.


text:
The Captives Who Returned These are the people of the ·area [province] who ·returned [were returning/on their way back] from ·captivity [exile], whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had ·taken [carried] away to Babylon []. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each going back to his own town.


text:
These people returned with Zerubbabel [], Jeshua [], Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. ·These are [This is the number/list of] the people from Israel:


text:
These are the priests: the ·descendants [sons; and so on throughout the list] of Jedaiah (through the ·family [line; house] of Jeshua)—973;


text:
These are the Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the ·family [line] of Hodaviah)—74.


text:
These are the gatekeepers of the ·Temple [house]: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai—139.


text:
These are the Temple servants: the ·descendants [sons; and so throughout the list] of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,


text:
These are the descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda,


text:
·Some [The following; Another group of] people came to Jerusalem from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that their ·ancestors [families; house of their fathers and their seed] came from Israel.


text:
Also these priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai, who had ·married a daughter [taken a wife from the daughters] of Barzillai from Gilead and was called by her family name.


text:
These people searched ·for their family [or in the genealogical] records but could not find them. So they could not be priests, because they were ·thought to be unclean [disqualified; desecrated].


text:
The governor ordered them not to eat any of the ·food offered to God [sacred food; most holy things] until a priest ·had settled this matter by using [stood up with] the Urim and Thummim [].


text:
This is not counting their 7,337 male and female servants and the 200 male and female singers they had with them.


text:
When they arrived at the ·Temple [house] of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the ·leaders of families [heads of the fathers] ·gave [made voluntary] offerings to rebuild the ·Temple [house] of God on the same site as before.


text:
They gave as much as they could to the treasury ·to rebuild the Temple [for this work]—·about 1,100 pounds [61,000 drachmas] of gold, ·about 6,000 pounds [5,000 minas] of silver, and 100 ·pieces of clothing for the priests [priestly garments/robes].


text:
All the Israelites settled in their hometowns. The priests, Levites, ·singers [musicians], gatekeepers, and Temple servants, along with some of the other people, settled in their own towns as well.


text:
Rebuilding the Altar In the seventh month, after the Israelites were settled in their hometowns, they ·met together [assembled in unity/with one accord; as one man] in Jerusalem.


text:
Then Jeshua son of Jozadak [] and his ·fellow [brothers the] priests joined Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [and his brothers/colleagues; ; ; ; ; , , ; , , , ; ; ; ] and began to build the altar of the God of Israel where they could offer burnt offerings, just as ·it is written [instructed; required] in the ·Teachings [Law; Torah] of Moses, the man of God.


text:
·Even though [or Because] they were afraid of the people living around them, they ·built [set up; established] the altar where it had been before. And they ·offered [sacrificed] burnt offerings [] on it to the Lord morning and evening.


text:
Then, to obey what was ·written [instructed; required], they celebrated the Feast of ·Shelters [Booths; Tabernacles; ; ]. They offered the ·right [specified; proper; fixed] number of sacrifices ·for [according to the ordinance/requirement for] each day.


text:
After the Feast of Shelters, they had ·regular [continual] ·sacrifices [burnt offerings; ], as well as sacrifices for the New Moon and all the festivals ·commanded by [of] the Lord. Also there were ·special [freewill; voluntary] offerings to the Lord.


text:
On the first day of the seventh month [fifteen days before the beginning of the festival] they began to ·bring [offer; sacrifice] burnt offerings to the Lord, ·but [though] the foundation of the Lord’s ·Temple [house] had not yet been laid.


text:
Rebuilding the Temple Then they gave money to the ·bricklayers [masons] and carpenters. They also gave food, ·wine [drink], and olive oil to the cities of Sidon and Tyre so they would ·float [bring] cedar logs from Lebanon to the seacoast town of Joppa. Cyrus king of Persia had given permission for this.


text:
In the second month [midspring] of the second year after their arrival at the ·Temple [house] of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [], Jeshua son of Jozadak, their fellow priests and Levites, and all who had returned from ·captivity [exile] to Jerusalem began to work. They ·chose [appointed] Levites twenty years old and older to ·be in charge of [supervise] the building of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.


text:
The workers building the ·Temple [house] of God were supervised by Jeshua and his sons and brothers [], together with Kadmiel and his sons who were the descendants of Hodaviah, and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers. They were all Levites.


text:
The builders finished laying the foundation of the Temple of the Lord. Then the priests, dressed in their ·robes [vestments], stood with their ·trumpets [clarions; a long, metallic instrument, not a ram’s horn], and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, stood with their cymbals. They all took their places and praised the Lord just as David king of Israel had ·said to do [instructed; prescribed].


text:
With praise and thanksgiving, they ·sang [answered; sang antiphonally] to the Lord: “He is good; his ·love [loyalty] for Israel ·continues [endures; lasts; is] forever.” And then all the people shouted loudly, “Praise the Lord! The foundation of his ·Temple [house] has been laid.”


text:
But many of the older priests, Levites, and ·family leaders [heads of fathers] who had seen the first ·Temple [house] cried loudly when they saw the foundation of this Temple. ·Most of the other people [Many others] were shouting with joy.


text:
The people made so much noise it could be heard far away, and no one could tell the difference between the joyful shouting and the sad crying.


text:
Enemies of the Rebuilding When the enemies of the people of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned ·captives [exiles] were building a Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel,


text:
they came to Zerubbabel [a descendant of David; ] and the ·leaders of the families [heads of the fathers]. The enemies said, “Let us help you build, because we are like you and ·want to worship [seek] your God. We have been offering sacrifices to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria [680–669 bc], who brought us here.”


text:
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua [], and the ·leaders [heads of the fathers] of Israel answered, “You will ·not help us build [have no part in building] a ·Temple [house] to our God. We will build it ·ourselves [alone] for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us to do [].”


text:
Their enemies ·hired others [bribed officials] to ·delay [frustrate] the building plans ·during [throughout] the time Cyrus was king of Persia. And it continued to the time Darius was king of Persia [522–486 bc].


text:
More Problems for the Builders When ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus; ruled 486–465 bc; ] first became king, those enemies ·wrote [filed; lodged] a ·letter [accusation] against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
When Artaxerxes [ruled about 465–425 B.C.] became king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and those with them wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in the Aramaic language and translated.


text:
Rehum the ·governor [commander] and Shimshai the governor’s ·secretary [scribe] and those with them wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king. It said:


text:
This letter is from Rehum the ·governor [commander], Shimshai the ·secretary [scribe], and their ·fellow workers [colleagues]—the judges and important officers over the men who came from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, the Elamite people of Susa,


text:
and those whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal [Osnappar; ruled 668–627 bc] ·forced out of their countries [deported] and settled in the city of Samaria and in other places of the Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River].


text:
(This is a copy of the letter they sent to Artaxerxes.) To King Artaxerxes. From your servants who live in Trans-Euphrates [].


text:
King Artaxerxes, you should know that the Jews who came to us from you have gone to Jerusalem to rebuild that evil ·city that refuses to obey [and rebellious city]. They are ·fixing [restoring; rebuilding; finishing] the walls and repairing the foundations of the buildings.


text:
Now, King Artaxerxes, ·you should know [let it be known] that if Jerusalem is ·built [rebuilt] and its walls are ·fixed [completed; restored], Jerusalem will not pay ·taxes of any kind [tribute, custom, or toll]. Then the ·amount of money your government collects [king’s/royal treasury/revenue] will ·be less [suffer].


text:
Since we ·must be loyal to the government [eat the palace’s salt], ·we don’t want [it is not proper] to see the king ·dishonored [damaged]. So we ·are writing to let the king know [send and inform the king].


text:
·We suggest you […so that you may] search the ·records [annals; archives] of ·the kings who ruled before you [your fathers/ancestors]. You will find out that the city of Jerusalem ·refuses to obey [is a rebellious city] and ·makes trouble for kings and areas controlled by Persia [troublesome for kings and provinces]. ·Since long ago it has been a place where disobedience has started [It has a long history of revolts/sedition]. That is why it was destroyed.


text:
We want you to know, King Artaxerxes, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls ·fixed [completed; restored], you will be left with ·nothing [no possessions] in Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River].


text:
King Artaxerxes sent this answer: To Rehum the ·governor [commander] and Shimshai the ·secretary [scribe], to all their ·fellow workers [colleagues] living in Samaria [northern Israel], and to those ·in other places in [throughout] Trans-Euphrates []. ·Greetings [Peace].


text:
I ordered ·the records to be searched [a search], and it was done. We found that ·Jerusalem [the city] has a history of ·disobedience to [rising against] kings and has been a place of ·problems and trouble [rebellion and revolt/sedition].


text:
Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled over the whole area of Trans-Euphrates [], and ·taxes of all kinds [tribute, custom, and toll] have been paid to them.


text:
Now, ·give an order [issue a decree] for those men to stop work. The city of Jerusalem will not be rebuilt until I ·say so [issue a decree].


text:
·Make sure you do this [Do not neglect this matter], ·because if they continue, it will hurt the government [—why should the danger/damage grow and harm the king?].


text:
As soon as a copy of the ·letter [document] that King Artaxerxes sent was read to Rehum and Shimshai the ·secretary [scribe] and ·the others [their colleagues], they went to the Jews in Jerusalem and ·forced them [or compelled them by force of arms] to stop building.


text:
So the work on the ·Temple [house] of God in Jerusalem ·stopped [came to a standstill] until the second year Darius was king of Persia.


text:
Tattenai’s Letter to Darius The prophets Haggai and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo [a grandson; ], prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.


text:
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [] and Jeshua son of Jozadak [] started working again to rebuild the ·Temple [house] of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were there, ·helping [supporting] them.


text:
At that time Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River], and Shethar-Bozenai, and their ·fellow workers [colleagues] went to ·the Jews [them] and asked, “Who gave you ·permission [authority; a decree] to rebuild this ·Temple [house] and ·fix these walls [complete this structure]?”


text:
But their God was watching over the elders of the Jews. The builders were not stopped until a report could go to King Darius [522–486 bc] and his ·written answer [reply; decision] could be received.


text:
This is a copy of the ·letter [document] that was sent to King Darius by Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River], Shethar-Bozenai, and the other important officers of Trans-Euphrates.


text:
This is what was ·said [written] in the report they sent to him: To King Darius. ·Greetings. May you have peace [All peace].


text:
King Darius, ·you should know [may it be known] that we went to the ·district [province] of Judah where the ·Temple [house] of the great God is. The people are building that ·Temple [house] with ·large [prepared; cut; stones of rolling] stones, and they are putting ·timbers [beams] in the walls. They are working ·very hard [energetically; diligently] and ·are building very fast [successfully; are prospering].


text:
We asked their elders, “Who gave you ·permission [authority; a decree] to rebuild this ·Temple [house] and ·these walls [this structure]?”


text:
We also asked for their names, and we wrote down the names of their leaders so ·you would know who they are [as to inform you].


text:
This is the answer they gave to us: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth. We are rebuilding the ·Temple [house] that a great king of Israel [Solomon] built and finished many years ago [tenth century bc; ].


text:
But our ·ancestors [fathers] made the God of heaven angry, so he handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean [the leading tribe of Babylon], who destroyed this ·Temple [house] and ·took [deported] the people to Babylon ·as captives [into exile].


text:
“Later, in the first year Cyrus was king of Babylon [he was a Persian king but had multiple titles, including this one], he ·gave a special order [issued a decree] for this ·Temple [house] of God to be rebuilt.


text:
Cyrus brought out from the temple in Babylon the gold and silver ·bowls and pans [vessels; utensils] that came from the Temple of God. Nebuchadnezzar had taken them from the Temple in Jerusalem and had ·put them in [brought them to] the temple in Babylon. “Then King Cyrus gave them to Sheshbazzar, his appointed governor [of Judah; ].


text:
Cyrus said to him, ‘Take these gold and silver ·bowls and pans [vessels; utensils; ], and ·put [deposit] them back in the Temple in Jerusalem and rebuild the ·Temple [house] of God ·where it was [on its original site].’


text:
So Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the ·Temple [house] of God in Jerusalem. From that day until now the work has been going on, but it is not yet finished.”


text:
Now, if the king wishes, let a search be made in the royal ·records [archives; treasure house] of Babylon. See if King Cyrus gave an order to rebuild this ·Temple [house] in Jerusalem. Then let the king write us and tell us what he has decided concerning this matter.


text:
The Order of Darius So King Darius ·gave an order [issued a decree] to search the ·records [archives] kept in the treasury in Babylon.


text:
A scroll was found in Ecbatana, ·the capital city [or a fortress in the province] of Media [a major component of the Persian empire in the Zagros mountains, south of the Caspian Sea]. This is what was written on it: ·Note [Memorandum]:


text:
King Cyrus ·gave an order [issued a decree] about the ·Temple [house] of God in Jerusalem in the first year he was king []. This was the order: “Let the ·Temple [house] be rebuilt as a place to ·present [offer] sacrifices. Let its foundations be ·laid [or retained]; it should be ·ninety feet [60 cubits] high and ·ninety feet [60 cubits] wide.


text:
It must have three layers of large stones ·and then one [for every] layer of timbers. The costs should be paid from the king’s treasury.


text:
The gold and silver ·utensils [articles; vessels] from the ·Temple [house] of God should be returned and put back in their places. Nebuchadnezzar took them from the Temple in Jerusalem and brought them to Babylon [], but they are to be put back in the ·Temple [house] of God in Jerusalem.”


text:
Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River], Shethar-Bozenai, and ·all the officers of that area [their colleagues and officials of the Trans-Euphrates], stay away from there.


text:
·Do not bother [Leave alone] the work on that ·Temple [house] of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this ·Temple [house] where it was before.


text:
Also, I ·order you [issue a decree] to do this for those elders of the Jews who are ·building [rebuilding] this ·Temple [house] of God: The cost of the building is to be fully paid from the royal treasury, from ·taxes [tribute] collected from Trans-Euphrates. Do this ·so the work will not stop [or without delay].


text:
Give those people anything they need—young bulls, ·male sheep [rams], or lambs for burnt offerings [] to the God of heaven, or wheat, salt, wine, or olive oil. Give the priests in Jerusalem anything they ·ask for [require] every day without fail.


text:
Then they may offer sacrifices ·pleasing [acceptable] to the God of heaven, and they may pray for the ·life [or welfare] of the king and his ·sons [family].


text:
Also, I ·give this order [issue this decree]: If anyone ·changes [defies; violates] this ·order [decree], a wood beam is to be pulled from his house and ·driven through his body [or he will be hanged from/flogged on it]. Because of his crime, make his house a ·pile of ruins [or rubbish heap; dung hill].


text:
God has ·chosen Jerusalem as the place he is to be worshiped [caused his name to reside there]. May he punish any king or ·person [or nation; people] who ·tries [reaches out his hand] to ·change [defy; violate] this ·order [decree] and destroy this ·Temple [house] of God. I, Darius, have ·given this order [issued this decree]. Let it be ·obeyed quickly and carefully [carried out with all diligence].


text:
Completion of the Temple So, Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River], Shethar-Bozenai, and their ·fellow workers [colleagues] carried out King Darius’ ·order [decree] ·quickly and carefully [with all diligence].


text:
The Jewish elders continued to build and ·were successful [prospered] because of the ·preaching [prophesying] of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a ·descendant [son; ] of Iddo [see the biblical books named for them]. They finished building the ·Temple [house] as the God of Israel had commanded and as kings Cyrus [ruled 559–529 bc, though 539 bc was the first year of his reign over the empire that included Babylon], Darius [ruled 522–486 bc], and Artaxerxes of Persia [ruled 485–465 bc] had ·ordered [decreed].


text:
The ·Temple [house] was finished on the third day of the month of Adar [March 12] in the sixth year Darius was king.


text:
Then the people of Israel celebrated and ·gave [dedicated] the ·Temple [house] to God to honor him. Everybody was happy: the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the ·Jews who had returned from captivity [exiles; sons/people of the exile].


text:
They ·gave [dedicated] the ·Temple [house] to God by offering a hundred bulls, two hundred ·male sheep [rams], and four hundred lambs as sacrifices. And as an ·offering to forgive the sins of [sin offering for or purification offering for; ] all Israel, they offered twelve male goats, ·one goat for each tribe in [corresponding to the number of tribes of] Israel.


text:
Then they ·put [installed; divided; appointed] the priests and the Levites into their ·separate groups [various divisions] to serve God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.


text:
The Passover Is Celebrated The ·Jews who returned from captivity [sons/people of the exile] ·celebrated [observed] the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month [April 21; , ; ; ; ].


text:
The priests and Levites had ·made themselves clean [purified themselves]. Then the Levites ·killed [slaughtered; sacrified] the Passover lambs for all the ·people who had returned from captivity [exiles], for their ·relatives the [or fellow; brothers the] priests, and for themselves.


text:
So all the ·people [sons] of Israel who returned from ·captivity [exile] ·ate the Passover lamb [ate]. So did the people who had ·given up the unclean ways of their non-Jewish neighbors [separated themselves from the impurity/pollution of the nations] in order to ·worship [seek] the Lord, the God of Israel.


text:
For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread [; ]. The Lord had made them ·happy [rejoice] by ·changing the mind [turning the heart] of the king of Assyria [a deliberate anachronism, since Assyria had fallen earlier in 612 bc] so that he helped them in the work on the ·Temple [house] of the God of Israel.


text:
Ezra Comes to Jerusalem After these things, during the rule of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra came up [Ezra’s coming is not actually stated until ] from Babylon [if this refers to Artaxerxes I, then chapter seven takes place around 458 bc, about fifty-eight years after chapter six, but some date the events differently] as the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,


text:
the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the ·high [chief] priest.


text:
This Ezra came ·to Jerusalem [up] from Babylon. He was a ·teacher and knew well [scribe skilled/well versed in] the ·Teachings [Law; Torah] of Moses that had been given by the Lord, the God of Israel. Ezra received everything he asked for from the king, because the [hand of the] Lord his God was ·helping [on] him.


text:
In the seventh year of King Artaxerxes more ·Israelites [sons/people of Israel] came to Jerusalem. Among them were priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants.


text:
Ezra had left Babylon on the first day of the first month [April 8], and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month [August 4], because [the good/gracious hand of] God was ·helping [on] him.


text:
Ezra had ·worked hard [dedicated/devoted himself; set his heart] to ·know [study] and ·obey [practice; do; observe] the ·Teachings [Law; Torah] of the Lord and to teach his rules and commands to the Israelites.


text:
Artaxerxes’ Letter to Ezra King Artaxerxes had given a ·letter [document] to Ezra, a priest and ·teacher [scribe] ·who taught about [learned in] the commands and laws the Lord gave Israel. This is a copy of the ·letter [document]:


text:
From Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a ·teacher [scribe] of the Law of the God of heaven. ·Greetings [Peace].


text:
Now I ·give [issue] this ·order [decree]: Any Israelite in my kingdom who wishes may go with you to Jerusalem, including priests and Levites.


text:
Ezra, you are ·sent [authorized] by the king and ·the [his] seven ·advisors [counselors] to ·ask [inquire] concerning Judah and Jerusalem in regards to the Law of your God [whether they were obeying it], which ·you are carrying with you [is in your hand].


text:
Also take with you the silver and gold that the king and his ·advisors [counselors] have ·given [offered] freely to the God of Israel, ·whose Temple is [whose dwelling is; who lives] in Jerusalem.


text:
Also take the silver and gold you ·receive [collect; obtain] from the ·area [province] of Babylon. Take the ·voluntary [freewill] offerings the Israelites and their priests have given as gifts for the ·Temple [house] of your God in Jerusalem.


text:
With this money be sure to buy bulls, ·male sheep [rams], and lambs, and the appropriate grain offerings and ·drink offerings [liquid offerings; libations]. Then ·sacrifice [offer] them on the altar in the ·Temple [house] of your God in Jerusalem.


text:
You and your ·fellow Jews [colleagues; brothers] may ·spend [use] the silver and gold ·left over [remaining] as you want ·and as God wishes [in keeping/accordance with God’s will].


text:
·Take [Deliver] to the God of Jerusalem all the ·utensils [articles; vessels] for ·worship [service] in the ·Temple [house] of your God.


text:
Use the royal treasury to ·pay for [provide; supply] anything else you need for the ·Temple [house] of your God.


text:
Now I, King Artaxerxes, ·give this order [issue this decree] to all the ·men in charge of the treasury [treasurers] of Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River]: Give [diligently to] Ezra, a priest and ·a teacher [the scribe] of the Law of the God of heaven, whatever he asks for.


text:
Give him up to ·seventy-five hundred pounds [one hundred talents] of silver, ·six hundred bushels [one hundred kors] of wheat, ·six hundred gallons [one hundred baths] of wine, and ·six hundred gallons [one hundred baths] of olive oil. And give him ·as much salt as he wants [unlimited salt].


text:
·Carefully [Zealously] give him whatever the God of heaven ·wants [demands; commands] for the ·Temple [house] of the God of heaven. ·We do not want God to [Why should God …?] be angry with the [the kingdom/empire of the] king and his sons.


text:
Remember, you ·must not [have no authority to] make these people pay taxes of any kind: priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Temple servants, and other workers in this ·Temple [house] of God.


text:
And you, Ezra, ·use [in accordance with] the wisdom you have from your God ·to choose [appoint] judges and lawmakers to ·rule [govern; arbitrate for] the ·Jews [people] of Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River]. They know the laws of your God, and you may teach anyone who does not know them.


text:
Whoever does not ·obey [observe] the law of your God or of the king must be ·punished [judged quickly/immediately]. He will be killed, or ·sent away [banished], or have his property ·taken away [confiscated], or ·be put in jail [imprisoned].


text:
·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of our ·ancestors [fathers]. He ·caused the king [put in the king’s heart] to want to ·honor [beautify; adorn; glorify] the ·Temple [house] of the Lord in Jerusalem.


text:
The Lord has shown me [Ezra], his ·love [loyalty] ·in the presence of [before] the king, ·those who advise the king [his counselors/advisers], and ·the royal officers [his mighty nobles/officials]. Because the Lord my God was helping me, I ·had courage [was strengthened], and I gathered the ·leaders [heads of the fathers] of Israel to ·return [go up] with me.


text:
Leaders Who Returned with Ezra These are the ·leaders [heads] of the family groups and ·those who were listed with them [the genealogies of those] who ·came back [went up] with me from Babylon during the ·rule [reign] of King Artaxerxes [ruled 464–425 bc].


text:
From the ·descendants [family; sons; and so on throughout the list] of Phinehas [, ]: Gershom. From the descendants of Ithamar: Daniel. From the descendants of David: Hattush


text:
of the descendants of Shecaniah. From the descendants of Parosh: Zechariah, with one hundred fifty registered men.


text:
From the descendants of Adonikam, these were the last ones: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, with sixty men.


text:
The Return to Jerusalem I ·called [assembled; gathered] all those people together [he lists 1,513 males, probably over 5,000 total with women and children] at the ·canal [river] that flows toward Ahava, where we camped for three days. I ·checked [reviewed; observed] all the people and the priests, but I did not find any Levites [needed for service at a rebuilt Temple].


text:
So I called these leaders: Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And I called Joiarib and Elnathan, who were ·teachers [wise; judicious; men of learning/discernment].


text:
I sent these men to Iddo, the leader [of the Levites] at Casiphia, and told them what to say to Iddo and his ·relatives [or collegues; brothers], who are the Temple servants in Casiphia. I sent them to bring ·servants [ministers; attendants] to us for the ·Temple [house] of our God.


text:
The ·good [gracious] hand of our God was ·helping [on] us, so ·Iddo’s relatives [they] ·gave [brought; sent] us Sherebiah, a ·wise [skilled; capable; astute] man from the ·descendants [sons] of Mahli ·son [descendant] of Levi, who was the son of Israel. And they brought Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, for a total of eighteen men.


text:
And they brought to us Hashabiah and Jeshaiah from the ·descendants [sons] of Merari, and his brothers and ·nephews [their sons]. In all there were twenty men.


text:
They also brought two hundred twenty of the Temple servants, a group David and ·the officers [his officials] had ·set up [established; instituted] to ·help [assist; serve] the Levites. All of those men were ·listed [designated] by name.


text:
There by the Ahava ·Canal [River], I announced we would all fast and ·deny [humble] ourselves before our God. We would ask God for a safe ·trip [journey] for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions.


text:
I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and ·horsemen [cavalry] to protect us from enemies on the ·road [way]. We had said to the king, “The hand of our God ·helps [is on] everyone who ·obeys [seeks] him, but ·he is very angry with [his power and anger are against] all who reject him.”


text:
So we fasted and ·prayed to [petitioned; pleaded with; sought] our God about our trip, and he ·answered [heard; listened to] our prayers.


text:
Then I ·chose [appointed; set apart] twelve of the priests who were leaders, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their ·relatives [colleagues; brothers].


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I weighed the offering of silver and gold and the ·utensils [articles; vessels] given for the ·Temple [house] of our God, and I gave them to the twelve priests I had chosen. The king, ·the people who advised him [his counselors], his ·officers [officials], and all the Israelites there with us had given these things.


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I weighed out ·and gave them [into their hands] ·about fifty thousand pounds [650 talents] of silver, ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [100 talents] of silver objects, and ·about seventy-five hundred pounds [100 talents] of gold.


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I gave them twenty gold bowls ·that weighed [or worth] ·about nineteen pounds [1,000 darics] and two fine pieces of polished bronze that were as ·valuable [precious] as gold.


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Then I said to the priests, “You and these utensils ·belong [are set apart/holy] to the Lord. The silver and gold are ·gifts [a freewill/voluntary offering] to the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers].


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·Guard [Watch] these things carefully. In Jerusalem, weigh them in front of the ·leading [chief] priests, Levites, and the ·leaders [heads] of the family groups of Israel in the ·rooms [chambers; storerooms] of the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.”


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So the priests and Levites accepted the silver, the gold, and the ·utensils [articles; vessels] that had been weighed to take them to the ·Temple [house] of our God in Jerusalem.


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On the twelfth day of the first month [April 19] we left the Ahava ·Canal [River] ·and started toward [to travel/journey to] Jerusalem. The hand of our God ·helped us [was over us] and ·protected [saved; delivered] us from enemies and ·robbers [ambushes] along the way.


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On the fourth day we weighed out the silver, the gold, and the ·utensils [articles; vessels] in the ·Temple [house] of our God. We handed them to the priest Meremoth son of Uriah. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him, as were the Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui.


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Then the ·captives [exiles] who returned from captivity made burnt offerings [] to the God of Israel. They sacrificed twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six ·male sheep [rams], and seventy-seven lambs. For a ·sin [or purification] offering [] there were twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering [] to the Lord.


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They ·took [delivered] King Artaxerxes’ ·orders [decrees] to the royal officers and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River]. Then these men gave help to the people and the ·Temple [house] of God.


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Ezra’s Prayer After these things had been ·done [completed], the ·leaders [officials] came to me and said, “Ezra, the Israelites, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the people ·around us [of the land]. Those neighbors ·do [practice] ·evil [detestable; abominable] things, as the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites did.


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·The Israelite men and their sons [They] have ·married [taken] these women. They have ·mixed [intermingled] the ·people who belong to God [holy race] with the people ·around them [of the land]. The leaders and ·officers of Israel [officials] have led the rest of the Israelites to do this unfaithful thing.”


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When I heard this, I angrily tore my ·robe [tunic; clothes] and ·coat [cloak; mantle], pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat down ·in shock [devastated; appalled; in horror].


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Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the ·captives [exiles] who had returned. I sat there ·in shock [devastated; appalled; in horror] until the evening ·sacrifice [offering].


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At the evening ·sacrifice [offering] I got up from ·where I had shown my shame [my humiliation/self-abasement]. My ·robe [tunic; clothes] and ·coat [cloak; mantle] were torn, and I fell on my knees with my hands ·spread [stretched] out to the Lord my God.


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I prayed, “My God, I am too ashamed and ·embarrassed [disgraced] to lift up my face to you, my God, because our ·sins [iniquities] are so many. They are higher than our heads. Our guilt even ·reaches up [extends] to the ·sky [heavens].


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From the days of our ·ancestors [fathers] until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our ·sins [iniquities], we, our kings, and our priests have been ·punished by [given into the hands of the kings of the land, to] the sword and ·captivity [exile]. Foreign kings have ·taken away our things [plundered; pillaged] and ·shamed [humiliated] us, even as ·it [the case] is today.


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“But now, for a short time, the Lord our God has been ·kind [gracious; merciful] to us. He has let ·some of us [a remnant] ·come back from [escape; or survive] ·captivity [exile] and has ·let us live in safety [given us a peg; a tent peg symbolizing pitching a tent after travel] in his holy place. And so our God ·gives us hope [causes our eyes to shine; that is, revives] and a little relief ·from [in] our ·slavery [bondage].


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Even though we ·are [were] slaves, our God in his ·unfailing love [loyalty] ·has not left [did not abandon/forsake] us. He caused the kings of Persia to ·be kind to [look kindly on] us and has ·given us new life [revived us]. We can rebuild the ·Temple [house] of our God and ·repair [restore] its ruins. And he has given us a wall [of protection] in Judah and Jerusalem.


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“But now, our God, what can we say after you have done all this? We have ·disobeyed [abandoned; forsaken] your commands


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that you ·gave [commanded] through your servants the prophets. You said, ‘The land you are entering to ·own [possess] is ·ruined [defiled; polluted; unclean]; the people living there have ·spoiled it [defiled it; polluted it; made it unclean] by ·the evil they do [their detestable/abominable practices]. Their evil filled the land with ·uncleanness [corruption; filth; impurity] from one end to the other.


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So do not ·let your daughters marry [give your daughters to] their sons, and do not ·let their daughters marry [take their daughters for] your sons. Do not wish for their peace or ·success [prosperity; welfare]. Then you will be strong and eat the good things of the land. Then you can leave ·this land [it as an inheritance] to your ·descendants [sons] forever.’


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“What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt. But you, our God, have punished us less than ·we [our sin/iniquities] deserve; you have left a ·few of us alive [remnant such as this].


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·We should not [Should we…?] again break your commands by ·allowing marriages [intermarrying] with these ·wicked [detestable; abominable] people. ·If we did, you would get angry [Would not your anger be…?] enough to destroy us, ·and none of us would be left alive [without remnant or survivor].


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Lord, God of Israel, by your ·goodness [righteousness] a ·few of us [remnant] are left alive today. We ·admit that we are guilty [stand/come before you in our guilt] ·and [although] ·none of us should be allowed to [no one can truly] stand before you.”


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The People Confess Sin As Ezra was praying and confessing and crying and throwing himself down in front of the ·Temple [house], a large group of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him who were also crying loudly.


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Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel the Elamite said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying women from the peoples around us. But even so, there is still hope for Israel.


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Now let us make an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] before our God. We will send away all these women and their children as you and those who ·respect [tremble at] the commands of our God advise. Let it be done to obey God’s ·Teachings [Law; Torah].


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So Ezra got up and made the priests, Levites, and all the people of Israel promise to do what was suggested; and they promised.


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Then Ezra left the ·Temple [house] and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While Ezra was there, he did not eat or drink, because he was still sad about the unfaithfulness of the ·captives [exiles] who had returned.


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They sent an order in Judah and Jerusalem for all the ·captives [exiles] who had returned to meet together in Jerusalem.


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Whoever did not come to Jerusalem within three days would lose his property and would no longer be a member of the community of the returned ·captives [exiles]. That was the decision of the officers and elders.


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So within three days all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem. It was the twentieth day of the ninth month. All the men were sitting in the open place in front of the ·Temple [house] and were upset because of the meeting and because it was raining.


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Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful and have married ·non-Jewish [foreign] women. You have made Israel more guilty.


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Now, confess it to the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers]. Do his will and separate yourselves from the people living around you and from your ·non-Jewish [foreign] wives.”


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But there are many people here, and it’s the rainy season. We can’t stand outside, and this problem can’t be solved in a day or two, because we have sinned badly.


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Let our officers make a decision for the whole group. Then let everyone in our towns who has married a non-Jewish woman meet with the elders and judges of each town at a planned time, until the hot anger of our God turns away from us.”


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Only Jonathan son of Asahel, Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, Meshullam, and Shabbethai the Levite were against the plan.


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So the returned ·captives [exiles] did what was suggested. Ezra the priest chose men who were leaders of the family groups and named one from each family division. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to study each case.


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By the first day of the first month, they had finished with all the men who had married non-Jewish women.


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Those Guilty of Marrying Non-Jewish Women These are the ·descendants [sons; and so throughout this section] of the priests who had married foreign women: From the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak [] and Jeshua’s brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.


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(They all promised to ·divorce [send away; put out] their wives, and each one brought a male sheep from the flock as a ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering [].)


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And among the other Israelites, these married ·non-Jewish [foreign] women: From the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malkijah, and Benaiah.


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From the descendants of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.


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From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.


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All these men had married ·non-Jewish [foreign] women, and some of them had children by these wives.


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Nehemiah’s Prayer These are the ·words [memoirs] of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Kislev [late autumn] in the twentieth year [of the reign of King Artaxerxes I; 445 bc], I, Nehemiah, was in the ·capital city [or fortress; the winter residence of Persian kings, separate from the city] of Susa.


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One of my ·brothers [relatives] named Hanani came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jewish people who ·lived through [had escaped and survived] the ·captivity [exile].


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They answered me, “·Those who are left [The survivors/remnant there in the province; of Judah] from the ·captivity [exile] are in much ·trouble [distress; misery] and ·are full of shame [disgrace; humiliation]. The wall around Jerusalem is ·broken down [ruined; breached], and its gates have been burned [either at the time of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem () or later].”


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When I heard these things, I sat down and ·cried [wept] for several days. I ·was sad [mourned] and fasted. I prayed to the God of heaven,


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“Lord, God of heaven, you are the great ·God who is to be respected [and awesome God]. You ·are loyal, and you keep your agreement [keep your loving covenant/treaty; keep your covenant/treaty of unfailing love] with those who love you and ·obey [keep] your commands.


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·Look and listen carefully [Let your ears be attentive and eyes open]. Hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying to you day and night ·for [on behalf of] your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins ·we Israelites [the people/sons of Israel] have ·done [sinned] against you. My father’s ·family [house] and I have sinned against you.


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We have ·been wicked toward [acted corruptly against] you and have not obeyed the commands, ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and ·laws [judgments] you ·gave [commanded] your servant Moses [].


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“Remember ·what you taught [the word you commanded] your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the ·nations [peoples].


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But if you return to me and obey my commands [and do/live by them], I will gather your people from the far ends of the ·earth [heavens; sky; a reference to the Babylonian exile]. And I will bring them from there to ·where [the place] I have chosen ·to be worshiped [for my name to dwell; ; ].’


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“They are your servants and your people, whom you have ·saved [redeemed; rescued] with your great strength and ·power [strong hand].


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Lord, ·listen carefully [may your ear be attentive] to the prayer of your servant and the prayers of your servants who ·love to honor you [take pleasure in revering/fearing your name]. ·Give [Grant] me, your servant, success today; allow this king to show ·kindness [compassion] to me.” I was the ·one who served wine to the king [king’s cupbearer].


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Nehemiah Is Sent to Jerusalem It was the month of Nisan [early spring] in the twentieth year Artaxerxes was king [445 bc]. Wine was brought ·for him [or to me]. I took some and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before.


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So the king said, “Why does your face look sad even though you are not sick? ·Your heart must be sad [You must be very troubled].” Then I was very afraid.


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I said to the king, “May the king live forever! ·My face is sad because [Why should my face not look sad/dejected when…?] the city ·where my ancestors are buried [of my fathers’ tombs] lies in ruins, and its gates have been ·destroyed [devoured] by fire.”


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Then the king said to me, “What do you ·want [seek; request]?” ·First [Then; So] I prayed to the God of heaven.


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Then I answered the king, “If ·you are willing [it pleases/is good to you] and if I have ·pleased you [found favor in your sight], send me to Judah, to the city ·where my ancestors are buried [of my fathers’ tombs; Jerusalem] so I can rebuild it.”


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The queen was sitting next to the king. He asked me, “How long will your ·trip [journey] take, and when will you get back?” It ·pleased [was good to] the king to send me, so I set a time.


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I also said to him, “If ·you are willing [it pleases/is good to you], give me letters for the governors of ·Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River]. Tell them to let me pass safely through their lands ·on my way to [until I reach] Judah.


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And may I have a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, telling him to give me timber? I will need it to make ·boards [beams] for the gates of the ·palace [or fortress], which is by the ·Temple [house], and for the city wall, and for the house in which I will live.” So the king ·gave [granted] me the letters, because ·God was showing kindness to me [the gracious/good hand of God was on me].


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Then I went to the governors of ·Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River] and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and ·horsemen [cavalry] with me.


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When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite ·officer [official] heard about this, they were ·upset [very displeased] that someone had come to ·help [promote/seek the welfare of] the Israelites.


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Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem I went to Jerusalem and ·stayed there three days [or after three days…].


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Then at night I started out with a few men. I had not told anyone what God had ·caused me [put in my mind/heart] to do for Jerusalem. There were no animals with me except the one I was riding.


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I went out at night through the Valley Gate. I rode toward the Dragon Well and the ·Trash [Garbage; Refuse; Dung] Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been ·destroyed [devoured] by fire.


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Then I rode on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for the animal I was riding to pass through.


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So I went up the ·valley [ravine; likely the Kidron Valley; many of these walls no longer exist] at night, inspecting the wall. Finally, I turned and went back in through the Valley Gate.


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The ·guards [officials] did not know where I had gone or what I was doing. I had not yet said anything to the Jewish people, the priests, the ·important men [nobles], the ·officers [officials], or any of the others who would do the work.


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Then I said to them, “You can see the trouble we ·have here [are in]. Jerusalem is ·a pile of ruins [desolate], and its gates have been burned. Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so we won’t be ·full of shame [disgraced; humiliated] any longer.”


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I also told them how ·God had been kind to [the gracious hand of God had been on] me and what the king had said to me. Then they answered, “Let’s start rebuilding.” So they ·began to work hard [strengthened their hands for this good work].


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But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite officer, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they ·made fun of us and laughed at [mocked and ridiculed/jeered at] us. They said, “What are you doing? Are you ·turning [rebelling] against the king?”


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But I answered them, “The God of heaven will ·give us success [prosper us]. We, his servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no share, claim, or ·memorial [historic/ancient right] in Jerusalem.”


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Builders of the Wall Eliashib the high priest and his ·fellow priests [brothers] went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They ·gave it to the Lord’s service [dedicated/consecrated it] and set its doors in place. They worked as far as the Tower of the Hundred and ·gave it to the Lord’s service [dedicated/consecrated it]. Then they went on to the Tower of Hananel.


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Next to them, the people of Jericho built part of the wall, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.


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The sons of Hassenaah rebuilt the Fish Gate, laying its ·boards [beams] and setting its doors, bolts, and bars in place.


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Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs next to them. Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs next to Meremoth. And Zadok son of Baana made repairs next to Meshullam.


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The people from Tekoa [a town ten miles south of Jerusalem] made repairs next to them, but the ·leading men of Tekoa [nobles] would not work under ·their supervisors [or their lords; or their Lord; or possibly a reference to Nehemiah].


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Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They laid its ·boards [beams] and set its doors, bolts, and bars in place.


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Next to them, Melatiah from Gibeon, other men from Gibeon and Mizpah, and Jadon from Meronoth made repairs. These places were ·ruled by [under the jurisdiction of] the governor of ·Trans-Euphrates [provinces west of the Euphrates River].


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Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a goldsmith, made repairs. And next to him, Hananiah, a perfume maker, made repairs. These men rebuilt Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.


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The next part of the wall was repaired by Rephaiah son of Hur, the ·ruler [official; head] of half of the district of Jerusalem.


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Next to him, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs ·opposite [across from] his own house. And next to him, Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs.


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Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another part of the wall and the Tower of the ·Ovens [Furnaces; Fire Pots; possibly the bakery district].


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Next to them Shallum son of Hallohesh, the ·ruler [official; head] of half of the district of Jerusalem, and his daughters made repairs.


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Hanun and the people of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate, rebuilding it and setting its doors, bolts, and bars in place. They also repaired the ·five hundred yards [one thousand cubits] of the wall to the ·Trash [Garbage; Refuse; Dung] Gate.


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Malkijah son of Recab, the ·ruler [official; head] of the district of Beth Hakkerem, repaired the ·Trash [Garbage; Refuse; Dung] Gate. He rebuilt that gate and set its doors, bolts, and bars in place.


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Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, the ·ruler [official; head] of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it, ·put a roof over [covered] it, and set its doors, bolts, and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of ·Siloam [or Shelah] next to the King’s Garden all the way to the steps that went down from the ·older part of the city [City of David].


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Next to Shallun was Nehemiah [not the governor] son of Azbuk, ·the ruler [official; head] of half of the district of Beth Zur. He made repairs ·opposite [across from] the tombs of David and as far as the ·man-made [artificial] pool and the House of the ·Heroes [Champions; Warriors; Mighty Men].


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Next to him, the Levites made repairs, working under Rehum son of Bani. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ·ruler [official; head] of half of the district of Keilah, for his district.


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Next to him, ·Binnui [or Bavvai] son of Henadad and his ·relatives [kinsmen; brothers] made repairs. ·Binnui [or Bavvai] was the ·ruler [official; head] of the other half of the district of Keilah.


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Next to them, Ezer son of Jeshua, the ·ruler [official; head] of Mizpah, repaired another part of the wall. He worked across from the way up to the armory, as far as the ·bend [angle; buttress].


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Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai worked ·hard [zealously] on the wall that went from the ·bend [angle; buttress] to the ·entrance to [door of] the house of Eliashib, the high priest.


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Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the wall that went from the ·entrance to [door of] Eliashib’s house to the far end of it.


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Next to them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs ·in front of [across from] their own house. Next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs ·beside [near] his own house.


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Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired ·the wall [another section] that went from Azariah’s house to the ·bend [angle; buttress] and on to the corner.


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Palal son of Uzai worked across from the ·bend [angle; buttress] and by the tower on the upper ·palace [house of the king], which is near the courtyard of the guard. Next to Palal, Pedaiah son of Parosh made repairs.


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The Temple servants who lived on the hill of Ophel made repairs as far as a point ·opposite [across from] the Water Gate. They worked toward the east and the ·tower that extends from the palace [projecting/protruding tower].


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Next to them, the people of Tekoa [] repaired ·the wall [another section] from the great ·tower that extends from the palace [projecting/protruding tower] to the wall of Ophel.


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The priests made repairs above the Horse Gate, each working ·in front of [across from] his own house.


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Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs across from his own house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the 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 on another ·part of the wall [section]. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs across from ·where he lived [his quarters].


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Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. He worked as far as the house of the Temple servants and the ·traders [merchants], which is across from the Inspection Gate, and as far as the ·room above the corner of the wall [upper room at the corner].


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The goldsmiths and the traders made repairs between the ·room above the corner of the wall [upper room at the corner] and the Sheep Gate.


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Those Against the Rebuilding When Sanballat heard we were rebuilding the wall, he was very angry, even furious. He ·made fun of [mocked; ridiculed] the Jewish people.


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He said to his ·friends [colleagues; brothers] and ·those with power in [or the army/aristocracy of] Samaria, “What are these ·weak [feeble; pathetic] Jews doing? Will they ·rebuild the wall [or leave it all to God]? Will they offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in one day? Can they ·bring stones back to life from piles of trash and ashes [revive stones from piles of rubble—burnt stones at that]?”


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Tobiah the Ammonite, who was ·next to Sanballat [beside him], said, “If a fox climbed up on the stone wall they are building, it would break it down.”


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I prayed, “Hear us, our God. We are ·hated [despised]. Turn the ·insults [taunts; sneers] of Sanballat and Tobiah back on their own heads. ·Let them be captured and stolen like valuables [Send them as plunder to a land of exile].


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Do not ·hide [cover; ignore] their guilt or ·take away [blot out] their sins so that you can’t see them, because they have ·insulted [deeply offended; or demoralized] the builders.”


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So we rebuilt [and connected/joined together] the wall to half its height, because the people were ·willing to [enthusiastic in their; had a heart to] work.


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But Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from Ashdod were very angry when they heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls were continuing and that the ·holes [gaps; breaches] in the wall were being closed.


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So they all made plans to come to Jerusalem and fight and ·stir up trouble [cause confusion/a disturbance].


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The people of Judah said, “The ·workers are getting tired [strength of the laborers is failing]. There is so much ·trash [debris; rubble] we cannot rebuild the wall.”


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And our enemies said, “·The Jews [They] won’t know or see anything until we come among them and kill them and stop the work.”


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Then the Jewish people who lived near our enemies came and ·told [warned] us repeatedly [ten times], “·Everywhere you turn [From every direction], the enemy will attack us.”


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So I ·put [stationed] people behind the lowest places along the wall—the ·open [exposed] places—and I ·put families together [stationed people by families] with their swords, spears, and bows.


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·Then I looked around and [After an inspection, I] stood up and said to the ·important men [nobles], the ·leaders [officials], and the rest of the people: “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and ·powerful [awesome; glorious]. Fight for your brothers, your sons and daughters, your wives, and your homes.”


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Then our enemies heard that we knew about their plans and that God had ·ruined [frustrated; thwarted] their plans. So we all went back to the wall, each to his own work.


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From that day on, half my people worked on the wall. The other half was ready with spears, shields, bows, and armor. The ·officers [leaders] stood in back of the ·people [house] of Judah


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who were building the wall. Those who carried ·materials [loads] did their work with one hand and carried a weapon with the other.


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Each builder wore his sword at his side as he ·worked [built]. The trumpeter [to signal an attack] stayed next to me.


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Then I said to the ·important people [nobles], the ·leaders [officials], and everyone else, “This is ·a very big job [demanding work]. We are spread out along the wall so that we are far apart.


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Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, ·assemble there [rally to us here]. Our God will fight for us.”


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So we continued to work with half the men holding spears from ·sunrise [dawn] till the stars came out.


text:
At that time I also said to the people, “Let every man and his ·helper [servant] stay inside Jerusalem at night. They can be our guards at night and workmen during the day.”


text:
Neither I, my ·brothers [colleagues], my ·workers [servants], nor the guards with me ever ·took off [changed] our clothes. Each person carried his weapon even when he went for water.


text:
Nehemiah Helps Poor People The men and their wives ·complained [cried out] loudly against their ·fellow Jews [Jewish brothers].


text:
Some of them were saying, “We have many sons and daughters in our families. To eat and stay alive, we need grain [This group may have owned no land that could provide them food.].”


text:
Others were saying, “We are ·borrowing money [mortgaging; from their fellow Jews, which increased their frustration] against our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain ·because there is not much food [during the famine].”


text:
And still others were saying, “We are borrowing money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.


text:
·We are just like our fellow Jews [Our flesh is like our brothers’ flesh], and our ·sons [children] are like their ·sons [children]. But we have to sell our sons and daughters ·as slaves [into bondage/slavery; an often temporary servitude to satisfy debts; ]. Some of our daughters have already been ·sold [enslaved]. But ·there is nothing we can do [we are powerless/helpless], because our fields and vineyards already belong to other people.”


text:
After ·I thought about [reflecting on] it, I ·accused [reprimanded] the ·important people [nobles] and ·leaders [officials], “You are ·charging your own ·brothers [kinsmen] interest [committing usury; in these situations, lenders were not to make a profit; ; ].” So I called a ·large meeting to deal with [great assembly against] them.


text:
I said to them, “·As much as possible [To the best of our ability], we have ·bought freedom for [redeemed] our fellow Jews who had been sold to ·foreigners [the Gentiles]. Now you are selling your fellow Jews to us [the creditors were selling their fellow Jews into slavery, requiring Nehemiah and others to buy them back]!” ·The leaders [They] were ·quiet [silent] and ·had nothing [couldn’t find a word] to say.


text:
Then I said, “What you are doing is not ·right [good]. ·Don’t you fear [Should you not walk in fear of] God []? Don’t let our ·foreign [Gentile] enemies shame us.


text:
I, my ·brothers [colleagues], and my ·men [servants] are lending money and grain to the people. But stop charging them ·for this [interest].


text:
Give back their fields, vineyards, olive trees, and houses ·right now [this very day]. Also give back the ·extra amount [interest] you charged—·the hundredth part [one percent] of the money, grain, new wine, and oil.”


text:
They said, “We will give it back and not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.” Then I called for the priests, and I made the ·important people [nobles] and ·leaders [officials] ·take an oath [swear; vow] to do what they had ·said [promised].


text:
Also I shook out the folds of my ·robe [bosom] and said, “In this way may God shake out everyone who does not ·keep his [fulfill/cause to stand this] promise. May God shake him out of his house and ·out of the things that are his [his possessions/property]. Let that person be shaken out and emptied!” Then the whole ·group [assembly] said, “Amen,” and they praised the Lord. So the people did what they had ·promised [sworn; vowed].


text:
I was appointed governor in the land of Judah in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ rule [445 bc]. I was governor of Judah for twelve years, until his thirty-second year. During that time neither my ·brothers [colleagues; relatives; or officials] nor I ate the food that was allowed for a governor [Nehemiah is demonstrating his own selflessness during this time].


text:
But the governors before me [in contrast] had placed a heavy ·load [burden] on the people. They took ·about one pound [forty shekels] of silver from each person, along with food and wine. ·The governors’ helpers before me [Their associates/assistants] also ·controlled [oppressed; dominated] the people, but I did not do that, because I feared God [].


text:
I ·worked [devoted myself to working] on the wall, as did all my ·men [servants] who were ·gathered [assembled] there. We did not buy any ·fields [land].


text:
·Also [Furthermore], I fed one hundred fifty Jewish people and ·officers [officials] at my table, as well as those who came from the nations around us.


text:
This is what was prepared every day: one ox, six ·good [choice] sheep, and birds. And every ten days there were all kinds of wine [in abundance]. But I never demanded the food that was due a governor, because the people were already ·working very hard [carrying a great burden].


text:
More Problems for Nehemiah Then Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and our other enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that there was not one ·gap [breach] in it. But I had not yet set the doors in the gates.


text:
So Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, Nehemiah, let’s meet together in ·Kephirim [or one of the villages] on the plain of Ono.” But they were ·planning [plotting; scheming] to harm me.


text:
So I sent messengers to them with this answer: “I am ·doing [engaged in] a great work, and I can’t come down. ·I don’t want the work to [Why should the work…?] stop while I leave to meet you.”


text:
Sanballat and Geshem sent the same message to me four times, and each time I sent back the same answer.


text:
The fifth time Sanballat sent his ·helper [servant; assistant] to me, and in his hand was an ·unsealed [open] letter.


text:
This is what was written: A report is going around to all the nations, and ·Geshem [Gashmu; the same person as in ] says it is true, that you and the Jewish people are planning to ·turn against the king [rebel; revolt] and ·that [therefore] you are rebuilding the wall. They say you are ·going [intending; planning; wishing] to be their king


text:
and that you have ·appointed [anointed; established] prophets to ·announce [proclaim] in Jerusalem: “There is a king of Judah!” The king will hear about ·this [these reports/rumors]. So come, let’s ·discuss this [confer; take counsel] together.


text:
So I sent him back this answer: “·Nothing you are saying is really happening. [We are not doing what you are saying.] You are just ·making it up [inventing/imagining them] in your own ·mind [heart].”


text:
Our enemies were trying to ·scare [intimidate; terrorize] us, thinking, “They will get too ·weak [discouraged; their hands will grow slack] to work. Then the wall will not be finished.” ·But I prayed [So now], “God, ·make me strong [strengthen my hands].”


text:
·One day [Then] I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel. Shemaiah ·had to stay at [was confined to his; perhaps related to a vow or to ritual uncleanness] home. He said, “Nehemiah, let’s meet in the ·Temple [house] of God. Let’s go inside the Temple and ·close [bar] the doors, because men are coming at night to kill you.”


text:
But I said, “Should a man like me [in his position] run away? Should I run ·for [to save] my life into the Temple [to seek asylum; ; ; ; ; ]? I will not go.”


text:
I ·knew [realized; perceived; recognized] that God had not sent him but that Tobiah and Sanballat had ·paid [hired] him to prophesy against me.


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They ·paid [hired] him to ·frighten [intimidate; terrorize] me so I would do this and sin. Then they could ·give me a bad name to shame [accuse and discredit/blame] me.


text:
I prayed, “My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat and what they have done. Also remember the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who have been trying to ·frighten [intimidate; terrorize] me.”


text:
The Wall Is Finished The wall of Jerusalem was completed on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul [October 2, 515 bc]. It took fifty-two days to rebuild.


text:
When all our enemies heard about it and all the nations around us saw it, they were ·shamed [disheartened; or amazed]. They ·understood [recognized; realized] that the work had been ·done [accomplished] with the help of our God.


text:
Also in those days the ·important people [nobles] of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and he answered them.


text:
Many ·Jewish people [in Judah] ·had promised to be faithful [were under oath; had sworn allegiance] to Tobiah, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah. And Tobiah’s son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.


text:
·These important people [They] kept telling me about the good ·things [deeds] Tobiah was doing, and then they would tell Tobiah ·what I said about him [my words]. So Tobiah sent letters to ·frighten [intimidate; terrorize] me.


text:
After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in ·place [the gates], the gatekeepers, ·singers [musicians], and Levites were chosen.


text:
I put my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the ·palace [fortress; citadel], ·in charge of [to administer] Jerusalem. Hananiah was ·honest [a faithful man] and feared God more than ·most [many] people.


text:
I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem should not be opened ·until [or while] the sun is hot [either don’t open until later in the day, or shut them at midday while people are resting from the heat]. ·While [Even while] the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut and bolt the doors. Appoint people who live in Jerusalem as guards, and put some at guard posts and some near their own houses.”


text:
The Captives Who Returned The city was large and ·roomy [spacious; spread out; wide of two hands], but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.


text:
Then my God ·caused me [put it in my heart/mind] to ·gather [assemble] the ·important people [nobles], ·leaders [officials], and the common people so I could ·register [enroll] them by ·families [genealogy]. I found the ·family history [genealogical records] of those who had returned first. This is what I found written there:


text:
These are the people of the ·area [province] who returned from ·captivity [exile], whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had ·taken [carried] ·away [into exile]. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.


text:
These people returned with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. These are the [men from the; the following numbers likely reflect only males] people from Israel:


text:
These are the Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel through the ·family [line; sons] of Hodaviah)—74.


text:
Some people came to Jerusalem from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove that ·their ancestors [the house of their fathers] came from Israel. They were as follows:


text:
And these priests were in that group: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai. (He had married a daughter of Barzillai from Gilead and ·was called by [adopted; took] her family name.)


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These people searched ·for [in] their ·family [genealogical] records, but they could not find ·them [themselves there]. So they ·could not be priests [were excluded/disqualified from the priesthood], because they were ·thought to be unclean [desecrated].


text:
The governor ordered them not to eat any of the ·holy [sacred; most holy; ; ] food until a priest settled this matter by using the Urim and Thummim [sacred lots used to determine God’s will; ].


text:
This is not counting their 7,337 male and female servants and the 245 male and female singers with them.


text:
Some of the ·family leaders [heads of the fathers] ·gave [contributed] to the work. The governor gave to the treasury ·about 19 pounds [1,000 drachmas/or darics] of gold, 50 ·bowls [basins], and 530 ·pieces of clothing [robes; garments] for the priests.


text:
Some of the family ·leaders [heads] gave ·about 375 pounds [20,000 drachmas/or darics] of gold and ·about 2,660 pounds [2,200 minas] of silver to the treasury for the work.


text:
The total of what the other people gave was ·about 375 pounds [2,000 drachmas/or darics] of gold, about ·2,250 pounds [2,000 minas] of silver, and 67 ·pieces of clothing [robes; garments] for the priests.


text:
So these people all settled in their own towns: the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple servants, and all the other people of Israel. By the seventh month [October-November 445 bc] the Israelites were settled in their own towns.


text:
Ezra Reads the Teachings All the people of Israel ·gathered [assembled] ·together [like one man/person] in the square ·by [in front of] the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the ·teacher [scribe] to bring out the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [Law; Torah] of Moses, which the Lord had ·given to [commanded/prescribed for] Israel.


text:
So on the first day of the seventh month [October 8], Ezra the priest brought out the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] for the ·crowd [assembly]. Men, women, and all who could ·listen and understand [understand what they heard; presumably older children] had ·gathered [assembled].


text:
At the square by the Water Gate Ezra read the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] out loud from early morning until noon to the men, women, and everyone who could ·listen and understand [understand what they heard; presumably older children]. All the people listened ·carefully [attentively; eagerly] to the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah].


text:
Ezra the ·teacher [scribe] stood on a high ·wooden platform [dais; tower of wood; ] that had been built just for this ·time [occasion; purpose]. On his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. And on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.


text:
Ezra opened the ·book [scroll] ·in full view [to the eyes] of everyone, because he was above them. As he opened it, all the people stood up [a sign of respect; ; ; ].


text:
Ezra ·praised [blessed] the Lord, the great God, and all the people ·held up [lifted] their hands [; ; ] and said, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed ·down [low] and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.


text:
These Levites ·explained [instructed regarding; ] the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] to the people as they ·stood there [remained in place]: Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah.


text:
They read from the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] of God and ·explained [clarified; or translated] what it meant so the people understood what was being read.


text:
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and ·teacher [scribe], and the Levites who were ·teaching [instructing; interpreting] said to all the people, “This is a ·holy [sacred] day to the Lord your God. Don’t ·be sad [mourn] or ·cry [weep].” All the people had been ·crying [weeping] as they listened to the words of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah].


text:
Nehemiah said, “Go and ·enjoy good food [eat of the fat] and sweet drinks [; ; ; ; ; ]. Send ·some [portions] to people who have ·none [nothing prepared], because today is a ·holy [sacred] day to the Lord. Don’t ·be sad [grieve; mourn], because the joy of the Lord ·will make you strong [is your strength].”


text:
The Levites helped calm the people, saying, “Be ·quiet [still], because this is a ·holy [sacred] day. Don’t ·be sad [grieve; mourn].”


text:
Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to ·send some of their food to others [share; send portions], and to ·celebrate with [make] great joy. They finally understood ·what they had been taught [the words/matters that had been made known to them].


text:
On the second day of the month [October 9, 445 bc], the ·leaders [heads] of all the families, the priests, and the Levites met with Ezra the ·teacher [scribe]. They ·gathered [assembled] to ·study [consider; gain insight into] the words of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah].


text:
This is what they found written in the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah]: The Lord commanded through Moses that the people of Israel were to live in ·shelters [booths; temporary dwellings; ; ] during the feast of the seventh month.


text:
The people ·were supposed to [should] ·preach this message [make/issue a proclamation] and ·spread [disseminate] it through all their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the ·mountains [hills], and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, myrtle trees, palms, and ·shade [other leafy] trees. Make ·shelters [booths] with them, as it is written [prescribed in the Law of Moses].”


text:
So the people went out and got tree branches. They built ·shelters [booths] on their roofs [roofs were living space], in their courtyards, in the courtyards of the ·Temple [house] of God, in the square by the Water Gate, and in the square next to the Gate of Ephraim.


text:
The whole ·group [assembly] that had come back from ·captivity [exile] built ·shelters [booths] and lived in them. The Israelites had not done this since the ·time [days] of Joshua son of Nun. And ·they were very happy [there was great rejoicing].


text:
Ezra read to them every day from the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] of God, from the first day to the last [of the festival]. The people of Israel celebrated the feast for seven days, and then on the eighth day the people ·gathered [held a solemn assembly] ·as the law said [according to the judgment].


text:
The People’s Prayer Israel Confesses Sins On the twenty-fourth day of that same month [October 31], the people of Israel ·gathered [assembled]. They fasted, and they wore ·rough cloth [sackcloth] and put dust on their heads [signs of grief or repentance].


text:
·Those people whose ancestors were from Israel [The seed of Israel] had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins and their ancestors’ ·sins [iniquities].


text:
For a fourth of the day [three hours] they stood where they were and read from the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] of the Lord their God. For another fourth of the day they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.


text:
These Levites were standing on the stairs: Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani. They called out to the Lord their God with loud voices.


text:
Then these Levites spoke: Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah. They said, “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who lives ·forever and ever [from age to age/everlasting to everlasting].” “Blessed be your ·wonderful [glorious] name. ·It is more wonderful than [May it be exalted above] all blessing and praise.


text:
You ·are the only [alone are the] Lord. You made the ·heavens [sky], even the ·highest [heavens of the] heavens, with all ·the stars [their hosts]. You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; you give life to everything. The heavenly ·army [host] worships you.


text:
“You are the ·Lord, the God [or Lord God,] who chose Abram and brought him ·out of [forth from] Ur ·in Babylonia [of the Chaldeans; ] and named [renamed] him Abraham [].


text:
You found ·him [his heart] faithful to you, so you made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with him to give his ·descendants [seed] the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. You have ·kept [fulfilled] your ·promise [word], because you ·do what is right [are righteous].


text:
“You saw our ·ancestors [fathers] ·suffering [miserable; afflicted; in distress] in Egypt and heard them cry out ·at [beside] the ·Red Sea [Sea of Reeds; ].


text:
You ·did [performed; displayed] signs and ·miracles [wonders] against ·the king of Egypt [Pharaoh], and against all his ·officers [officials; servants] and all the people of his land, because you knew how ·proud [arrogant; insolent] they were to them [Israel’s ancestors]. You ·became as famous [made a name for yourself] ·as you are today [which remains to this day].


text:
You ·divided [split; opened] the sea in front of ·our ancestors [them]; they ·walked [passed] through the sea on dry ground []. But you threw ·the people chasing them into the deep water [their pursuers into the depths], like a stone thrown into ·mighty [raging; surging] waters.


text:
You ·led [guided] ·our ancestors [them] with a ·pillar [column] of cloud by day and with a ·pillar [column] of fire at night []. It lit the way they were supposed to go.


text:
You came down ·to [on; at] Mount Sinai and spoke from heaven to ·our ancestors [them]. You gave them ·fair [just] ·rules [judgments] and true ·teachings [laws; instructions; Torah], good ·orders [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands.


text:
You ·told [revealed; made known to] them about your holy Sabbath [; ] and gave them commands, ·orders [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and ·teachings [laws; instructions; Torah] through your servant Moses.


text:
When they were hungry, you gave them bread from heaven [the manna; ]. When they were thirsty, you brought them water from ·the [a] rock [; ]. You told them to enter and ·take over [possess] the land you had ·promised [sworn; raised your hand] to give them.


text:
“But ·our ancestors [they, our fathers,] were ·proud [arrogant; insolent] and ·stubborn [rebellious; stiff-necked] and did not ·obey [listen/pay attention to] your commands.


text:
They refused to ·listen [obey]; they ·forgot [did not remember/recall] the ·miracles [wonders] you ·did [performed] ·for [among] them. So they became ·stubborn [rebellious; stiff-necked], ·choosing [appointing] a leader to take them back to slavery in Egypt. But you are a forgiving God. You are ·kind [gracious] and ·full of mercy [compassionate]. You ·do not become angry quickly [are slow to anger], and ·you have great [abounding in unfailing/steadfast] love [compare ; ; , ; ] So you did not ·leave [abandon; desert; forsake] them.


text:
·Our ancestors [They] even ·made [cast] a calf [as an idol] for themselves. They said, ‘This is your god who brought you up out of Egypt [].’ They ·spoke against you [committed great blasphemies].


text:
“You have great ·mercy [compassion], so you did not ·leave [abandon; desert; forsake] them in the ·desert [wilderness]. The pillar of cloud ·guided them by day [did not turn from them by day in guiding them in the path], ·and the pillar of fire led them at night, lighting the way they were to go [nor did the pillar of fire stop illuminating for them by night the path on which they should travel].


text:
You ·gave [sent; imparted] your good Spirit to ·teach [instruct] them. You ·gave them manna to eat [did not withhold manna from their mouth] and gave them water when they were thirsty.


text:
You ·took care of [sustained; provided for] them for forty years in the ·desert [wilderness]; they ·needed [lacked] nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.


text:
“You gave them kingdoms and ·nations [peoples; to conquer]; you ·gave them more land [put them in every corner; allotted/allocated to them every corner/frontier]. They ·took over [took possession of; inherited] the country of Sihon king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan [].


text:
You made their ·children [descendants; sons] as ·many [numerous] as the stars ·in the sky [of heaven; ; ; ], and you brought them into the land that you told their ·ancestors [fathers] to enter and ·take over [possess].


text:
So their ·children [descendants; sons] went into the land and took ·over [possession]. The Canaanites lived there, but you ·defeated them for [subdued them before] our ancestors. You handed over to them the Canaanites, their kings, and the ·people [peoples] of the land. ·Our ancestors [They] could ·do what they wanted with them [deal with them as they pleased].


text:
They captured ·strong, walled [fortified] cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, ·wells [cisterns] that were already dug, vineyards, olive ·trees [groves], and ·many [abundant] fruit trees. They ate until they were full and grew fat; they ·enjoyed [reveled; delighted themselves in] your great goodness.


text:
“But they were disobedient and ·turned [rebelled] against you and ·ignored [turned their backs on] your ·teachings [laws; instructions; Torah]. Your prophets ·warned [admonished] them to come back to you, but they killed those prophets and ·spoke against you [committed great blasphemies].


text:
So you handed them over to their ·enemies [oppressors], and their ·enemies treated them badly [oppressors oppressed them]. But in this time of ·trouble [distress; suffering; misery] ·our ancestors [they] cried out to you, and you heard from heaven. You had great ·mercy [compassion] and gave them ·saviors [liberators; deliverers] who ·saved [rescued] them from the ·power [hand] of their ·enemies [oppressors].


text:
But as soon as they had ·rest [peace], they again ·did what was [committed] evil. So you ·left [abandoned; deserted; forsook] them to [the hand of] their ·enemies [oppressors] who ·ruled over [conquered; oppressed] them. When they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven. Because of your ·mercy [compassion], you ·saved them again [rescued them time] and again.


text:
You ·warned [admonished] them to return to your ·teachings [laws; instructions; Torah], but they were ·proud [arrogant; insolent] and did not ·obey [listen to] your commands. If someone ·obeys [observes] your ·laws [judgments], he will live, but they sinned against ·your laws [them]. They ·were stubborn [turned a stubborn shoulder], ·unwilling [rebellious; stiff-necked], and ·disobedient [rebellious].


text:
You ·were patient [bore] with them for many years and ·warned [admonished] them by your Spirit through ·the [your] prophets, but they did not ·pay attention [give ear]. So you handed them over to ·other countries [the peoples of the lands].


text:
But because your ·mercy [compassion] is great, you did not ·kill [destroy; make an end of] them all or ·leave [abandon; desert; forsake] them. You are a ·kind [gracious] and ·merciful [compassionate] God.


text:
“And so, our God, you are the great and ·mighty [powerful] and ·wonderful [awesome] God. You keep your ·agreement [covenant/treaty] of ·love [faithful/steadfast/unfailing love; lovingkindness]. Do not let all our ·trouble [hardship] seem ·unimportant [inconsequential; small] ·to you [in your sight]. This trouble has come to us, to our kings and our ·leaders [officials], to our priests and prophets, to our ·ancestors [fathers] and all your people from the days of the kings of Assyria ·until today [to this very day].


text:
You have been ·fair [just; righteous] in everything that has happened to us; you have ·been loyal [been faithful; done truth], but we have ·been wicked [acted wickedly/wrongly].


text:
Our kings, ·leaders [officials], priests, and ·ancestors [fathers] did not obey your ·teachings [laws; instructions; Torah]; they did not pay attention to the commands and ·warnings [decrees; testimonies] you gave them.


text:
Even when ·our ancestors [they] were living in their kingdom, ·enjoying [benefiting from] all the good things you ·had given [lavished/bestowed on] them, ·enjoying [benefiting from] the land that was ·fertile and full of room [rich and spacious], they did not ·stop [serve you and turn from] their evil ·ways [deeds; practices].


text:
“·Look [Behold], we are slaves today in the land you gave our ·ancestors [fathers]. ·They were to enjoy […to eat] its fruit and its good things, but ·look [behold], we are slaves here.


text:
The land’s ·great [abundant] ·harvest [produce] belongs to the kings you have ·put [set; placed] over us because of our sins. Those kings rule over ·us [our bodies] and our cattle as they please, so we are in ·much trouble [great distress/misery].


text:
The People’s Covenant “Because of all this, we are making an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] in writing, and our ·leaders [officials], Levites, and priests are putting their seals on it.”


text:
These are the men who sealed the ·agreement [covenant; treaty]: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah. Zedekiah,


text:
These are the ·leaders [officials] of the people who sealed the ·agreement [covenant]: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,


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The rest of the people ·took an oath [made a vow; swore]. They were the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple servants, all those who separated themselves from ·foreigners [the peoples of the lands] to keep the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] of God, and also their wives and their sons and daughters who ·could [were able to; were old enough] understand.


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They joined their ·fellow Israelites [kinsmen] and their ·leading men [nobles] in taking an ·oath with a curse [curse and an oath/vow; the curse followed if they broke the oath]. They ·promised to follow [were to walk in] the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] of God, which they had been given through Moses the servant of God, and to ·obey [keep; observe] all the commands, ·rules [judgments], and ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] of the Lord our God.


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They said: We promise not to ·let [give] our daughters ·marry foreigners [to the peoples of the land] nor to let our sons ·marry [take] their daughters.


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When ·foreigners [the peoples of the land] bring goods or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy on the Sabbath or any holy day. Every seventh year we will not plant, and that year we will ·forget all that people owe us [cancel every debt/loan; ; ; ].


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We ·will be responsible for [accept the obligation of] the commands to pay for the service of the ·Temple [house] of our God. We will give ·an eighth of an ounce [one third of a shekel] of silver each year.


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It is for the ·bread that is set out on the table [Bread of Presence; showbread; ; bread continually on a table in the Temple as an offering to God]; the regular grain [gift; tribute] offerings [] and burnt offerings []; the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals, and ·special feasts [appointed festivals]; the ·holy [sacred] offerings; the ·sin [or purification] offerings [] to make ·Israel right with God [atonement for Israel]; and for the ·work [duties] of the ·Temple [house] of our God.


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We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, have ·thrown [cast] lots to decide at what time of year each family must ·bring [offer; supply] wood to the ·Temple [house]. The wood is for burning on the altar of the Lord our God, and we will do this as it is written in the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah].


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We also will bring the firstfruits from our ·crops [land] and the firstfruits of every tree to the ·Temple [house] of the Lord each year.


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We will bring to the ·Temple [house] of our God our firstborn sons and cattle and the firstborn of our herds and flocks, as it is written in the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah; ]. We will bring them to the priests who ·are serving [minister] in the ·Temple [house] of our God.


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We will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the ·Temple [house] of our God the first of our ·ground meal [flour; or dough], our ·offerings [contributions], the fruit from all our trees, and our new wine and oil. And we will bring a ·tenth [tithe] of our ·crops [ground] to the Levites, who will collect these things in all the rural towns where we work.


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A priest of Aaron’s ·family [line] must be with the Levites when they receive the ·tenth of the people’s crops [tithe]. The Levites must bring a ·tenth [tithe] of ·all they receive [the tithes] to the ·Temple [house] of our God to put in the storerooms of the treasury.


text:
The people of Israel and the Levites are to bring to the storerooms the ·gifts [contributions; offerings] of grain, new wine, and oil. That is where the ·utensils [vessels] for the ·Temple [sanctuary] are kept and where the priests who are ·serving [ministering], the gatekeepers, and singers stay. We will not ·ignore [neglect] the ·Temple [house] of our God.


text:
New People Move into Jerusalem The leaders of Israel ·lived [settled] in Jerusalem. The rest of the people ·threw [cast] lots to choose one person out of every ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city. The other nine could stay in their own cities.


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The people ·blessed [praised; commended] those who volunteered to live in Jerusalem [at this point in the rebuilding, Jerusalem was dangerous and perhaps uncomfortable].


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These are the ·area [provincial] ·leaders [officials] who lived in Jerusalem. (·Some [Other; Most] people lived on their own ·land [property] in the cities of Judah. These included Israelites, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and ·descendants [sons] of Solomon’s servants.


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Others from the ·families [sons] of Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem.) These are the ·descendants [sons] of Judah who ·moved into [settled in] Jerusalem. There was Athaiah son of Uzziah. (Uzziah was the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah. Amariah was the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel. Mahalalel was a ·descendant [son] of Perez.)


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There was also Maaseiah son of Baruch. (Baruch was the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah. Hazaiah was the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib. Joiarib was the son of Zechariah, a ·descendant [son] of Shelah.)


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All the ·descendants [sons] of Perez who ·lived [settled] in Jerusalem totaled 468 men. They were ·soldiers [capable/outstanding/exceptional men].


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These are ·descendants [sons] of Benjamin who ·moved into [settled in] Jerusalem. There was Sallu son of Meshullam. (Meshullam was the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah. Pedaiah was the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah. Maaseiah was the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah.)


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Joel son of Zicri was ·appointed over them [their chief/supervisor], and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in ·charge [command] of the ·new area of the city [city].


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and Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the ·supervisor [leader] in the ·Temple [house] of God. (Hilkiah was the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok. Zadok was the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub.)


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And there were ·others [colleagues; brothers] with them who ·did [performed] the work for the ·Temple [house]. All together there were 822 men. Also there was Adaiah son of Jeroham. (Jeroham was the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi. Amzi was the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur. Pashhur was the son of Malkijah.)


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And there were family heads with him. All together there were 242 men. Also there was Amashsai son of Azarel. (Azarel was the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth. Meshillemoth was the son of Immer.)


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And there were ·brave [capable; outstanding; exceptional] men with Amashsai. All together there were 128 men. Zabdiel son of Haggedolim was ·appointed over them [their chief/supervisor].


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These are the Levites who moved into Jerusalem. There was Shemaiah son of Hasshub. (Hasshub was the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah. Hashabiah was the son of Bunni.)


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And there were Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the leaders of the Levites who were in charge of the work outside the ·Temple [house] of God.


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There was Mattaniah son of Mica. (Mica was the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph.) Mattaniah was the ·director who led the people [leader] in thanksgiving and prayer. There was Bakbukiah, who was second in charge over his ·fellow Levites [colleagues; brothers]. And there was Abda son of Shammua. (Shammua was the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.)


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The gatekeepers who moved into Jerusalem were Akkub, Talmon, and others with them. There was a total of 172 men who ·guarded [kept watch at] the city gates.


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The other Israelites, priests, and Levites lived on their own ·land [property] in all the cities of Judah.


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The Temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa ·were in charge of [supervised] them.


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Uzzi son of Bani was ·appointed over [chief officer/supervisor of] the Levites in Jerusalem. (Bani was the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah. Mattaniah was the son of Mica.) Uzzi was one of Asaph’s ·descendants [sons], who were the singers responsible for the service of the ·Temple [house] of God.


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Pethahiah son of Meshezabel was the king’s ·spokesman [representative; adviser] in all matters concerning the people. (Meshezabel was a descendant of Zerah, the son of Judah.)


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Some of the people of Judah lived in ·villages [settlements] with their surrounding fields. They lived in Kiriath Arba and its ·surroundings [towns], in Dibon and its ·surroundings [towns], in Jekabzeel and its ·surroundings [settlements],


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Zanoah, Adullam and their ·villages [settlements], in Lachish and the fields around it, and in Azekah and its ·surroundings [towns]. So they ·settled [lived; camped] from Beersheba all the way to the Valley of Hinnom.


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The ·descendants [sons] of the Benjaminites from Geba lived in Micmash, Aija, Bethel and its ·surroundings [towns],


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Priests and Levites These are the priests and Levites who ·returned [went up] with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua []. There were Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


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Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. They were the leaders of the priests and their ·relatives [colleagues; kinsmen; brothers] in the days of Jeshua.


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The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah. Mattaniah and his ·relatives [colleagues; kinsmen; brothers] were in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.


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Bakbukiah and Unni, their ·relatives [colleagues; kinsmen; brothers], stood ·across from [opposite; as an antiphonal choir; ] them in the services.


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Jeshua was the father of Joiakim. Joiakim was the father of Eliashib. Eliashib was the father of Joiada.


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In the days of Joiakim, these priests were the ·leaders [heads] of the families of priests: Meraiah, from Seraiah’s family; Hananiah, from Jeremiah’s family;


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The ·leaders [heads] of the families of the Levites and the priests were written down in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, while Darius the Persian was king.


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The family ·leaders [heads] among the Levites were written down in the ·history book [Book/Scroll of the Chronicles/Annals/History] up to the time of Johanan son of Eliashib.


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The ·leaders [heads] of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their ·relatives [colleagues; kinsmen; brothers]. Their ·relatives [colleagues; kinsmen; brothers] stood ·across from [opposite] them and ·gave [offered] praise and thanksgiving. One group ·answered the [responded to the; antiphonally] other group, as David, the man of God, had ·commanded [prescribed].


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These were the gatekeepers who ·guarded [kept watch at] the storerooms next to the gates: Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub.


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They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak. They also served in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and ·teacher [scribe].


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The Wall of Jerusalem When the wall of Jerusalem was ·offered as a gift to God [dedicated], they asked the Levites to come from wherever they lived to Jerusalem to celebrate with joy the ·gift of the wall [dedication]. They were to celebrate with ·songs [hymns] of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps, and lyres.


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They also brought together ·singers [sons of singers] from all around Jerusalem, from the Netophathite ·villages [settlements],


text:
from Beth Gilgal, and from the areas of Geba and Azmaveth. The singers had built ·villages [settlements] for themselves around Jerusalem.


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The priests and Levites made themselves pure, and they also made the people, the gates, and the wall of Jerusalem pure.


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I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall, and I appointed two large ·choruses [choirs] to give thanks. One ·chorus [choir] went to the right on top of the wall, toward the ·Trash [Garbage; Refuse; Dung] Gate.


text:
Some ·priests [sons of priests] with trumpets also went, along with Zechariah son of Jonathan. (Jonathan was the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah. Mattaniah was the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur. Zaccur was the son of Asaph.)


text:
Zechariah’s ·relatives [colleagues; kinsmen; brothers] also went. They were Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani. These men played the musical instruments of David, the man of God, and Ezra the ·teacher [scribe] ·walked in front of [led] them.


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They went from the Fountain Gate straight up the steps ·to the highest part of the wall by the older part of the city [of the City of David]. They ·went on [passed] above the ·house [palace] of David to the Water Gate on the east.


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The second ·chorus [choir] ·went to the left [proceeded in the opposite direction], while I followed them on top of the wall with half the people. We went from the Tower of the ·Ovens [Furnaces; Firepots] to the Broad Wall,


text:
·over [above] the Gate of Ephraim to the ·Old [Jeshanah] Gate and the Fish Gate, to the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred. We went as far as the Sheep Gate and ·stopped [stood] at the Gate of the Guard.


text:
The two ·choruses [choirs] ·took their places [stood] at the ·Temple [house] of God. Half of the ·leaders [officials] and I did also.


text:
These priests were there with their trumpets: Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah.


text:
These people were also there: Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam, and Ezer. The ·choruses [choirs] sang loudly, ·led [directed] by Jezrahiah.


text:
The people offered ·many [great] sacrifices that day and ·were happy [rejoiced] because God had given them great joy. The women and children ·were happy [rejoiced]. The ·sound of happiness in [joy of; rejoicing in] Jerusalem could be heard far away.


text:
At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms. These rooms were for the ·gifts [contributions; offerings], the firstfruits [of the harvest], and the ·ten percent that the people brought [tithes]. The ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; Torah] said they should bring a share for the priests and Levites from the fields around the towns. The people of Judah were ·happy [delighted] to do this for the priests and Levites who ·served [stood].


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They performed the service of their God ·in making things pure [or and the service of purification]. The singers and gatekeepers also did their jobs, as David had commanded [or and] his son Solomon.


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·Earlier [Long ago], in the ·time [days] of David and Asaph, there was a ·leader [head; director] of the singers and of the songs of praise and [hymns of] thanksgiving to God.


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So it was in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah. All the people of Israel gave ·something [the daily portions] to the singers and gatekeepers, and they also ·set aside [dedicated] part for the Levites. Then the Levites ·set aside [dedicated] part for the ·descendants [sons] of Aaron.


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Foreign People Are Sent Away On that day they read aloud the ·Book [scroll] of Moses ·to [in the ears/hearing of] the people, and they found that it said no Ammonite or Moabite should ever ·be allowed in the meeting to worship [enter the assembly of God; ; Tobiah’s ancestry, , was Ammonite; ].


text:
The Ammonites and Moabites had not ·welcomed [met] the Israelites with ·food [bread] and water. Instead, they had hired Balaam to put a curse on Israel []. (But our God turned the curse into a blessing.)


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When the people heard this ·teaching [law; instruction; Torah], they ·separated [excluded; removed] all foreigners [including people of mixed ancestry] from Israel.


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Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem Before that happened, Eliashib the priest, who was ·in charge of [appointed over] the ·Temple [house] storerooms, was ·friendly with [or a relative of] Tobiah.


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Eliashib let Tobiah use one of the large storerooms. Earlier it had been used for ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [], incense, the ·utensils [vessels], and the ·tenth offerings [tithes] of grain, new wine, and olive oil ·that belonged to [commanded/prescribed for] the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers. It had also been used for ·gifts [contributions; offerings] for the priests.


text:
I was not in Jerusalem ·when this happened [at that time]. I had gone back to Artaxerxes king of Babylon in the thirty-second year he was king [433 bc]. ·Finally [Later; After some time] I asked the king to let me leave.


text:
When I returned to Jerusalem, I found out the evil Eliashib had done by letting Tobiah have a room in the ·Temple [house] courtyard.


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I was very ·upset [displeased; angry] at this, so I threw all of Tobiah’s ·goods [belongings; possessions] out of the room.


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I ordered the rooms to be ·purified [cleansed; ritually], and I brought back the ·utensils [vessels] for God’s ·Temple [house], the ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [], and the incense.


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Then I found out the people were not giving the Levites their ·shares [portions]. So the Levites and singers who served had gone back to their ·own farms [fields].


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I ·argued with [reprimanded; confronted] the officers, saying, “Why ·haven’t you taken care of [have you neglected/abandoned/forsaken] the ·Temple [house] of God?” Then I ·gathered [assembled] the Levites and singers and ·put them back at [restored them to] their ·places [posts; stations].


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All the people of Judah then brought to the storerooms a ·tenth [tithe] of their ·crops [grain], new wine, and olive oil.


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I ·put [appointed] these men ·in charge of [over] the storerooms: Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the ·teacher [scribe], and Pedaiah a Levite. I made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their helper. Everyone knew they were ·honest [reliable; trustworthy]. ·They gave out the portions that went [Their job/responsibility was to distribute] to their ·relatives [colleagues; kinsmen; brothers].


text:
Remember me, my God, for this. Do not ·ignore [forget; wipe/blot out] my ·love [loyal/faithful deeds] for the ·Temple [house] of my God and its services.


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In those days I saw people in Judah ·working in the [treading] winepresses on the Sabbath day. They were bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys. And they were bringing loads of wine, grapes, and figs and other things into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I ·warned [admonished; rebuked] them about selling food on that day.


text:
People from the city of Tyre who were living in Jerusalem ·brought in [imported] fish and other ·things [merchandise] and sold them there on the Sabbath day to the people of Judah—in Jerusalem itself!


text:
I ·argued with [reprimanded; confronted] the ·important men [nobles] of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing you are doing? You are ·ruining [desecrating; profaning] the Sabbath day [; ; ].


text:
·This is [Isn’t this…?] just what your ·ancestors [fathers] did. So our God ·did terrible things to us and [brought on us all this trouble/calamity and on] this city. Now you are ·making him even more angry at [bringing even more wrath on] Israel by ·ruining [desecrating; profaning] the Sabbath day.”


text:
So I ordered that the ·doors [gates of Jerusalem] be shut at ·sunset [dark] before the Sabbath and not be opened until the Sabbath was over. I ·put [stood] my servants at the gates so no load could come in on the Sabbath.


text:
Once or twice traders and ·sellers [merchants] of all kinds of ·goods [merchandise] spent the night outside Jerusalem.


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So I ·warned [admonished; rebuked] them, “Why are you spending the night ·by [in front of] the wall? If you do it again, I will ·force you away [arrest/forcibly remove you; send a hand on you].” After that, they did not come back on the Sabbath.


text:
Then I ordered the Levites to purify themselves and to guard the city gates to make sure the Sabbath remained holy. Remember me, my God, for this. Have ·mercy [compassion] on me because of your ·great [great and steadfast/unfailing] love.


text:
Half their children were speaking the language of Ashdod or some other place, and they couldn’t speak the language of Judah.


text:
I ·argued with [reprimanded; confronted] those people, put curses on them, ·hit [beat] some of them, and pulled out their hair. I ·forced them to make a promise [made them vow/swear/take an oath] to God, saying, “Do not ·let your daughters marry the sons of foreigners [give your daughters to their sons], and do not take ·the daughters of foreigners as wives [their daughters] for your sons or yourselves.


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·Foreign women [Was it not things like this that…?] made King Solomon of Israel sin. There was never a king like him in any of the nations. God loved Solomon and made him king over all Israel, but foreign ·women [wives] made even him sin [].


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And now ·you are not obedient when [must we hear how…?] you do this evil thing. You are unfaithful to our God when you ·marry [give a dwelling to] foreign ·wives [women].”


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Joiada was the son of Eliashib the high priest. One of Joiada’s sons married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, so I ·sent [drove; banished] him away from ·me [my sight].


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Remember them, my God, because they ·made the priesthood unclean [defiled the priesthood] and the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] of the priests and Levites.


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So I ·purified [purged; cleansed] them of everything that was foreign. I ·appointed [assigned] duties for the priests and Levites, giving each man his own ·job [tasks; work; duties].


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I also ·made sure wood was brought for the altar [provided for the wood offering] at ·regular [designated; proper] times and that the firstfruits [of the harvest] were brought. Remember me, my God; ·be kind to me [for good; with favor].


text:
Queen Vashti Disobeys the King This is what happened during the ·time [days] of ·King Xerxes [Ahasuerus; the Persian king who reigned about 486–465 bc], the ·king [Ahasuerus] who ruled the one hundred twenty-seven ·states [provinces] from India to Cush [in present-day Sudan and Ethiopia].


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In those days King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] ·ruled from his [sat on his royal throne in the] ·capital city [or fortress; citadel; the winter residence of Persian kings, separate from the city] of Susa.


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In the third year of his ·rule [reign; about 483 bc], he gave a banquet for all his ·important men [nobles] and ·royal officers [ministers; officials]. The ·army [military] leaders from Persia and Media and the ·important men [nobles] from all ·Xerxes’ empire [his provinces] were there.


text:
The ·banquet [celebration] lasted one hundred eighty days. All during that time King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] ·was showing off [displayed] the ·great wealth of his kingdom [riches of his royal glory] and ·his own great riches and glory [splendor of his great majesty].


text:
When the one hundred eighty days were ·over [completed], the king gave another banquet [these celebrations may have been in preparation for the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 bc]. It was held in the courtyard of the palace garden for seven days, and it was for everybody in the ·palace [citadel; fortress] at Susa, from the greatest to the least.


text:
The courtyard had fine white ·curtains [linen hangings] and ·purple [blue; violet] drapes that were tied to silver rings on marble pillars by white and purple cords. And there were gold and silver couches on a floor set with ·tiles [mosaics] of ·white [porphyry] ·marble [alabaster], ·shells [mother-of-pearl], and ·gems [precious stones].


text:
·Wine [Drinks] was served in gold ·cups [goblets] of various kinds. And there was ·plenty [an abundance] of the king’s wine, ·because he was very generous [in keeping with his generosity/liberality].


text:
·The king commanded that the guests be permitted to drink as much as they wished [The drinking was according to law/edict without compulsion]. He told the ·wine servers [staff] to serve each man what he wanted.


text:
Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal ·palace [house] of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus].


text:
On the seventh day of the banquet, King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] was ·very happy [in high spirits], because of the wine. He gave a command to the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas.


text:
He commanded them to bring him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown. She was to come to ·show [display] her beauty to the people and ·important men [nobles] because she was very beautiful.


text:
The eunuchs told Queen Vashti about the king’s ·command [word], but she refused to come [possibly because she felt it would be humiliating; a dangerous decision]. Then the king became very angry; his anger ·was like a burning fire [burned in him; because it undermined his authority].


text:
It was customary for the king to ·ask advice from [confer with] ·experts [wise men] about law and ·order [justice; custom; judgment]. So King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] spoke with ·the wise men who would know the right thing to do [those who understood the times].


text:
The wise men ·the king usually talked to [closest to the king] were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, seven of the ·important men [nobles] of Persia and Media. These seven had ·special privileges to see [access to] the king and had the highest ·rank [offices] in the kingdom.


text:
The king asked them, “What does the law say must be done to Queen Vashti? She has not obeyed the command of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus], which the eunuchs took to her.”


text:
Then Memucan said to the king and the other ·important men [nobles], “Queen Vashti has not done wrong to the king alone. She has also done wrong to all the ·important men [nobles] and all the people in all the ·empire [provinces] of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus].


text:
All the wives of the ·important men [nobles] of Persia and Media will hear about the queen’s ·actions [conduct]. Then they will ·no longer honor [be contemptuous of; despise] their husbands. They will say, ‘King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] commanded Queen Vashti to be brought to him, but she refused to come.’


text:
Today the ·wives [noble ladies] of the ·important men [nobles] of Persia and Media have heard about the queen’s actions. So they will speak in the same way to ·their husbands [the king’s nobles], and there will be no end to ·disrespect [contempt] and anger.


text:
“So, our king, if it pleases you, give a royal ·order [edict; decree], and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be ·changed [repealed; revoked; ; , , ]. The law should say Vashti [at this point, the title “queen” is symbolically dropped from before her name] is never again to enter the presence of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus]. Also let the king give her place as queen to someone who is ·better [more worthy/deserving] than she is.


text:
And let the king’s ·order [edict; decree] be ·announced [spread] everywhere in his ·enormous [great] kingdom. Then all the women will ·respect [honor] their husbands, from the greatest to the least.”


text:
The king and his ·important men [nobles] were ·happy [pleased] with this advice, so King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] did as Memucan ·suggested [advised; proposed].


text:
He sent ·letters [dispatches; scrolls] to all the ·states [provinces] of the kingdom in the ·writing [script] of each ·state [province] and in the language of each group of people. These ·letters [dispatches; scrolls] announced that each man was to be the ·ruler [master] ·of [over] his own family.


text:
Esther Is Made Queen Later, when King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] was not so angry, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and his ·order [decree; edict] about her.


text:
Then the king’s personal ·servants [attendants] suggested, “Let a search be made for ·beautiful young girls [young women, virgins, good of form] for the king.


text:
Let the king choose ·supervisors [commissioners] in every ·state [province] of his kingdom to bring ·beautiful young girls [young women, virgins, good of form] to the ·palace [citadel; fortress; ] at Susa. They should be taken to the ·women’s quarters [harem; house of the women] and put under the ·care [custody; authority] of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the ·women [harem]. And let ·beauty treatments [cosmetics; ointments] be given to them.


text:
Then let the ·girl [young woman] who ·most pleases [is good in the eyes of] the king become queen in place of Vashti.” The king ·liked [was pleased/delighted by] this idea, so he did as they said.


text:
Now there was a Jew in the ·palace [citadel; fortress; ] of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair. Jair was the son of Shimei, the son of Kish [these are relatives of Saul, showing that Mordecai was his descendant; ; ]. Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin,


text:
which had been taken ·captive [into exile] from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They were part of the group taken into ·captivity [exile] with Jehoiachin king of Judah [597 bc; ].


text:
Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, who had no father or mother, so Mordecai ·took care of her [was her guardian; brought her up]. Hadassah was also called Esther, and she ·had a very pretty figure and face [was beautiful of form]. Mordecai had ·adopted [raised; taken] her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.


text:
When the king’s command and ·order [decree; edict] had been ·heard [proclaimed], many ·girls [young women] had been brought to the ·palace [citadel; fortress; ] in Susa and put under the ·care [custody; authority] of Hegai. Esther was also taken to the king’s ·palace [house] and put under the ·care [custody; authority] of Hegai, who was in charge of the women.


text:
Esther ·pleased [impressed; was good in his eyes] Hegai, and ·he liked her [found favor with him]. So Hegai quickly began giving Esther her ·beauty treatments [cosmetics; ointments] and special food. He gave her seven ·servant girls [maids; attendants] chosen from the king’s ·palace [house]. Then he ·moved [transferred] her and her ·seven servant girls [maids; attendants] to the best part of the ·women’s quarters [harem; house of the women].


text:
Esther did not tell anyone about her ·family [people; nationality] or ·who her people were [her kindred/lineage], because Mordecai had ·told [instructed] her not to.


text:
Every day Mordecai walked back and forth ·near [in front of] the courtyard ·where the king’s women lived [of the harem] to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.


text:
Before a girl could take her turn ·with [to go to] King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus], she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments ·that were ordered [prescribed; required] for the women. For six months she was treated with oil ·and [or of] myrrh and for six months with ·perfumes [spices] and ·cosmetics [ointments].


text:
Then she ·was ready to go [would go in this way] to the king. Anything she ·asked for [desired] was given to her to take with her from the ·women’s quarters [harem; house of the women] to the king’s ·palace [house].


text:
In the evening she would go to the king’s ·palace [house], and in the morning she would return ·to another part of the [or to a second; or again to the] ·women’s quarters [harem; house of the women]. There she would be placed under the ·care [custody; authority] of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the ·slave women [concubines; secondary wives]. The girl would not go back to the king again unless he was pleased with her and ·asked for [summoned; requested] her by name.


text:
The ·time [turn] came for Esther daughter of Abihail, Mordecai’s uncle [Esther was Mordecai’s younger cousin, ], who had been raised [taken] by Mordecai as his own daughter, to go to the king. She asked for only what Hegai ·suggested [advised; recommended] she should take. (Hegai was the king’s eunuch who ·was in charge of [supervised] the women.) Everyone who saw Esther ·liked [favored] her.


text:
So Esther was taken to King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] in the royal ·palace [house] in the tenth month [early winter], the month of Tebeth, during ·Xerxes’ [Ahasuerus’s] seventh year ·as king [of his reign].


text:
And the king ·was pleased with [loved] Esther more than with any of the other ·virgins [young women]. He liked her more than any of the ·others [other virgins], so he put a royal crown on her head and ·made [proclaimed; declared] her queen in place of Vashti.


text:
Then the king gave a great banquet for Esther and invited all his ·important men [nobles; officials] and ·royal officers [ministers; servants]. He announced a holiday for all the ·empire [provinces] and ·had the government give away gifts [gave gifts with royal liberality/generosity].


text:
Mordecai Discovers an Evil Plan Now Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate [an indication he was likely a government official] when the girls were ·gathered the second time [or transferred to the second harem; or gathered again].


text:
Esther still had not told anyone about ·who her people were [her kindred/lineage] or her ·family [people; nationality], just as Mordecai had ·commanded [instructed] her. She ·obeyed Mordecai [followed Mordecai’s instructions] just as she had done when ·she was under his care [he was raising her].


text:
Now Bigthana and Teresh were two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the ·doorway [entrance; threshold]. While Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, they became angry and ·began to make plans [plotted; conspired] to ·kill [assassinate; send a hand against] King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus].


text:
But Mordecai found out about their ·plans [plot] and told Queen Esther. Then Esther told the king ·how Mordecai had discovered the evil plan [in Mordecai’s name].


text:
When the report was investigated, it was found to be ·true [so], and ·the two officers who had planned to kill the king [they both] were ·hanged [impaled; on a stake or sharpened pole, a common form of execution]. All this was written down in the ·daily court record [book of the annals/chronicles] in the king’s presence.


text:
Haman Plans to Destroy the Jews After these ·things happened [events], King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] ·honored [promoted; made great] Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite [a descendant of King Agag of the Amalekites, the hated enemies of Israel (which Saul failed to eradicate; ); ; ]. He ·gave him a new rank that was [exalted/elevated him] ·higher than [above] all the ·important men [nobles; officials].


text:
All the ·royal officers [king’s ministers; officials] at the king’s gate would bow down and ·kneel before [pay homage to] Haman, as the king had ·ordered [commanded]. But Mordecai would not bow down or ·show him honor [pay him homage; because he was a hated Amalekite].


text:
Then the ·royal officers [ministers; officials] at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why don’t you obey the king’s command?”


text:
And they said this to him every day. When he did not listen to them, they told Haman. They wanted to see if Haman would ·accept [tolerate; let stand] Mordecai’s behavior because Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.


text:
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down to him or ·honor [pay homage to] him, he became ·very angry [enraged].


text:
He ·thought of himself as too important [disdained; thought it beneath him] to ·try to kill [lay hands on] only Mordecai. He had been told who the people of Mordecai were, so he looked for a way to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, in all of ·Xerxes’ [Ahasuerus’s] ·kingdom [empire].


text:
It was in the first month [April] of the twelfth year [about 474 bc; approximately a year later] of King ·Xerxes’ [Ahasuerus’s] ·rule [reign]—the month of Nisan. Pur (that is, the lot [dice-like objects]) was thrown before Haman to choose a day and a month. ·So […and; …until] the twelfth month, the month of Adar, was chosen.


text:
Then Haman said to King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus], “There is ·a certain group of [one] people ·scattered [dispersed and spread] among the ·other people [nations; peoples] in all the ·states [provinces] of your ·kingdom [empire]. Their ·customs [laws] are different from those of all the other ·people [nations; peoples], and they do not ·obey [observe; keep] the king’s laws. It is not ·right for you [in the king’s interest] to allow them to ·continue living in your kingdom [remain; cause them to rest].


text:
If it ·pleases [is good to] the king, let ·an order be given [it be decreed] to destroy those people. Then I will pay ·seven hundred fifty thousand pounds [ten thousand talents] of silver to ·those who do the king’s [the officials who carry out this] business, and they will put it into the royal treasury.”


text:
So the king took his signet ring off his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the ·enemy [persecutor; oppressor] of the Jews.


text:
Then the king said to Haman, “The ·money [silver] and the people are yours [perhaps telling Haman to keep his money, or that he could have the Jews’ money, or that he could spend his money this way if he wished; see ]. Do with them as ·you please [is good in your eyes].”


text:
On the thirteenth day of the first month [April 17], the royal ·secretaries [scribes] were called, and they wrote out all of Haman’s ·orders [commands]. They wrote to the king’s governors and to the ·captains of the soldiers [high officials] in each ·state [province] and to the ·important men [nobles] of each ·group of people [nation]. The ·orders [edicts; decrees] were written in the ·writing [script] of each ·state [province] and in the language of each people. They were written in the name of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] and sealed with his signet ring.


text:
·Letters [Dispatches; Scrolls] were sent by ·messengers [couriers] to all the king’s ·empire [provinces] ordering them to destroy, kill, and ·completely wipe out [annihilate] all the Jews, young and old, including women and little children. It was to happen on a single day—the thirteenth day of the twelfth month [March 7, about twelve months later], which was Adar. And they could ·take [plunder; confiscate] ·everything the Jewish people owned [their possessions].


text:
A copy of the ·order [edict; decree] was given out as a law in every ·state [province] so all the ·people [nations; peoples] would be ready for that day.


text:
The ·messengers [couriers] set out, ·hurried [spurred on; impelled] by the king’s command, as soon as the ·order [edict; decree] was given in the ·palace [citadel; fortress] at Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was ·in confusion [bewildered; in an uproar].


text:
Mordecai Asks Esther to Help When Mordecai ·heard [learned] about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth] and ashes [signs of grief or repentance], and went out into the city ·crying [wailing] loudly and ·painfully [bitterly].


text:
But Mordecai went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one was allowed to enter that gate dressed in ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth].


text:
As the king’s ·order [edict; decree] reached every area, there was great ·sadness and loud crying [mourning] among the Jews. They fasted and ·cried out loud [wept and wailed], and many of them lay down on ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth] and ashes [signs of grief or repentance].


text:
When Esther’s ·servant girls [maids; attendants] and eunuchs came to her and told her about Mordecai, she was ·very upset and afraid [deeply distressed; overcome with anguish]. She sent clothes for Mordecai to put on instead of the ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth], but he would not ·wear [accept] them.


text:
Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs chosen by the king to serve her. Esther ordered him to find out what was bothering Mordecai and why.


text:
Mordecai told Hathach everything that had happened to him, and he told Hathach about the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasury for the ·killing [destruction] of the Jews.


text:
Mordecai also gave him a copy of the ·order [edict; decree] to ·kill [destroy] the Jews, which had been ·given [issued] in Susa. He wanted Hathach to show it to Esther and to ·tell her about [explain] it. And Mordecai told him to ·order [direct; instruct] Esther to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and to ·plead with [petition] him for her people.


text:
“All the ·royal officers [ministers; officials] and people of the ·royal [king’s] ·states [provinces] know that no man or woman may ·go [come] to the king in the inner courtyard ·without being called [uninvited]. ·There is [He has] only one law about this: Anyone who enters must be put to death unless the king holds out his gold scepter. Then that person may live. And I have not been ·called [summoned; invited] to go to the king for thirty days.”


text:
Then Mordecai sent back ·word [this answer/reply] to Esther: “Just because you ·live in [are part of] the king’s ·palace [house], don’t ·think [imagine] that out of all the Jews you alone will escape.


text:
If you keep ·quiet [silent] at this time, ·someone else will help and save the Jews [liberation/relief and protection/deliverance for the Jews will arise/appear from another place], but you and your ·father’s family [relatives] will all die. And who knows, you may have ·been chosen queen [come to your royal position; come to the kingdom] for just such a time as this.”


text:
“Go and ·get [assemble] all the Jews in Susa together. ·For my sake [On my behalf], fast; do not eat or drink for three days, night ·and [or] day. I and my ·servant girls [maids; attendants] will also fast. Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I die, I die.”


text:
Esther Speaks to the King On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king’s ·palace [house], ·facing [in front of; across from] the king’s ·hall [quarters; house]. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, ·facing the doorway [across from the entrance].


text:
When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, ·he was pleased [she obtained grace in his eyes]. He ·held out [extended] to her the gold scepter that was in his hand, so Esther ·went forward [approached; came near] and touched the ·end [tip] of it.


text:
The king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What ·do you want to ask me [is your request]? I will give you as much as half of my kingdom.”


text:
Esther answered, “My king, if it pleases ·you [the king], come today with Haman to a banquet that I have prepared for ·you [him].”


text:
Then the king said, “·Bring [Find] Haman quickly so we may do what Esther ·asks [desires].” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.


text:
As they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now, what ·are you asking for [is your petition]? I will ·give it to you [grant it]. What is ·it you want [your request]? ·I will give you [Ask for] as much as half of my kingdom and it shall be done.”


text:
My king, if ·you are pleased with me [I have found favor in the king’s sight] and if it ·pleases [seems good to] you, ·give me what I ask for [grant my petition] and do what I ·want [request]. Come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will ·answer your question about what I want [do as the king says/wishes].”


text:
Haman’s Plans Against Mordecai Haman left the king’s ·palace [house] that day happy and ·content [good of heart]. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and saw that Mordecai did not ·stand up [rise] or tremble ·with fear before him [in his presence], Haman ·became very angry with [was filled with rage against] Mordecai.


text:
But he ·controlled his anger [restrained himself] and went home. Then Haman called together his friends and his wife, Zeresh.


text:
He ·told [boasted/recounted to] them ·how wealthy he was [of the glory of his riches] and how many sons he had [ten; ]. He also told them all the ways the king had ·honored [magnified] him and how the king had ·placed him higher than [exalted him over] his ·important men [nobles] and his ·royal officers [ministers; officials].


text:
He also said, “I’m the only person Queen Esther ·invited [caused] to come with the king to the banquet she gave. And tomorrow also the queen has asked me to be her guest with the king.


text:
But all this does not ·really make me happy [satisfy me] ·when [as long as] I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”


text:
Then Haman’s wife, Zeresh, and all his friends said, “Have a ·seventy-five-foot [fifty cubits] ·platform [gallows; pole] built, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai ·hanged [impaled] on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and be ·happy [content; joyful].” Haman ·liked [was pleased/delighted by] this suggestion, so he ordered the ·platform [gallows; pole] to be built.


text:
Mordecai Is Honored That same night the ·king could not sleep [king’s sleep fled]. So he gave an order for the ·daily court record [book of history/remembrances, the annals/chronicles] to be brought in and read to him.


text:
It was found recorded that Mordecai had warned the king about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s ·officers [eunuchs] who guarded the doorway and who had ·planned [plotted] to ·kill [assassinate] the king.


text:
The king asked, “What honor and ·reward [recognition; distinction; greatness] have been given to Mordecai for this?” The king’s ·personal servants [attendants] answered, “Nothing has been done for Mordecai.”


text:
The king said, “Who is in the courtyard?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s ·palace [house]. He had come to ask the king about ·hanging [impaling] Mordecai on the ·platform [pole] he had prepared.


text:
The king’s ·personal servants [attendants] said, “Haman is standing in the courtyard.” The king said, “Bring him in.”


text:
So Haman came in. And the king asked him, “What should be done for a man whom the king ·wants very much [delights] to honor?” And Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king want to honor more than me?”


text:
Have them bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn. And also bring a horse with a royal ·crown [crest; emblem; insignia] on its head, a horse that the king himself has ridden.


text:
Let the robe and the horse be given to one of the king’s most ·important [noble] ·men [officials]. Let ·them [or him] ·put the robe on [clothe; array; robe] the man the king ·wants [delights] to honor, and let ·them [or him] lead him on the horse through the city ·streets [square]. Let ·them [or him] announce: ‘This is what is done for the man whom the king ·wants [delights] to honor!’”


text:
The king commanded Haman, “Go quickly. Take the robe and the horse just as you have said, and do all this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate. Do not ·leave out [neglect; let fall] anything you have ·suggested [recommended].”


text:
So Haman took the robe and the horse, and he ·put the robe on [clothed; arrayed; robed] Mordecai. Then he led him on horseback through the city ·streets [square], announcing before Mordecai: “This is what is done for the man whom the king ·wants [delights] to honor!”


text:
Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried home with his head covered in ·mourning [humiliation].


text:
He told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Haman’s wife and ·advisers [wise friends] said, “You are ·starting to lose power to [beginning to fall before] Mordecai. ·Since [or If] he is ·a Jew [from the seed of the Jews], you cannot ·win [prevail; stand] against him. You will surely ·be ruined [fall before him].”


text:
While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs came to Haman’s house and hurried him to the banquet Esther had prepared.


text:
Haman Is Hanged So the king and Haman went in to ·eat [drink; a reference to elaborate feasting] with Queen Esther.


text:
As they were drinking wine on ·the second day [or this second occasion; ], the king asked Esther again, “What ·are you asking for [is your petition]? I will ·give it to you [grant it]. What is ·it you want [your request]? ·I will give you [Ask for] as much as half of my kingdom and it shall be done.”


text:
Then Queen Esther answered, “My king, if ·you are pleased with me [I have found favor in the king’s sight] and if it ·pleases [seems good to] you, let me live. This is ·what I ask [my petition]. And let my people live, too. This is ·what I want [my request].


text:
My people and I have been sold to be destroyed, ·killed [slaughtered] and ·completely wiped out [annihilated]. If we had ·merely [only; simply] been sold as male and female slaves, I would have ·kept quiet [remained silent], because that would not ·be enough of a problem to bother [have justified/been sufficent for troubling] the king.”


text:
Then King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he? Who has ·done [dared; presumed to do] such a thing?”


text:
Esther said, “Our ·enemy [oppressor; adversary] and foe is this ·wicked [evil] Haman!” Then Haman was filled with terror before the king and queen.


text:
The king was ·very angry [filled with rage], got up, left his wine, and went out into the ·palace [house] garden. But Haman stayed inside to beg Queen Esther ·to save [for] his life. He could see that the king had already decided ·to kill [on calamity/disaster for] him.


text:
When the king returned from the ·palace [house] garden to the banquet hall, he saw Haman falling on the couch where Esther was ·lying [reclining]. The king said, “Will he even ·attack [assault; molest] the queen while I am in the house?” As soon as the king said that, servants came in and covered Haman’s face [signaling his doom].


text:
Harbona, one of the eunuchs there serving the king, said, “Look, a ·seventy-five-foot [fifty cubits high] ·platform [gallows; pole] stands near Haman’s house. This is the one Haman had prepared for Mordecai, who ·gave the warning that saved [spoke out on behalf of] the king.” The king said, “·Hang [Impale] Haman on it!”


text:
So they ·hanged [impaled] Haman on the ·platform [gallows; pole] he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s anger subsided.


text:
The King Helps the Jews That same day King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] gave Queen Esther ·everything belonging to [the estate of; the house of] Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came in to see the king, because Esther had ·told [disclosed/revealed to] the king how he was related to her.


text:
Then the king took off his signet ring that he had taken back from Haman, and he gave it to Mordecai. Esther put Mordecai ·in charge of everything belonging to [over the house of] Haman.


text:
Once again Esther spoke to the king. She fell at the king’s feet and ·cried [wept] and ·begged [implored] him to stop the evil ·plan [plot] that Haman the Agagite had ·planned [devised] against the Jews [Esther wisely did not implicate the king in the plan].


text:
The king ·held out [extended] the gold scepter to Esther. So Esther got up and stood in front of him.


text:
She said, “My king, if ·you are pleased with me [I have found favor in the king’s sight], and if it ·pleases [seems good to] you to do this, if you think it is the right thing to do, and if ·you are happy with me [I am pleasing/attractive to you], let an ·order [edict; decree] be written to ·cancel [revoke; rescind] the ·letters [dispatches; scrolls] Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite ·wrote [devised] to destroy the Jews in all of your ·kingdom [provinces].


text:
·I could not stand [How could I endure…?] to see that ·terrible thing [calamity; disaster] ·happen to [fall on] my people. ·I could not stand [How could I endure…?] to see my ·family [relatives; kindred] ·killed [destroyed].”


text:
King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] answered Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman was against the Jews, I have given his ·things [estate; property] to Esther, and my soldiers have ·hanged [impaled] him on the ·platform [gallows; pole].


text:
Now, in the king’s name, write another ·order [edict; decree] ·to [concerning] the Jews as seems ·best [appropriate] to you. Then seal the ·order [edict; decree] with the king’s signet ring, because no ·letter [dispatch] written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can be ·canceled [revoked; rescinded].”


text:
At that time the king’s ·secretaries [scribes] were called. This was the twenty-third day of the third month [June 25], which is Sivan. The secretaries wrote out all of Mordecai’s ·orders [commands] ·to [concerning] the Jews, to the governors, to the ·captains of the soldiers [high officials] in each ·state [province], and to the ·important men [nobles] of the one hundred twenty-seven ·states [provinces] that reached from India to Cush []. They wrote in the ·writing [script] of each ·state [province] and in the language of each people. They also wrote to the Jews in their own ·writing [script] and language.


text:
Mordecai wrote ·orders [edicts; decrees] in the name of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] and sealed the ·letters [dispatches; scrolls] with the king’s signet ring. Then he sent the king’s ·orders [edicts; decrees] by ·messengers [couriers] on fast horses, horses that were ·raised [bred] ·just [especially] for the king.


text:
These were the king’s ·orders [edicts; decrees]: The Jews in every city have the right to ·gather together [assemble] to ·protect themselves [defend their lives]. They may destroy, kill, and ·completely wipe out [annihilate] the army of any ·state [province] or ·people [nation] who attack them [the king could not cancel his previous unalterable decree, but he could allow the Jews to defend themselves and attack], including their women and children. They may also ·take by force [plunder; confiscate] the property of their enemies.


text:
The one day set for the Jews to do this in all the ·empire [provinces] of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month [March 7, about twelve months after Haman devised his plot], the month of Adar.


text:
A copy of the king’s ·order [edict; decree] was to be ·sent out [issued; presented] as a law in every ·state [province]. It was to be made known to ·the people of every nation living in the kingdom [all the peoples] so the Jews would be ready on that set day to ·strike back at [avenge themselves on] their enemies.


text:
The ·messengers [couriers] hurried out, riding on the royal horses, urged on by the king’s command. And the ·order [edict; decree] was also given in the ·palace [citadel; fortress; ] at Susa.


text:
Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal ·clothes [garments] of blue and white and a large gold crown. He also had a purple ·robe [mantle] made of the best linen. And the people of Susa shouted for joy.


text:
As the king’s ·order [edict; decree] went to every ·state [province] and city, there was joy and gladness among the Jews. In every ·state [province] and city to which the king’s ·order [edict; decree] went, they were having ·feasts [banquets] and ·celebrating [holidays]. And many ·people through all the empire [peoples of the land] ·became [professed/pretended to be] Jews, because ·they were afraid of the Jews [dread of the Jews had fallen on them].


text:
Victory for the Jews The ·order [edict; decree] the king had commanded was to be ·done [executed; carried out] on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month [March 7], the month of Adar. That was the day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to ·defeat [overpower] them, but ·that was changed [the opposite happened]. So the Jews themselves ·defeated [overpowered] ·those who hated them [their enemies].


text:
The Jews ·met [assembled] in their cities in all the ·empire [provinces] of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] in order to ·attack [strike; lay hands on] those who wanted to ·harm [destroy] them. No one ·was strong enough to fight [could stand] against them, because ·all the other people living in the empire were afraid of them [dread of them fell on all the peoples].


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All the ·important men [nobles] of the ·states [provinces], the governors, ·captains of the soldiers [high officials], and the king’s officers helped the Jews, because they were afraid of Mordecai.


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Mordecai was ·very important [great] in the king’s ·palace [house]. He was famous in all the ·empire [provinces], because he was becoming ·a leader of more and more people [more and more powerful/influential].


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And, with their swords, the Jews ·defeated [struck] all their enemies, ·killing [slaughtering] and destroying them. And they did ·what they wanted [as they pleased] with those people who hated them.


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In the ·palace [citadel; fortress; ] at Susa, they ·killed [slaughtered] and destroyed five hundred men.


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the ten sons of Haman, son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But the Jews did not ·take [plunder; confiscate] their ·belongings [property; this shows they attacked out of self-defense, not for material gain; ; ].


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On that day the number killed in the ·palace [citadel; fortress; ] at Susa was reported to the king.


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The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have ·killed [slaughtered] and destroyed five hundred people in the ·palace [citadel; fortress; ] at Susa, as well as Haman’s ten sons. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s ·empire [provinces]! Now what ·else are you asking [is your petition]? I will do it! What ·else [more] do you want? It will be ·done [granted]!”


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Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, give the Jews who are in Susa permission to do again tomorrow what the king ·ordered [decreed] for today. And let the bodies of Haman’s ten sons be ·hanged [impaled] on the ·platform [gallows; pole].”


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So the king ·ordered [decreed] that it be done. A ·law [edict; decree] was given in Susa, and the bodies of the ten sons of Haman were ·hanged [impaled].


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The Jews in Susa ·came together [assembled] on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar [March 8]. They ·killed [slaughtered] three hundred people in Susa, but they did not ·take [plunder; confiscate] their ·belongings [property; ].


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At that same time, all the Jews in the king’s ·empire [provinces] also ·met [assembled] to ·protect themselves [defend their lives] and get rid of their enemies. They ·killed [slaughtered] seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they did not ·take [plunder; confiscate] their ·belongings [property; ].


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This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar [March 7]. On the fourteenth day they rested and made it a day of joyful ·feasting [banqueting].


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The Feast of Purim But the Jews in Susa ·met [assembled] on the thirteenth and fourteenth days of the month of Adar [and killed their enemies]. Then they rested on the fifteenth day and made it a day of joyful feasting [banqueting].


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This is why the Jews who live in the country and small villages celebrate on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar [March 8]. It is a ·day [holiday] of joyful ·feasting [banqueting] and a day for exchanging ·gifts [gifts of food].


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Mordecai ·wrote down [recorded] everything that had happened. Then he sent ·letters [dispatches; scrolls] to all the Jews in all the ·empire [provinces] of King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus], far and near.


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He ·told [called on] them to celebrate every year on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar,


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because that was when the Jews got rid of their enemies [a descendant of Saul () had overcome an Amalekite and descendant of King Agag (), thus completing God’s mandate () that Saul failed to accomplish ()]. They were also to celebrate it as the month their ·sadness [sorrow] was turned to ·joy [gladness] and their ·crying for the dead [mourning] was turned into ·celebration [a holiday]. He told them to celebrate those days as days of joyful ·feasting [banqueting] and as a time for giving [presents of] food to each other and ·presents [gifts] to the poor [Purim thus became an annual festival still celebrated by the Jewish people today].


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So the Jews agreed to do what Mordecai had written to them, and ·they agreed to hold the celebration every year [to continue what they had begun].


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Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, was the enemy of all the Jews. He had ·made [devised] an evil ·plan [plot] against the Jews to destroy them, and he had thrown the Pur (that is, the lot [dice-like objects]) to choose a day to ·ruin [crush; afflict] and destroy them.


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But when the king learned of the evil ·plan [plot], he sent out written ·orders [edicts; decrees] that the evil ·plans [plot] Haman had made against the Jews would ·be used against him [fall/return on his own head]. And those ·orders [edicts; decrees] said that Haman and his sons should be ·hanged [impaled] on the ·platform [gallows; pole].


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So these days were called Purim, which comes from the word “Pur” (the lot [dice-like objects]). Because of everything written in this ·letter [dispatch] and what they had seen and what happened to them,


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the Jews set up this ·custom [tradition]. They and their descendants and all those who join them are ·always [without fail] to ·celebrate [observe; keep] these two days every year. They should do it ·in the right way [as it is written] and at the time Mordecai had ·ordered [decreed].


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These two days should be remembered and ·celebrated [observed; kept] ·from now on [through every generation] in every family, in every ·state [province], and in every city. These days of Purim should ·always [not fail to] be ·celebrated [observed; kept] ·by [among] the Jews, and their memory never fade among their descendants.


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So Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second ·letter [dispatch] about Purim.


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And Mordecai sent ·letters [dispatches; scrolls] to all the Jews in the one hundred twenty-seven ·states [provinces] of the kingdom of ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus], writing them ·a message [words] of peace and ·truth [or security; assurance].


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He wrote to ·set up [establish] these days of Purim at the ·chosen [proper; appointed] times. Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had sent out the ·order [edict; decree] for the Jews, just as they had ·set up [established] for themselves and their descendants instruction concerning fasting and ·loud weeping [lamentations].


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Esther’s ·letter [command] ·set up [established] the rules for Purim, and they were written down in the records.


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The Greatness of Mordecai King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] demanded ·taxes everywhere, even from the cities [tribute on the land and] on the seacoast.


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And all the great ·things [achievements] ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus] did by his ·power [authority] and strength ·are [are they not…?] written in the ·record books [chronicles; annals] of the kings of Media and Persia. Also written in those record books are all the things done by Mordecai, whom the king made great.


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Mordecai the Jew was second in importance to King ·Xerxes [Ahasuerus], and he was ·the most important man [great; powerful; preeminent] among the Jews. His fellow Jews ·respected [admired; esteemed] him very much, because he ·worked for [sought] the good of his people and ·spoke up [interceded; advocated] for the ·safety [welfare; peace] of all the Jews.


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Job, the Good Man A man named Job lived in the land of Uz [east of Israel in Edom (present-day Jordan); ]. He was an ·honest [innocent; blameless; , ] and ·innocent [virtuous; ] man; he ·honored [feared; respected] God [; ] and stayed away from evil [these terms are used to describe the wise in Proverbs].


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He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys. He also had a large number of servants. He was the ·greatest [or richest] man among all the people of the East [the expected reward of wisdom].


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Job’s sons took turns holding feasts [on their day; perhaps birthday celebrations] in their homes and invited their sisters to eat and drink with them.


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After a feast was over, Job would send and have them ·made clean [consecrated; made holy]. Early in the morning Job would offer a burnt offering [an atonement offering; ] for each of them, because he thought, “My children may have sinned and ·cursed [blessed; a euphemism for “cursed”] God in their hearts.” Job did this every time.


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Satan Appears Before the Lord One day the ·angels [sons of God] came to ·show themselves [stand] before the Lord, and ·Satan [the Satan; means “the Accuser” or “the Adversary”; either the Devil or a member of God’s heavenly court] was with them.


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The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan [] answered the Lord, “I have been ·wandering around [roaming] the earth, ·going back and forth in [patrolling] it.”


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Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you noticed [considered; set your heart on] my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him. He is an honest and innocent man, honoring God and staying away from evil [].”


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But Satan [] answered the Lord, “·Job honors God for a good reason [Does Job honor/fear/respect God for no good reason?].


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·You have [Don’t you…?] put a ·wall [hedge; to protect from danger] around him, his family, and everything he owns. You have blessed ·the things he has done [all the works of his hands]. His flocks and herds ·are so large they almost cover [burst forth on] the land.


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But ·reach out [stretch forth] your hand and ·destroy [afflict] everything he has, and [see if] he will curse you to your face.”


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The Lord said to Satan [], “All right, then. Everything Job has is in your ·power [hand], but ·you must not touch Job himself [but don’t send your hand against him].” Then Satan [] left the Lord’s presence.


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One day Job’s sons and daughters were ·eating and drinking wine [feasting; celebrating] together at the ·oldest [firstborn] brother’s house.


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when the Sabeans [a people from southern Arabia] attacked and carried them away. They killed the servants with swords, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you!”


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The messenger was still speaking when another messenger arrived and said, “·Lightning [Fire] from God fell from ·the sky [heaven]. It burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you!”


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The second messenger was still speaking when another messenger arrived and said, “The ·Babylonians [Chaldeans; a people located in present-day southern Iraq] sent three ·groups of attackers [raiding parties] that swept down and stole your camels and killed the servants [with the sword]. I am the only one who escaped to tell you!”


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The third messenger was still speaking when another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and daughters were ·eating and drinking wine [feasting; celebrating] together at the ·oldest [firstborn] brother’s house.


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Suddenly a ·great [strong; mighty] wind came from the desert, hitting all four corners of the house at once. The house fell in on the young people, and they are all dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you!”


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When Job heard this, he got up and tore his robe and shaved his head [ancient mourning customs]. Then he bowed down to the ground to worship God.


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He said: “I was naked when I ·was born [came from my mother’s womb], and I will be naked when I ·die [return there]. The Lord gave these things to me, and he has taken them away. ·Praise [Blessed be] the name of the Lord.”


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Satan Appears Before the Lord Again ·On another day [or One day] the ·angels [the sons of God] came to ·show themselves [stand] before the Lord, and Satan [] was with them again.


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The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “I have been ·wandering around [roaming] the earth, ·going back and forth in [patrolling] it.”


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Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job []? No one else on earth is like him. He is an honest and innocent man, honoring God and staying away from evil []. You ·caused [or enticed] me to ·ruin [injure] him for no good reason, but he ·continues to be without blame [or maintains his innocence].”


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“One skin for another [Skin for skin; a proverb meaning that people only react if they are affected directly]!” Satan [] answered. “A man will give all he has to save his own life.


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But reach out your hand and ·destroy [afflict; touch] his bones and flesh, and he will ·curse [bless; a euphemism for “curse”; ] you to your face.”


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The Lord said to Satan [], “All right, then. Job is in your ·power [hand], but you ·may not take [must preserve] his life.”


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So Satan [] left the Lord’s presence. He put ·painful sores [horrible boils] on Job’s body, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.


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Job’s wife said to him, “Why are you ·trying to stay innocent [maintaining your innocence]? Curse [] God and die!”


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Job answered, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Should we take only good things from God and not ·trouble [or evil]?” In spite of all this Job did not sin ·in what he said [with his lips].


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Job’s Three Friends Come to Help Now Job had three friends: Eliphaz the Temanite [from Tema, a town in Edom ()], Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When these friends heard about Job’s troubles, they agreed to meet and visit him. They wanted to ·show their concern [mourn] and to comfort him.


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They ·saw Job [lifted their eyes] from far away, but he looked so different they almost didn’t recognize him. They began to cry loudly and tore their robes and put ·dirt [dust] on their heads [ancient mourning customs].


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Then they sat on the ground with Job seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him because they saw how much he was ·suffering [in pain].


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Job Curses His Birth ·After seven days [Afterward] Job ·cried out [opened his mouth] and cursed ·the day he had been born [his day; ],


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Let that day turn to darkness [contrast ]. Don’t let God ·care about [seek] it. Don’t let light shine on it.


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Let darkness and gloom ·have that day [redeem it]. Let a cloud ·hide [settle over] it. Let thick darkness ·cover its light [overwhelm the day].


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Let thick darkness capture that night. Don’t count it among the days of the year or put it in any of the months.


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Let those who curse ·days [or the Sea; a symbol of chaos] curse that day [Balaam () is an example of a professional curser]. Let them prepare to wake up the sea monster Leviathan [a creature in ancient Near Eastern texts that represents chaos; , ; ; ; ].


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Let that day’s morning stars ·never appear [become dark]; let it ·wait [hope] for daylight that never comes. Don’t let it see the first light of dawn,


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because it ·allowed me to be born [did not shut the doors of my (mother’s) womb] and did not hide trouble from my eyes.


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“Why didn’t I die as soon as I ·was born [came out of the womb]? Why didn’t I die when I came out of the ·womb [belly; ]?


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Why did my mother’s knees receive me, and ·my mother’s breasts feed me [why were there breasts that I could suck]?


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Why was I not ·buried [hidden] like a ·child born dead [stillborn], like a baby who never saw the light of day?


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In the grave the wicked ·stop making trouble [or cease their agitation], and the weary workers are at rest.


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In the grave there is rest for the ·captives [prisoners] who no longer hear the ·shout [voice] of the ·slave driver [taskmaster].


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People great and small are ·in the grave [there], and the ·slave [servant] is freed from his master.


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·Everything I feared and dreaded has happened to me. [or For the dread I dreaded has come to me, and what I feared has come to me.]


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“If someone tried to speak with you, would you be ·upset [or discouraged]? I cannot keep from speaking.


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Your words have ·comforted [lifted up] those who ·fell [stumbled], and you have strengthened those ·who could not stand [with weak knees].


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But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; ·trouble hits [it touches] you, and you are ·terrified [disturbed].


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·You should have [Shouldn’t you have…?] confidence because you ·respect [fear; have awe for] God; ·you should [should you not…?] have hope because ·you are innocent [of your innocent ways].


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“Remember ·that the innocent will not die [who being innocent/blameless has perished…?]; ·honest people will never be [when were the honest/virtuous…? ] destroyed.


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that lion dies ·of hunger [without prey]. The cubs of the mother lion are scattered [the wicked may briefly prosper but will ultimately perish].


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“A word ·was brought to me in secret [stole over me], and my ears heard a whisper of it [Eliphaz claims a supernatural revelation that supports his teaching].


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The spirit stopped, but I could not see what it was. A shape stood before my eyes, and I heard a quiet voice.


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It said, ‘Can a human be more right than God? Can a person be pure before his maker? [the implied answer is no]


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So ·he puts even more blame on [what about…?] people who live in clay houses [physical bodies], whose foundations are made of dust [], who can be crushed like a moth.


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Between ·dawn and sunset [morning and evening] many people are broken to pieces; without being noticed, they die and are gone forever.


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“Call if you want to, Job, ·but no one [is there anyone who…?] will answer you. ·You can’t [Can you…?] turn to any of the holy ones [angels].


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·Anger [Irritation] kills the fool, and jealousy slays the ·stupid [or naïve; simpleminded; these emotions can lead to death; ; ].


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I have seen a fool ·succeed [taking root], but I cursed his ·home [household; pasturage] ·immediately [suddenly].


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The hungry eat his harvest, even taking what grew among the thorns, and thirsty people ·want [pant after] his wealth.


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·Hard times do [Misery does] not come up from the ·ground [dust], and trouble does not ·grow [sprout] from the earth [they come from anger and jealousy].


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“But if I were you, I would ·call on [seek] God and ·bring my problem [commit my thoughts/cause] before him [argues that Job needs to repent].


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God does wonders that cannot be understood; he does so many ·miracles [marvelous acts] they cannot be counted.


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He ruins the ·plans [pretensions; strategies] of those who ·trick others [are crafty] so ·they [their hands] have no success.


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He catches the ·wise [crafty; clever] in their own ·clever traps [craftiness] and ·sweeps away [ends; finishes off] the ·plans [advice; schemes] of those who ·try to trick others [are wily].


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Darkness ·covers them up [or encounters them] in the daytime; even at noon they ·feel [grope] around in the dark.


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“The one whom God ·corrects [reproves] is ·happy [blessed], so do not ·hate being corrected by [reject/despise the instruction of] the Almighty [].


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He will ·save [rescue] you from six ·troubles [dangers]; even seven ·troubles [or evils] will not ·harm [touch] you [“six…seven” is a poetic way of saying “all troubles”].


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God will ·buy you back [redeem/ransom you] from death in times of ·hunger [famine], and in ·battle [war] he will save you from the sword.


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You will be ·protected [hidden] from the ·tongue that strikes like a whip [lash of the tongue], and you will not be afraid when destruction comes.


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because you will have an ·agreement [treaty; alliance; covenant] with the stones in the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you [describes a peaceful relationship with all nature].


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You will know that your tent is safe, because you will ·check [visit] ·the things you own [your pasturage/home] and find nothing missing.


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You will know that you will have many ·children [descendants], and your ·descendants [offspring] will be like the grass on the earth.


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You will come to the grave ·with all your strength [or at a ripe old age], like bundles of grain gathered at the right time.


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“We have ·checked [examined] this, and it is true, so hear it and ·decide what it means to you [know it yourself].”


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“·I wish [or If only] my ·suffering [anguish; irritation] could be weighed and my misery put on scales.


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·My sadness [It] would be heavier than the sand of the seas. No wonder my words ·seem careless [blurt out; are wild/rash].


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[For] The arrows of ·the Almighty [Shaddai] are in me; my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors ·are gathered [are ranged; enter into battle] against me.


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·A wild donkey does not bray when it has grass to eat [Does not a wild donkey bray for grass?], ·and an ox is quiet when it has feed [Does not an ox bellow for fodder?; Job’s complaints are as natural as the sounds animals make when hungry].


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·Tasteless food is not [Would tasteless food be…?] eaten without salt, and ·there is no [is there…?] flavor in the ·white of an egg [or juice of a weed; Job’s “food” (his lot in life) is inedible].


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I refuse to touch it; such food makes me sick [a word connected to menstruation and therefore ritual uncleanness; ].


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Then I would have this ·comfort [consolation] and be glad even in this unending pain, because I would know I did not reject the words of the Holy One.


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“·I do not have the [What is my…?] strength to wait. ·There is nothing to hope for, so why should I be patient [What is my end that I should arrange my life]?


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·I have no power to help myself [Is there no help for me?], because ·success [resourcefulness] has been ·taken away [driven] from me.


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“They say, ‘·A person’s friends should be kind to him when he is in trouble, even if he stops fearing the Almighty [or Those who withhold loyalty from their friend do not fear the Almighty/Shaddai; Job here criticizes his friends’ attitude toward him].’


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But my ·brothers [Job’s three friends] cannot be counted on. They are like ·streams that do not always flow [wadis; seasonal riverbeds that are dry in the summer], streams that sometimes run over.


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The groups of travelers from Tema [an oasis in north Arabia] look for water, and the traders of Sheba [in south Arabia; both places were well known for their trade through the desert] look for it hopefully.


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They are ·upset [ashamed] because they had been sure; when they arrive, they are ·disappointed [dismayed].


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You ·also have been no help [become like this to me]. You see something terrible, and you are afraid.


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·I have never said [Did I ever say…?], ‘Give me a gift. Use your wealth to ·pay my debt [or make a bribe for me].


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·Save [Rescue] me from the enemy’s power. ·Buy me back [Redeem me] from the clutches of ·cruel [violent] people.’


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·Honest [Virtuous; Job speaks sarcastically] words are painful, but your ·arguments [reproofs] prove nothing.


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Do you mean to correct what I say? Will you treat the words of a ·troubled [despairing] man as if they were only wind [that is, empty]?


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·Change your mind [Return now]; do not be unfair; ·think [return] again, because my ·innocence [righteousness] is being questioned.


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What I am saying is not wicked; I can ·tell [taste] ·the difference between right and wrong [or tragedy].


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“·People have [Do not people have…?] a hard ·task [service] on earth, and their days are like those of a [hired] laborer [hard work with little profit].


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They are like a ·slave [servant] ·wishing [panting] for the evening shadows, like a [hired] laborer waiting to be paid.


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But I ·am given [inherit] months that are ·empty [vain; futile], and nights of ·misery [or toil] have been ·given [allotted] to me.


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My body is covered with worms and ·scabs [clods of dust/dirt], and my skin ·is broken and full of sores [crusts over and oozes].


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·Those who [The eyes that] see me now will see me no more; you will look for me, but I will ·be gone [be no more; not exist].


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As a cloud ·disappears [fades] and is gone, people go to ·the grave [Sheol; the grave or the underworld] and never return.


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“So I will not ·stay quiet [restrain my mouth]; I will speak out in the ·suffering [distress; pinch] of my spirit. I will ·complain [groan] ·because I am so unhappy [in the bitterness of my soul].


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·I am not [Am I…?] ·the sea [Yam] or ·the sea monster [Tannin; Yam and Tannin are legendary sea monsters representing chaos]. ·So why have you […that you] set a guard over me?


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I ·hate [reject] my life; I don’t want to live forever. Leave me alone, because my days have no meaning.


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“Why do you make people so important and ·give them so much attention [set your heart on them; contrast ]?


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If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you watcher of humans? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a ·heavy load [burden] for you?


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Why don’t you ·pardon [forgive] my ·wrongs [transgressions] and ·forgive my sins [carry away my guilt]? I will soon lie down in the dust of death. Then you will ·search [look] for me, but I will be no more.”


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“How long will you [continue to] say such things? Your words are ·no more than [a strong] wind [he accuses Job of passion without substance].


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God does not ·twist [pervert] justice; ·the Almighty [Shaddai] does not ·make wrong [twist; pervert] ·what is right [righteousness].


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[If] Your children sinned against God, and he ·punished them for their sins [sent them into the power of their transgression].


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·But [If] you ·should ask God for help [look for God] and ·pray [plead] to ·the Almighty [Shaddai] for ·mercy [grace].


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If you are ·good [pure] and ·honest [virtuous; , ; ], he will ·stand up [immediately rouse himself] for you and ·bring you back [restore you] ·where you belong [to your right/righteous pasture/place/home].


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·Where you began will seem unimportant [Though your start was small], ·because your future will be so successful [your end will be exalted].


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·Papyrus plants cannot [Do papyrus plants…?] grow where there is no swamp, ·and reeds cannot [or reeds…?] grow tall without water.


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That is ·what will happen to [the path of] those who forget God; the hope of the ·wicked [godless] will ·be gone [perish].


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·What they hope in is easily broken [Their confidence is gossamer thread]; what they trust is like a spider’s web [without substance].


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They lean on ·the spider’s web [its house], but it ·breaks [does not stand]. They grab it, but it does not hold up.


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Now ·joy has gone away [or it (the plant) dissolves on the way]; other plants grow up from the same dirt.


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“Surely God does not reject the innocent or ·give strength to [or grasp the hand of] those who do evil.


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·Your enemies [Those who hate you] will be covered with shame, and the tents of the wicked will be gone.”


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“·Yes [Truly], I know that this [Zophar’s point that God punishes the wicked] is ·true [correct], but how can anyone be ·right [righteous; vindicated] in the presence of God?


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Someone might want to ·argue with God [take God to court], but no one could answer God, not one time out of a thousand.


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·God’s wisdom is deep [He is wise of heart], and his power is great; no one can ·fight [press] him ·without getting hurt [and come out whole/unscathed].


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He ·commands the sun not to [speaks to the sun and it does not] shine and ·shuts off the light of [seals up] the stars.


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He alone stretches out the ·skies [heavens] and ·walks [treads] on the ·waves [high places] of the sea.


text:
It is God who made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades [well-known constellations] and the ·groups of stars in the southern sky [chambers of the south].


text:
He does ·wonders [great things] that cannot be understood; he does so many ·miracles [or marvelous things] they cannot be counted.


text:
·When [or If] he passes me, I cannot see him; ·when [or if] he goes by me, I do not ·recognize [perceive] him.


text:
If he snatches ·something [or someone] away, no one can ·stop him [or bring them back] or say to him, ‘What are you doing?’


text:
God will not ·hold back [relent from] his anger. Even the ·helpers [allies] of the monster Rahab [a sea monster; ] ·lie at his feet in fear [cower under him].


text:
Even if I were ·right [righteous], I could not answer him; I could only ·beg God [plead], my Judge, for mercy.


text:
If I ·called to [summoned] him and he answered, I still don’t believe he would ·listen to me [hear my voice].


text:
He would crush me with a ·storm [whirlwind; ] and multiply my ·wounds [bruises] ·for no reason [without cause].


text:
He would not let me ·catch [regain] my breath but would ·overwhelm [satiate] me with ·misery [bitterness].


text:
·When [or If] it comes to ·strength [power], God is stronger than I; ·when [or if] it comes to ·justice [or judgment], no one can ·accuse [testify against] him.


text:
·Even if I were [or Though I am] ·right [righteous], my own mouth would ·say I was wrong [condemn me]; ·if I were [or I am] innocent, ·my mouth would say I was [or he declares me] guilty.


text:
If ·the whip [or disaster] brings sudden death, God will ·laugh [ridicule] ·at the suffering [or the despair] of the innocent.


text:
When the ·land [earth] ·falls [is given] into the ·hands [power] of evil people, he covers the judges’ faces so they can’t see it. If it is not God who does this, then who is it?


text:
“My days go by faster than a runner; they ·fly away without my seeing any joy [are swift but not good].


text:
They ·glide past [pass by] like ·paper [reed] boats. They ·attack [or go fast] like eagles swooping down to feed.


text:
·Even though [or If] I say, ‘I will forget my ·complaint [sighs]; I will ·change the look on my face [abandon my countenance] and ·smile [be cheerful],’


text:
I have already been ·found guilty [declared wicked], so why should I ·struggle [exhaust myself] for no reason?


text:
[Even if] I might wash myself with ·soap [or snow] and ·scrub [cleanse] my hands with ·strong soap [lye],


text:
[“For] God is not human like me, ·so I cannot [that I could] answer him. ·We cannot meet each other in court […that we could go together into judgment].


text:
·I wish there were someone to make peace [There is no umpire] between us, ·someone to decide our case [who would set his hand on both of us].


text:
Maybe he could remove ·God’s punishment [his rod from me] so his terror would no longer frighten me.


text:
“I ·hate [am disgusted with] my life, so I will ·complain without holding back [abandon myself to my sighs]; I will speak ·because I am so unhappy [in my bitterness].


text:
I will say to God: Do not ·hold [declare] me guilty, but tell me ·what you have against [why you accuse] me.


text:
·Does it make you happy [or Is it right for you] to ·trouble [oppress] me? ·Don’t you care about [Must you despise] me, the work of your hands? ·Are you happy with [or Do you favor] the plans of evil people?


text:
·You formed me inside my mother like cheese formed from milk [Do you not pour me out like milk, curdle me like cheese?].


text:
You gave me life and showed me ·kindness [loyalty], and in your care you ·watched over my life [set a watch over me].


text:
If I sinned, you would watch me and would not ·let my sin go unpunished [declare me innocent of my transgression].


text:
·How terrible it will be for [Woe to] me if I am guilty! Even if I am ·right [righteous], I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and ·experience [look on] only ·pain [affliction].


text:
·If I hold up my head, you hunt me like a lion [or Proud like a lion you hunt me] and again show your terrible power against me.


text:
“So why did you ·allow me to be born [bring me out of the womb]? ·I wish I had died [Why did I not die…?] before ·anyone [any eye] saw me.


text:
the land of ·darkest night [or dimness and blackness], from the land of gloom and ·confusion [chaos], where even the light is darkness.”


text:
“Should ·these [such a large number of] words go unanswered? ·Is this talker in the right [or Should a talkative man be declared righteous]?


text:
Your ·lies [empty words] do not make people quiet; people should ·correct [shame] you when you ·make fun of God [mock].


text:
and tell you the secrets of wisdom, because ·wisdom [resourcefulness] has ·two [or many] sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin [he has been tolerant of Job’s sin].


text:
“Can you ·understand [discover] the ·secrets [deep things] of God? Can you ·search [discover] the limits of ·the Almighty [Shaddai]?


text:
His limits are higher than the heavens; ·you cannot reach them [what can you do]! They are deeper than ·the grave [Sheol]; you cannot understand them!


text:
“If God ·comes along [passes by] and puts you in prison or ·calls you into court [assembles for judgment], ·no one can stop him [who can turn him back?].


text:
God knows who is ·evil [worthless], and when he sees ·evil [or an evil person], ·he takes [does he not take…?] note of it.


text:
A ·fool [empty-headed person] cannot ·become wise [get understanding] any more than a wild donkey can ·be born tame [or give birth to a human; Zophar insults Job’s wisdom].


text:
“You must ·give your whole heart to him [focus your heart] and ·hold [spread] out your hands to him for help.


text:
·Put away [Remove] the sin that is in your hand; let no ·evil [iniquity] ·remain [take up residence] in your tent [Zophar urges Job to repent].


text:
Then you can lift up your face without ·shame [blemish], and you can ·stand strong [be secure] without fear.


text:
Your life will be ·as bright as [brighter than] the noonday sun, and darkness will seem like morning.


text:
You will ·feel safe [be secure] because there is hope; you will ·look around [explore] and ·rest [lie down] in safety.


text:
You will lie down, and ·no one will scare you [not tremble with fear]. Many people will want favors from you.


text:
But the ·wicked will not be able to see [eyes of the wicked will fail], so ·they will not escape [their escape route will be lost to them]. Their only ·hope [expectation] will be to die.”


text:
“You ·really [truly] think you are the ·only wise people [people] and that when you die, wisdom will die with you [Job attacks the friends’ confidence in their wisdom]!


text:
But my ·mind [heart; the heart was considered the location of thought] is as good as yours; ·you are not better than I am [I am not inferior to you]. ·Everyone knows all these things [Who is not like these?; probably a reference to the three friends and their intelligence].


text:
·My friends all laugh at me [I am a joke to my friends], I who called on God and he answered me [a reference to his earlier days, which the friends now think are a joke]; they laugh at me even though I am right and innocent!


text:
Those who are ·comfortable [at ease] ·don’t care that [have contempt when] others have trouble; they think it right that those people ·should have troubles [have shaky/unstable feet].


text:
The tents of ·robbers [marauders] ·are not bothered [have peace and quiet], and those who make God angry are ·safe [confident]. They have their god in their ·pocket [control; hand].


text:
“But ask the ·animals [beasts; cattle], and they will teach you [that God is unjust], or ask the birds of the ·air [sky], and they will ·tell [inform] you.


text:
Speak to the plants of the earth, and they will teach you, or let the fish of the sea ·tell [recount it to] you.


text:
The ·life [breath] of ·every creature [all living things] and the ·breath [or spirit] of all people are in God’s hand.


text:
If God holds back the waters, ·there is no rain [they dry up]; if he lets the waters go, they flood the land.


text:
He is strong and ·victorious [successful; or resourceful]; both the one who ·fools others [deceives] and the one who is ·fooled [deceived] belong to him.


text:
God leads ·the wise away [counselors] ·as captives [plundered] and ·turns judges into fools [renders judges deluded].


text:
He ·takes off chains that kings put on [or loosens the sash of kings] and ·puts a garment on their bodies [or tightens the waistcloth around their hips; he undermines their royal prerogatives and powers and causes them pain].


text:
He brings disgrace on ·important people [princes] and ·takes away the weapons [loosens the belt] of the strong.


text:
He uncovers the deep things ·of [from the] darkness and brings dark shadows ·into [or to overshadow] the light [can mean either that God lightens the dark or darkens the light].


text:
He takes ·understanding [heart] away from the leaders of the earth and makes them wander through a ·pathless desert [chaos/wasteland without a path].


text:
They ·feel around [grope] in darkness with no light; he makes them ·stumble [wander around] like drunks.


text:
“·Now [Look,] my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it [Job claims to be as wise as the three friends].


text:
But I want to speak to ·the Almighty [Shaddai] and [I would love] to ·argue my case with [reprove] God.


text:
But you smear me with lies [good doctors would smear their patients with healing lotions]. You are worthless ·doctors [physicians], all of you!


text:
Listen to my ·argument [reproof], and ·hear [pay attention to] the ·pleading [accusation] of my lips.


text:
·You should not speak evil in the name of [Will you speak unjustly for…?] God; ·you cannot speak God’s truth by telling lies [will you speak deceitful things about him?].


text:
·You should not unfairly choose his side against mine [Will you favor him…?]; ·you should not argue the case [if you make an accusation] for God.


text:
·You will not do [Will it go…?] well if he examines you; you cannot ·fool [deceive] God as you might ·fool [deceive] humans.


text:
God would surely ·scold [reprimand; reprove] you if you ·unfairly [or secretly] took one person’s side.


text:
[Does not…?] His ·bright glory [majesty] would scare you, and ·you would be very much afraid of him [his fear fall on you].


text:
Your ·wise sayings [proclamations] are ·worth no more than ashes [are made of dust], and your ·arguments [responses] are ·as weak as [made of] clay.


text:
·Why should I [or I will…] ·put myself in danger [take my flesh in my teeth; a metaphor for risk-taking] and take my life in my own ·hands [palm]?


text:
·Even if God kills me, I have hope in him [or See, he will kill me; I have no hope]; I will ·still defend [reprove him concerning] my ways to his face.


text:
See, I have prepared ·my case [for the judgment], and I know I ·will be proved right [or am righteous].


text:
·No one can accuse [Who is it that accuses…?] me of doing wrong. If someone can, I will be quiet and die.


text:
·How many [or What are the] ·evil things [faults] and sins have I done? ·Show [Make known to] me my ·wrong [transgressions] and my sin.


text:
·Don’t punish [Will you frighten…?] a leaf that is blown by the wind; ·don’t [and] chase after straw.


text:
You put my feet in ·chains [stocks] and ·keep close watch wherever I go [guard all my paths]. You even ·mark [incise; cut] the soles of my feet [to leave a distinctive footprint easily followed].


text:
“·All of us [Human beings; Man] born ·to women [of woman] ·live only a few [are short of] days and ·have lots [full] of trouble.


text:
·We [They] grow up like flowers and then ·dry up and die [wither]. ·We are like a passing […and flee like a] shadow that does not last.


text:
·Our [If their] time is limited. You have given ·us [them] only so many months to live and have set limits ·we [they] cannot go beyond.


text:
So look away from us and ·leave us alone [stop; desist] until we put in our time like a laborer [until death].


text:
“If a tree is cut down, there is hope that it will grow again and will send out new ·branches [shoots].


text:
But ·we [mortals] die, and ·our bodies are laid in the ground [dwindle away]; ·we take our last breath [humans expire] and are ·gone [no more; unlike trees, humans do not come back to life].


text:
Water disappears from a ·lake [sea], and a river ·loses its water and dries up [dries up and withers away].


text:
In the same way, ·we [humans] lie down and do not rise again; ·we [they] will not get up or be awakened until the heavens disappear [that is, never].


text:
“I wish you would hide me in ·the grave [Sheol; the grave or the underworld]; ·hide [conceal] me until your anger is gone. I wish you would set a ·time [limit] and then remember me!


text:
Will the dead live again [the implied answer is no]? All my days are ·a struggle [hard service]; I will wait until my ·change [release] comes.


text:
You ·will call [would summon me], and I ·will [or would] answer you; you ·will [or would] desire the ·creature your hands have made [work of your hands].


text:
·Then [or Now] you ·will count [count] my steps [meaning God would focus negatively on Job’s sin], but you ·will [or would] not keep track of my sin [in a hypothetical future].


text:
Water ·washes over stones and wears them down [grinds down the stones], and ·rushing waters [or violent storms] wash away the ·dirt [dust]. In the same way, you destroy hope.


text:
You ·defeat [overpower] people forever, and they are gone; you change their appearance [from joy to despair] and send them away.


text:
Their children are honored, but they do not know it [because they, the parents, are dead or dying]; their children are ·disgraced [lowered], but they [the parents] do not see it.


text:
They [the parents] only feel the pain of their ·body [flesh] and ·feel sorry [mourn] for themselves.”


text:
“·A wise person would not [Should a wise person…?] answer with ·empty [windy] words or fill his stomach with the hot east wind.


text:
·He would not [Should he…?] ·argue [reprimand; reprove] with useless words or make speeches that have no value.


text:
Your ·sin [iniquity] teaches your mouth what to say; you ·use words to trick others [choose the tongue of the crafty].


text:
It is your own mouth, not mine, that ·shows you are wicked [condemns]; your own lips testify against you.


text:
“·You are not [Are you…?] the first man ever born [perhaps a reference to Adam; ]; ·you are not [are you…?] older than the hills [either a reference to the wisdom of the elders or to wisdom personified as a woman; ].


text:
·You did not [Did you…?] listen in on God’s secret council [like a prophet]. But you limit wisdom to yourself.


text:
·You don’t [Do you…?] know any more than we know. ·You don’t [Do you…?] understand any more than we understand.


text:
Is the ·comfort [consolation] God gives you not enough for you, even when words are spoken gently to you?


text:
Has your heart ·carried you away from God [taken you away; perhaps suggesting that Job has lost control of his emotions]? Why do your eyes ·flash with anger [or wink]?


text:
Why do you ·speak out your anger [turn your spirit] against God? Why do these words pour out of your mouth?


text:
How much less pure is one who is ·terrible [abominable] and ·rotten [corrupt] and drinks up ·evil [injustice] as if it were water []!


text:
(The land was given to their fathers only, and no ·foreigner [stranger] lived among them [suggesting wisdom untainted by foreign influence].)


text:
Terrible sounds ·fill [reach; are in] their ears, and when things ·seem to be going well [are at peace], ·robbers [or destroyers] attack them.


text:
Evil people ·give up trying [cannot hope] to ·escape [return] from the darkness; it has been decided that they will die by the sword.


text:
They wander around ·and will become food for vultures [or for food, saying “Where is it?”]. They know [a day of] darkness ·will soon come [is prepared for them].


text:
·Worry [Distress] and ·suffering [hardship] terrify them; they overwhelm them, like a king ready to attack,


text:
because they ·shake their fists at [stretched their hands against; ; ] God and ·try to get their own way against [defy] ·the Almighty [Shaddai].


text:
They ·stubbornly [defiantly] charge at God with ·thick, strong [thick-bossed; the boss is the convex centerpiece] shields.


text:
“Although the faces of the wicked are thick with fat [a sign of prosperity, but here the result of ill-gotten gain], and their ·bellies [or loins] are fat with ·flesh [blubber],


text:
they will live in towns that are ruined, in houses where no one lives, ·which are crumbling into ruins [destined to become a ruin heap].


text:
The wicked will no longer ·get [or be] rich, and the riches they have will not last [; Pro; ; ; ] the things they own will no longer spread over the land.


text:
They will not ·escape [turn aside from] the darkness. A flame will dry up their ·branches [shoots]; God’s breath will carry the wicked away.


text:
The wicked should not fool themselves by trusting what is useless. If they do, they will get nothing in return [“useless” and “nothing” are the same Hebrew word].


text:
They will be like a vine whose grapes ·are pulled [shake] off before they are ripe, like an olive tree that ·loses [throws off] its blossoms.


text:
·People without God [The assembly of the godless] ·can produce nothing [are barren]. Fire will ·destroy [consume] the tents of those who take ·money to do evil [bribes],


text:
who ·plan [conceive] trouble and give birth to evil, whose ·hearts [womb] plan ways to ·trick [defraud; ; ] others.”


text:
Will your ·long-winded speeches [windy words] never end? What ·makes [provokes] you keep on ·arguing [responding]?


text:
I also could speak as you do if you were in my place. I could ·make great speeches [join words] against you and shake my head at you [like wagging a finger at someone].


text:
But, instead, I would ·encourage you [strengthen you with my mouth], and ·my words [the words of my lips] would bring you ·relief [comfort].


text:
·God, you have [He has] surely ·taken away my strength [worn me out] and ·destroyed [or stunned] ·my whole family [or everyone around me; my assembly].


text:
You have ·made me thin and weak [shriveled me up; or bound me], ·and this shows I have done wrong [as a witness against me].


text:
God ·attacks me and tears me with anger [preys on me and hates me]; he ·grinds [gnashes] his teeth at me; my enemy ·stares at me with his angry eyes [sharpens his eyes at me].


text:
People open their mouths ·to make fun of [wide at] me and hit my cheeks to ·insult [or reproach] me. They ·join [congregate; assemble] together against me.


text:
·Everything was fine with me [I was at ease], but God ·broke me into pieces [shattered me]; he ·held [grabbed; seized] me by the neck and ·crushed [mauled] me. He has ·made me [set me up as] his target;


text:
his archers surround me. He ·stabs [splits open] my kidneys without mercy; he spills my ·blood [gall] on the ground.


text:
·Again and again God attacks me [He breaches me, breach after breach]; he runs at me like a soldier.


text:
“I have sewed ·rough cloth over my skin to show my sadness [sackcloth over my skin; traditional mourning clothes] and have buried my ·face [horn] in the dust [a sign of grief; like an animal lowering its horn].


text:
“Earth, please do not cover up my blood. Don’t let my cry ever ·stop being heard [find a place of rest]!


text:
Even now I have ·one who speaks for me [a witness] in heaven; the one who ·is on my side [testifies for me] is high above.


text:
He ·begs God [negotiates/arbitrates with God] on behalf of a human as a person ·begs for [negotiates/arbitrates with] his friend.


text:
My spirit is broken; the days of my life are ·almost gone [extinguished]. The grave is ·waiting [ready] for me.


text:
Those who ·laugh [mock; scoff] at me surround me; ·I watch them insult me [My eye dwells/lodges on their obstinate behavior].


text:
“·God, make me a promise [Make a pledge for me with yourself]. ·No one will make a pledge for me [Who else will clap hands with me; a gesture that seals an agreement].


text:
You have closed their minds to understanding. ·Do not let them win over me [You will not let them triumph].


text:
People might ·speak against [denounce] their friends for ·money [a share; a piece of property], but if they do, the eyes of their children ·go blind [will fade].


text:
My sight has grown ·weak [dim] because of my ·sadness [grief], and my ·body [whole frame] is ·as thin as [like] a shadow.


text:
·Honest [Virtuous] people are ·upset [depressed; desolated] about this; ·innocent [blameless] people are ·upset with [or aroused against] those who ·do wrong [or are godless].


text:
But ·those who do right [the righteous] will ·continue to do right [hold on to their way], and those whose hands are ·not dirty with sin [clean; in a ritual sense] will grow stronger.


text:
My days are gone, and my plans have been ·destroyed [torn away], along with the desires of my heart.


text:
·These men think night is [They make night into] day; ·when it is dark, they say, ‘Light is near [light is near the darkness].’


text:
If the only home I hope for is ·the grave [Sheol; the place of the dead], if I spread out my bed in darkness,


text:
if I say to the ·grave [pit], ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘You are my mother’ or ‘You are my sister,’


text:
“·When will you stop these speeches [How long before you stop these words]? ·Be sensible [or Reflect], and then we can talk [; ; ].


text:
·You think of [Why do you consider/count] us as cattle, as ·if we are stupid [stupid in your eyes/estimation].


text:
You tear ·yourself [your life] to pieces in your anger. Should the earth be vacant ·just for [or because of] you? Should the rocks move from their places []?


text:
Their ·strong steps [vigorous gait] will grow ·weak [cramped; restricted]; ·they will fall into their own evil traps [or their own schemes/advice will throw them down].


text:
·Terrible things [Terrors] startle them from every side and ·chase [or disperse] them at ·every step [their feet].


text:
·Hunger takes away their strength [or Calamity is hungry for them], and disaster is ·at their side [or prepared for them when they stumble].


text:
Disease eats away ·parts of their skin [or their fleshy limbs]; ·death [the firstborn of Death; death is personified] ·gnaws at [consumes] their ·arms and legs [limbs].


text:
They are torn from the ·safety [confidence] of their tents and ·dragged off to Death, the King of Terrors [terrors march them off to their king].


text:
·Their tents are set on fire [or Nothing of theirs will remain in their tents], and sulfur is scattered over their ·homes [or pastures].


text:
Their roots dry up below ground, and their branches die above ground [the wicked are like a dead tree].


text:
They have no children or descendants among their people, and no one will be left alive where they once lived.


text:
People ·of the west [or who come after] will be ·shocked [desolated] ·at what has happened to them [by their end/fate], and people ·of the east [or who came before] will be ·very frightened [seized with horror].


text:
Surely this is ·what will happen to [the dwelling of] the wicked; such is the place of one who does not know God.”


text:
You have ·insulted [disgraced; shamed] me ten times ·now [over] and ·attacked me without shame [or are you not shamed to wrong me?].


text:
Even if I have ·sinned [erred; made a mistake], ·it is my worry alone [my sin/mistake lodges within me].


text:
If you want to make yourselves ·look better than I [or powerful against me], you can ·blame me for my suffering [make my shame/disgrace an argument against me].


text:
Then know that God has ·wronged [or a distorted view of; unjustly blamed] me and ·pulled [thrown] his net around me [like a hunter].


text:
“I shout, ‘·I have been wronged [Violence]!’ But I get no answer. I scream for help but I get no justice.


text:
·His anger burns [He kindles his anger] against me, and he ·treats [or considers] me like an ·enemy [foe].


text:
His ·armies [troops] gather; they ·prepare to attack [build up a road against; a siege ramp] me. They camp around my tent.


text:
“God has ·made my brothers my enemies [moved my brothers far from me], and my friends have become strangers.


text:
·My relatives [Those near me] have ·gone away [or failed me], and my ·friends [acquaintances] have forgotten me.


text:
My guests and my ·female servants [maidservants] ·treat [or consider] me like a stranger; they look at me as if I were a foreigner.


text:
I call for my servant, but he does not answer, even when I ·beg him with my own mouth [ask him for a personal favor].


text:
·I am nothing but skin and bones [My bones cling to my skin and my flesh]; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.


text:
Why do you ·chase [pursue; persecute] me as God does? ·Haven’t you hurt me enough [Aren’t you satisfied with my flesh]?


text:
I wish they were carved with an iron pen ·into [and] lead, or carved into stone ·forever [or as a witness; Job wants the following statement to last].


text:
I know that my ·Defender [Redeemer; or defender; redeemer; likely referring to God himself] lives, and ·in the end [or at last] he will ·stand upon [rise up on] the earth [dust].


text:
Even after my skin has been ·destroyed [or peeled off], ·in [from; or without] my flesh I will see God.


text:
I will see him myself; I ·myself [and not a stranger] will see him with my very own eyes. How my heart ·wants that to happen [fades/faints within me]!


text:
“·If [or When] you say, ‘·We will continue to trouble Job [How should we pursue/persecute him?], because the ·problem [root of the matter] lies with him,’


text:
you should be afraid of the sword yourselves. ·God’s anger [Wrath] will bring punishment by the sword. Then you will know there is judgment.”


text:
“My ·troubled thoughts [distress; worries] cause me to ·answer [respond], because ·I am very upset [of the agitation within me].


text:
You ·correct [instruct] me and I am ·insulted [shamed], but ·I understand how to answer you [or a spirit beyond my understanding gives me an answer].


text:
“·You [Do you not…?] know how it has been ·for a long time [since time immemorial], ever since ·people were first put [or he put people] on the earth.


text:
The ·happiness [luxuriance; enjoyment] of evil people is brief, and the joy of the ·wicked [godless] lasts only a moment.


text:
but they will ·be gone [perish] forever, like their own dung. People who ·knew [saw] them will say, ‘Where are they?’


text:
They will fly away like a dream and not be found again; they will be ·chased away [put to flight] like a vision in the night.


text:
·Those who [The eye that] saw them will not see them again; the places where they lived will see them no more.


text:
Their children will ·have to pay back [or run after] the poor, and ·they will have to give up [their hand will return] their wealth.


text:
They had the strength of their youth in their bones, but it will lie with them in the dust of death.


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They ·cannot stand to [fight/linger over it and do not] let go of it; they ·keep it in their mouths [hide it under their tongues].


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But their food ·will turn sour [turns over] in their stomachs, like the poison of a ·snake [asp] inside them.


text:
They have swallowed riches, but they will ·spit [vomit] them out; God will make them ·vomit [disgorge] ·their riches up [it from their bellies; ; ].


text:
They will suck the poison of ·snakes [asps], and the ·snake’s fangs [viper’s tongue] will kill them.


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They will not ·admire [look at] ·the sparkling streams [or streams of oil] or the rivers flowing with honey and ·cream [or butter; or curds].


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They must give back ·what they worked for [their gains] ·without eating it [unswallowed]; they will not enjoy the ·money they made from their trading [or benefit of their reward],


text:
because they ·troubled the poor and left them with nothing [crushed and abandoned the poor]. They have ·taken [stolen] houses they did not build [; ].


text:
“Evil people never ·lack an appetite [experience ease/comfort in their bellies], and nothing ·escapes their selfishness [they covet escapes them].


text:
When they still have plenty, ·trouble will catch up to them [they will have distress], and ·great misery [all the force/hand of trouble] will come down on them.


text:
When the wicked fill their stomachs, God will send his burning anger against them, ·and blows of punishment will fall on them like rain [or raining it on them like their food].


text:
They will pull the arrows out of their backs and pull the points out of their ·livers [gall bladders]. ·Terrors [Dread] will come over them;


text:
total darkness ·waits for their treasure [or is stored up for them]. A fire not fanned by people [perhaps lightning] will ·destroy [consume] them and ·burn up [horrible things will happen to] ·what is left of [or the survivors in] their tents.


text:
·A flood will carry their houses away [or The possessions of their house will be taken away], ·swept away [like the torrents] on the day of God’s anger.


text:
This is ·what God plans for evil [the lot/fate of guilty] people; ·this is what he has decided they will receive [the inheritance decreed by God].”


text:
“Listen carefully to my words [Job feels that his previous speeches have not been heard], and let this be ·the way you comfort me [your consolation].


text:
·Be patient [Bear with me] while I speak. After I have finished, you may ·continue to make fun of [ridicule; mock] me.


text:
When I think about this [the success of the wicked], I am terribly afraid and ·my body shakes [trembling seizes my flesh].


text:
Why ·do evil people live a long time [are evil people allowed to live]? They grow old and ·become more powerful [increase in strength].


text:
They send out their ·children [infants] like a flock [they will have many children, a sign of blessing]; their ·little ones [children] dance about.


text:
They sing to the music of tambourines and ·harps [lyres], and the sound of the flute makes them ·happy [rejoice].


text:
Evil people ·enjoy successful lives [live out their days in prosperity] and then go ·peacefully [in tranquility] to ·the grave [Sheol].


text:
Who is ·the Almighty [Shaddai] that we should serve him? What would we gain by ·praying to [interceding with] him?’


text:
·The success of the wicked is not their own doing [or Is not the success/prosperity of the wicked in their control/hand?]. Their ·way of thinking [plan; counsel] is ·different [far] from ·mine [or his; that is, God’s].


text:
Yet how often are the lamps of evil people ·turned off [extinguished; the implied answer is not often; Job questions the type of teaching found in Proverbs; ]? How often does ·trouble [calamity] come to them []? How often ·do they suffer God’s angry punishment [does he deal out pain in his anger]?


text:
·How often are they [or Let them be] like straw in the wind or like chaff that is blown away by a storm []?


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It is said [defenders of the idea that the wicked suffer for their sins], ‘God ·saves [stores] up a person’s ·punishment [guilt] for his children.’ But God should ·punish [pay back] the wicked themselves so they will know it.


text:
Their eyes should see their own destruction, and they should ·suffer [drink from the] the anger of ·the Almighty [Shaddai].


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“·No one [Who…?] can teach knowledge to God; he is the one who judges even the most ·important [exalted] people [Job wants to teach God to punish the wicked but thinks his attempt will be futile].


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One person dies ·while he still has all his strength [in perfect vigor], feeling completely safe and ·comfortable [untroubled].


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His ·body [or pail] was ·well fed [full of milk], and ·his bones were strong and healthy [the marrow of his bones were well lubricated].


text:
But another person dies ·with an unhappy heart [in bitterness], never enjoying ·any happiness [or the good life].


text:
You [the friends] ask, ‘Where is this ·great man’s [prince’s] house? Where are the tents where the wicked live [they don’t agree with Job that the wicked are rich and successful]?’


text:
Have you never asked those who ·travel [pass by on the road]? Have you ·never listened to their stories [not recognized their signs]?


text:
They are carried to their graves, and someone keeps watch over their tombs [a sign of a peaceful death and burial].


text:
The dirt in the valley seems sweet to them. Everybody follows after them, and many people go before them.


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“So how can you comfort me with this ·nonsense [empty/meaningless drivel]? Your answers are ·only lies [or disloyal]!”


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“Can anyone ·be of real use to [benefit] God? Can even a ·wise [skilled] person ·do him good [benefit him]?


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Does it ·help [delight; give pleasure to] ·the Almighty [Shaddai] for you to be ·good [righteous]? ·Does he gain anything [What profit is it to him] if you are ·innocent [blameless]?


text:
Does God ·punish [reprimand; reprove] you for ·respecting him [your fear; in the sense of piety]? Does he ·bring you into court for this [enter into judgment with you]?


text:
You ·took your brothers’ things for a debt they didn’t owe [exacted pledges from your brothers for no reason; ]; you took clothes from people and left them naked.


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You did not give water to ·tired [weary] people, and you kept food from the ·hungry [famished; starving].


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·You were a powerful man who [The powerful] owned land; ·you were honored and [the favored] lived in the land.


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But you sent widows away empty-handed, and you ·mistreated [crushed the arms/strength of the] orphans.


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“·God is [Is not God…?] in the highest part of heaven. See how high the highest stars are [God is even higher]!


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Thick clouds ·cover [hide] him so he cannot see us as he ·walks [wanders] around ·high up in the sky [the vault/dome of heaven; Eliphaz suspects Job denies God knows what is going on in human affairs].’


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Are you going to ·stay on [guard] the ·old [ancient] path where ·evil [guilty] people ·walk [tread]?


text:
They were ·carried away [or bound up] before their time was up, and their foundations were washed away by a ·flood [river].


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They said to God, ‘·Leave us alone [Get away from us; ]! ·The Almighty can do nothing [What can the Almighty/Shaddai do…?] to us.’


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But ·it was God [was it not he…?] who filled their houses with good things. Their ·way of thinking [plan; counsel] is ·different [far] from mine [].


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“·Good [Righteous] people can watch and be glad; the innocent can ·laugh at [mock; ridicule] them and say,


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“·Obey God [Get along with him] and be at peace with him; this is the way to ·happiness [or prosperity; Eliphaz calls on Job to repent].


text:
If you return to ·the Almighty [Shaddai], you will be ·blessed again [restored]. So remove ·evil [iniquity] from your ·house [tent].


text:
·Throw [Put] your gold nuggets into the dust and ·your fine gold [Ophir; referring to the fine gold of the region of Ophir, perhaps southern Arabia] among the rocks in the ·ravines [wadis].


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You will ·find pleasure [delight] in ·the Almighty [Shaddai], and you will ·look up [show favor] to him.


text:
You will ·pray to [entreat] him, and he will hear you, and you will keep your ·promises [vows; made in anticipation of answered prayer] to him.


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When people are made humble and you say, ‘·Have courage [or It is pride],’ then ·the humble [those with downcast eyes] will be saved.


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·Even a guilty person will escape [or He rescues the innocent] and ·be saved [or and saves you] because your hands are ·clean [pure].”


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“My ·complaint [or speech] is still ·bitter [or rebellious] today. ·I groan because God’s heavy hand is on me [or My hand is heavy with groaning].


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Would he not ·argue [present his case] ·strongly [with great power] against me? No, he would really listen to me.


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·Then [There] an ·honest [virtuous] person could ·present his case to God [reprimand/reprove him], and I would ·be saved [escape] forever ·by [or from] my judge.


text:
When he ·is at work [acts] in the north, I catch no ·sight [glimpse] of him; when he ·turns to [wraps himself up in] the south, I cannot see him.


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My feet have ·closely followed [held fast to] his steps; I have stayed in his ·way [path; ]; I did not turn aside.


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I have never ·left [departed from] the commands ·he has spoken [of his lips]; I have ·treasured his words more than my own [stored up in my bosom the speeches of his mouth].


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“But he is ·the only God [unique]. Who can ·come against him [turn him back]? He does anything he wants.


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He will do to me what he ·said he would do [has designated for me], and he ·has [or may have] many plans like this.


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That is why I am ·frightened [terrified] of ·him [his presence]; when I ·think of [reflect on] this, I am ·afraid [in dread] of him.


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But I am not ·hidden [silenced] by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face [though afraid, Job still seeks to set God straight].


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“·I wish the Almighty would set a time for judging [Why are times not kept by the Almighty/Shaddai?]. ·Those who know God do [Why do those who know God …?] not see such a day.


text:
·Wicked people [They] ·take other people’s land [move boundaries; move boundary markers]; they steal flocks and ·take them to new pastures [pasture them].


text:
They chase away the orphan’s donkey and take the widow’s ox ·when she has no money [as a pledge; , , ].


text:
The poor become like wild donkeys in the ·desert [wilderness] who go about their ·job of finding food [work]. ·The desert gives them [In the desert they forage for] food for their children.


text:
They ·gather hay and straw in the fields [reap in fields not their own] and ·pick up leftover grapes [glean] from the vineyard of the wicked.


text:
They are soaked from mountain ·rains [storms] and ·stay near [hug; embrace] the ·large rocks [cliffs] because they have no shelter.


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The ·fatherless child [orphan] is grabbed from its mother’s breast; they take a poor mother’s baby ·to pay for what she owes [as a pledge; ].


text:
So the poor ·go [wander] around naked without any clothes; they carry bundles of grain but still go hungry;


text:
Dying people groan in the city, and the ·injured [or living dead] cry out for help, but God ·accuses no one of doing wrong [or does not hear/react to their prayers].


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“Those who ·fight [rebel] against the light do not ·know [recognize] God’s ways or stay in his paths.


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·When the day is over [or At the light], the murderers get up to ·kill [slay] the poor and needy. At night they go about like thieves [].


text:
·Those who are guilty of adultery [The eyes of the adulterer] watch for the ·night [dusk], thinking, ‘No ·one [eye] will see us,’ and they keep their faces covered [].


text:
In the dark, evil people break into houses []. In the daytime they ·shut [seal] themselves up in their own houses, because they ·want nothing to do with [do not know] the light.


text:
Darkness is like morning to all these evil people who ·make friends with [recognize] the terrors of darkness.


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“·They [The wicked] are ·like foam floating [or like scum; quick] on the water. Their ·part of the land [lot; portion] is cursed; no one ·uses the road that goes by [turns toward] their vineyards. [This seems to contradict Job’s contention that the wicked escape judgment. Perhaps these are his opponents’ views, or his wish.]


text:
As ·heat and dryness [the desert and heat] ·quickly melt the snow [steal away the snow waters], so ·the grave [Sheol] quickly takes away the sinners.


text:
·Their mothers [The womb] forget them, and worms ·will eat their bodies [think they are sweet]. They will not be remembered, so wickedness is broken in pieces like a ·stick [tree; perhaps by wind or lightening; ; ].


text:
These evil people ·abuse women who cannot have children [or associate with barren women] ·and show no kindness to widows [or which is not favorable to their widow].


text:
But God drags away the strong by his power. Even though they ·seem strong [rise up], they ·do not know how long they will live [can have no confidence in life].


text:
God may ·let these evil people feel safe [give them security they can lean on], but ·he is watching [his eyes are on] their ways.


text:
For a little while they are ·important [exalted], and then ·they die [are no more]; they ·are laid low [or give in] and ·buried [are gathered/drawn in] like everyone else; they ·are cut off [or wither] like the heads of grain.


text:
If this is not true, who can prove I am ·wrong [a liar]? Who can show that my words are worth nothing?”


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“·God rules and he must be honored [Rule/Dominion and dread are with him]; he ·set up order [establishes peace] in his high heaven.


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·No one can count God’s armies [Is there a number to his troops?]. ·His light shines on all people [Upon whom does his light not rise?].


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·So no one can be good [What mortal can be righteous…?] in the presence of God, and ·no one [who…?] born to a woman can be pure.


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“You are no help to the ·helpless [powerless]! You have not ·aided [rescued] the ·weak [weak armed]!


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·Your advice lacks wisdom [or You have brought no counsel to those without wisdom]! You have shown little understanding!


text:
·Who has helped you say these words [Whose words do you speak]? And ·where did you get these ideas [whose breath comes from you]?


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“The ·spirits of the dead [shades; Rephaim; departed ancestors] tremble, ·those who are beneath and in the waters [the waters and their inhabitants are terrified; symbol for the forces of evil].


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·Death [The grave; Sheol] ·is naked [lies exposed] before God; ·destruction [Abaddon; the underworld] is uncovered before him [God is in control of them].


text:
God stretches ·the northern sky [or Zaphon; a reference to Baal’s mountain; indicating God’s control over it] out over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.


text:
He wraps up the waters in his thick clouds, but the clouds do not ·break under their weight [burst under them].


text:
·Heaven’s foundations [The pillars of heavens; perhaps mountains] ·shake [quake] ·when he thunders at them [astounded by his rebuke/blast].


text:
With his power he ·quiets [stills] the ·sea [or Sea; the powers of chaos]; by his ·wisdom [understanding] he ·destroys [struck] Rahab, the sea monster [].


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He breathes, and ·the sky clears [he makes the heavens beautiful]. His hand ·stabs [slays] the fleeing ·snake [serpent; Leviathan, another sea monster representing chaos; ; ].


text:
And these are ·only a small part of God’s works [fringes of his way]. We only hear a small whisper of him. Who could understand God’s thundering power?”


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“·As surely as God lives [By the living God], who has ·taken away [turned aside] my rights, ·the Almighty [Shaddai], who has made me ·unhappy [bitter],


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as long as ·I am alive [my breath is in me] and God’s ·breath of life [spirit; breath; ; ] is in my nose,


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·I will never [Far be it from me to] ·agree [concede] you are right; until I ·die [expire], I will never ·stop saying I am innocent [turn aside my innocence].


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I will ·insist that I am right [embrace my righteousness]; I will not ·back down [weaken]. ·My conscience will never bother me [My heart will not reproach my days].


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“Let my enemies be like evil people, ·my foes [those who rise up against me] like ·those who are wrong [the guilty].


text:
What hope do the wicked have when they ·die [are cut off], when God ·takes their life away [requires their life]?


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·They will not [Will they…?] find joy in ·the Almighty [Shaddai], ·even though [or will…?] they call out to God all the time.


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“I will ·teach [instruct] you about the ·power [hand] of God and will not ·hide [conceal] ·the ways of [that which is with] ·the Almighty [Shaddai].


text:
You have all seen this yourselves. ·So why are we having all this talk that means nothing [Why have you become so meaningless/vaporous/vain]?


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“Here is ·what God has planned for evil people [the lot of evil people with God], and ·that the Almighty will give to cruel people [the inheritance that the cruel receive from the Almighty/Shaddai]:


text:
They may have many children, but the sword will kill them. Their ·children [offspring] will never have enough ·to eat [bread; food].


text:
Then those who are left will die of disease and be buried, and the widows will not even cry for them.


text:
·The wicked [They] may heap up silver like ·piles of dirt [dust] and ·have so many clothes they are like piles of clay [pile up clothes like mounds of earth/clay].


text:
But ·good people [the righteous] will wear ·what evil people have gathered [them], and the innocent will ·divide up [distribute among themselves] their silver.


text:
·The houses the wicked build are [They will build their houses] like a ·spider’s web [or moth’s cocoon], like a ·hut [booth; shelter] that a guard builds.


text:
·The wicked are rich when they go to bed [They may lie down wealthy], but ·they are rich for the last time [not again]; when they open their eyes, everything is gone.


text:
·Fears [Terrors] ·come over [overtake] them like ·a flood [waters], and a storm snatches them away in the night.


text:
The east wind will ·carry them away [lift them up], and then they are gone, because it sweeps them out of their place.


text:
·The wind [or God; He; It] will hit them without mercy as they ·try to run away [flee] from ·its power [or his power/hand].


text:
It will be as if ·the wind [or God; he; it] is clapping ·its [or his] hands; ·it [or he] will ·whistle [or hiss] at them as they run from their place [clapping and hissing are gestures of contempt].


text:
·Miners [They] ·bring lights [put an end to darkness] and ·search deep into the mines [investigate every limit] for ore in thick darkness.


text:
They ·dig a tunnel [sink a shaft] far from where people live, ·where no one has ever walked [a place forgotten by human feet]; they work far from people, ·swinging and swaying from ropes [they sway suspended].


text:
·Food grows on top of the earth [Bread/Food comes out of the earth], but below ground things are ·changed [overturned] as if by fire.


text:
·Miners [They] ·hit [put their hands to] the rocks of flint ·and dig away at the bottom of the mountains [upturning the mountains from their root].


text:
They ·search for places where rivers begin [or dam up the sources of the rivers] and bring things hidden out into the light.


text:
People do not understand ·the value of wisdom [its price]; it cannot be found ·among those who are alive [in the land of the living].


text:
The ·deep ocean [or Deep] says, ‘It’s not in me;’ the ·sea [or Sea; the Deep and Sea may represent the forces of chaos] says, ‘It’s not in me.’


text:
Wisdom cannot be bought with ·fine gold [the gold of Ophir; ] or with ·valuable [precious] onyx or ·sapphire gems [or lapis lazuli].


text:
Gold and ·crystal [or glass] ·are not as valuable as wisdom [cannot match it], and you cannot buy it with jewels of gold.


text:
Coral and ·jasper [or crystal; the identification of gems is often uncertain] are not worth talking about, and the price of wisdom is much greater than ·rubies [or pearls].


text:
The ·topaz [or chrysolite] from ·Cush [Ethiopia] cannot compare to wisdom; it cannot be bought with the purest gold.


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It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, [concealed] even from the birds of ·the air [the sky; heaven].


text:
·The places of destruction [Abaddon] and ·death [or Death; the forces of the underworld] say, ‘We have heard reports about it.’


text:
because he looks to the ·farthest parts [ends] of the earth and sees everything under ·the sky [or heaven].


text:
then he looked at ·wisdom [it] and ·decided its worth [declared it]; he ·set wisdom up [established it] and ·tested [or investigated] it.


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Then he said to humans, ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom []; to ·stay [or turn] away from evil is understanding [].’”


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“How I wish for the months ·that have passed [of old] and the days when God ·watched over [protected; guarded] me.


text:
I wish for the days when I was ·strong [in the prime of my life], when God’s close friendship ·blessed my house [was over my tent].


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It was as if my ·path [or steps] were covered with ·cream [or butter] and the rocks poured out olive oil for me [representing his earlier prosperity; ].


text:
When the young men saw me, they would ·step aside [or hide], and the old men would stand up in respect.


text:
The ·leading men [princes] ·stopped speaking [grew silent] and covered their mouths with their hands.


text:
The voices of the ·important men [nobles] ·were quiet [grew silent], as if their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.


text:
·Anyone [Any ear] who heard me ·spoke well of [blessed] me, and ·those who [the eye that] saw me ·praised [bore testimony to] me,


text:
because I ·saved [rescued] the poor who ·called out [cried for help] and the orphan who had no one to help.


text:
I ·put on right living as if it were clothing [clothed myself with righteousness and it clothed me]; I wore ·fairness [justice] like a robe and a turban.


text:
I was like a father to needy people, and I ·took the side of [examined the cause of] ·strangers who were in trouble [strangers; those I did not know].


text:
I broke the ·fangs [or jaw] of evil people and snatched the ·captives [prey; the wicked are predators] from their teeth.


text:
“I thought, ‘I will ·live for as many days as there are grains of [multiply my days like] sand, and I will die in my ·own house [nest].


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My roots ·will reach down [opened] to the water. The dew ·will lie [lodged] on the branches all night.


text:
·New honors will come to me continually [My honor/or liver/heart was new], and ·I will always have great strength [my bow was renewed within my hand].’


text:
They waited for me as they would for rain and ·drank in my words like [opened their mouth for] spring rain.


text:
I smiled at them when they ·doubted [had no confidence], and ·my approval was important to them [they did not frown at the light of my countenance].


text:
I chose the way for them and ·was their leader [sat as their chief]. I lived like a king among his army, like a person who comforts ·sad [mourning] people.


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“But now those who are younger than I ·make fun of [laugh at] me. I would ·not have even [have disdained to] let their fathers sit with my sheep dogs.


text:
What use did I have for their strength since they had lost their ·strength [vigor] to work [ describe the young men who torment Job]?


text:
They were thin from hunger and ·wandered the dry and ruined land at night [or they gnawed the desert on the brink of desolation and destruction].


text:
They ·gathered desert plants [plucked mallow] among the brush and ·ate [or warmed themselves on] the root of the broom tree.


text:
They were ·forced to live away [driven out] from people; people shouted at them as if they were thieves.


text:
They lived ·in dried-up streambeds [on the slopes of the wadis], in ·caves, and among the rocks [dusty and rocky holes].


text:
They are ·worthless people without names [disreputable children of fools] and were ·forced to leave the land [whipped off the land/earth].


text:
“Now ·they make fun of me with songs [I am the object of their melodious taunts]; my name is a ·joke [byword] among them.


text:
They hate me and ·stay far away [keep their distance] from me, but they do not mind spitting in my face.


text:
God has ·taken away my strength [loosened my bowstring] and ·made me suffer [humiliated me], so they ·attack me with all their anger [have removed all restraint before me].


text:
On my right side they rise up like a mob. They ·lay traps for my feet [take my feet out from under me] and ·prepare to attack me [build up paths for my calamity].


text:
They ·break [tear] up my road and ·work to destroy me [or they profit from my ruin], and ·no one helps me [or they need no help].


text:
Great fears ·overwhelm [or transform] me. They blow my honor away as if by a great wind, and my ·safety [or hope of rescue] disappears like a cloud.


text:
In his great power ·God [he] grabs hold of my clothing and ·chokes me with [or seizes me by] the collar of my coat.


text:
You have turned on me ·without mercy [with cruelty]; with your powerful hand you ·attacked [hate] me.


text:
You snatched me up and ·threw me into [made me ride] the wind and ·tossed me about [made me reel] in the storm.


text:
I know you will bring me down to death, to the ·place where all living people must go [house appointed for all the living].


text:
“Surely no one would hurt [or Should not one send his hand out to help…?] those who are ruined when they cry for help in their time of trouble.


text:
·I cried [Do I not cry…?] for those ·who were in trouble [whose day was hard]; ·I have been very sad [don’t I have pity…?] for ·poor [needy] people.


text:
But when I hoped for ·good [or the best], only ·evil [or the worst] came to me; when I ·looked [waited] for light, darkness came.


text:
·I never stop being upset [My insides are brought to a boil and not stilled]; days of ·suffering [affliction] are ahead of me.


text:
·I have turned black, but not by the sun [or I walk around mourning, without passion]. I stand up in public and cry for help.


text:
I have become a brother to ·wild dogs [jackals] and a friend to ·ostriches [or eagle owls; animals that live in the desolate wilderness].


text:
“But I ·made an agreement [cut a covenant] with my eyes not to ·look with desire [leer] at a ·girl [virgin].


text:
What ·has God above promised for people [would be my portion with God above]? What ·has the Almighty planned from [would be my inheritance/heritage with the Almighty/Shaddai] on high?


text:
·It is ruin [Isn’t calamity reserved…?] for evil people and ·disaster [misfortune] for those who do wrong.


text:
then let God weigh me on ·honest [just] scales []. Then he will know I ·have done nothing wrong [am blameless/innocent].


text:
If ·I have turned away from doing what is right [my feet have wandered off the path; ], or my heart has ·been led by my eyes to do wrong [followed my eyes], or ·my hands have been made unclean [blemish has clung to my hand],


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then let ·other people eat what I have planted [me sow and not eat], and let my crops be ·plowed up [uprooted].


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“If ·I have desired [my heart has been enticed/seduced by] another woman [] or have waited at my ·neighbor’s [or friend’s] door for his wife,


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then let my wife grind ·another man’s grain [another man; a euphemism for sexual intercourse], and let other men ·have sexual relations with [kneel over] her.


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That would be ·shameful [a foul deed], a ·sin to be punished [a criminal offense; a guilty thing before the judges].


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It is like a fire that burns ·and destroys [down to Abaddon; ; ]; all I have done would be ·plowed up [burned to the root].


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“If I ·have been unfair to [reject proper judgment for] my male and female slaves when they had a ·complaint [case] against me,


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·how could I tell God what I did [or what would I do when God rises against me]? What will I answer when he asks me to explain what I’ve done?


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God made me in my mother’s womb, and he also made them; the same God formed both of us in our mothers’ wombs.


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“I have never ·refused the appeals of the poor [or deprived the poor of some pleasure] or ·let widows give up hope while looking for help [caused the eyes of the widow to fail].


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I have not ·kept my food to myself [eaten my morsel alone] ·but have given it to the orphans [or not let orphans eat it].


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Since I was young, ·I have been like a father to the orphans [I have raised them like a father; or he (God) raised me like a father]. From ·my birth [the womb of my mother] I guided the widows.


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I have not let anyone ·die [perish] for lack of clothes or let a needy person go without ·a coat [covering].


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I have never ·hurt [raised my hand threateningly against] an orphan even when I knew I ·could win in court [had allies in the gate; the city gate was where court was held].


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If I have, then let my ·arm [shoulder blade] fall off my shoulder and [my arm] be broken at the ·joint [socket].


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I fear ·destruction [calamity] from God, and I fear his ·majesty [ruin], so I could not do such things.


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so that my heart was ·pulled away from God [enticed in secret]. My hand has never ·offered the sun and moon a kiss of worship [passed a kiss from my mouth].


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If I had, these also would have been ·sins to be punished [a criminal offense; a guilty thing before the judges], because I would have ·been unfaithful to [deceived; defrauded] God [above].


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“I have not been happy ·when my enemies fell [in the disaster of those who hate me] or ·laughed when they had trouble [become excited when evil found them out].


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No stranger ever had to ·spend the night [lodge] in the street, because I ·always let travelers stay in my home [opened the door to the traveler; hospitality was highly valued in the ancient Near East].


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I have not hidden my ·sin [transgression] ·as others do [or like Adam did; ], ·secretly keeping my guilt to myself [concealing my guilt in my bosom].


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I was not so afraid of the crowd [large multitude] that I kept quiet and ·stayed inside [did not go out the door] because I feared being ·hated [held in contempt] by other families.


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(“How I wish ·a court would hear my case [someone would listen to me]! Here ·I sign my name to show I have told the truth [is my signature]. Now let ·the Almighty [Shaddai] answer me; let the one who accuses me write ·it [an indictment/writ] down.


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I would ·explain to God [give him an account of] every step I took, and I would ·come near to [approach] him like a prince.)


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“If my land cries out against me and its ·plowed rows [furrows] ·are wet with tears [have wept together],


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if I have taken the land’s harvest without paying or have broken the spirit of those who ·worked [or own] the land,


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then let ·thorns [brambles] come up instead of wheat, and let ·weeds [stinkweed] come up instead of barley.” The words of Job are ·finished [ended].


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Elihu Speaks These three men stopped trying to answer Job, because he was ·so sure he was right [right/righteous in his own eyes].


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But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job, because Job ·claimed he was right instead of [or he was more right/righteous than] God.


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Elihu was also angry with Job’s three friends who had no answer to show that Job was wrong, yet continued to ·blame him [treat him as wrong].


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So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said this: “I am young, and you are ·old [aged]. That is why I was ·afraid [timid and afraid] to tell you ·what I know [my opinion].


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I thought, ‘·Older people should [Let days] speak, and those who have lived many years should ·teach [make known; reveal] wisdom.’


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It is not just ·older people [the many] who are wise; ·they [the elders] are not the only ones who understand ·what is right [justice].


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I waited ·while you three spoke [for your words], and ·listened [bent an ear] to your ·explanations [or arguments]. While you ·looked for words to use,


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I paid close attention to you. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.


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“·These three friends [They] are ·defeated [dismayed; discouraged] and ·have no more to say [cannot answer]; words have failed them.


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Now they are standing there with no answers for Job. ·Now that they are quiet [If they don’t speak], must I wait to speak?


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I am like wine that has ·been bottled up [no vent/opening]; I am ready to burst like a new leather wine bag.


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My words come from an ·honest [virtuous] heart, and ·I am sincere in saying what I know [what my lips know they speak with sincerity].


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·Don’t be afraid of me [Dread of me should not scare you]; ·I will not be hard on you [My pressure will not be too heavy on you].


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“But ·I heard what you have said [you have spoken in my ear]; I heard ·every word [the sound of your words].


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He ·locks [places] my feet in ·chains [shackles] and ·closely watches everywhere I go [guards all my paths].’


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“But I tell you, you are not ·right in saying this [correct], I will answer you, for God is greater than ·we are [any human being].


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Why do you ·accuse [contend with] God ·of not answering anyone [or for no one can answer all his words]?


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God does speak—sometimes ·one way and sometimes another [or once and sometimes twice]— even though people may not ·understand [perceive] it.


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He speaks in a dream or a vision of the night when people are in a deep sleep, lying on their beds in slumber.


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God does this to ·save people [keep them] from ·death [the Pit; a reference to the grave and the underworld], to keep them from ·dying [the water channel; another reference to the grave and the underworld].


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People may be ·corrected [reprimanded; reproved] while in bed in great pain; they may have continual pain in their very bones.


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·They may be in such pain that they even hate [Their lives loathe] food, even ·the very best meal [choice food].


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·Their body becomes so thin [Their flesh wastes away so that] ·there is almost nothing left of it [it cannot be seen], and their bones that were hidden now stick out.


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·They are [Their souls draw] near ·death [the Pit; ], and their life ·is almost over [comes near those who bring death].


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“·But there may be [If there is] an angel to speak for him, one out of a thousand, ·who will tell him what to do [a mediator who declares a person virtuous].


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The angel will ·beg for mercy [or be gracious to him] and say: ‘·Save [Redeem] him from ·death [going down to the Pit; ]. I have found a ·way to pay for his life [ransom].’


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Then his body is made new like a ·child’s [youth’s]. It will return to the way it was when he was ·young [vigorous].


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That person will pray to God, and God will ·listen to [accept] him. He will see God’s face and will shout with happiness. And ·God will set things right for him again [or he will repeat to others that he has been vindicated].


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Then he will ·say [sing] to others, ‘I sinned and ·twisted what was right [perverted/sullied virtue], but I did not receive the punishment I should have received.


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God ·bought [redeemed] my life ·back from death [from crossing over to the Pit; ], and ·I will continue to enjoy life [my life will yet see the light].’


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·so he won’t die as punishment for his sins [to bring back his life from the Pit; ] and so he may ·still enjoy life [be illuminated with the light of life].


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If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, because I want to ·prove you right [vindicate you].


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“Job says, ‘I am ·not guilty [right/righteous], and God has ·refused me a fair trial [turned justice away from me].


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·Instead of getting a fair trial [concerning my case], I am ·called [considered] a liar. ·I have been seriously hurt [An arrow has given me an incurable wound; My arrow is incurable], even though I have not sinned.’


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·There is no other [Who is a…?] man like Job; he ·takes [or receives] ·insults [ridicule; scoffing] as if he were drinking water.


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“So listen to me, you who ·can understand [or are sensible]. God can never do wrong! It is impossible for the Almighty to do evil.


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God pays people back for what they have done and ·gives them what their actions deserve [finds them out according to their ways].


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Can anyone govern who hates what is right? How can you ·blame God [condemn one] who is both ·fair [righteous] and powerful?


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·God [Who…?] is the one who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ or to important people, ‘You are evil.’


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He ·is not nicer to princes than other people [shows no favoritism to princes], nor ·kinder [gives more recognition] to ·rich people [nobles] than poor people, because he made them all with his own hands [; ; ].


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They can die in a moment, in the middle of the night. ·They are struck down [The people are shaken], and then they pass away; powerful people ·die [are taken away] ·without help [or not by human hand].


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Without ·asking questions [investigation; inquiry], God breaks powerful people into pieces and puts others in their place.


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But if God keeps quiet, who can blame him? If he hides his face, who among nations or people can see him?


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“But suppose someone says to God, ‘I ·am guilty, but [or have endured punishment, so] I will not sin anymore.


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So, Job, should God ·reward [or make peace with] you as you want ·when [or since] you refuse to change? You must ·decide [choose], not I, so tell me what you know.


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Job now adds to his sin ·by turning against God [with transgression]. He ·claps his hands in protest [claps among us; clapping is a sign of protest or contempt], speaking more and more against God.”


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“Do you think this is ·fair [just]? You say, ‘·God will show that I am right [or I am more right than God],’


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If you sin, it does nothing to ·God [him]; even if your ·sins [transgressions] are many, they do nothing to him.


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If you are ·good [right; righteous], ·you give nothing [what would you give…?] to God; ·he receives nothing [what would he receive…?] from your hand.


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Your ·evil ways [wickedness] only ·hurt [or influence] others like yourself, and ·the good you do [your righteousness] only ·helps [or influences] other human beings.


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“·People [They] cry out ·when they are in trouble [due to their many oppressions]; they ·beg for relief [shout for help] ·from powerful people [because of the arm of the strong].


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who ·makes us smarter [or teaches us more] than the animals of the earth and wiser than the birds of the ·air [heavens]?’


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·He will listen to you even [How much] less when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him, that you must wait for him,


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So Job is only speaking ·nonsense [meaningless things], saying many words ·without knowing what is true [ignorantly].”


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“·Listen to [or Be patient with] me a little longer, and I will ·show [inform] you that there is more to be said for God.


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What I know comes from far away. I will ·show that my Maker is right [ascribe righteousness to my Maker].


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You can be sure that my words are not false; ·one who really knows is with you [perfect knowledge is with me].


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“God is powerful, but he does not ·hate [disdain; reject] people; he is strong and ·sure of what he wants to do [powerful in understanding/heart].


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He ·always watches over [does not withhold his eye from] those who do right; he sets them on thrones with kings and they are ·honored [exalted] forever.


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He ·makes them listen [opens their ear] to his ·warning [instruction; discipline] and commands them to change from doing evil.


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If they ·obey [or listen] and serve him, ·the rest of their lives will be successful [their days will finish happily], and the rest of their years will be ·happy [pleasant].


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But if they do not listen, they will ·die by the sword [or pass through the water channel; reference to death], and they will die ·without knowing why [in ignorance].


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“Those who have ·wicked [godless] hearts hold on to anger. Even when ·God punishes [he imprisons] them, they do not cry for help.


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But God saves those who ·suffer [are afflicted] ·through [or by means of] their ·suffering [affliction]; he ·gets them to listen [opens their ear] ·through [or by means of] their pain.


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“God ·is gently calling [has wooed/enticed] you from the jaws of ·trouble [distress] to an ·open place of freedom [broad place with no constraints] where he has set your table full of ·the best food [fatness].


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But now you are ·being punished like [obsessed/filled with the case of] the wicked; ·you are getting justice [judgment and justice hold on tight to you].


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Be careful! ·Don’t be led away from God by riches […lest anger seduce you by abundance]; don’t let ·much money [a big ransom/bribe] turn you away.


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Be careful not to turn to evil, which you ·seem to want more [have chosen rather] than ·suffering [affliction].


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·No one [Who…?] has ·planned [prescribed] his ways for him; ·no one can say to God [who says to him…?], ‘You have done wrong.’


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God is so ·great, greater than we can understand [exalted and we do not understand]! ·No one knows how old he is [The number of his years is unknown].


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“He ·evaporates [or holds in check] the drops of water from the earth and ·turns them into rain [filters rain for his streams/or mists; ].


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·No one understands [Who can understand…?] ·how God spreads out the [the spreading] clouds or how he sends thunder from ·where he lives [his booth/pavilion].


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Watch how God ·scatters [spreads] his lightning around him, ·lighting up the deepest parts [covering the roots] of the sea.


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This is the way God ·governs [or sustains] the nations; this is how he gives us ·enough [plenty; abundant] food.


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His thunder announces ·the coming storm [about him/it; thunder announces either the coming storm or the coming of God], and ·even the cattle know it is near [or the storm announces his coming wrath; or the passion of his anger is against inquity].


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“At ·the sound of his thunder [this], my heart ·pounds [trembles] as if it will ·jump [leap; or drop] out of ·my chest [its place].


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Listen! Listen to the ·thunder [shaking] of God’s voice and to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.


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He turns his lightning loose under the whole ·sky [heavens] and sends it to the farthest parts of the earth.


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After that you can hear the roar when he thunders with a ·great sound [exalted voice]. He does not hold back the flashing when his voice is heard.


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With it, he ·stops everyone from working [puts a seal on the hand of all people] so everyone knows it is ·the work of God [his work].


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The storm comes from ·where it was stored [its chamber]; the cold comes with the ·strong winds [or north wind].


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At his ·command [guidance] they swirl around over the ·whole [inhabited] earth, doing whatever he commands.


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·He uses the clouds to punish people [Whether for correction/the rod] or ·to water his [for the] earth and ·show his love [or loyalty].


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Do you know how God ·controls the clouds [appoints their tasks] and makes his lightning ·flash [shine in the clouds]?


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Do you know how the clouds ·hang [or spread] in the sky? Do you know the ·miracles [wonders] of God, ·who knows everything [the one perfect in knowledge]?


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You cannot stretch out the sky ·like God [with him] and make it look as hard as ·polished bronze [a cast mirror].


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·Tell [Teach] us what we should say to him; we cannot get our arguments ·ready [in order] because ·we do not have enough understanding [of the darkness].


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No one can look at the ·sun [light] when it is bright in the sky after the wind ·has blown all the clouds away [passes by and clears it].


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·God comes out of the north in golden light [Gold comes from the north], ·in overwhelming greatness [an awesome splendor is all around God].


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·The Almighty [Shaddai] ·is too high for us to reach [—we cannot find him]. He ·has great [is exalted in] strength; he ·is always right and never punishes unfairly [will not violate justice and abundant righteousness].


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That is why people ·honor [fear] him; ·he does not respect those who say they are wise [or all the wise of heart fear him].”


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“Who is this that makes my ·purpose [counsel; advice] ·unclear [dark] ·by saying things that are not true [with ignorant words]?


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·Be strong [Brace yourself; Gird your loins] like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must ·answer [inform] me.


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Who marked off ·how big it should be [its measurements]? Surely you know! Who stretched a ·ruler [line; surveyor’s instrument] across it?


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“Who shut the doors to keep the sea in when it broke through ·and was born [coming out of the womb],


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when I said to the sea, ‘You may come this far, but no farther; this is where your proud waves must stop’?


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in order to ·take hold of [grasp] the earth by its edges [the horizon] and shake evil people out of it [the light exposes the wicked]?


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At dawn the earth changes like clay being pressed by a seal; ·the hills and valleys [They] stand out like ·folds in a coat [a garment].


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Light is ·not given to [held back from] evil people; their arm is raised to do harm, but it is broken.


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“Have you ever gone to ·where the sea begins [the sources of the sea] or walked in the ·valleys under the sea [depths of the deep]?


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Have the gates of death been ·opened [or revealed] to you? Have you seen the gates of the deep darkness?


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Where is the place from which light ·comes [is distributed]? Where is the place from which the east winds ·blow [scatter] over the earth?


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·Who is the mother of the ice [From whose womb did the ice come out]? Who gives birth to the frost from the ·sky [heavens]


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“Can you tie up the ·stars [chains] of the Pleiades or ·loosen [open] the ·ropes of the stars in [fetters of] Orion?


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Can you bring out ·the stars [Mazzeroth; probably the name of a specific constellation] on time or lead out the stars of the Bear with its cubs?


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“Can you ·shout an order [raise your voice] to the clouds ·and [or so that you] cover yourself with a flood of water?


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Who put wisdom ·inside the mind [or in the ibis; an animal associated with wisdom and representing Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom] or understanding ·in the heart [or to the rooster]?


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Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can ·pour water from the jars [tilt the wineskins] of the ·sky [heavens]


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“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch ·when the deer gives birth to her fawn [the birth pangs of the deer]?


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Do you count the months until they ·give birth [are fulfilled] and know the right time for them to give birth?


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They lie down, their young are born, and ·then the pain of giving birth is over [deliver their fetuses].


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Their young ones grow big and strong in the wild country. Then they leave their homes and do not return.


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“Who let the ·wild donkey [or onager; a donkey-like animal also known as the Asian wild ass; ] go free? Who untied ·its ropes [the Arabian onager from its bonds; another Hebrew word for a wild donkey]?


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I am the one who gave ·the donkey [it] the ·desert [steppe] as its home; I gave it the ·desert [salt] lands as a place to live.


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·The wild donkey [It] ·laughs [scoffs] at the ·confusion [tumult; noise] in the city, and it does not hear the drivers shout.


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It ·roams [scouts out] the ·hills [mountains] looking for pasture, looking for anything green to eat.


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Can you hold it to the ·plowed row [furrow] with a ·harness [rope] so it will ·plow [harrow] the valleys for you?


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Will you depend on the wild ox for its great strength and ·leave [hand over] your heavy work for it to do?


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“The wings of the ostrich flap happily, but ·they are not like the feathers of the stork [or its pinions lack plumage].


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It ·does not stop to think [forgets] that a foot might step on them and crush them; ·it does not care that some animal [or a wild animal] might ·walk on [trample] them.


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The ostrich ·is cruel to [treats harshly] its young, as if they were not even its own. It does not care that its work is for nothing,


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because God ·did not give the ostrich [or made her forget] wisdom; God did not give it a share of ·good sense [understanding].


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But when ·the ostrich gets up to run, it is so fast that [or it flaps its wings aloft and] it laughs at the horse and its rider.


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Do you make the horse ·jump like a locust [or quiver like locust wings]? It scares people with its ·proud [splendid] snorting.


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It paws ·wildly [or the dirt of the valley], enjoying its strength, and ·charges into battle [goes out to encounter the weapons].


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The ·bag of arrows [quiver] rattles against the horse’s side, along with the flashing ·spears and swords [or javelins and spears].


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With ·great excitement [trembling and shaking], the horse ·races over [swallows up] the ground; and it cannot stand still when it hears the ·trumpet [ram’s horn].


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When the ·trumpet [ram’s horn] blows, the horse snorts, ‘Aha!’ It ·smells [senses] the battle from far away; ·it hears the shouts [the thunder] of commanders and the battle cry.


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“Is it through your ·wisdom [understanding] that the ·hawk [or falcon] ·flies [soars] and spreads its wings toward the south?


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It lives on a high cliff and stays there at night; the ·rocky [sharp] peak is its ·protected place [fortress].


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Its young ·eat [suck; gorge on] blood, and where ·there is something dead [the slain are], the eagle is there.”


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“Will the person who ·argues [contends] with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who ·accuses [reproves] God answer him.”


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“I am ·not worthy [small]; I cannot answer you anything, so I will put my hand over my mouth [to indicate no more talking].


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I spoke one time, but I will not answer again; I even spoke two times, but I will ·say [add] nothing more.”


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“·Be strong [Brace yourself; Gird your loins], like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must ·answer [inform] me [].


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Would you ·say that I am unfair [discredit my justice]? Would you ·blame [condemn] me to make yourself look ·right [righteous]?


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If so, then decorate yourself with ·glory [loftiness] and ·beauty [pride]; dress in ·honor [splendor] and ·greatness [majesty] as if they were clothing.


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·Bury [Hide] them all in the ·dirt [dust] together; ·cover [hide] their faces in the ·grave [hidden place].


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If you can do that, then I myself will ·praise [acknowledge] you, because ·you are strong enough to save yourself [your right hand has given you the victory].


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“Look at Behemoth, [a large land animal or monster], which I made just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox.


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It ·lies [lives] under the lotus plants, hidden by the ·tall grass in the swamp [reeds of the marsh].


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The lotus plants ·hide [cover] it in their shadow; the poplar trees by the ·streams [wadis] surround it.


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If the river ·floods [grows turbulent], it will not ·be afraid [or hurry away]; it is ·safe [confident; secure] even if the Jordan River rushes to its mouth.


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Can anyone ·blind its eyes and capture it [or take it with a hook]? Can anyone ·put hooks in its nose [pierce its nose with a snare]?


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“Can you catch Leviathan [a large sea creature or monster; ] on a fishhook or tie its tongue down with a rope?


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Will it ·make [cut] an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with you and let you take it as your slave ·for life [forever]?


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Can you ·make a pet of Leviathan [play with it] as you would a bird or put it on a leash for your girls?


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Will ·traders [the fishing guild] try to ·bargain [haggle] with you for it? Will they divide it up among the merchants?


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If you put one hand on it, you will ·never forget [remember] the battle, and you will never do it again!


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·There is no hope of defeating it [Any hope of defeating/subduing it will prove a lie]; just seeing it ·overwhelms people [throws people down].


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No one is ·brave [fierce] enough to ·make it angry [arouse it; stir it up], so who would be able to stand up against ·me [or it]?


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·No one [Who…?] has ever ·given me anything that I must pay back [or confronted it and come out whole/safe], ·because everything under the sky belongs to me [or who—under the entire heavens?].


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“I will ·speak [not keep quiet] about Leviathan’s ·arms and legs [limbs], its great strength and ·well-formed body [grace of form].


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·No one [Who…?] can ·tear off [expose] its outer ·hide [garment] or ·poke [enter] through its double armor.


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·No one [Who…?] can force open ·its great jaws [the doors of its face]; they are filled with frightening teeth.


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Each ·shield is so close to the next one [draws near the other, so] that no air can go between them.


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·They are joined strongly to one another [Each clings to its neighbor]; they hold on to each other and cannot be ·separated [broken off].


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When it ·snorts [sneezes], flashes of light are thrown out, and its eyes look like the light at dawn.


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The ·powerful [mighty; or gods] fear ·its terrible looks [when it lifts itself up] and ·draw back in fear as it moves [or the waves miss their mark/retreat].


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Clubs feel like ·pieces of straw [chaff] to it, and it laughs when they ·shake [rattle] a spear at it.


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The underside of its body is like ·broken [or sharp] pieces of pottery. It leaves a trail in the mud like a threshing board.


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It makes the deep sea ·bubble like a boiling [boil like a] pot; it ·stirs up the sea like a pot of oil [makes the sea like ointment].


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·When it swims [After it], it leaves a shining path in the water that makes the sea look as if it had white hair.


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“I know that you can do all things and that no plan of yours ·can be ruined [is impossible; can be hindered].


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You asked, ‘Who is this that made my ·purpose [counsel; advice] ·unclear [hidden] by ·saying things that are not true [ignorance; ]?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand; I talked of things too wonderful for me to know.


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You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will ask you questions, and you must ·answer [inform] me.’


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So now I ·hate [despise] myself; I will ·change my heart and life [repent], ·and will sit in […in] dust and ashes [for his questioning of God, not for anything that led to his suffering].”


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End of the Story After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “·I am angry with [My anger burns against] you and your two friends, because you have not said what is ·right [correct] about me, as my servant Job did.


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Now take seven bulls and seven male sheep, and go to my servant Job, and offer a burnt offering [] for yourselves [for atonement]. My servant Job will ·pray [intercede] for you, and I will ·listen to [accept] his prayer. Then I will not ·punish you for being foolish [treat you according to your foolishness]. You have not said what is ·right [correct] about me, as my servant Job did.”


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So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord said, and the Lord ·listened to [accepted] Job’s prayer.


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After Job had ·prayed [interceded] for his friends, the Lord ·gave him success again [restored his fortunes]. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had owned before.


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Job’s brothers and sisters came to his house, along with everyone who had known him before, and they all ate with him there. They ·comforted him and made him feel better about the trouble [commiserated with him concerning the trouble/evil] the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave Job a piece of silver and a gold ring.


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The Lord blessed the last part of Job’s life even more than the first part. Job had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand teams of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.


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He named the first daughter Jemimah [“turtledove”], the second daughter Keziah [“cassia,” a spice], and the third daughter Keren-Happuch [“a horn (jar) of eye paint”].


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There were no other women in all the ·land [or earth] as beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father Job gave them land to own along with their brothers.


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After this, Job lived one hundred forty years. He lived to see his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.


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Book 1: Two Ways to Live ·Happy [Blessed] are those who don’t ·listen to [walk in the counsel of] the wicked, who don’t ·go where sinners go [stand in the way of sinners], who don’t ·do what evil people do [sit in the seat of mockers].


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They ·love [delight in] the Lord’s ·teachings [laws; instructions], and they ·think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night.


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They are like a tree planted by ·a river [streams of water; full of life, strong, vibrant]. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don’t ·die [wither]. Everything they do will ·succeed [prosper].


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So the wicked will not ·escape God’s punishment [stand in the judgment]. Sinners will not ·worship with God’s people [be in the assembly of the righteous].


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This is because the Lord ·takes care of his people [knows the way of the righteous], but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.


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The Lord’s Chosen King Why ·are the nations so angry [do the nations rage/or conspire]? Why ·are the people making useless plans [do the people plot in vain]?


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The kings of the earth ·prepare to fight [take their stand], and their leaders ·make plans [plot] together against the Lord and his ·appointed one [anointed; Messiah; the king, ultimately Jesus; ].


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They say, “Let’s break ·the chains that hold us back [their chains/bonds] and throw off ·the ropes that tie us down [their ropes/cords from us].”


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He says, “I have ·appointed [installed; set] my own king over my holy mountain, Zion [the location of the Temple in Jerusalem; ; , ; ; ].”


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Now I will ·tell [recount to] you what the Lord has ·declared [decreed]: He said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father [; ; ; ; ; ].


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·If you ask me [Ask of me], I will give you the nations as your inheritance; all the ·people on [ends of the] earth will be ·yours [your possession].


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You will rule over them with an iron ·rod [scepter; a symbol of royal authority; ; ]. You will ·break [dash] them into pieces like pottery.”


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·Show that you are loyal to his [Kiss the] son, or ·you will be destroyed by his anger [he will be angry and you will perish on the way], because he can quickly become angry. But ·happy [blessed] are those who ·trust him for protection [find refuge in him].


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A Morning Prayer David sang this when he ran away from his son Absalom []. Lord, ·I have many enemies [how many are my foes?]! ·Many people [How many…?] have ·turned [risen] against me.


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Many are saying about me, “·God won’t rescue him [There is no salvation for him in God].” ·Selah [Interlude]


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But, Lord, you are my shield [protector], my ·wonderful God [glory] who ·gives me courage [lifts up my head].


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I will ·pray [lift my voice] to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain [Zion, the location of the Temple]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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I can lie down and go to sleep, and I will wake up again, because the Lord ·gives me strength [sustains/upholds me].


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Lord, rise up! My God, come ·save [rescue; deliver] me! You have struck my enemies on the cheek; you have broken the teeth of the wicked.


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·The Lord can save his people [Salvation/Rescue/Deliverance belongs to the Lord]. ·Bless your people [May your blessing be on your people]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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An Evening Prayer For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I ·pray [call] to you, my God who ·does what is right [is righteous; or who vindicates me]. ·Make things easier for me [Give me room; Widen my way] when I am in trouble. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.


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People, how long will you turn my ·honor [glory] into shame? How long will you love what is ·false [empty] and ·look for [seek] lies [possibly referring to false gods]? ·Selah [Interlude]


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You know that the Lord has ·chosen [set apart; distinguished] for himself those who are loyal to him [in covenant relationship with him]. The Lord listens when I ·pray [call] to him.


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When you ·are angry [are disturbed; tremble], do not sin. ·Think about these things [Meditate; Speak to your heart] quietly ·as you go to bed [on your bed]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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·Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord [Sacrifice right/righteous sacrifices] and trust the Lord.


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Many people ask, “Who will ·give us [make us see] anything good?” Lord, ·be kind to us [let the light of your face shine on us; ].


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But you have ·made me very happy [given joy to my heart], happier than they are, even with all their grain and new wine.


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A Morning Prayer for Protection For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David. Lord, ·listen [give ear] to my words. Understand my ·sadness [moans; sighs].


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Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning, I ·tell you what I need [or prepare a sacrifice for you; stretch out/arrange before you], and I ·wait for your answer [watch].


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You are not a God who ·is pleased with the wicked [takes delight in evil]; ·you do not live with those who do evil [evil does not sojourn with you].


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Those people who ·make fun of you [or boast] cannot stand before ·you [your eyes]. You hate all those who do evil.


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You destroy ·liars [those who speak lies]; the Lord ·hates [despises] those ·who kill and trick others [with bloodguilt and deceit].


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Because of your great ·love [loyalty; covenant love], I ·can [or will] come into your ·Temple [house]. Because I ·fear you [hold you in awe], I can ·worship [bow down] ·in [or toward] your holy Temple.


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Lord, since I have many enemies, ·show me the right thing to do [lead/guide me in your righteousness]. ·Show me clearly how you want me to live [Make your way straight before me].


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My enemies’ mouths do not tell the truth; ·in their hearts they want to destroy others [their innards are destruction]. Their throats are like open graves []; they use their tongues for ·telling lies [flattery].


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God, ·declare them guilty [make them bear their iniquity]! Let them fall ·into their own traps [or by their own advice]. ·Send [Cast] them away because their ·sins [transgressions] are many; they have ·turned [rebelled] against you.


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But let everyone who ·trusts [finds refuge in] you ·be happy [rejoice]; let them sing glad songs forever. ·Protect [Spread your protection on] those who love you and ·who are happy because of you [let those who love your name rejoice in you].


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Lord, you bless those who ·do what is right [are righteous]; you ·protect them [surround them with favor] like a shield.


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A Prayer for Mercy in Troubled Times For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Upon the ·sheminith [eighth; a reference to an eight-stringed instrument or possibly the manner of singing]. A psalm of David. Lord, don’t ·correct [rebuke; reprove] me when you are angry; don’t ·punish [discipline] me when you are ·very angry [enraged].


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Lord, ·have mercy on [be gracious to] me because I ·am weak [languish; faint]. Heal me, Lord, because my bones ·ache [are in agony].


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Lord, return and save me; ·save [rescue; deliver] me because of your ·kindness [loyalty; covenant love].


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I am ·tired [weary] ·of crying to you [because of my moaning]. Every night ·my bed is wet [I flood my pillow] with tears; my bed is soaked from my crying.


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My eyes are weak ·from so much crying [because of my grief]; they are weak ·from crying about [because of] my enemies.


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All my enemies will be ashamed and ·troubled [in agony; ]. They will turn and suddenly leave in shame.


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A Prayer for Fairness A shiggaion [a musical or literary term of uncertain meaning] of David which he sang to the Lord about Cush, from the tribe of Benjamin [an unknown person, but the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s tribe, resisted David’s kingship at first; ]. Lord my God, I ·trust in you for protection [find refuge in you]. ·Save [Rescue; Deliver] me and rescue me from those who are ·chasing [pursuing] me.


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Otherwise, like a lion they will tear me apart. They will ·rip me to pieces [or drag me away], and no one can ·save [rescue; deliver] me.


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If I have, let my enemy ·chase [pursue] me and ·capture [overtake] me. Let him trample ·me [my life] into the ·dust [earth] and ·bury me [lay my honor] in the ground. ·Selah [Interlude]


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Lord, rise up in your anger; ·stand up [lift yourself up] against my enemies’ ·anger [fury]. ·Get up [Wake up], ·my God [or for me], and ·demand fairness [insist on/command judgment].


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Gather the ·nations [assembly/congregations of the peoples] around you and ·rule [or take a seat over; return] them from ·above [on high].


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Lord, judge the people. Lord, ·defend [judge] me ·because I am right [according to my righteousness], ·because I have done no wrong [according to my innocence].


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God, you ·do what is right [are righteous]. You ·know [test] our ·thoughts [hearts/minds] and ·feelings [kidneys; the seat of emotions in Hebrew thought]. Stop those wicked actions done by evil people, and ·help [establish] those who ·do what is right [are righteous].


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God ·judges by what is right [is a righteous judge], and God is ·always ready to punish the wicked [angry every day].


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If they do not ·change their lives [repent], God will sharpen his sword; he will string his bow and take aim.


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There are people who ·think up [conceive] evil and ·plan [are pregnant with] ·trouble [malice] and ·tell [give birth to] lies.


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·They will get themselves into trouble [Their trouble/malice will return to their head]; the violence they cause will ·hurt only themselves [come down on their heads; ; ].


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I praise the Lord ·because he does what is right [according to his righteousness]. I sing praises to the Lord Most High.


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The Lord’s Greatness For the director of music. On the gittith [perhaps a musical term or instrument]. A psalm of David. Lord our Lord, ·Your name is the most wonderful name [How majestic is your name] in all the earth []! ·It brings you praise [You have set your splendor/glory] in heaven above [].


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·You have taught children and babies to sing praises to you [Out of the mouth of babies and infants you have established/founded strength] because of your enemies. And so you silence your enemies and those who try to get ·even [revenge].


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I look at your heavens, ·which you made with [the work of] your fingers. I see the moon and stars, which you ·created [established; ].


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·But why are people even important to you [What are people that you remember them]? Why do you take care of ·human beings [the son of man]?


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You ·put them in charge of [give them rule over] ·everything you made [the work of your hands]. You put all things under their ·control [feet; ]:


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the birds in the ·sky [heavens], the fish in the sea, and everything that ·lives under water [passes/travels on the paths of the sea; ; ].


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Thanksgiving for Victory For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David. I will ·praise [or give thanks to] you, Lord, with all my heart. I will ·tell [recount] all ·the miracles you have done [your wonderful deeds].


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My enemies turn back; they ·are overwhelmed [stumble] and ·die [perish] ·because of [or before] you.


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You have ·heard [upheld; maintained] my ·complaint [just cause; or right and my cause]; you sat on your throne and judged ·by what was right [righteously].


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You ·spoke strongly against the [rebuked; reproved] foreign nations and destroyed the wicked; you ·wiped out [blotted out; erased] their names forever and ever.


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The enemy is ·gone [done; a ruin] forever. You ·destroyed [uprooted] their cities; ·no one even remembers them [their memory perishes].


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But the Lord ·rules [is enthroned; sits] forever. He ·sits on his throne to judge [has established his throne for justice/judgment],


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and he will judge the world ·in fairness [with righteousness]; he will decide what is fair for the ·nations [peoples; ; ].


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The Lord ·defends [is a refuge for] those who ·suffer [are oppressed/exploited]; ·he defends them [a refuge] in times of ·trouble [distress].


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Those who know ·the Lord [your name] trust ·him [you], because ·he [you] will not ·leave [abandon; forsake] those who ·come to him [seek you; , ; ; ].


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Sing praises to the Lord who ·is king on Mount [dwells on] Zion [the location of the Temple]. Tell ·the nations [among the peoples] what he has done.


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·He remembers who the murderers are [or The one who avenges blood remembers them; God]; he will not forget the cries of those who suffer.


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Lord, ·have mercy on [be gracious toward] me. See how ·my enemies [those who hate me] ·hurt [afflict; persecute] me. ·Do not let me go through [Lift me up from] the gates of death.


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Then, at the gates of ·Jerusalem [the daughter of Zion; a name of Jerusalem], I will ·praise you [declare your praises]; I will rejoice ·because you saved me [in your salvation].


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The nations have ·fallen [sunk] into the pit they ·dug [made]. Their feet are caught in the nets they ·laid [hid].


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The Lord has made himself known by ·his fair decisions [the judgments he has made]; the wicked get trapped by ·what they do [the deeds of their palms/hands]. ·Higgaion [a musical notation]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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Wicked people will ·go [return] to the ·grave [or underworld; Sheol], and so will all ·those who [the nations that] forget God.


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But those who ·have troubles [are afflicted] will not always be forgotten. The hopes of the ·poor [oppressed; exploited] will never ·die [perish].


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Lord, rise up and don’t let people ·think they are strong [prevail]. Judge the nations in your presence.


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·Teach them to fear you [or Strike them with terror; ; ; ], Lord. The nations must learn that they are ·only human [mere mortals]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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A Complaint About Evil People Lord, why ·are you [do you stand] so far away? Why do you hide ·when there is [in times of] ·trouble [distress]?


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Proudly the wicked ·chase down [hunt down; persecute] ·those who suffer [or the poor]. Let them be caught in ·their own traps [the schemes they have thought up].


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They ·brag [boast] about the ·things they want [cravings/desires of their soul]. ·They bless the greedy but [or The greedy curse and] ·hate [reject] the Lord.


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The wicked people are too proud. They do not ·look for [pursue; seek] God; there is no room for God in their thoughts.


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·They always succeed [Their ways are always successful/prosperous]. ·They are far from keeping your laws [Your judgments are above their grasp]; they ·make fun of [sneer/scoff at] their enemies.


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They say ·to themselves [in their hearts], “·Nothing bad will ever happen to me [I will never be moved/shaken]; I will never ·be ruined [have trouble/be harmed].”


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Their mouths are full of curses, ·lies [deceit], and ·threats [violence]; ·they use their tongues for [under their tongues is] ·sin [trouble] and evil [].


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They ·hide [lie in ambush] near the villages. They ·look for innocent people to kill [murder the innocent; ]; ·they watch in secret [their eyes look intently] for the helpless.


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They ·wait in hiding [lie in ambush in a covert/cover] like a lion. They ·wait [lie] to catch poor people; they catch the poor in nets and drag them off.


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The poor are crushed and thrown down; they ·are defeated [fall] ·because the others are stronger [by their might].


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The wicked ·think [say in their hearts], “God has forgotten us. He ·doesn’t see what is happening [has hidden his face and does not see anything].”


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Lord, rise up and ·punish the wicked [raise your hand, God]. Don’t forget those who ·need help [are oppressed].


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Why do wicked people ·hate [despise] God? They say ·to themselves [in their hearts], “·God won’t punish us [You will not pursue].”


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Lord, surely you see these ·cruel [troublesome] and ·evil [grievous] things; look at them and ·do something [put it in your hands]. ·People in trouble [The helpless] ·look to you for help [entrust/abandon themselves to your hands]. You are the one who helps the orphans.


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Break the ·power [hand] of wicked and evil people. ·Punish them for the evil they have done [You will seek out their wickedness until you find none].


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The Lord is King forever and ever. ·Destroy from your land those nations [The nations will perish from his land].


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Lord, you have heard ·what the poor people want [the desires of the poor]. ·Do what they ask [You will strengthen their heart], and ·listen to them [you will cause your ear to pay attention].


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·Protect [Bring justice to] the orphans and ·put an end to suffering [the oppressed] so ·they will no longer be afraid of evil people [those from the earth may terrify no more].


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Trust in the Lord For the director of music. Of David. I ·trust in the Lord for protection [find refuge in the Lord]. So why do you say to me, “·Fly [Flee] like a bird to your mountain.


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For, look, the wicked ·string [bend] their bows; they set their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from dark places at those who are ·honest [upright/virtuous in heart].


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The Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord sits on his throne in heaven. ·He sees what people do [His eyes watch]; ·he keeps his eye on them [his gaze examines/tests people].


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The Lord ·tests [examines] ·those who do right and those who do wrong [the righteous and the wicked], but he hates those who love ·to hurt others [violence].


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He will ·send [rain] hot coals and burning sulfur on the wicked. A ·whirlwind [scorching wind] is ·what they will get [the portion of their cup; an image of judgment; , ; ; ].


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The Lord ·does what is right [is righteous], and he loves ·justice [righteousness], so ·honest people [the upright/virtuous] will see his face.


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A Prayer Against Liars For the director of music. Upon the ·sheminith [eighth; a reference to an eight-stringed instrument or possibly the manner of singing]. A psalm of David. Save me, Lord, because the ·good [faithful; godly; covenantal; loyal] people are all gone; ·no true believers are left on earth [the faithful have vanished among humanity].


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Everyone ·lies [speaks falsehood] to his neighbors; they ·say one thing and mean another [speak with flattering lips and with a double heart/heart and heart].


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They say, “Our tongues will ·help us win [prevail]. ·We can say what we wish [Our lips belong to us]; ·no one [who…?] is our master.”


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But the Lord says, “I will now rise up, because the ·poor [weak] are ·being hurt [destroyed; plundered; oppressed]. Because of the ·moans [groans; sighs] of the ·helpless [needy], I will give them the ·help [victory] they ·want [long for].”


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The Lord’s ·words [or promises] are ·pure [flawless], like silver ·purified [refined] ·by fire [or in a furnace], ·purified [refined] seven times over [; ].


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Lord, you will ·keep us safe [guard/protect them]; you will always ·protect [guard] us from such ·people [a generation].


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But the wicked ·are [walk] all around us; ·everyone loves what is wrong [what is vile is lifted up among the sons of man/humanity].


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A Prayer for God to Be Near For the director of music. A psalm of David. How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me?


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How long must I ·worry [or bear pain; hold counsels] and ·feel sad [hold sorrow] in my heart all day? How long will my enemy ·win [rise up] over me?


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Lord, look at me. Answer me, my God; ·tell me [light up my eyes], or I will ·die [sleep the sleep of death].


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Otherwise my enemy will say, “I have ·won [finished him off]!” ·Those against me [My foes] will rejoice that I’ve been ·defeated [shaken; moved].


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I ·trust [have confidence] in your ·love [loyalty; covenant love]. My heart ·is happy [rejoices] because ·you saved me [of your victory/salvation].


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The Unbelieving Fool For the director of music. Of David. Fools say ·to themselves [in their hearts], “There is no God [ largely parallels this psalm].” ·Fools are evil [They are corrupt] and do ·terrible [detestable] things []; there is no one who does anything good.


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The Lord looked down from heaven on all people to see if anyone ·understood [was wise/insightful], if anyone was ·looking to God for help [seeking God].


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But all have ·turned [wandered] away. Together, everyone has become ·evil [perverse]. There is no one who does anything good, not even one [].


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Don’t ·the wicked [those who do evil] ·understand [know]? They ·destroy [consume; eat] my people as if they were ·eating [consuming] bread. They do not ·ask the Lord for help [call on the Lord].


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But the wicked are ·filled [terrified] with terror, because God is with ·those who do what is right [the company of the righteous].


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The wicked ·upset [confuse; frustrate] the plans of the poor, but the Lord ·will protect them [is their refuge].


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I pray that ·victory [salvation] will come to Israel from Mount Zion [the location of the Temple]! May the Lord ·bring them back [restore the fortunes of his people; perhaps at the end of the exile]. Then the people of Jacob will rejoice, and the people of Israel will be glad.


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What the Lord Demands A psalm of David. Lord, who may ·enter [dwell/abide/sojourn in] your Holy Tent [the Tabernacle]? Who may live on your holy mountain [Mount Zion]?


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Only those who ·are innocent [walk innocently] and who do ·what is right [righteousness; ; ]. Such people speak the truth from their hearts


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and do not ·tell lies about others [slander with their tongue]. They do no ·wrong [evil] to their neighbors and do not ·gossip [raise a reproachful matter with their associates].


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·They do not respect hateful people [The wicked are despised in their eyes] but honor those who ·honor [fear] the Lord. They keep their promises to their neighbors, even when it hurts.


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They do not charge interest on money they lend [; ; ] and do not take ·money [a bribe] to hurt innocent people [; ]. Whoever does all these things will never be ·destroyed [moved].


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The Lord Takes Care of His People A miktam [perhaps “inscription”] of David. ·Protect [Guard] me, God, because I ·trust [take refuge] in you.


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I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord. ·Every good thing I have comes from you [I have no good apart from you].”


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As for the ·godly people [holy ones; saints] in the ·world [or land], they are the ·wonderful [noble] ones I ·enjoy [take pleasure in].


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But those who ·turn to [run/hurry after] ·idols [other gods] ·will have much [multiply] pain. I will not ·offer [pour out offerings of] blood to those idols or even ·speak [take on my lips] their names.


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No, the Lord is ·all I need [my portion and my cup]. ·He takes care of me [You hold my lot; a device like the Urim and Thummim whereby God reveals one’s future; ].


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·My share in life has been pleasant [The boundary lines fall for me in pleasant places]; my ·part [inheritance] has been beautiful.


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I ·praise [bless] the Lord because he advises me. Even at night, ·I feel his leading [my innards instruct me].


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I keep the Lord before me always. Because he is ·close by my side [at my right hand], I will not be ·hurt [moved; ].


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So ·I rejoice and am glad [my heart exults and my glory/soul/or innards is glad]. Even my body ·has hope [dwells securely; ],


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because you will not ·leave [abandon] me in ·the grave [or the underworld; Sheol]. You will not let your ·holy one [saint; loyal one] ·rot [see the Pit; the grave; ; ].


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You will teach me ·how to live a holy [the path of] life. ·Being with you will fill me with joy [In your face/presence is the fullness of joy; ]; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever.


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A Prayer for Protection A prayer of David. Lord, hear ·me begging for fairness [a just cause]; ·listen [pay attention] to my cry for help. ·Pay attention [Bend your ear] to my prayer, because ·I speak the truth [my lips are not deceitful].


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·You will judge that I am right [My judgment/vindication will come from before you]; your eyes can see what is ·true [virtuous].


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You have examined my heart; you have ·tested me all [or visited me at] night. You ·questioned [tested] me without finding anything wrong; ·I have not sinned with my mouth [my mouth has not transgressed].


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·I have obeyed your commands [As for the deeds of people, by the word of your lips], ·so I have not done what evil people do [I have kept away from the ways of the violent].


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·I have done what you told me [My steps have held fast to your paths]; ·I have not failed [My feet have not slipped].


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I call to you, ·and [for] you answer me, O God. ·Listen [Extend your ear] to me now, and hear what I say.


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Your ·love [loyalty; covenant love] is wonderful. ·By your power [At your right hand] you save those who ·trust [find their refuge in] you from ·their enemies [those who rise up against them].


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Protect me as ·you would protect your own [or the apple/pupil of your] eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings.


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They ·are selfish [close their callous hearts] and ·brag about themselves [their mouths speak proudly].


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They have ·chased [tracked] me until they have surrounded me. They ·plan [set their eyes] to throw me to the ground.


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Lord, rise up, ·face [confront] the enemy, and ·throw them down [subdue them]. ·Save [Rescue; Deliver] me from the wicked with your sword.


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Lord, save me by your ·power [hand] from mortals, from mortals whose ·reward [portion] in the world is in this life. ·They have plenty of food [Your stores have filled their bellies]. ·They have many sons [or Their sons have plenty] and leave ·much money [their surplus] to their children.


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·Because I have lived right [In righteousness], I will see your face. When I wake up, I will see your likeness and be satisfied.


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A Song of Victory For the director of music. By the Lord’s servant, David. David sang this song to the Lord ·when [on the day] the Lord had ·saved [rescued; delivered] him from Saul and all his other enemies [the occasion is unknown; parallels this psalm]. He said: I love you, Lord. You are my strength.


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The Lord is my rock, my ·protection [fortress], my ·Savior [rescuer; deliverer]. My God is my rock. ·I can run to him for safety […in whom I find protection/take refuge]. He is my shield and ·my saving strength [the horn of my salvation; symbolizing strength based on an animal lifting its head triumphantly], my ·defender [stronghold].


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The ·ropes [cords] of death ·came around [swirled about; encompassed] me; the ·deadly rivers [floods/torrents of destruction] overwhelmed me.


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The ·ropes [cords] of death ·wrapped around [entangled; coiled around] me. The ·traps [snares] of death ·were before [confronted; lay ahead of] me.


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In my ·trouble [distress; anguish] I ·called [cried out] to the Lord. I ·cried out [called] to my God for help. From his ·Temple [sanctuary] he heard my voice; my ·call for help [cry] reached his ears.


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The earth ·trembled [reeled; quaked] and ·shook [rocked]. The foundations of the mountains began to ·shake [shudder]. They ·trembled [reeled; quaked] because the Lord was angry.


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He ·tore open [parted] the ·sky [heavens] and came down with ·dark clouds [storm clouds; thick darkness] under his feet.


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He made darkness his covering, his ·shelter [canopy; shroud] around him, surrounded by ·fog [thick rain] and clouds.


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Out of the brightness ·of his presence [before him] came clouds with hail and ·lightning [fiery coals].


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The Lord thundered from heaven; the ·Most High raised his voice [voice of the Most High resounded], and there was hail and ·lightning [fiery coals].


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He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies. His many bolts of lightning ·confused them with fear [routed them].


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·Lord, you spoke strongly [At your rebuke, O Lord…]. ·The wind blew from your nose […at the blast of breath from your nostrils…]. Then the ·valleys [floor; channels] of the sea ·appeared [were exposed], and the foundations of the earth were ·seen [laid bare].


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The Lord reached down from ·above [heaven; on high] and ·took [rescued] me; he ·pulled me from the deep water [drew me out of mighty waters].


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The Lord ·spared [rewarded] me ·because I did what was right [according to my righteousness]. Because ·I have not done evil [of my innocence; of the cleanness of my hands], he has ·rewarded [restored] me.


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I have ·followed [obeyed; kept; guarded] the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning away from my God.


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I ·remember [follow; have before me] all his ·laws [regulations] and have not ·broken [abandoned; turned aside from] his ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements].


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Lord, you ·are [show yourself] ·loyal [faithful; kind] to those who are ·loyal [faithful; kind], and you are good to those who are good.


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You ·are [show yourself] ·pure [sincere] to those who are ·pure [sincere], but you ·are [show yourself] ·against [hostile/shrewd/cunning/perverse to] those who are ·bad [perverse; devious; crooked].


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Lord, you give light to my lamp. My God ·brightens the darkness around me [lights up/illuminates my darkness].


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The ·ways [way; path] of God are ·without fault [blameless; perfect]. The Lord’s ·words [promises] are ·pure [tested; flawless; proven true]. He is a shield to those who ·trust [seek protection/take refuge in] him.


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He makes ·me [my feet] like a deer that does not stumble [sure-footed]; he ·helps me stand [sets me] on the ·steep mountains [heights].


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You ·protect me with your saving shield [have given me the shield of your salvation/victory]. You support me with your right hand. ·You have stooped to make [Your help makes] me great.


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You ·give me a better way to live [broaden my path; widen my steps beneath me], so ·I live as you want me to [my feet do not slip; my ankles do not weaken].


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I ·chased [pursued] my enemies and ·caught [exterminated] them. I did not ·quit [turn back] until they were ·destroyed [annihilated; consumed].


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I ·crushed them [shattered them; struck them down] so they couldn’t ·rise [get] up again. They fell beneath my feet.


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You ·gave me [armed/girded me with] strength ·in [for] battle. You ·made my enemies bow [humbled/subdued my enemies] ·before me [or under my feet].


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They ·called for help [looked around], but no one came to ·save [rescue; deliver] them. They ·called [looked] to the Lord, but he did not answer them.


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I ·beat my enemies into pieces [ground/pulverized them], like dust in the wind. I poured them out like ·mud [mire] in the streets.


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You ·saved [rescued; delivered] me when the people ·attacked me [quarreled; fought]. You made me the ·leader [ruler; head] of nations. People I never knew serve me.


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God gives me ·victory [revenge; vengeance] over my enemies and brings ·people [nations] under ·my rule [me].


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He ·saves [rescues; delivers] me from my enemies. You ·set me over those who hate me [exalt/lift me above my enemies]. You ·saved [rescued; delivered] me from violent people.


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The Lord ·gives great victories [is a tower of salvation] to his king. He ·is loyal [shows kindness/faithful love] to his ·appointed king [anointed], to David and his descendants forever.


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God’s Works and Word For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens ·declare [recount; narrate] the glory [the manifest presence] of God, and the ·skies [firmament; dome; ] ·announce [speak out] ·what his hands have made [the works of his hands].


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Day after day they ·tell the story [bubble/pour forth speech]; night after night they ·tell it again [declare knowledge].


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But their ·message [line] goes out through all the world; their words go ·everywhere on [to the ends of the] earth. ·The sky [Heaven; In them] is like a ·home [tent] for the sun.


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The sun comes out like a bridegroom from his ·bedroom [wedding chamber]. It rejoices like an ·athlete [strong man] eager to run a race.


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The sun rises at one end of the ·sky [heavens] and ·follows its path [its circuit is] to the other end. Nothing hides from its heat.


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The ·teachings [laws; instructions] of the Lord are perfect; they ·give new strength [revive the soul]. The ·rules [testimonies] of the Lord ·can be trusted [are faithful/sure]; they make ·plain [simpleminded; immature] people wise [].


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The orders of the Lord are ·right [virtuous]; ·they make people happy [rejoicing the heart]. The commands of the Lord are pure; ·they light up the way [giving light to the eyes].


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·Respect [Fear] for the Lord [] is ·good [pure]; it will ·last [endure] forever. The judgments of the Lord are true; they are ·completely [altogether] ·right [righteous].


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They are ·worth [desired; coveted] more than gold, even ·the purest [fine] gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the ·finest honey [droppings of the honeycomb].


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·People cannot [Who can…?] ·see [detect; understand] their own ·mistakes [errors]. ·Forgive [Clear] me for my ·secret [hidden] sins.


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·Keep me [Restrain your servant] from ·the sins of pride [proud thoughts]; don’t let them ·rule [dominate] me. Then I can be pure and innocent of the greatest of sins.


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·I hope my ·words [The words of my mouth] and ·thoughts [meditations of my heart] ·please [be before] you. Lord, you are my Rock, ·the one who saves me [and my redeemer].


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A Prayer for the King For the director of music. A psalm of David. May the Lord answer you in ·times [the day] of ·trouble [distress]. May the name of the God of Jacob ·protect [defend; provide refuge for] you [].


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May he send you help from ·his Temple [the sanctuary] and support you from Mount Zion [location of the Temple].


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May he remember all your ·offerings [gifts; tributes; grain offerings; ] and ·accept [look with favor on] all your ·sacrifices [whole burnt offerings; ]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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May he give you ·what you want [all your heart] and ·make all your plans succeed [fulfill all your plans],


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and we will shout for joy when you ·succeed [are victorious; as in battle], and we will raise a ·flag [banner] in the name of our God. May the Lord ·give you [fulfill] all that you ask for.


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Now I know the Lord ·helps [saves; gives victory to] his ·appointed king [anointed]. He answers him from his holy heaven and ·saves him [gives him victory] with his strong right hand.


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Some ·trust in [boast in; rely on] chariots, others in horses, but we ·trust [boast in; rely on] the name of the Lord our God [].


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They ·are overwhelmed and defeated [collapse and fall], but we ·march forward and win [rise and stand erect].


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Thanksgiving for the King For the director of music. A psalm of David. Lord, the king rejoices because of your strength; he is so happy when you ·save him [give him victory/help]!


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You gave the king ·what he wanted [the desire of his heart] and did not ·refuse [withhold] ·what he asked for [the request of his lips]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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He asked you for life, and you gave it to him, ·so his years go on and on [length of days forever and ever].


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He has great glory because you gave him ·victories [help]; you gave him ·honor [splendor] and ·praise [majesty].


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You ·always [forever] gave him blessings; you made him glad because ·you were with him [of the joy of your presence].


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The king truly ·trusts [has confidence in] the Lord. Because God Most High always ·loves [is loyal toward] him, he will not be ·overwhelmed [moved].


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Your hand ·is against [will find out] all your enemies; ·those who hate you will feel your power [your right hand will find out those who hate you].


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When ·you [the Lord] appear, you will burn them as in a furnace. In your anger you will swallow them up, and fire will burn them up.


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The Prayer of a Suffering Man For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of Dawn.” A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you ·abandoned [forsaken] me [; ]? You seem far from ·saving [helping] me, far away from my groans.


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My God, I call to you during the day, but you do not answer. I call at night; I ·am not silent [or get no rest].


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You ·sit as the Holy One [are holy]. ·The praises of Israel are your throne [You are enthroned on the praises of Israel].


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Our ·ancestors [fathers] ·trusted [had confidence in] you; they ·trusted [had confidence], and you ·saved [rescued; delivered] them.


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They ·called [cried out] to you for help and were rescued. They ·trusted [had confidence in] you and were not ·disappointed [shamed; humiliated].


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But I am like a worm instead of ·a man [human]. People ·make fun of [scorn; reproach] me and ·hate [despise] me.


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Those who look at me ·laugh [ridicule/mock me]. They ·stick out their tongues [throw insults; open lips] and shake their heads.


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They say, “·Turn to the Lord for help [Trust the Lord]. Maybe he will ·save [rescue; deliver] you. If he ·likes [delights/takes pleasure in] you, maybe he will ·rescue [save; deliver] you.”


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You ·had my mother give birth to me [brought me out of the womb]. You made me ·trust [have confidence in] you while I was ·just a baby [at the breasts of my mother].


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·I have leaned on you since the day I was born [On you I was cast from the womb]; you have been ·my God [mine] ·since my mother gave me birth [from the womb of my mother].


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People have surrounded me like ·angry [many] bulls. Like the strong bulls of Bashan [; ], they ·are on every side [encircle me].


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My strength is gone, like water poured out onto the ground, and my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax [weak, formless]; it has melted inside me.


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My strength has dried up like a ·clay pot [potsherd], and my tongue sticks to the top of my mouth. You laid me in the dust of death.


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Evil people have surrounded me; like dogs ·they [a group of evil people] have trapped me. They have ·bitten [pierced; or shriveled] my ·arms [hands] and ·legs [feet].


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Then I will ·tell my brothers and sisters about you [recount your name/reputation to my brothers]; I will praise you in the ·public meeting [assembly; congregation].


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Praise the Lord, all you who ·respect [fear] him []. All you ·descendants [seed] of Jacob [Israelites], ·honor [glorify] him; ·fear [revere] him, all you Israelites.


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He does not ·ignore [despise or disdain] ·those in trouble [the suffering of the afflicted]. He doesn’t hide his face from them but listens when they ·call out to him [cry to him for help].


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Lord, ·I praise you [from you comes my praise] in the great ·meeting of your people [assembly]; these ·worshipers [who fear him] will see me ·do what I promised [fulfill my vows].


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·Poor [or Afflicted] people will eat ·until they are full [and be satisfied]; those who ·look to the Lord [seek him] will praise him. May your hearts live forever!


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·People everywhere [All the ends of the earth] will remember and will turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations will worship him


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All the ·powerful people [fat ones] on earth will eat and worship. Everyone will ·bow down to [kneel before] him, all who will ·one day die [go down to the dust and cannot keep themselves alive].


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The ·people in the future [posterity; seed] will serve him; they will always be told about the Lord.


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They will ·tell that he does what is right [recount his righteousness]. People who are not yet born will hear what God has done.


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The Lord the Shepherd A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I ·have everything I need [will lack nothing].


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He ·gives me new strength [renews my soul]. He leads me on paths that are ·right [righteous; or straight] for the ·good [sake] of his ·name [reputation].


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Even if I walk through ·a very dark valley [or the shadow of death], I will ·not be afraid [fear no evil], because you are with me. Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.


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You prepare a ·meal [table] for me in ·front [the presence] of my enemies. You ·pour oil of blessing on my head [anoint my head with oil; oil was a means of refreshment in a hot, dry environment]; you ·fill my cup to overflowing [make my cup overflow; a cup of blessing].


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Surely your goodness and ·love [loyalty; mercy] will ·be with [pursue; follow] me all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord ·forever [for length of days].


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A Welcome for God into the Temple A psalm of David. The earth belongs to the Lord, and ·everything in it [its fullness]— the world and all its ·people [inhabitants].


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Who may go up on the mountain of the Lord [Zion, the location of the Temple]? Who may stand in his holy ·Temple [place]?


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Only those with clean hands and pure hearts [innocent in actions and thoughts], who have not ·worshiped idols [lifted their souls to false things], who have not made promises ·in the name of a false god [or deceitfully].


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They will receive a blessing from the Lord; the God who ·saves [rescues; delivers] them will ·declare them right [vindicate them].


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·They try to follow God [This is the generation/people of those who seek him]; they ·look to the God of Jacob for help [search for your face, O God of Jacob]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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·Open up [Lift up your heads], you gates. ·Open wide [Be lifted up], you ·aged [ancient] doors and the ·glorious King [King of glory] will come in.


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Who is this ·glorious King [King of glory]? The Lord, strong and mighty. The Lord, ·the powerful warrior [mighty in battle].


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Who is this ·glorious King [King of glory]? The Lord ·All-Powerful [of Heaven’s Armies/Hosts]— he is the ·glorious King [King of glory]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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my God, I ·trust [have confidence in] you. Do not let me be ·disgraced [shamed]; do not let my enemies ·laugh at [triumph/exult over] me.


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No one who ·trusts [hopes in; waits on] you will be ·disgraced [shamed], but those who ·sin [betray; are treacherous] without excuse will be ·disgraced [shamed].


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·Guide [Lead] me in your truth, and teach me, my God, my ·Savior [Helper; Victor]. I ·trust [hope in; wait on] you all day long.


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Lord, remember your ·mercy [compassion] and ·love [loyalty; covenant love] that you have shown since long ago.


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Do not remember the sins and ·wrong things I did when I was young [transgressions of my youth]. But remember ·to love me [according to your love/loyalty/covenant love] always ·because you are good [on account of your goodness], Lord.


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All the Lord’s ·ways [paths] are ·loving [loyal] and ·true [reliable] for those who ·follow [keep; guard] the demands of his ·agreement [covenant].


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·Are there [Who are…?] those who ·respect [fear] the Lord []? He will ·point [teach] them ·to the best way [the way they should choose].


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·They will enjoy a good life [Their soul will dwell/lodge in goodness], and their ·children [seed] will inherit the ·land [or earth].


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The Lord ·tells his secrets to [confides in; or makes friends with] those who ·respect [fear] him; he ·tells them about [makes known to them] his ·agreement [covenant].


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My eyes are always ·looking to the Lord for help [toward the Lord]. He will ·keep me [remove my feet] from any traps.


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·My troubles have [The distress of my heart has] ·grown larger [widened]; ·free me from [bring me out of] my ·problems [anguish; distress].


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Protect me and ·save [rescue; deliver] me. I ·trust [find refuge in] you, so do not let me be ·disgraced [shamed].


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The Prayer of an Innocent Believer Of David. Lord, ·defend [vindicate] me because I have ·lived an innocent life [walked in innocence; ]. I have ·trusted [confidence in] the Lord and never ·doubted [wavered; faltered].


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Lord, try me and test me; look closely into my ·heart and mind [kidneys and heart; the seat of emotions and mind in Hebrew thought].


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·I see your love [Your loyalty/covenant love is before my eyes], and I ·live by your truth [walk in your truth/faithfulness].


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I do not ·spend time [sit] with ·liars [or worthless people], nor do I ·make friends [go] with ·those who hide their sin [hypocrites].


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I raise my voice in ·praise [or thanks] and tell of all the ·miracles [wonderful things] you have done.


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Do not ·kill me [take me away] with those sinners or take my life with ·those murderers [the bloodthirsty; men of blood].


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·Evil is [Schemes are] in their hands, and ·they do wrong for money [their right hand is full of bribes].


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But I have ·lived an innocent life [walked in innocence; ], so ·save [redeem; ransom] me and have mercy on me.


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·I stand in a safe place [My feet stand on level ground]. Lord, I ·praise [bless] you in the great ·meeting [assembly].


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A Song of Trust in God Of David. The Lord is my light [; ; ; , ; ; ] and ·the one who saves me [my salvation]. ·So why should I fear anyone [Whom should I fear]? The Lord ·protects [is the stronghold/refuge of] my life. ·So why [Of whom] should I be afraid?


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Evil people may try to ·destroy my body [approach me and devour/consume my flesh]. My enemies and those who hate me ·are overwhelmed and defeated [stumble and fall].


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If an army ·surrounds [camps around] me, ·I [my heart] will not be afraid. If war ·breaks out [rises against me], I will ·trust [have confidence in] ·the Lord [in this; ].


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I ask only one thing from the Lord. This is what I ·want [seek after]: Let me ·live [dwell] in the Lord’s house [the sanctuary] all the days of my life. Let me see the Lord’s beauty and ·look with my own eyes [make inquiry; discover God’s will] at his Temple.


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·During danger [In the day of trouble] he will ·keep me safe [hide me] in his shelter. He will ·hide [conceal] me in his Holy Tent, or he will ·keep me safe [set me high] on a ·high mountain [rock].


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My head is higher than my enemies around me. I will offer joyful sacrifices in his Holy Tent [the Tabernacle]. I will sing and praise the Lord.


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My heart said of you, “Go, ·worship him [seek his face].” So I ·come to worship you [seek your face], Lord.


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Do not ·turn away [hide your face] from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger; you have helped me. Do not push me away or ·leave me alone [abandon me], God, my Savior.


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Lord, teach me your ways, and guide me ·to do what is right [on a straight/right path] because ·I have [of my] enemies.


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Do not hand me over to my enemies, because ·they tell lies about [false witnesses rise up against] me [] and ·say they will hurt me [they breathe out violence].


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·Wait for [Hope in] the Lord’s help. Be strong and let your heart be brave, and ·wait for [hope in] the Lord’s help.


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A Prayer in Troubled Times Of David. Lord, my Rock [providing protection], I ·call out to you for help [pray]. Do not be ·deaf [silent] to me. If you are silent, I will be like those ·in the grave [who go down to the Pit; ].


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Hear the sound of my ·prayer [supplication], when I cry out to you for help. I raise my hands toward your Most Holy Place [the place where God made his presence known, the sanctuary].


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Don’t drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil. They say “Peace” to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts.


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Pay them back for what they have done, for their evil deeds. Pay them back for ·what they have done [the work of their hands]; give them their reward.


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They don’t understand what the Lord has done or ·what he has made [the work of his hands]. So he will ·knock [tear] them down and not ·lift [build] them up.


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The Lord is my strength [] and shield. ·I trust [My heart has confidence in] him, and he helps me. ·I am [My heart is] very happy, and I ·praise [give thanks to] him with my song.


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·Save [Give victory to] your people and bless ·those who are your own [your inheritance]. Be their shepherd and carry them forever.


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God in the Thunderstorm A psalm of David. ·Praise [Ascribe to] the Lord, you ·angels [sons of God; God’s council]; ·Praise the Lord’s [Ascribe to the Lord] glory and power.


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·Praise the Lord for [Ascribe to the Lord] the glory of his name; worship the Lord ·because he is holy [in the splendor of his holiness].


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The Lord’s voice [thunder] is heard over the ·sea [waters; a symbol of chaos]. The glorious God thunders; the Lord thunders over the ·ocean [many/mighty waters].


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The Lord’s voice breaks the ·trees [cedars]; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon [the most famous cedar forests].


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The Lord’s voice shakes the ·desert [wilderness]; the Lord shakes the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Kadesh.


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The Lord’s voice ·shakes the oaks [or makes the deer give birth] and strips the ·leaves off the trees [forests bare]. In his Temple everyone says, “Glory!”


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The Lord ·controls [is enthroned over] the flood [controls chaos]. The Lord ·will be [is enthroned as] King forever.


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Thanksgiving for Escaping Death A psalm of David. A song for ·giving the Temple to the Lord [the dedication of the Temple; perhaps written by David in anticipation of the dedication of the Temple under Solomon; the connection with healing is uncertain]. I will ·praise [exalt] you, Lord, because you ·rescued me [brought me up]. You did not let my enemies ·laugh at [rejoice over] me.


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You lifted me out of ·the grave [or the underworld; Sheol]; you spared me from going down to the ·place of the dead [Pit; ].


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Sing praises to the Lord, you ·who belong to him [loyal ones; saints]; ·praise [give thanks to] his holy name.


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His anger lasts only a moment, but his ·kindness [favor] lasts for a lifetime. Crying may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.


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Lord, in your ·kindness [favor] you made my mountain ·safe [stand; God made him prosperous and safe]. But when you ·turned away [hid your face; because he became self-reliant, ], I was ·frightened [terrified; or discouraged].


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I said, “What ·good will it do if I die [profit is there for you in my blood] or if I go down to ·the grave [corruption; destruction]? ·Dust cannot [Will the dust…?; ; ] ·praise [thank] you; ·it cannot [will it…?] speak about your ·truth [faithfulness].


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You changed my ·sorrow [mourning] into dancing. You took away my ·clothes of sadness [sackcloth], and clothed me in ·happiness [joy].


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A Prayer of Faith in Troubled Times For the director of music. A psalm of David. Lord, I ·trust [seek refuge] in you; let me never be ·disgraced [shamed]. ·Save [Rescue; Deliver] me ·because you do what is right [in your righteousness].


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·Listen [Incline your ear] to me and ·save [rescue; deliver] me quickly. Be my rock of ·protection [refuge], a strong ·city [fortress] to save me.


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You are my rock and my ·protection [fortress]. For the ·good [sake] of your name, lead me and guide me.


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Set me free from the ·trap [snare; net] they ·set [hid] for me, because you are my ·protection [refuge].


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·I give you my life [Into your hand I commend my spirit; ]. ·Save [Redeem; or You have redeemed] me, Lord, ·God of truth [or faithful God].


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I hate those who ·worship [serve; have concern for] ·false [worthless] gods. I ·trust [have confidence] only in the Lord.


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I will be glad and rejoice in your ·love [loyalty; covenant love], because you saw my ·suffering [affliction]; you knew ·my troubles [the distress of my soul].


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You have not handed me over to my enemies but have ·set me in a safe place [made my feet stand in a broad place].


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Lord, ·have mercy [be gracious], because I am in ·misery [distress; trouble]. My eyes ·are weak [waste away; are dim] from so much crying, ·and my whole being is tired [as is my soul and my body] from grief.


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My life is ending in ·sadness [sorrow], and my years are spent ·in crying [with sighs/moans]. My ·troubles are using up my strength [strength stumbles in my affliction/misery], and my bones ·are getting weaker [waste away].


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Because of all my ·troubles [distress], my enemies ·hate [scorn] me, and even my neighbors look down on me. When my ·friends [acquaintances] see me in public, they are afraid and ·run [flee].


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I have heard many ·insults [threats]. Terror is all around me. They make plans against me and ·want [plot] to kill me.


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My ·life is [times/fortunes are] in your hands. ·Save [Rescue; Deliver] me from my enemies and from those who are ·chasing [pursuing] me.


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·Show your kindness to me, [Shine your face on] your servant []. Save me because of your ·love [loyalty; covenant love].


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Lord, I ·called [prayed] to you, so do not let me be ·disgraced [shamed]. Let the wicked be ·disgraced [shamed] and lie silent in ·the grave [or the underworld; Sheol].


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With pride and hatred they speak against ·those who do right [the righteous]. So silence their lying lips.


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How great is your goodness that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you have ·given to [accomplished for] those who ·trust [have confidence in] you. ·You do this for all to see […before humanity].


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You ·protect [hide] them ·by your [in the shelter of your] presence from what people plan against them. You ·shelter them [store them in shelter] from ·evil words [contentious/accusing tongues].


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·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord. His ·love [loyalty; covenant love] to me was wonderful when ·my city was attacked [or I was like a city under siege].


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In my ·distress [alarm], I said, “·God cannot see me [I am cut off from your eyes]!” But you heard my ·prayer [supplication] when I cried out to you for help.


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Love the Lord, all you ·who belong to him [loyal ones; saints]. The Lord protects those who ·truly believe [are faithful], but he ·punishes [repays] ·the proud as much as they have sinned [those who act with pride].


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All you who ·put your hope in [wait for] the Lord be strong and ·brave [let your heart be courageous].


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It Is Better to Confess Sin A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of David. ·Happy [Blessed] is the person whose ·sins [transgressions] are forgiven, whose ·wrongs [sins] are ·pardoned [covered].


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·Happy [Blessed] is the person whom the Lord ·does not consider guilty [imputes no guilt to] and in ·whom [whose spirit] there is nothing ·false [deceptive].


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When I kept ·things to myself [silent], ·I felt weak deep inside me [my bones wasted away]. I ·moaned [sighed] all day long.


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Day and night ·you punished me [your hand was heavy on me]. My strength was ·gone [dried up; sapped] as in the summer heat. ·Selah [Interlude]


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Then I ·confessed [made known; disclosed] my sins to you and didn’t ·hide [cover up] my guilt. I said, “I will confess my ·sins [transgressions] to the Lord,” and you forgave ·my guilt [the guilt of my sin]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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For this reason, all ·who obey you [your saints/holy ones] should pray to you while ·they still can [or you may be found; at a time of finding only; ]. When troubles rise like a flood, they will not reach them.


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You are my hiding place. You protect me from ·my troubles [distress] and ·fill [surround] me with ·songs [loud cries] of ·salvation [rescue; deliverance]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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The Lord says, “I will ·make you wise [instruct you] and ·show [teach] you ·where to [the way you should] go. I will ·guide [counsel] you and ·watch over [my eye will be on] you.


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So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. ·They must be led […whose temper/or gallop must be restrained] with bits and reins, or they will not come near you.”


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Wicked people have many ·troubles [pains; torments; woes], but the Lord’s ·love [loyalty; covenant love] surrounds those who ·trust [have confidence in] him.


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·Good [Righteous] people, rejoice and be happy in the Lord. ·Sing [Shout joyfully] all you whose hearts are ·right [upright; virtuous].


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Praise God Who Creates and Saves ·Sing [Shout for joy] to the Lord, you ·who do what is right [righteous ones]; ·honest people should praise him [praise is fitting from the upright/virtuous].


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Sing a new song [celebrating victory; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ] to him; play well ·and joyfully [with a loud/a victory shout].


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The ·sky was [heavens were] made at the Lord’s ·command [word; ]. By the breath from his mouth, he made all ·the stars [its hosts; ].


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He gathered the water of the sea into ·a heap [or jars; bottles]. He ·made the great ocean stay in its place [placed the deeps in a storehouse; ].


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All the earth should ·worship [fear; hold in awe] the Lord []; ·the whole [all the inhabitants of the] world should ·fear him [hold him in awe].


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The Lord ·upsets [frustrates] the ·plans [counsels] of nations; he ·ruins [foils] ·all their plans [the plans of the peoples].


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But the Lord’s ·plans [counsels] will ·stand [endure] forever; ·his ideas [the plans of his heart] will last from now on.


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·Happy [Blessed] is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his ·very own [inheritance; ].


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No king is saved by his ·great [large] army. No warrior ·escapes [is rescued/delivered] by his great strength.


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But the ·Lord looks after [eye of the Lord is on] those who fear him, those who ·put their hope [wait on him] in his ·love [loyalty; covenant love].


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He ·saves [rescues; delivers] ·them [their soul] from death and ·spares their lives in times of hunger [revives them in famine].


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Lord, ·show your love to us [let your loyalty/covenant love be on us] as we ·put our hope in [wait for] you.


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Praise God Who Judges and Saves David’s song from the time he ·acted crazy [acted mad/insane; changed his mind/discernment] so Abimelech [perhaps another name for Achish] would ·send [drive] him away, and David did leave []. I will ·praise [bless] the Lord at all times; his praise is always ·on my lips [in my mouth].


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I ·asked the Lord for help [sought the Lord], and he answered me. He ·saved [rescued; delivered] me from all that I feared.


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Those who ·go [look] to him for help are ·happy [radiant], and ·they [their faces] are never ·disgraced [shamed].


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This ·poor [afflicted] man [someone in the congregation or the psalmist himself] ·called [prayed], and the Lord heard him and ·saved him from [gave him victory over] all his ·troubles [distress].


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·Examine [Taste] and see how good the Lord is. ·Happy [Blessed] is the person who ·trusts [finds refuge in] him.


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You ·who belong to the Lord [holy ones], fear him []! Those who fear him will ·have everything they need [not lack anything; ].


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Even lions [the most noble wild beast] may get weak and hungry, but those who ·look to [seek] the Lord ·will have every [do not lack any] good thing.


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·You must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days [Who of you takes pleasure in life and loves days to experience good?].


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You must ·not say evil things [guard/keep your tongue from evil], and ·you must not tell lies [your lips from deception].


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·The Lord sees the [The eyes of the Lord are on] ·good [righteous] people and ·listens to their prayers [his ears attend to their cries for help].


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But the ·Lord is [face of the Lord is] against those who do evil; he ·makes the world forget them [cuts memory of them off the earth].


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·The Lord hears good people when they [They] cry out to him, and he saves them from all their ·troubles [distress].


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People who ·do what is right may [are righteous] have many ·problems [afflictions], but the Lord ·will solve them [saves them from them] all.


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But the Lord ·saves [redeems; ransoms] his servants’ lives; no one who ·trusts [finds refuge in] him will be judged guilty.


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A Prayer for Help Of David. Lord, ·battle with [contend with; accuse; bring a charge against] those who ·battle with [contend with; accuse; bring a charge against] me. Fight against those who fight against me.


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Lift up your ·spears [javelins], both large and small, against those who ·chase [pursue] me. Tell ·me [my soul], “I ·will save you [am your salvation/victory].”


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Make those who ·want to kill me [seek my life/soul] be ashamed and ·disgraced [humiliated]. Make those who ·plan to harm me [plot evil against me] turn back and ·run away [be dismayed].


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Make them like chaff [the worthless leftovers from threshing grain] blown by the wind as the angel of the Lord ·forces [drives] them away.


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For no reason they ·spread out [hid] their ·net [pit] to trap me; for no reason they dug a pit for me.


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So let ruin strike them ·suddenly [or without their awareness]. Let them be caught in their own nets; let them fall into the pit and ·die [be ruined].


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Then ·I [my soul] will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy when he ·saves me [provides victory for me].


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Even my bones will say, “Lord, who is like you? You ·save [rescue; deliver] the ·weak [afflicted; or poor] from the strong, the ·weak [afflicted; or poor] and poor from robbers.”


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·Men without mercy stand up to testify [Violent witnesses rise up]. They ask me things I do not know.


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Yet when they were sick, I put on ·clothes of sadness [sackcloth; burlap] and showed my sorrow by fasting. But my prayers ·were not answered [turned back on my bosom].


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I acted as if they were my ·friends [or neighbors] or brothers. I ·bowed in sadness as if I were crying [went around as if mourning] for my mother.


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But when I ·was in trouble [stumbled], they gathered and laughed; they gathered to attack before I knew it. They ·insulted [tore at] me without stopping.


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Lord, how long will you watch this happen? Save my life from their attacks; ·save me from these people who are like [my life from the] lions.


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I will ·praise [thank] you in the great ·meeting [assembly]. I will praise you among ·crowds of people [the mighty crowd/throng].


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Do not let my enemies ·laugh at [rejoice over] me; they hate me for no reason. Do not let them ·make fun of me [wink their eye at me; a reference to secretive plans or magic; ]; they have no cause to hate me.


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Their words are not ·friendly [peaceful] but are lies ·about [or against] ·peace-loving people [the quiet in the land].


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They ·speak against me [open their mouths] and say, “Aha! ·We saw what you did [Our eyes have seen it]!”


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Wake up! ·Come [Arouse yourself] and ·defend [vindicate; show justice to] me! My God and Lord, ·fight [contend] for me!


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Don’t let them ·think [say in their hearts], “Aha! We got what we wanted!” Don’t let them say, “We ·destroyed [swallowed] him.”


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Let them be ashamed and ·embarrassed [humiliated], because they ·were happy [rejoiced] when I hurt. ·Cover [Clothe] them with shame and disgrace, because they thought they were better than I was.


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May ·my friends [those who want my vindication] sing and shout for joy. May they always say, “Praise the greatness of the Lord, who ·loves [delights; takes pleasure] to see ·his servants do well [the peace/prosperity of his servant].”


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Wicked People and a Good God For the director of music. Of David, the servant of the Lord. ·Sin speaks to the wicked in their hearts [Oracle/Decree of transgression to the wicked in the midst of their heart]. They have no ·fear [terror] of God [; ].


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They ·think too much of themselves [flatter themselves in their own eyes] so they don’t ·see [discover; find] their sin and ·hate [or change] it.


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·Their words [The words of their mouth] are ·wicked lies [mischief and deceit]; they ·are no longer wise or good [have stopped being wise/insightful in order to do good].


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·At night [In their bed] they make evil plans; ·what they do leads to nothing [they are set on a way that does no] good. They don’t ·refuse [reject] things that are evil.


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Lord, your ·love [loyalty; covenant love] ·reaches [extends] to the heavens, your ·loyalty [faithfulness] to the skies.


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Your ·goodness [righteousness] is like the mighty mountains [majestic]. Your ·justice [judgment] is like the great ocean [deep]. Lord, you ·protect [save] both people and animals.


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God, ·your love is so precious [how precious is your loyalty/covenant love?]! You ·protect [provide refuge for] people in the shadow of your wings.


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They ·eat [feast on; are filled with] ·the rich food [from the fat/abundance] in your house, and you let them drink from your river of ·pleasure [delights].


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Continue to ·love [show loyalty/covenant love to] those who know you and ·to do good [your good/righteousness] to those who are ·good [upright/virtuous in heart].


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Don’t let ·proud people attack me [the foot of the arrogant come near me] ·and the wicked [or the hand of the wicked] ·force [drive] me away.


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Those who do evil ·have been defeated [fall there]. They are overwhelmed; they cannot ·do evil any longer [arise again].


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God Will Reward Fairly Of David. Don’t be ·upset [worried; angry] because of evil people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong [, ],


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because like the grass, they will ·soon [quickly] ·dry up [wither]. Like green plants, they will soon ·die [fade] away.


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·Trust [Have confidence in] the Lord [] and do good. ·Live [Reside; Settle] in the land and ·feed on truth [or find reliable pastureland].


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·Depend on [Commit your way to] the Lord; ·trust [have confidence in] him, and he will take care of you [; ].


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Then your ·goodness [righteousness] will shine like the ·sun [light], and your ·fairness [justice] like the noonday sun.


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·Wait [Be quiet before] and ·trust [wait for] the Lord. Don’t be ·upset [worried; angry] ·when others get rich [with the prosperity/success of their way] or when ·someone else’s plans succeed [or they do evil deeds].


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·Don’t get angry [Hold back from anger; Abandon wrath]. Don’t be ·upset [worried; angry]; it only leads to ·trouble [or evil].


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Evil people will be ·sent away [cut off], but those who ·trust [wait/pin their hope on] the Lord will inherit the land.


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In a little while the wicked will be no more. You may look for them, but they will be ·gone [or no more].


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·People who are not proud [The humble/meek] will inherit the land [] and will enjoy ·complete peace [or much prosperity].


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The wicked make evil plans against ·good [righteous] people. They ·grind [gnash] their teeth at them [in anger].


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The wicked draw their swords and ·bend [string] their bows to ·kill [fell] the poor and helpless, to ·kill [slaughter] those ·who are honest [whose way is straight].


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It is better to have little and be ·right [or righteous] than to have much and be ·wrong [or wicked; ; , ].


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The ·power [arm] of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord ·supports [upholds] those who ·do right [are righteous].


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The Lord ·watches over [knows] the ·lives [days] of the ·innocent [blameless], and their ·reward [inheritance] will last forever.


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They will not be ashamed ·when trouble comes [in the day of evil/trouble]. They will be ·full [satisfied; satiated] in times of ·hunger [famine].


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But the wicked will ·die [perish]. The Lord’s enemies will be like the ·beauty [best] of the ·fields [pastures; flowers or animals]; ·they will disappear [vanishing, they will vanish] ·like [or in] smoke.


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The wicked borrow and don’t pay back, but ·those who do right [the righteous] give freely to others.


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Those whom ·the Lord [he] blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be ·sent away [cut off].


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When people’s steps ·follow [are made firm/established by] the Lord [], God ·is pleased with [delights in] their ways.


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I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen ·good [righteous] people ·left helpless [abandoned; forsaken; ; ] or their ·children [seed] ·begging for [seeking] food [].


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The Lord loves ·justice [judgment] and will not ·leave [abandon; forsake] ·those who worship him [his loyal ones/saints]. He will always ·protect [keep; guard] them, but the ·children [seed] of the wicked will ·die [be cut off].


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·Good people speak with [The mouth of the righteous mutters] wisdom, and ·they say what is fair [their tongue speaks justice/judgment].


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The ·teachings [instructions; laws] of their God are in their heart [], so ·they do not fail to keep them [their steps do not slip/slide/totter].


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But the Lord will not ·take away his protection [abandon/forsake them to their hand/power/control] or let ·good people be judged guilty [them be condemned when brought to trial].


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·Wait for [Hope in] the Lord and ·follow him [keep/guard his way]. He will ·honor [exalt] you and ·give you [you will inherit] the land, and you will see the wicked ·sent away [or destroyed].


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I saw a wicked and ·cruel [oppressive] man who ·looked [flourished] like a luxurious cedar tree [strong and healthy].


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But he ·died [passed on] and was ·gone [no more]; I ·looked for [sought] him, but he couldn’t be found.


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·Think of [Observe] the ·innocent [blameless] person, and watch the ·honest [upright; virtuous] one. The man who has peace will have ·children to live after him [posterity].


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The Lord ·saves [rescues; delivers] ·good [righteous] people; he is their strength in times of ·trouble [distress].


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The Lord helps them and ·saves [rescues; delivers] them; he ·saves [rescues; delivers] them from the wicked, because they ·trust [take refuge] in him for protection.


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A Prayer in Time of Sickness A psalm of David ·to remember [or for the memorial offering]. Lord, don’t ·correct [rebuke; reprove] me when you are angry. Don’t ·punish [discipline] me when you are ·furious [enraged; ].


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My ·body [flesh] is ·sick [not sound] from your ·punishment [indignation]. Even my bones are not healthy because of my sin.


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My guilt has ·overwhelmed me [passed over my head]; like a ·load [burden] it ·weighs me down [is too heavy for me].


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·I am burning with fever [My loins are burned with fever], and my ·whole body [flesh] is ·sore [not sound].


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I am weak and ·faint [completely crushed]. I ·moan [groan] from the ·pain I feel [anguish of my heart].


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My heart pounds, and my strength ·is gone [abandons/forsakes me]. ·I am losing my sight [The light of my eyes is not with me].


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Because of my wounds, ·my friends [those who love me] and neighbors ·avoid [stand away from] me, and my relatives ·stay [stand] far away.


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·Some people set traps to kill me [Those who seek my life set traps for me]. Those who ·want [seek] to ·hurt [harm; trouble] me plan trouble; all day long they ·think up [meditate on] ·lies [deception].


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I said, “Don’t let them ·laugh at [rejoice in] me or ·brag [boast] when ·I am defeated [my foot totters/slips].”


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I am ·about to die [ready to stumble], and ·I cannot forget my pain [my pain is constantly with me].


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They repay me with evil for the good I did. They ·lie about me [are my accusers/adversaries] because I ·try to do [pursued] good.


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Life Is Short For the director of music. For Jeduthun [Levitical musician; ; , ; ]. A psalm of David. I said, “I will ·be careful how I act [guard my way] and will not sin ·by what I say [with my tongue]. I will ·be careful what I say [keep a muzzle on my mouth] around wicked people.”


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So I kept ·very quiet [silent and still]. I didn’t even say anything good, but ·I became even more upset [my agony/sorrow got worse].


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·I became very angry inside [My heart grew hot within me], and as I ·thought [meditated] about it, ·my anger [a fire] burned. So I ·spoke [said with my tongue]:


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“Lord, ·tell [inform; reveal to] me when ·the end [or my end] will come and how long ·I will live [will be my days]. Let me know how ·long I have [fleeting I am; ].


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You have given ·me only a short life [my days a handbreadth; about four inches]; my lifetime is like nothing to you. Everyone’s life is only ·a breath [vapor; ]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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People are like shadows moving about. All their ·work [or wealth; or turmoil] is ·for nothing [a breath/vapor; ; ]; they ·collect things [accumulate riches/wealth] but don’t know who will ·get [gather] them.


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Save me from all my ·sins [transgressions]. Don’t ·let wicked fools make fun of me [set the scorn of fools on me].


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·Quit punishing me [Turn your blows/scourge away from me]; ·your beating is about to kill me [I am exhausted/finished from the hostility/beatings of your hand].


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You correct and punish people for their sins; like a moth, you destroy what they ·love [covet; desire]. Everyone’s life is only a ·breath [vapor; ]. ·Selah [Interlude]


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“Lord, hear my prayer, and listen to my cry. Do not ignore my tears. I am like a ·visitor [sojourner; wanderer; resident alien] with you. Like my ·ancestors [fathers], I’m only ·here a short time [a temporary resident].


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Praise and Prayer for Help For the director of music. A psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord. He ·turned [bent down; inclined; stooped] to me and heard my cry.


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He ·lifted [drew] me out of the pit of ·destruction [or desolation], out of the ·sticky mud [miry/muddy pit/bog/swamp]. He ·stood me [placed my feet] on a rock and made my ·feet [step] steady.


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He put a new song [celebrating victory; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ] in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and ·worship [fear] him. Then they will ·trust [find refuge in] the Lord.


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·Happy [Blessed] is the person who ·trusts [finds refuge in] the Lord, who doesn’t turn to those who are proud or to those who ·worship [go astray to] ·false gods [a lie].


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Lord my God, you have done many ·miracles [wonders; great acts]. Your plans for us are many. If I tried to tell them all, there would be too many to count [; ; ].


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You do not want sacrifices and ·offerings [grain offerings; or gifts; tribute; ]. But you have ·made a hole in [or pierced; dug] my ear [to make him hear better or perhaps a reference to the ritual that made one a slave forever; ; ]. You do not ask for burnt offerings [] and ·sin [or purification] offerings [].


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My God, I ·want [delight; take pleasure] to do ·what you want [your pleasure]. Your ·teachings [instructions; laws] are in my heart.”


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I will tell ·about your goodness [the good news] in the great ·meeting of your people [assembly]. Lord, you know ·my lips are not silent [I have not restrained my lips].


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I do not hide your ·goodness [righteousness] in my heart; I speak about your ·loyalty [faithfulness] and ·salvation [victory]. I do not hide your ·love [loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness] from the people in the great ·meeting [assembly].


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Lord, do not ·hold back [restrain] your ·mercy [compassion] from me; let your ·love [loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness] always protect me.


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·Troubles [Evils] have surrounded me; ·there are too many to count [without number]. My ·sins [iniquities] have ·caught [overtaken] me so that I cannot see [a way to escape]. I have more ·sins [iniquities] than hairs on my head, and ·I have lost my courage [my heart fails/abandons/forsakes me].


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People are ·trying to kill me [seeking my life]. Shame them and disgrace them. People want to hurt me. Let them ·run away [be turned back] in disgrace.


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People are ·making fun of me [saying to me, “Aha! Aha!”]. Let them be ·shamed into silence [devastated by their own shame].


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But let those who ·follow [seek] you be happy and glad. They love you for ·saving [delivering] them. May they always say, “·Praise [Magnify; Great is] the Lord!”


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Lord, because I am poor and ·helpless [needy], please ·remember [think of; consider] me. You are my helper and ·savior [rescuer; deliverer]. My God, do not ·wait [delay].


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A Prayer in Time of Sickness For the director of music. A psalm of David. ·Happy [Blessed] are those who ·think about [or care for] the poor []. ·When trouble comes [In the day of trouble/evil], the Lord will ·save [rescue; deliver] them.


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The Lord will ·protect [guard; keep] them and ·spare their life [keep them alive] and will ·bless them [make them happy] in the land. He will not ·let their enemies take them [give their lives to their enemy; or give them over to the desire of their enemy].


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The Lord will give them strength when they are ·sick [on their sickbed], and he will ·make them well again [restore them from their bed of illness].


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My enemies are saying evil things about me. They say, “When will he die and ·be forgotten [his name/reputation perish]?”


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Some people come to see me, but ·they lie [speak deceptive/vain things]. ·They just come to get bad news [Their hearts collect iniquities]. Then they go ·and gossip [out and speak].


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All ·my enemies [those who hate me] whisper about me and ·think [imagine] ·the worst [trouble; evil] about me.


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They say, “·He has a terrible disease [or An evil spell has been cast on him]. He ·will never get out of bed again [lies down and will not get up].”


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·My best and truest friend [A man of peace in whom I trust/find support], who ate at my table, has ·even turned against me [lifted his heel against me; an act of treachery; ; ; ; ; ].


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Because my enemies do not ·defeat [triumph over; or make fun of] me, I know you are ·pleased [delighted] with me.


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Because I am ·innocent [blameless], you support me and will ·let me be with you [set me in your presence] forever.


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·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord, the God of Israel. ·He has always been […from everlasting to everlasting], and he will always be. Amen and amen [ is a doxology that closes Book 1].


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Book 2: Wishing to Be Near God For the director of music. A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of the sons of Korah [descendants of Kohath, son of Levi, who served as Temple musicians; ]. As a deer ·thirsts [longs; pants] for streams of water, so ·I [my soul] ·thirst [longs] for you, God.


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When I remember these things, I ·speak with a broken heart [pour out my soul]. I used to walk with the ·crowd [throng] and lead them to ·God’s Temple [the house of God] with ·songs of praise [the sound of praise and thanks, a crowd in procession].


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Why ·am I so sad [are you cast down, my soul]? Why ·am I so upset [are you groaning/in an uproar]? I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him, my ·Savior [Victor] and


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my God. ·I am very sad [My soul is cast down]. So I remember you ·where the Jordan River begins [from the land of Jordan], ·near the peaks of [and from] Hermon and Mount Mizar [far from the Temple where God made his presence known].


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·Troubles have come again and again [Deep calls to deep], ·sounding like waterfalls [at the sound of your torrents; waters represent distress; ]. Your waves and your breakers ·are crashing all around [pass over] me.


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The Lord ·shows [commands] his ·true love [loyalty; covenant love] every day. At night I have a song, and I pray to my living God.


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I say to God, my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why am I ·sad [going around in mourning] and ·troubled [oppressed] by my enemies?”


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My enemies’ ·insults [scorn] make me feel as if my bones were ·broken [murdered]. They are always saying, “Where is your God?”


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Why ·am I so sad [are you cast down, my soul]? Why ·am I so upset [are you groaning/in an uproar]? I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him, my ·Savior [Victor] and my God.


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A Prayer for Protection God, defend me. ·Argue my case [Vindicate me, O God, and contend for/defend me] against ·those who don’t follow you [a godless nation]. ·Save [Rescue; Deliver] me from ·liars [deceivers] and those who ·do evil [are unjust].


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God, you are my ·strength [refuge]. Why have you rejected me? Why am I ·sad [going around in mourning] and ·troubled [oppressed] by my enemies?


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Send me your light and ·truth [faithfulness] to ·guide [lead] me. Let them ·lead [bring] me to your holy mountain [Zion, the location of the Temple], to ·where you live [your dwelling].


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Then I will go to the altar of God, to God who is my joy and happiness. I will praise you with a ·harp [lyre], God, my God.


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Why ·am I so sad [are you downcast, my soul]? Why ·am I so upset [are you groaning/in an uproar]? I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him, my ·Savior [Victor] and my God.


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A Prayer for Help For the director of music. A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of the sons of Korah [descendants of Kohath, son of Levi, who served as Temple musicians; ]. God, we have heard ·about you [with our ears; ]. Our ·ancestors [fathers] ·told [recited to] us what you did in their days, in days long ago.


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With your ·power [hand] you ·forced [dispossessed] the nations out of the land and ·placed [planted] our ancestors here. You ·destroyed [troubled] ·those other nations [the peoples], but you ·made our ancestors grow strong [set them free].


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It wasn’t their swords that ·took [possessed] the land. It wasn’t their ·power [arm] that gave them victory. But it was your ·great power [arm] and ·strength [right hand]. ·You were with them […and the light of your face] because you ·loved [delighted in] them.


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My God, you are my King. ·Your commands led Jacob’s people to victory [or You command victory for Jacob; Jacob is another name for Israel].


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With your help we pushed ·back [down] our enemies. In your name we trampled those who ·came [rose up] against us.


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You ·saved us from [gave us victory over] our foes, and you made ·our enemies [those who hate us] ashamed.


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We will praise God every day; we will ·praise [give thanks to] your name forever. ·Selah [Interlude]


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But you have rejected us and ·shamed [humiliated] us. You don’t ·march [go out] with our armies anymore [; ].


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You ·gave us away [made us] like sheep ·to be eaten [for slaughter] and have scattered us among the nations.


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You made us a ·joke [reproach] to our neighbors; those around us ·laugh [ridicule] and make fun of us.


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All these things have happened to us, but we have not forgotten you or ·failed to keep [been false to; betrayed] our ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with you [perhaps a reference to the covenant with Moses; ].


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Our hearts haven’t turned ·away [back] from you, and ·we haven’t stopped following you [our steps have not departed from your way].


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But you crushed us in this place where ·wild dogs [jackals] live [desolate areas], and you covered us with ·deep darkness [or the shadow of death; ].


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If we had forgotten the name of our God or ·lifted [spread] our hands in prayer to ·foreign [strange] gods,


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·God would have known [Would not God discover this…?], because he knows ·what is in [the secrets of] our hearts.


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But for you we are ·in danger of death [killed] all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be ·killed [slaughtered; ].


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Why do you hide your face from us? Have you forgotten our ·pain [affliction] and ·troubles [oppression]?


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We have ·been pushed down [sunk down] into the ·dirt [dust]; ·we are flat on the ground [our stomachs cleave to the earth].


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A Song for the King’s Wedding For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation]. A love song of the sons of Korah [descendants of Kohath, son of Levi, who served as Temple musicians; ]. ·Beautiful words fill my mind [My heart is stirred with a good word]. I ·am speaking of royal things [or address my work to the king]. My tongue is like the pen of a skilled writer [].


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You are more ·handsome [or excellent] than anyone, and ·you are an excellent speaker [grace flows from your lips; ], so God has blessed you forever.


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Put on your sword ·at your side [on your thigh], powerful warrior. Show your ·glory [splendor] and majesty.


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In your majesty ·win [ride forth for] the victory for what is ·true [faithful] and ·right [righteous]. Your ·power [right hand] ·will do [teaches you] amazing things.


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Your sharp arrows will ·enter [pierce] the hearts of the king’s enemies. ·Nations [Peoples] will ·be defeated before [fall beneath] you.


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·God, your throne will last [or Your throne is a throne of God] forever and ever. ·You will rule your kingdom with fairness [A scepter of virtue will be the scepter of your kingdom].


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You love ·right [righteousness] and hate ·evil [wickedness], so God has ·chosen [anointed] you from among your ·friends [companions]; ·he has set you apart with much joy […with the oil of joy; kings were anointed with oil at their coronation; ; ; ].


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Your clothes smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. From palaces of ivory ·music [stringed instruments] comes to make you happy.


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Kings’ daughters are among your honored women. Your ·bride [queen; consort] stands at your right side wearing gold from Ophir [perhaps a region in southern Arabia].


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Listen to me, daughter; look and ·pay attention [incline your ear]. Forget your people and your father’s ·family [house; ].


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The king ·loves [desires; longs for] your beauty. Because he is your ·master [lord], you should ·obey [bow yourself before] him.


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·People from the city [The daughter] of Tyre have brought ·a gift [tribute]. Wealthy people ·will want to meet you [seek your favor].


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The ·princess [daughter of the king] is ·very beautiful [all glorious within]. Her gown is woven with gold.


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In her ·beautiful [embroidered] clothes she is brought to the king. ·Her bridesmaids [Virgins] follow behind her, and ·they are also brought to him [her friends follow].


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You will have sons to replace your fathers [addressed to the king]. You will make them ·rulers [princes] through all the land.


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God Protects His People For the director of music. By ·alamoth [maidens; young women; perhaps for soprano voices]. A psalm of the sons of Korah [descendants of Kohath, son of Levi, who served as Temple musicians; ]. God is our ·protection [refuge] and our strength. He ·always helps [is an ever present/timely help] in times of ·trouble [distress].


